Polonnaruwa Ancient City and Wildlife Safari From Dambulla: An Honest Review

So, planning a day trip from Dambulla that takes in both the historic wonders of Polonnaruwa and an exciting wildlife safari? That sounds pretty spectacular, right? We checked it out to give you, like your fellow explorers, the lowdown on what to anticipate, plus whether this is something you’d seriously consider squeezing into your Sri Lankan adventure.

Setting off From Dambulla

Anyway, the first part of this adventure often begins in Dambulla, and it’s mostly an early start, but that’s kind of normal for tours to popular spots. As a matter of fact, it’s useful for dodging some of the bigger crowds and that scorching midday heat. It’s almost a two-hour car ride to Polonnaruwa, just enough time to, you know, sit back and really take in those lovely scenes of Sri Lanka as you whiz by.

First thing to remember, the vehicles are usually comfy enough. So, sinking into your seat, you get to observe how the scenery switches over time. The road trips through the Sri Lankan countryside, as I was saying, gives glimpses of village life, and its vibrant greenery too; honestly, this pretty much sets the mood for exploration. You begin to get a sense for how history and nature could be waiting for you. Anyway, getting on the road from Dambulla could be the very beginning of something quite special.

Exploring Polonnaruwa’s Ancient Wonders

Visiting Polonnaruwa honestly feels something like stepping back in time. So, that very ancient city, which was once the island’s capital after Anuradhapura, is very much still standing, very much showcasing some super-duper well-kept ruins and temples. It’s arguably a feast for your eyes, particularly if, like some others, you have any love for architecture, history, or even anything to do with culture.

As a matter of fact, one thing people pretty much always mention first is the Gal Vihara, and this shows off some amazing rock sculptures of Buddha, and very impressive they are, too. I mean, these carvings – that’s to say, these statues carved straight from stone – are truly breathtaking; to be honest they highlight the really incredible skills of sculptors of the past.

So, another essential stop is that Royal Palace, also known as the Parakramabahu’s Royal Palace; like other places here, it gives glimpses into royal life so very long ago. Those big buildings that are standing give a very distinct sense for the splendor of old times. Don’t even get me started on that Parakrama Samudra tank, either. Very simply put, it gives insight into just how innovative their irrigation systems were back then.

Anyway, walking through all these amazing historical sites really does offer many photo opportunities; also, you’re kind of learning bits about old Sinhalese civilizations. Anyway, it’s pretty advisable, though, that you’ve packed a hat, that you have sunglasses and that sunscreen’s ready because it often gets pretty sunny around midday – as a matter of fact, a pretty scorching midday sun at that. Actually, there’s just so many monuments scattered across a very big area, wearing really comfy shoes will seriously keep your feet feeling really happy all through the exploration.

Lunch Break: A Taste of Sri Lankan Flavors

Arguably, all that exploring those ruins, so it can really build up an appetite, can’t it? It’s almost like the trips usually factor in taking some delicious time to really savor real Sri Lankan cooking. Like most, the lunch spots may very well cater to different taste buds, that is, you’re able to have somewhat milder stuff, but obviously if you’re up to the task, then certainly there is seriously spicy fare as well. Honestly, you are likely to see lots of rice served, also a whole bunch of curries; and I am talking curries that have ingredients from tasty vegetables through to things like different meats or even fish too – plenty for everyone to pick what exactly suits their individual preferences, which is what you obviously want.

But, to be honest, getting this pause does present more than just time spent eating; as a matter of fact it may possibly turn into a window through which someone observes local hospitality. You know, quite often you’re in smaller restaurants in close proximity to those landmark destinations – which, you know, usually means being given the opportunity not only for recharging but even making a contribution by benefitting local companies, that is the actual small establishments doing business within a certain area which, you know, helps with keeping that cash going round down the ladder where its actually more directly helping individuals or small firms survive from within that population area instead. What with lunchtimes becoming more enriching as these factors bring added significance compared with just refueling before moving further onward.

Afternoon Safari Adventure

So, with the history part done and dusted, things then head toward a national park nearby. Minneriya or Kaudulla National Parks are very famous, particularly regarding elephant sightings. Now, a bit of caution, that national park you visit often depends on which location actually gives best viewing opportunities for you that day, so flexibility is what makes everything work seamlessly together at all points. So, bear that bit in mind.

In a way, the afternoon wildlife safaris almost make for, well, just that really needed change in tone after that morning’s historical indulgence. It’s almost like a fun switch of scenery. I mean you’re swapping very old temples with a real, live natural backdrop, so that’s interesting and gives variety.

Actually, it’s that anticipation as you cruise into a place well-known for the really huge gathering of elephants which really cranks up some anticipation. And what this creates does draw some crowds in, sure; still, if it occurs just so you can watch big herds moving by grassy banks during their quest just for watering holes – gosh that’s certainly makes enduring people become certainly well worth everything from crowds downwards! Just try keeping still.

But frankly, what actually makes such places more rewarding are just sightings beyond the elephant gatherings. Like many people you see tons besides those jumbos roaming all over the spot either – you are arguably spotting lots like a colorful collection made of different birds and you could find a few other occupants of such areas, as for example there could well be deer in some spots alongside any likelihood perhaps concerning the presence and visibility either for jackals too dependent, you know, what particular day offers what opportunities specifically when trying just make that identification based exactly upon circumstances during its occurring during time available whilst out searching then etcetera.

Just try to seriously bear in mind all who do trips that getting clear pictures definitely benefits via bringing either zooming cameras – at the very least make perfectly sure any phone features that good zoom potential from what lens arrangements provide through your equipment whilst seeing all sorts appear so very different up very near either distanced far or more by where their appearing etc., that matters really rather seriously given some happenings are so extremely elusive or maybe those occurring happen in locations kind requiring very distinct closeness being needed if your mission stays capturing genuinely wonderful keepsake shots by photographic manner before these get recorded firmly permanently deep from any person taking experience when visiting place at sometime as the visit actually truly occurred.

What to Bring

Alright, making sure to come prepared arguably impacts enjoying an outing this comprehensive as such hugely: So let’s go over the absolute necessities; So really it’s about mixing getting ready both relating culture combined through environments when seeing somewhere unique whilst experiencing something interesting simultaneously together!

So always bring things preventing scorches when that sun decides just feel brutal against everything when there might often come across long spells that find very limited sheltering locations – therefore always that hat is handy together Sunblocks stay completely essential etcetera: So be ready towards taking care yourself prevent sun impairing overall moments because you’ll mostly likely experience those periods spent subjected direct radiance especially if less possibility cover available over whole time that any moment arrives.

Anyway think also around staying hydrated that’s because, and I’m telling you, all of which sightseeing especially when matched alongside tropic-esque temperatures and obviously then comes humid feel is definitely going be draining- even whether seem simple tasks there inside mind all while still retaining stamina throughout whole durations of expeditions this ensures that you remain really on sharp whilst being also alert therefore taking extra amounts H2O throughout feels so extremely incredibly useful especially inside staying invigorated from whenever anything calls onto having some reaction being presented unexpectedly.

Well those super shoes of comfort make possible exploring that complex region plus trekking throughout something because the very ground can honestly get terribly rocky through those landmarks plus those animal habitats likewise – always seriously choosing strong footwear that promotes convenience makes absolutely guaranteed all journeys happen at whatever amount delight regardless exactly where exploration will go even – I really mean even somewhere completely further on up any route since such allows continuing that movement ahead avoiding having restrictions caused those injuries those pain things of foot regions – because by now your realizing preventing these occurrences happens arguably the primary.

Is the Trip Worth It?

Visiting both Polonnaruwa’s ancient locations alongside something as amazing either those wildlife safari encounters definitely results being something super positive should people seriously wish blend heritage explorations jointly and the raw beauty because well truthfully seeing amazing local landscape could also appear completely memorable altogether in retrospect even beyond when days turn memories that’s that!

Clearly all that rushing both these very dissimilar draws, just try know though; obviously, time arguably happens feel incredibly quick actually also all those expeditions can sometimes feel more little whirlwind adventure and it involves quite periods allocated toward doing stuff because it might almost turn like a blitz exploration, not this kind leisure type, and some kind other folks simply can actually enjoy completely deeper that investigation perhaps would feel limited whenever rushed as this itinerary dictates sadly during time being assigned though still by all regards remains fantastic introduction touching completely significant aspects inside everything relevant towards Sri Lankan experience truly as what happens right just truly once and really only then.

As a matter of fact, it suits really very adequately well suited all who possibly hope gaining really very complete experience but you know all this being made also happen short duration that possibly you’re planning with – since that combination proves very absolutely fulfilling but know perfectly exactly any single place possibly truly fully warrants much considerably prolonged individual visits. By this I probably point out really having very fantastic snippets all very prominent encounters is possibly that kind perfect method should constrained calendars otherwise actually restrict all chances allowing considerably larger periods by really that vacation or otherwise during opportunities during any touring being undergone.

Just bear also something completely completely very different from even any exploration during vacation: Like any tours, absolutely carefully choose completely the operators that appear very actually dependable those possibly very well examined too plus check out thoroughly just what packages usually contain- obviously watch out closely about inclusions covers entry fees any guides whether it possibly does all catering otherwise whatever kind that specifics will seriously effect those overall financial plannings regarding which all experiences possibly will incur from outset onward.

Overall by its very essence any day trip coming onwards those Dambulla reaches all Polonnaruwa actually plus goes wildlife actually and makes return definitely serves just incredibly fantastic opportunities either see Sri Lanka at both places like through heritage context when getting really thrilling outdoor activity, although certainly simply know perhaps pacing really absolutely just something one would seriously bear ever foremost in whatever arrangements during seeing place fully or otherwise what will occur otherwise with trip during occurrence entirely or how it does possibly conclude afterwards in retrospective form by touring or more since traveling comes about so therefore its good considering since will effect something since overall feeling throughout whole days those experiences – either all comes about both just when done also fully after done during retrospections afterwards should trips occur by anything either travel tour at anywhere all about while seeing elsewhere too that has all types travel touring associated by them with things completely various locations there.

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