7 Issues To Do In Sigiriya Sri Lanka

There are numerous issues to do in Sigiriya Sri Lanka – this is likely one of the hottest vacationer locations within the nation. Most individuals journey right here to go to the well-known Rock of Sigiriya, however in the event you give it sufficient time you’ll uncover a lovely area, with lush nature and hidden gems that every one deserved to be explored.

On this put up, I spotlight all of the unmissable issues to do in Sigiriya and share some sensible data to prepare your go to.

7 Nice Issues To Do In Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Climb Sigiriya Rock 

One of many high issues to do in Sigiriya is climbing/mountain climbing the enormous Sigiriya Rock. Upon seeing it, you’ll fully perceive why it is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. It’s merely distinctive! In the event you determine to see simply certainly one of all the traditional cities and holy websites, make it this one.

Why is Sigiriya so particular? This can be a large column of rock, round 200 meters tall, the place a fortress was constructed proper on high. Frescoes have been painted across the fortress, in addition to an enormous mirror wall – although this really is “simply” a extremely polished rock the place apparently the sort might see his mirrored picture any time he walked by.

The Rock is positioned on the middle of a lovely backyard which could be very nice to go to, and from the place you’ll be able to attain the lion staircase that goes all the way in which up the fortress.

TIP: I wholeheartedly advocate hiring a information or becoming a member of a guided tour to go to Sigiriya, so to make sense of all there may be to see and get helpful data that may assist you put every thing in context.

These are some good guided excursions:

Sensible data for visiting Sigiriya Rock

Opening hours

The location is open day by day from 7:00 AM to five:30 PM.

Price

It prices $30 USD to enter. The value features a ticket to go to Sigiriya Museum.

Finest time to go to

The most effective time to go to is within the early morning, earlier than the warmth turns into insufferable and to decrease the probabilities of being caught by the rain which is able to inevitably begin dropping round noon (I solely know too nicely!). Or else, attempt to go within the late afternoon, round 4:00 PM when it’s a bit cooler.

Climbing the rock

It takes round one hour to climb Sigiriya Rock, longer in the event you cease alongside the way in which. Climbing isn’t exhausting – it’s only a sequence of steps. It could take you longer when it’s crowded, as a line will inevitably type and this can transfer way more slowly.

Climb Pidurangala 

Proper in entrance of Sigiriya, Pidurangala is a smaller, much less visited. and considerably cheaper web site to go to (it prices lower than $3 USD to get in). If the views from Sigiriya are stunning, those from Pidurangala are breathtaking to say the least, particularly in the event you can see Sigiriya from up there. Make certain to climb in time for sundown for a superb expertise.

To be fully sincere, very similar to different off-the-beaten-path websites of Sri Lanka, Pidurangala is definitely far more fascinating than its mainstream equal. If in case you have restricted time and in case you are touring on a smaller funds, simply go straight to Pidurangala.

TIP: Whereas there are stairs main as much as Sigiriya, the trail that results in Pidurangala is far rougher and I like to recommend sporting a pair of excellent footwear to stroll up there. You may additionally want a jacket because it will get very windy within the late afternoon.

You’ll be able to go to Dambulla on a day journey from Sigiriya

Go on a day journey to Dambulla Cave Temple

Dambulla cave complicated and the Golden Temple have been declared UNESCO World Heritage websites and are a spot of pilgrimage. They’re very nicely preserved – in truth, one of many best-preserved cave temples in Sri Lanka. Since they’re positioned at only a 20-minute drive, visiting is likely one of the issues to do in Sigiriya.

In actual fact, relying on the place you might be coming from, you’ll be able to go to en route in your solution to Sigiriya Sri Lanka, as I did – I simply left my baggage in storage within the bookstore by the primary gate.

I have to admit it that Dambulla was hardly my favourite place of all those I visited in Sri Lanka, and located the $10 USD entry charge a bit overpriced, however I suppose that in case you are within the space, it is best to go to. I like to recommend really hiring a information to make a bit extra sense of what there may be to see – I believe that’s the error I made, really!

You’ll be able to e book your tour of Dambulla (together with a go to to Sigiriya) right here.

A day journey to Polannaruwa is likely one of the issues to do in Sigiriya

And on one to Polannaruwa 

Polannaruwa is likely one of the nicest websites to go to in Sri Lanka. It’s a beautiful place to spend a number of hours exploring the location – one other UNESCO World Heritage Web site, in truth! This was once the royal capital of the Sinhalese and Chola kingdoms, a bustling industrial middle, and a spiritual web site round 800 years in the past, and these days you’ll be able to see what’s left of its splendor within the many ruins of temples and spiritual buildings.

The location is about one hour drive from Sigiriya, so a simple day journey. The entry charge is $25 USD, however contemplating that it’s significantly better to really have a information to take you round, I like to recommend becoming a member of a guided tour.

You’ll be able to go on a day journey to Anuradhapura

Go to Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is definitely just a little bit farther from Sigiriya in comparison with Polannaruwa and Dambulla, however it could possibly nonetheless be seen on a day journey. It’s an attention-grabbing web site to go to, with a number of temples and ruins, and locals are sometimes noticed praying.

You’ll be able to go to independently in the event you go there by bus after which lease a motorcycle, however I truthfully advocate a guided tour or at the least rent a information as soon as there to keep away from getting misplaced (the location is definitely very large) and to make a bit extra sense of what you might be seeing.

Go to Minneriya Nationwide Park  

Minneriya Nationwide Park is the location of the biggest Asian elephant gathering that happens yearly between July and September. Chances are you’ll not go to Sri Lanka at the moment of yr, however if you wish to see elephants in all their glory, one of many issues to do in Sigiriya Sri Lanka, is visiting Minneriya. It’s at lower than half-hour drive, and also you’ll have the ability to see a lot of them, in addition to a number of different wildlife (particularly birds).

When you get to the park, you must rent a jeep to take you round. I wholeheartedly advocate doing a little analysis beforehand to rent a accountable firm, as too many are sadly identified for driving recklessly round nationwide parks or getting too near the elephants inflicting them discomfort.

Conventional Village in Sri Lanka

Go to Sigiriya Village

Villages in Sri Lanka are normally very rural, however individuals are so welcoming and the tradition so attention-grabbing that it’s good to go to a few of them. One of many issues to do in Sigiriya is exploring the village. In the event you handle to rearrange a information you’ll have larger probabilities of conversing with the locals, who at occasions communicate little to no English. In some instances, for a small charge, you’ll be able to even have lunch with an area household.

Sensible Data To Manage Your Journey

The place to remain in Sigiriya Sri Lanka 

You received’t actually discover many good locations to remain in Sigiriya village, however the environment have some glorious lodging choices with boutique accommodations, resorts, and a few improbable eco-lodges the place you’ll be able to fully immerse your self in nature and disconnect from the remainder of the world. Image locations with lush vegetation, no wifi or telephone reception, good meals, animals roaming about, and simply the correct amount of pampering.

This can be a collection of glorious locations to remain in Sigiriya: 

• • Again of Past Dehigaha Ela is a improbable eco-lodge the place stunning, snug rooms are constructed on bushes or round boulders. It’s fully immersed in nature and runs in a sustainable approach.

• • Aliya Resort and Spa is a superb lodge at about 5 km from the location, that includes stunning rooms and an impressive out of doors pool.

Since lots of people go to Sigiriya from Dambulla, I assumed I’d additionally choose a number of good locations to remain in Dambulla:

• • Dambulla Rock Arch is a pleasant lodge near the middle of Dambulla. All rooms have a balcony.

• • Jetwing Lake is a improbable luxurious resort a bit outdoors Dambulla, the place you’ll be absolutely pampered.
    

    Jetwing Lake Sri Lanka

How you can get to Sigiriya 

Sigiriya is barely a small village so the one buses you’ll discover can be these to Dambulla, which is well-connected to Kandy, Jaffna. and Trincomalee.

There are direct buses to Sigiriya from Dambulla that run between 6:30 AM and 6:00 PM. The bus trip could be very low cost and may take you round half-hour. The bus will drop you off on the primary road and from there you’ll must take a tuk-tuk or stroll to your lodging.

Alternatively, you’ll be able to take a tuk-tuk straight at Dambulla – the trip ought to price you round 1000 rupees, relying on the place you requested to be dropped off. Make certain to cut price the costs and triple-check that the driving force really is aware of the place to take you. Oftentimes, tuk-tuk drivers are very eager on providing you a trip however they don’t really know the deal with of your lodge and you might be caught for some time earlier than they discover the way in which there!

How you can transfer round Sigiriya

Chances are high you’ll be staying in one of many many marvelous accommodations round Sigiriya fairly than within the village itself, which doesn’t have a lot to supply. If that is so, you’ll have to depend on the transportation supplied by the lodge within the type of tuk-tuk or personal automobile companies to take you round to the most effective locations to go to.

When to go to Sigiriya Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons, and you may break your head making an attempt to plan your journey to keep away from them however to make an extended story quick you received’t have the ability to. December to March are good months to go, with larger probabilities of dry climate and solar, however the different facet of the coin is that locations could also be extra crowded and costs larger than you had hoped for.

Having stated that, simply go forward and do your finest making an attempt to keep away from the rain, however by all means, go. In any case, needless to say it normally begins raining within the early afternoon round 12:00 or 1:00 PM, so in the event you plan to go away early within the morning on your visits, you’ll be executed when it begins raining!

Different helpful data 

Please beware that you simply want a visa to enter Sri Lanka. You’ll be able to simply apply on your visa on-line right here.

As for every other journey, I like to recommend additionally getting good journey insurance coverage. Get yours right here.

Take a look at my put up “Why You Want Good Journey Insurance coverage.”

Additional Readings

Make certain to learn my different posts about Sri Lanka