Polonnaruwa - Minneriya National Park Day Trip
This tour will let you to explore the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa and its surroundings and enjoy the herds of elephants in Minneriya National Park. The tour starts form Kandy and you will be transferred to Polonnaruwa which is around three and half hours. You can be amazed at the ancient ruins and cultural remains from ancient times .Polonnaruwa is the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms.
Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu,Who defeated Chola Invaders in 1070 and reunited the country under a local leader.The ancient city of Polonnaruwa is declared as World Heritage Site.The Polonnaruwa had its golden age under the king Parakramabahu.Trade and agricultural flourished under the patronage of the king who was adamant that no drop of water falling from havens was to be wasted and each was to be used towards the development of the land. The irrigational system are far superior to those of the Anuradhapura age.
At Polonnaruwa you can witness ancient stupas, shrines, palaces, buildings, monasteries, tanks and parks, each one narrating its own story of a glorious past. Polonnaruwa is one of best places to witness primates in their natural habitat. After the visit of Polonnaruwa you will have your lunch at a recommended restaurant and will be transferred to Minneriya National Park. The call of the wild beckons nature lovers to a rendezvous with nature! Welcome to Elephant territory; get ready to witness hundreds of Elephants as they come to feed at the famous Minneriya Tank, historically important because it was built by the great King Mahasen in the 3rd century AD.
Elephant lovers are especially in for a treat during the “Elephant Gathering” which occurs during the dry season when large herds of over 150-200 elephants and sometimes as high as 700 gather at the Minneriya tank. Be one of the privileged few to join in this rare annual event known to be the largest Wild Elephant gathering in the whole of South Asia. After the afternoon safari you will be transferred back to Kandy.
