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Sigiriya rock rising out of green forest, with mountains on the horizon
Heritage · Cultural Triangle

Sigiriya rock fortress and Dambulla cave temple

A long day trip from Colombo to climb Sigiriya, the 5th-century rock fortress, and see the cave shrines of Dambulla.

Duration
Full day, about 16 hours
Pickup
Pickup from your hotel or home in Colombo; Negombo on request
Group
Private car with a driver guide, just your group
Languages
English and Sinhala; Tamil on request
Cancellation
Free up to 24 hours before pickup
Confirmation
Within a few hours of your request
  • A row of golden Buddha statues lining the wall of a dimly lit cave shrine
  • The metal stairway climbing the sheer orange face of Sigiriya rock
  • The flat top of Sigiriya rock and its cliff face above the forest
  • Sigiriya rock rising out of the forest, seen from a viewpoint on Pidurangala

Highlights

  • Climb Sigiriya, King Kashyapa’s 5th-century rock fortress
  • The frescoes, the Mirror Wall and the giant lion’s paws on the way up
  • Views over the forest from the palace ruins on the summit
  • The water gardens at the foot of the rock
  • Dambulla’s five cave shrines, with painted ceilings and more than 150 Buddha statues
  • Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one day

Why you’ll love it

  • Two World Heritage Sites in a day

    Sigiriya and the Dambulla cave temple are both on the UNESCO list and sit about half an hour apart, so one long day covers both.

  • Time to take the climb slowly

    You reach the rock by mid-morning, with time to stop at the frescoes, the Mirror Wall and the lion’s paws on the way to the summit.

  • Tickets in the price

    Both entry tickets are included at the foreign visitor rate, so there is nothing to pay at the gates.

  • Your own car and guide

    A private, air-conditioned car with a driver guide who sets the pace and the breaks around your group.

How the tour runs

  1. 5:00 am

    Pickup

    We collect you from your hotel or home in Colombo for the drive north to Sigiriya, about 4 to 5 hours.

  2. 7:00 am

    Breakfast stop

    A break on the way for breakfast at your own expense.

  3. 9:30 am

    Water gardens

    Walk in through the water gardens and boulder gardens laid out at the foot of the rock.

  4. 10:00 am

    The climb

    Climb about 1,200 steps past the frescoes, the Mirror Wall and the lion’s paws to the palace ruins on the summit. Allow 2 to 3 hours up and down.

  5. 12:30 pm

    Lunch stop

    A break for lunch at your own expense at a local restaurant near Sigiriya.

  6. 2:00 pm

    Dambulla cave temple

    Drive about 30 minutes to Dambulla and walk up the rock to the cave temple, with its Buddha statues and painted ceilings. Shoes come off at the entrance.

  7. 4:00 pm

    Return to Colombo

    Start the drive back, with a tea stop on the way.

  8. 9:00 pm

    Drop-off

    Arrive back at your hotel or home, depending on traffic.

What’s included

Included

  • Pickup and drop-off in Colombo
  • Air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver guide
  • Sigiriya entry ticket
  • Dambulla cave temple entry ticket
  • Bottled water in the car

Not included

  • Breakfast and lunch
  • Personal expenses and tips

Good to know

What to bring

  • Shoes with a good grip for the steps
  • Water, a hat and sunscreen
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for Dambulla
  • Socks for the sun-warmed ground at the cave temple
  • Cash for breakfast, lunch and tips

Not suitable for

  • Travellers with heart or breathing problems (about 1,200 steps)
  • People with a fear of heights (open stairways near the top)
  • Wheelchair users and pushchairs on the climb

Know before you go

  • Entry tickets are priced at the foreign visitor rate. Sri Lankan citizens pay much less, so tell us your nationality when booking.
  • Hornets nest on the rock face. Keep your voice down near the warning signs; staff may close the upper climb for a while if the hornets are stirred up.
  • At Dambulla, shoulders and knees must be covered, and shoes and hats come off before the caves.
  • Expect 8 to 10 hours in the car over the day; the driver stops whenever you need a break.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. Cancellations after that, and no-shows, are charged in full. If we call the trip off for heavy rain or a closure at the sites, you choose a full refund or a new date.

Questions

Is Sigiriya too far for a day trip from Colombo?

It is a long day, about 4 to 5 hours each way by road. If you would rather take it slowly, we can add a night near Sigiriya and visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa the next day.

How hard is the climb?

There are about 1,200 steps, some on steep metal stairways with handrails, and little shade near the top. Start early, wear good shoes and bring water. If you would rather not climb, the water gardens and the museum at the entrance are worth seeing on their own.

Do Sri Lankans pay less for the tickets?

Yes. Sri Lankan citizens pay much lower entry fees at Sigiriya and Dambulla than foreign visitors. Tell us your nationality when booking and we will price the tickets to match.

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