Day-trip Anuradhapura and Thanthirimale - Heritage Tour
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Quick answer
Is Day-trip Anuradhapura and Thanthirimale - Heritage Tour worth booking?
Day-trip Anuradhapura and Thanthirimale - Heritage Tour is a 8-hour experience in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, from $170 per person. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 47 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $170 per person
This is a combination of highlights of Anuradhapura with a less-visited charming site further northwest, Thantirimale being an interesting heritage destination for several reasons. It has the second-largest reclining Bud
What you get
- Total Parking charges
- Knowledgeable English speaking driver
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Passenger Insurance cover 500,000 LKR P.P
- Road Tax & Insurance Tax
- Total fuel cost
About this experience
This is a combination of highlights of Anuradhapura with a less-visited charming site further northwest, Thantirimale being an interesting heritage destination for several reasons. It has the second-largest reclining Buddha, a very unique specimen of a Bo-tree, and pre-historic cave paintings. Moreover, the sacred area of Thanthirmale is situated in a very pleasant and somewhat strange setting. Our experienced drivers are known for careful driving. They have been doing these tours for 5 years. Their cultural & historical expertise well-founded.
What's included
Included
- Total Parking charges
- Knowledgeable English speaking driver
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Passenger Insurance cover 500,000 LKR P.P
- Road Tax & Insurance Tax
- Total fuel cost
- Replacement vehicle in case of unlucky events - with new driver
- 1000 ml bottled drinking water per person
Not included
- Entry fees of visiting site or activities
- Extra person in vehicle other than those who booked
- Extra excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
- Food, meals, other beverages than water
What you'll see and do
Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya
Thanthirimale is the location of Sri Lanka's most famous love story, the island's version of Romeo and Juliette. It's a romantic site indeed. What visitors can see at this pilgrimage site are a large reclining and a smaller seated Buddha in the style of Polonnaruwa. The ancient Bo-tree grows atop a large turtleback rock. This is considered to be a natural miracle. Though Thanthirimale is a very charming place and of some historical significance, it is still not crowded with tourists.
90 minutes here
Nellikulama Temple
On the way back from Thanthirimale we stop at the modern temple of Nellikulama, which has become a noticeable site recently, as life-size sculptures of the 500 Arahats or disciples of the Buddha are standing here in a long line one after another.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Sri Maha Boodhi Temple
In the afternoon we will first visit the most famous places of Anuradhapura, namely the famous Bo-tree and the nearby pillars of the Brazen Palaca and the refectory hall of the Mahavihara complex and the large white dome of the Ruwanweli stupa. We also visit the world's largest surviving stupa, which is known as Jetavanarama Dagoba. It's also the world's largest bakestone building. The Thuparama is the oldest stupa in Anuradhapura, adorned with several circles of carved pillars and two moonstones.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Isurumuniya Temple
In the late afternoon, we visit three more historical sites in the very soith of Anuradhapura, namely the Isurumuniya rock temple, which is famous for its rock carvings, the Goldfish Park called Ranmasu Uyana in Sinhala, which has the most enigmatic and mysterious carving of Sri Lanka, and the very ancient monastic rock shelters of Vessagiriya, where traces of rock paintings from the Anuradhapura period can still be seen. You can enjoy sunset at Tissa Wewa.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 5 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Lanka Excursions Holidays
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Lanka Excursions Holidays, who run 17 experiences we rank across 8 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 48.5.
See everything Lanka Excursions Holidays runsWhy this scores 47
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Day-trip Anuradhapura and Thanthirimale - Heritage Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Anuradhapura.
How much does Day-trip Anuradhapura and Thanthirimale - Heritage Tour cost?
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Prices start at $170 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Anuradhapura usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Day-trip Anuradhapura and Thanthirimale - Heritage Tour take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Anuradhapura is not rushed.
Is Day-trip Anuradhapura and Thanthirimale - Heritage Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 47 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Anuradhapura, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Day-trip Anuradhapura and Thanthirimale - Heritage Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Day-trip Anuradhapura and Thanthirimale - Heritage Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Day-trip Anuradhapura and Thanthirimale - Heritage Tour?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Anuradhapura can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Anuradhapura and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Day-trip Anuradhapura and Thanthirimale - Heritage Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Anuradhapura within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Anuradhapura?
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On Outty we rank every Anuradhapura experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Private City Day Tour in Anuradhapura, Mountain Bicycle Group Tour Anuradhapura & History with Buddhism, Anuradhapura Heritage Mountain bike / bicycle Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Anuradhapura?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Anuradhapura?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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