Kandy to Anuradhapura Private Day Trip

Overview

Our private Anuradhapura day trip from Kandy takes you to Sri Lanka’s first royal capital and one of its holiest places, and back in a single day. We pick you up from your hotel in Kandy and drive you north to the sacred city of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the sacred Bodhi tree, giant white stupas and the ruins of great monasteries, before bringing you back to Kandy in the evening.

This Kandy to Anuradhapura private day trip is just for your group, with your own air-conditioned car or van and an experienced English-speaking driver. Choose a 6:30 am or 7:30 am start. We recommend the earlier pickup, as it is a long drive and the stone paths around the stupas get very hot in the afternoon.

Kandy to Anuradhapura: how far is it?

Anuradhapura is about 140 km north of Kandy, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours by road through Matale and Dambulla. An Anuradhapura day tour from Kandy usually takes about 13 hours door to door, including 4 to 5 hours in the Anuradhapura sacred city and a lunch stop.

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Highlights

Explore Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visit Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred Bodhi tree planted over 2,000 years ago
See the great white stupa of Ruwanwelisaya and Thuparamaya, the island’s first stupa
Stand beneath Jetavanaramaya, one of the tallest buildings of the ancient world
Private air-conditioned car or van with an experienced English-speaking driver
Hotel pickup in Kandy at 6:30 or 7:30 am

Pickup · 6:30 or 7:30 am :

Hotel pickup in Kandy

Your driver meets you at your hotel, guesthouse or homestay anywhere in Kandy. The drive north to Anuradhapura takes about 3.5 to 4 hours through Matale and Dambulla, with a stop for breakfast or tea on the way.

Late morning :

Sri Maha Bodhi

Begin at the heart of the sacred city: Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree grown from a branch of the tree in India under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Planted in the 3rd century BC, it is one of the oldest known trees planted by people, and pilgrims come here every day with flowers and prayers. Nearby stand the 1,600 stone pillars of the Lovamahapaya, the ancient Brazen Palace.

Around midday :

Ruwanwelisaya and Thuparamaya

Walk to Ruwanwelisaya, the great white stupa built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BC, ringed by a wall of carved elephants. Then visit Thuparamaya, said to be the first stupa built in Sri Lanka after Buddhism arrived on the island.

Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura

Around 1:00 pm :

Lunch break

Stop for a traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch at a local restaurant in Anuradhapura (at your own cost). Your driver can suggest places for every budget.

Afternoon :

Jetavanaramaya and Abhayagiri

After lunch, buy your ticket for the ancient city and see Jetavanaramaya, a massive brick stupa that was one of the tallest buildings in the ancient world. Continue to the Abhayagiri monastery, once home to thousands of monks, with its huge stupa, the serene Samadhi Buddha statue and the Kuttam Pokuna twin ponds.

Around 7:30 to 8:30 pm :

Back to your hotel in Kandy

Relax on the drive back south, and be dropped off at your hotel in Kandy in the evening.

FAQs

Expand all

How far is Anuradhapura from Kandy?

Anuradhapura is about 140 km from Kandy, which takes around 3.5 to 4 hours by car through Matale and Dambulla.

Can I do a day trip from Kandy to Anuradhapura?

Yes. A day trip from Kandy to Anuradhapura takes about 13 hours, with 4 to 5 hours in the sacred city and a lunch stop, and you are back at your hotel in the evening. It is a long day, so we recommend the 6:30 am pickup.

What time does the tour start?

You can choose a 6:30 am or 7:30 am pickup from your hotel in Kandy.

Is the Anuradhapura entrance ticket included?

No. The ticket for the Anuradhapura ancient city is paid on the day, and your driver will help you buy it. Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanwelisaya are active places of worship and do not need the ancient city ticket.

What should I wear in Anuradhapura?

Wear light, loose clothes that cover your shoulders and knees; white clothing is ideal at the sacred sites. Shoes and hats are removed at Sri Maha Bodhi and the stupas, so bring socks, as the stone paths get very hot.

How long do you need in Anuradhapura?

Most visitors spend 4 to 5 hours in Anuradhapura. That is enough to see Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya, Jetavanaramaya and Abhayagiri at a relaxed pace.

Is there a lot of walking?

The sites are spread out, so your driver takes you between them by car, with short walks at each stop. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water for the walks between the stupas.

How many people can join this private tour?

The tour is private for 1 to 7 people, with one price for 1 to 3 people in a car and another for 4 to 7 people in a larger van.

Anuradhapura Day Trip from Kandy

Overview

Kandy to Anuradhapura: how far is it?

More day trips from Kandy

Highlights

Itinerary

What’s included

Included

Not included

FAQs

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