Step back over a thousand years in time with a full-day exploration of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of archaeological significance. Polonnaruwa’s well-preserved ruins stretch across a vast parkland of sculpted ponds, towering dagobas, royal palace complexes, and stone carvings, standing as enduring testaments to a golden era of civilisation. Cycling through the ancient city’s wide, shaded pathways remains one of the most enjoyable ways to experience its grandeur. Highlights of the exploration include the Gal Vihara rock temple, featuring four colossal Buddha figures carved from a single granite face, widely regarded as the pinnacle of Sinhalese stone-carving artistry. Visit the towering Rankoth Vehera stupa, the ruins of King Parakramabahu I’s royal palace, the Lotus Pond, and the Vatadage circular relic house, adorned with moonstones and guardstones.