" I’m Shanaka Rajapaksha and I am a Authorized Tourist Chauffeur & Private Driver / Guide in Sri Lanka. Since 2015, I have more than ten years’ experience in Sri Lanka, Maldives, Thailand & United Arab Emirates tourism and hotel industry. I have felt honored to introduce visitors to the wonders of Sri Lanka from ancient archeological sites to our national parks and tropical beaches offering an amazing range of activities. I am happy to design your personal journey according to your interest and budget and guide you either as a private tour guide, or along with my team of professional private drivers for larger groups. I know my country like the back of my hand and love showing visitors our national treasures and sharing our culture. Honesty, flexibility, responsibility and safety is also my motto, so if you are looking for a professional, friendly, smiling and caring guide, I look forward to showing you my home island Sri Lanka.! "

Your day tour to Polonnaruwa and Minneriya begins in the morning pickup from your hotel in Dambulla. Drive with your private chauffeur and guide to the first destination of Polonnaruwa. If you didn't have breakfast already we can stop along the way for some local products.

Arrive at Polonnaruwa and spend the morning exploring the second capital of the ancient Sri Lankan Kings. During your visit to the ruined city, see famous archaeological sites such as Gal Vihara, the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sathmahal Prasada, Medirigiriya Vatadage, Lankathilaka Image House, the Shiva Temple, Rankoth Vehera, Nissankalatha, Mandapaya and much more.

We will take a break for lunch before going to Minneriya National Park. Leave Polonnaruwa and arrive at the Minneriya Park at in the afternoon. Minneriya is famous for its seasonal elephant gatherings where hundreds of elephants come together to socialize, feed, and play, depending on the seasons!

Polonnaruwa and Minneriya Private Day Tour From Dambulla

See Sigiriya Rock Fortress, visit a local village, and go on a two-hour safari ride!
With this tour you'll make the most of a full day in Sri Lanka.

Pickup at your hotel in Dambulla and head to your first destination, Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Rising from the central plains, the iconic rocky outcrop of Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka's most dramatic sight. Climb a series of narrow staircases to reach its top, passing frescoes and colossal statues of lion paws carved into the bedrock.

At the top, you'll be able to take in unforgettable views of the surrounding moats, water gardens, and quiet shrines. Follow this experience with a tour of a local village, where you can take an oxen cart ride and experience the world from the view of a village farmer.

Take a relaxing catamaran ride through a calm lake and walk through golden fields ripe with their harvest. Finally, watch a cooking demonstration that teaches you the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine, and taste the results for lunch.

Sigiriya Rock, Village Tour and Minneriya Wild Safari Tour From Dambulla

We will proceed to Royal Cave Temple, Dambulla. Here you'll find the famous Rock Temple, dating to the First Century B. C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. In the first cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the rock. In the second cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of the Buddha in various postures. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes.

After that visit to Kaudulla National Park, you will commence with a jeep safari in the Polonnaruwa District.

This was opened in September 2002 as a National Park. This is home to a large herd of elephants, sambhur, spotted deer, wild boar, wild buffalo, a range of reptile species, and a large number of bird species and the elephant population found here far exceeds those found in other Parks.

Tour guide in Sigiriya and Dambulla Shanaka

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