Overview in Negombo

Negombo, Sri Lanka · History, Day Trips, Food, Private Tours, Literature · USD 160

Colombo to Polonnaruwa day trip: a private tour from Colombo or Negombo to Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya Rock, with a free Dambulla stop. Car US$160, van US$230. Our private Colombo to Polonnaruwa day trip takes you to two of Sri Lanka’s greatest ancient sites in one day: the medieval royal city of Polonnaruwa and the rock fortress of Sigiriya. Your English-speaking driver picks you up from your hotel in Colombo, Negombo or near the airport at 6:30 or 7:00 am, and you travel in your own air-conditioned car or van. The price covers your private return transport: US$160 for 1 to 3 people in a car, or US$230 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Entrance tickets are extra. On the way back you can add a free stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple; just tick it in the booking box. Polonnaruwa day trip from Colombo: the plan We drive to Polonnaruwa first, as it is the furthest point, arriving at about 11:00 am. Explore the Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu, the Vatadage and the Quadrangle, Lankatilaka and the Gal Vihara rock-cut Buddhas. After lunch, head back west to Sigiriya Rock for an afternoon climb when it is cooler, then stop at Dambulla if you wish before the drive home. Read more about Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Polonnaruwa day tour from Negombo and the airport Staying in Negombo or near Bandaranaike International Airport? We pick up from any hotel in Negombo or the airport area at no extra cost, and the drive is a little shorter than from Colombo. Is it a long day? Yes. Polonnaruwa is about 4.5 hours from Colombo, so this is a full day of around 16 hours. If you prefer a slower pace, we can add a night near Sigiriya, or choose our shorter Sigiriya day trip from Colombo. Want to see more of the Cultural Triangle? See our 3-day Cultural Triangle tour, with Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla and two nights near Sigiriya. More day trips from Colombo This is one of our private day trips from Colombo and Negombo. See all day trips from Colombo → Highlights - Colombo to Polonnaruwa day trip with hotel pickup at 6:30 or 7:00 am - Explore Polonnaruwa, the UNESCO-listed medieval royal capital - Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the cooler afternoon - Free optional stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple - Private air-conditioned car (1–3 people) or van (4–7 people) with an English-speaking driver - Transport from US$160 · entrance tickets extra Itinerary Your driver collects you from your hotel in Colombo, Negombo or near the airport at 6:30 or 7:00 am, as you choose when booking. We confirm the exact time after booking. Head north-east through Kurunegala, Dambulla and Habarana, with a short breakfast stop on the way, arriving in Polonnaruwa at about 11:00 to 11:30 am. Explore the Royal Palace of Parakramabahu, the Vatadage and the Quadrangle, Lankatilaka, Rankoth Vehera and the Gal Vihara Buddhas. Your driver moves the car between the sites for you. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way to Sigiriya (not included). Climb Sigiriya Rock in the cooler afternoon: walk through the water gardens, see the frescoes and the Lion Gate, and reach the palace ruins on the summit. On the way back, stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple if you wish. There is no extra transport charge; the entrance ticket is paid at the temple. Drive back to Colombo or Negombo, arriving at your hotel at about 10:30 to 11:00 pm. What’s included Included - Private air-conditioned car or van for the whole day - English-speaking driver - Hotel pickup and drop-off in Colombo, Negombo or the airport area - Optional Dambulla Cave Temple stop (no extra transport cost) - Fuel, parking fees and highway tolls Not included - Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla entrance tickets - Meals and drinks - Tips for your driver (optional) FAQs Polonnaruwa is about 215 km from Colombo, roughly 4.5 hours by road via Kurunegala and Dambulla. Yes. We pick you up at 6:30 or 7:00 am, visit Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya Rock, add a free Dambulla stop if you wish, and bring you back at about 10:30 to 11:00 pm. Private return transport costs US$160 for 1 to 3 people in a car or US$230 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Entrance tickets are extra. Yes. The trip includes an afternoon visit to Sigiriya Rock. The Sigiriya entrance ticket is paid at the gate. Yes. You can add a stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple on the way back at no extra transport cost. Just tick it in the booking box; the entrance ticket is paid at the temple. Yes. We pick up from hotels in Colombo, Negombo and near Bandaranaike International Airport at no extra cost. Yes, around 16 hours door to door. For a slower pace, add a night near Sigiriya, or choose our shorter Sigiriya day trip from Colombo.