Wilpattu and Anuradhapura from Colombo (2 Days)

About this experience

This two-day private tour runs north from Colombo to combine the ancient city of Anuradhapura with a jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park. Travelling by private vehicle with a chauffeur guide, the route takes in a historic rock fortress en route before settling into the wildlife and heritage sites that anchor the trip.

At Wilpattu, Sri Lanka's largest national park, travellers head out into a landscape of dense jungle and natural lakes known as villus in search of leopard, elephant, sloth bear, deer, buffalo, crocodile and a wide range of birdlife. In Anuradhapura, a city that served as Sri Lanka's capital for over a thousand years until the 10th century AD, the tour moves on foot through dagobas, monastic ruins and sacred sites spread across a wide area, including some of the tallest structures built in the ancient world.

The pace is set entirely by the traveller, with the chauffeur guide on hand throughout for commentary and logistics. Accommodation, meals, entrance fees and visa costs are arranged separately.

Your service advisor

Mahesh Consultant

Have questions about this service or want it arranged around your dates? Reach Mahesh directly — replies usually within a few hours during Sri Lanka business hours.

Email WhatsApp

What’s included

Included

Transport in a Private Vehicle, Fuel, Parking & Highway tolls.
Service of English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide.
All prevailing taxes and service charges.

Not included

Hotel Accommodation and Meals.
Entrance fees to the respective sites.
Expenses of personal nature.
Visa and Related Expenses.
Tips & Portages.

Tour route

Day-by-day waypoints across Sri Lanka. Each marker is where you spend the night; lines trace the daily drive.

Day-by-day itinerary

Download itinerary (PDF)

1 Anuradhapura

Day 1 — Colombo → Panduwasnuwara → Wilpattu → Anuradhapura

The day heads north from Colombo by private vehicle, stopping at a rock fortress before reaching Wilpattu National Park for a jeep safari, then continuing on to Anuradhapura.

Yapahuwa Rock Fortress

Yapahuwa was Sri Lanka's capital after Dambadeniya, following a Dravidian invasion, and was built on a giant rock in the style of the Sigiriya rock fortress. Its architecture differs from Sigiriya, with wide staircases, stone sculptures and detailed pillar carvings.

AI-generated image · not an actual photograph

Wilpattu National Park

A jeep safari through Wilpattu offers the chance to spot the Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan elephant, along with deer, buffalo, monkeys, crocodiles and rare birds across the park's natural terrain.

Rehman Abubakr · CC BY-SA 4.0

2 Colombo

Day 2 — Anuradhapura → Colombo

The second day is spent exploring the ruined city of Anuradhapura before the drive back to Colombo.

Anuradhapura Ancient Kingdom

Anuradhapura served as Sri Lanka's capital for over a millennium until the 10th century AD, and its ruins spread across a vast area with pagodas, monastic buildings and ponds. Key landmarks include the Jetavanarama, once among the tallest buildings in the ancient world, the Sri Maha Bodhi, and the ruins of the Abhayagiri Monastery.

Please note

Public transportation nearby
Infant seats available

Not wheelchair accessible
Not stroller accessible
Not suitable for pets
Infants must not sit on laps
Not recommended for people with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for people with heart conditions
Comfortable clothes and hats recommended.
Your hotel in Colombo

Frequently asked questions

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The tour is private to your group: your own air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking chauffeur guide for all 2 days, with no other travellers joining.

Where does the tour start and end?

Day 1 starts at Colombo and day 2 ends at Colombo. Every stop in between is reached by road in the same vehicle, so there is no other transport to arrange.

Are hotels included?

The base price covers the vehicle and chauffeur guide. In the booking box you can add hotels for all 1 nights at Budget (3★), Standard (4★) or Luxury (5★ and boutique) level, on half board. Hotels we hold contracts with for your dates are named in the price; for any other night our team books a hotel of the same class after you pay.

What vehicle will we travel in?

It depends on your group: a car for 1–2 guests, a van for 3–5, a large van for 6–8 and a bus for 9–15. Choose the number of guests in the booking box and the price updates to match.

Are entrance fees included?

Not in the base price. Set Tickets to Included in the booking box to add the entrance fees and safari jeeps for the sights on this itinerary; the booking box lists exactly which ones are covered.

Can we have a national guide?

Yes. A chauffeur guide is always included, and you can add a government-licensed national guide who travels with you for the whole tour. Choose it under Guide in the booking box; the vehicle is sized for the extra seat.

Can we change the itinerary or the dates?

Yes. Every tour is private, so it can start on any date you choose. To change stops, add nights or combine it with another tour, write to us in the booking notes or plan your own trip at lakpura.com/plan-your-trip.