Private Tour
Private Polonnaruwa Ruins & Minneriya Safari Tour from Sigiriya
Overview
Mobile ticket
Hey there! Are you ready for an unforgettable Travel back to Sri Lanka’s ancient kingdom on this full-day private tour. Explore UNESCO-listed Polonnaruwa’s ruins, then spot wild elephants in Minneriya National Park—ranked #1 for elephant sightings in Sri Lanka!"*
We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Sigiriya, Habarana , and head straight to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, Don’t forget your camera—every corner is a photo opportunity!
We have introduced two Packages: the Polonnaruwa city Explore package and the Polonnaruwa City with Minneriya Safari package. In Polonnaruwa city Explore package, we included the driver and vehicle, there are Two option avalable Budget friendly Car Option (Suzuki Estilo) and Luxury Mini Van Option (NV200). In the Polonnaruwa City with Minneriya Safari package, we included the above mention Two vehicle Option with expert driver, 4 x4 Safari Jeep,
Travelers can select (NV200) Van or Suzuki Estilo Compact car as the transportation Type.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Archaeological Museum
Step into the Polonnaruwa Archaeological Museum, a captivating gateway to Sri Lanka’s golden age! Nestled near the entrance of the UNESCO-listed Polonnaruwa Heritage Site, this museum is a must-visit for history lovers, showcasing an extraordinary collection of ancient statues, intricate stone carvings, and excavated pottery that bring the past to life. Why This Museum is a Must-See? ✨ Journey Through Time – Discover detailed scale models of Polonnaruwa’s iconic landmarks, including the majestic Gal Vihara and the grand Royal Palace, revealing how these wonders once stood in their prime. ✨ Curated for Clarity – Well-organized exhibits with informative panels and visual aids make it easy to appreciate Polonnaruwa’s role as Sri Lanka’s 2nd royal capital. ✨ Perfect Prelude to Exploration – Enhance your visit to the ruins by first immersing yourself in the museum’s rich insights—ideal for history buffs, culture seekers, and curious travelers.
Statue of Parakramabahu I
Relive the Glory of Sri Lanka’s Golden Age Stand in awe before the Palace of King Parakramabahu, a breathtaking relic of 12th-century Sri Lankan royalty. Once a seven-story architectural masterpiece, this UNESCO-listed ruin still echoes the grandeur of Polonnaruwa’s medieval capital. Though time has left only its massive brick walls and stone foundations, the palace’s scale and sophistication reveal why it was the heart of a mighty kingdom. ✨ Why This Palace Captivates Visitors ✔ Engineering Marvel – Marvel at meter-thick walls, carved staircases, and remnants of ornate plasterwork that hint at its former opulence. ✔ Royal Legacy – Walk through audience halls, guardrooms, and chambers where King Parakramabahu I, one of Sri Lanka’s greatest rulers, once governed. ✔ UNESCO World Heritage Gem – Part of the Royal Palace Group, a crown jewel of Polonnaruwa’s ancient city.
What‘s Included
Complimentary Water Bottles (Stay refreshed!)
Private tour
Expert Driver (Knows all the best photo spots & shortcuts!)
Safari Jeep with Driver (We offer this Polonnaruwa and wild Safari Package Only)
Hotel pickup and drop-off (Pickup from Sigiriya/Habarana or Dambulla
All Entrance Fees
Lunch
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Luxury Mini Van Option
Safari Jeep with Luxury Van: 1️⃣ Luxury Mini Van Option (Nissan NV200) with Safari Jeep - up 1-5 Pax
Ideal 1-5 Passenger
who Looking Comfortable option
Pickup included
Only Polonnaruwa City by Tuk
Tuk Tuk Option: We Offer
1️⃣ Tuk Tuk Option - up 2 Pax
Pickup included
Wild Safari with Polonnaruwa
Safari with budget car: Budget- Compact Hatchback Car Option(Suzuki Estilo) -up 2 Pax travelers seeking a more budget-friendly option
Pickup included
Reviews
15 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Awesome tour with informative driver and cool safari
Juno T,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was awesome! Our driver Rashith was super informative, really down to earth guy, who knew all the best spots to take us in Polonnaruwa. Instead of getting a tuk tuk whilst we were there we just drove around the different ruins with him, each time getting out and wandering around each spot (helps on a warm day to be in and out of ac car!). The safari itself was way better than we anticipated it would, not overly crowded with Jeeps in the park itself, and a few times we were even by ourself, sat watching the majestic elephants. For the price we paid and the experience we had, we really couldn’t have asked for more - thanks again Haven Lanka!
Wonderful Experience!!!
malacarne immobilier,,Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Book without hesitation!! We recommend Rashith as a driver. Speed, control of the road, makes you know friendly places. Our day started at 8:30 a.m. at the hotel for a 1-hour drive around. Beautiful and exotic. We arrived at the museum (cut short the people who offer you to be a guide, personally we did not find the use). Watch the museum carefully to understand after your journey. Take pictures in the museum. Access to the museum is about 25€ and opens the door to 3 other sites (keep the ticket because you will need it). Remember to dress obligatorily in pants and short sleeved T-shirt (no tank top, nor shorts is prohibited). Also take a hat and sunscreen. Everything is wonderful in Polonnaruwa. In half a day you've been around. Important if you hesitate to do the activity with bicycles, forget it is too hot and you will waste time. We chose not to have lunch to save time in our day. Don’t forget to bring some crossed protein because at the end of the day I was ko and I had to cut the elephants short. The route to the park. We paid 5120 lkr a derisory rate. 3-4 hours playing hide and seek with elephants. Then at a stroke 1 then 2 then 4. In the end about 20. The driver of the jeep did not hesitate to go to lost corners. We absolutely do not regret having paid 99€ for 2 people. It is a time saver and a wonderful excursion. Thank you very much to rashith and his colleague from the jeep. Stéphanie & Fabien Corsica (France)
Good choice
JUANMANUEL F,,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Good experience, our driver Rashith very attentive that everything went well. Time is used to a great extent, especially in commuting. The restaurant took us very well, cleanliness and a lot of variety of food.
Book this tour! Great drivers and service!
362thek,,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dinesh was a safe on-time driver, opening the doors for us at every stop. He played a clip on Polonnaruwa on the drive down which was helpful. The stops in Polonnaruwa were excellent and worth seeing. Dinesh also bought us king coconut, water, icecream and some snacks and juice! Very generous. Played music videos for us to pass the time. The safari was an absolute highlight! The driver was fun and fast, getting great spots. Saw elephants, buffalo, eagle and peacock and hornbill. Highly recommend this tour!
A great trip with many highlights.
solveigh844,,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked the visit of Polonnaruwa with haven Lanka Tours. Our guide arrived on time and accompanied us excellently all day. He was very pfriendly, gave us important information, saved us unnecessary costs and ways. The journey time was shortened medially, as a snack we had King Coconut and on the way back we could even observe an elephant walking along the road. We were safely taken through traffic.
Safari tour
Monica O,,Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide was really kindly and helpful for the trip. I really enjoyed the tour, It was an amazing experience for the safari, it was the jeep for myself and they ensure I enjoyed the whole experience.
Wonderful experience with haven Lanka tours in Hurulu Eco park.
itetourspolonnaruwa,,Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a wonderful experience with Haven Lanka Tours during my recent visit to Hurulu Eco Park. The arrangements were excellent and everything went very smoothly. The safari guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and helped us spot many wild elephants. I truly appreciate the great service and support from Haven Lanka Tours — they made our trip comfortable and unforgettable. Highly recommend them to anyone who wants to explore Sri Lanka with a reliable and professional tour operator
Nice driver
658gretchens,,Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wre just did the Polonnaruwa tour. Our driver was on time and drove very safely. He took us to a restaurant that served very good and reasonably priced food.
History & nature: the perfect combination
Gerard S,,Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing day with our driver, Rashith! He showed us the best spots in the vast ancient city of Polonnaruwa, making the visit easy and enjoyable even under the hot sun. After lunch, we headed to Minneriya National Park where we saw around 80 elephants, plus monkeys and lots of birds. Rashith answered all our questions and even had a bird guidebook so we could identify what we were spotting. Doing Polonnaruwa and Minneriya together is the perfect way to get the most out of your day—and with Rashith, the experience was smooth, fun, and memorable!
A Perfect Day in Sri Lanka!
PETERSAN2023,,Aug 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A Perfect Day in Sri Lanka! We had an amazing experience combining the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa with an unforgettable safari in Minneriya National Park all in one day. Everything was perfectly organized, allowing us to enjoy both culture and wildlife without any stress. Our driver Rashith was absolutely wonderful – kind, attentive, and always making sure we felt comfortable. He made the journey enjoyable from start to finish, and his care truly made the day special. Exploring Polonnaruwa was fascinating, full of history and beauty, while the safari at Minneriya was magical. Seeing so many elephants in their natural habitat was a breathtaking experience that we will never forget. This day was filled with great memories, laughter, and unique moments. We can highly recommend this tour to anyone wishing to discover the true essence of Sri Lanka – a perfect balance of history, culture, and nature.
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Operated by Haven Lanka Tours