Polonnaruwa by bicycle and a Minneriya elephant safari is Majeste's private day tour from Sigiriya. It takes about 11.5 hours door to door and costs $154 per person for two, including your own car with an English-speaking driver, entrance tickets, Polonnaruwa ancient city by bicycle and Minneriya or Kaudulla elephant safari (private jeep) with its park tickets. Prices checked 7 Nov 2026. Nothing to pay now.
The medieval capital in the morning, an elephant safari in the afternoon.
| Start | Hours | Km | Per person for two |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trincomalee | about 14 | 215 | $169 |
The usual pairing from Sigiriya: the compact ruins of Polonnaruwa by bicycle in the morning (the museum, the Quadrangle, Rankoth Vehera and the rock-cut Buddhas of Gal Vihara), then a private jeep safari at Minneriya, Kaudulla or Hurulu Eco Park, chosen on the day for where the elephants are. Sightings are not guaranteed. From July to October the Gathering brings large herds to the Minneriya lake bed; in other months the herds are small.
Planning times from Sigiriya, not promises. From another start town the times change.
Pickup in Sigiriya; A11 through Minneriya, about 1.5 hours.
Archaeological museum, then the ancient city.
Cycle the Royal Palace, the Quadrangle, Rankoth Vehera and Gal Vihara, about three hours. Flat, hot and exposed.
Lunch by the Parakrama Samudra tank, paid directly.
Meet your jeep at Habarana.
Elephant safari at Minneriya, Kaudulla or Hurulu, about three hours.
Drop-off at your hotel.
Polonnaruwa Ancient City
$60
USD 30 per adult, USD 15 for children 6 to 12 and SAARC passport holders, paid in rupees. Covers the archaeological museum and all the ruins.
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Polonnaruwa ancient city by bicycle
$25
USD 25 per group for bicycles, from a marketplace listing that does not state a group size; we price one group per 6 guests.
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Minneriya or Kaudulla elephant safari (private jeep)
$146.86
USD 75 per jeep (up to 6) plus park tickets: about USD 72 for two adults. Minneriya and Kaudulla are both Category I parks.
Amounts are for two adults. Entrance fees for Sri Lankan residents differ. Message us and we price them for you.
Entrance fees last checked 7 November 2026. Activity prices last checked 7 November 2026. Rupee fees converted at LKR 332.5 to USD 1 (XE mid-market rate, 6 Nov 2026).
Good months: July, August, September, October.
Harder months: November, December, January, February, March, April, May.
Not in the price. Add them in the price box.
+$25 for two
USD 25 per jeep per drive, added to any safari.
Seven days covers Sigiriya, Kandy, the tea country, the Ella train and a Yala safari. USD 866 per person for two on Majeste's Classic tour, 7 Nov 2026.
Yes, Sigiriya and Dambulla fit one day from Colombo: about 15 hours, 9 in the car. About USD 249 for two with Majeste, car and tickets in, 7 Nov 2026.
January to March is driest on the west and south coasts, in the hills and the Cultural Triangle; May to September suits the east. Checked 7 Nov 2026.
Where the figures come from
From Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana) · about 12.5 hours
The first capital, then 1,840 steps at Mihintale in the late afternoon
$74
per person for two, from Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), tickets included, temple-run sites paid there
From Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana) · about 6.5 hours
Two climbs before 11:00, both tickets included
$76
per person for two, from Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), tickets included
From Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana) · about 8 hours
Bullock cart, catamaran and a village lunch, then the painted caves
$82
per person for two, from Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), tickets included
Example for 2, no date chosen
$154per person, rounded up$306.86 total
for 2 adults, from Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), car
Nothing to pay now. You pay your driver in cash when the trip starts. Plans change? Cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup. Replies within 30 minutes, 07:00 to 21:00 Sri Lanka time.
