7 Issues To Do In Sigiriya Sri Lanka

There are a lot of issues to do in Sigiriya Sri Lanka – this is among the hottest vacationer locations within the nation. Most individuals journey right here to go to the well-known Rock of Sigiriya, however in case you give it sufficient time you’ll uncover a stupendous area, with lush nature and hidden gems that each 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 arrange your go to.

Taking within the fabulous views from Sigiriya Rock

7 Nice Issues To Do In Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Climb Sigiriya Rock 

One of many high issues to do in Sigiriya is climbing/mountaineering the large Sigiriya Rock. Upon seeing it, you’ll fully perceive why it is a UNESCO World Heritage Website. It’s merely distinctive! In the event you resolve to see simply one in all 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 truly is “simply” a extremely polished rock the place apparently the type may see his mirrored picture any time he walked by.

The Rock is situated on the heart of a stupendous backyard which could be very nice to go to, and from the place you may 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, in an effort to make sense of all there’s to see and get helpful data that can aid you put all the pieces in context.

These are some good guided excursions:

Sensible data for visiting Sigiriya Rock

Opening hours

The positioning is open each day from 7:00 AM to five:30 PM.

Price

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

Finest time to go to

One of the best time to go to is within the early morning, earlier than the warmth turns into insufferable and to decrease the possibilities of being caught by the rain which is able to inevitably begin dropping round noon (I solely know too properly!). 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 case you cease alongside the way in which. Climbing just isn’t arduous – it’s only a sequence of steps. It might 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 website 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 case you can see Sigiriya from up there. Make certain to climb in time for sundown for a wonderful expertise.

To be fully sincere, very like different off-the-beaten-path websites of Sri Lanka, Pidurangala is definitely far more fascinating than its mainstream equal. When 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 possibly can go to Dambulla on a day journey from Sigiriya

Go on a day journey to Dambulla Cave Temple

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

In truth, relying on the place you’re coming from, you may go to en route in your method to Sigiriya Sri Lanka, as I did – I simply left my luggage 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 payment a bit overpriced, however I assume that in case you are within the space, you must go to. I like to recommend truly hiring a information to make a bit extra sense of what there’s to see – I feel that’s the error I made, truly!

You possibly can e-book your tour of Dambulla (together with a go to to Sigiriya) right here.

A day journey to Polannaruwa is among the issues to do in Sigiriya

And on one to Polannaruwa 

Polannaruwa is among 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 Website, actually! This was the royal capital of the Sinhalese and Chola kingdoms, a bustling industrial heart, and a spiritual website round 800 years in the past, and these days you may see what’s left of its splendor within the many ruins of temples and spiritual buildings.

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

You possibly can go on a day journey to Anuradhapura

Go to Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is definitely a little bit bit farther from Sigiriya in comparison with Polannaruwa and Dambulla, however it might probably nonetheless be seen on a day journey. It’s an attention-grabbing website to go to, with numerous temples and ruins, and locals are sometimes noticed praying.

You possibly can go to independently in case you go there by bus after which hire a motorcycle, however I actually advocate a guided tour or not less than rent a information as soon as there to keep away from getting misplaced (the location is definitely very huge) and to make a bit extra sense of what you’re seeing.

Go to Minneriya Nationwide Park  

Minneriya Nationwide Park is the location of the most important Asian elephant gathering that happens yearly between July and September. It’s possible you’ll not go to Sri Lanka at the moment of 12 months, 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 be capable of see lots of them, in addition to numerous 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.

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 possibilities of conversing with the locals, who at instances communicate little to no English. In some instances, for a small payment, you may even have lunch with a neighborhood household.

 

 

 

Sensible Info 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 wonderful lodging choices with boutique motels, resorts, and a few unbelievable eco-lodges the place you may 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 quantity of pampering.

This can be a number of wonderful locations to remain in Sigiriya: 

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

• • Aliya Resort and Spa is a wonderful lodge at about 5 km from the location, that includes stunning rooms and an impressive outside 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 unbelievable luxurious resort a bit outdoors Dambulla, the place you’ll be totally pampered.
    

    Jetwing Lake Sri Lanka

Tips on how to get to Sigiriya 

Sigiriya is barely a small village so the one buses you’ll discover might 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 experience could be very low cost and will take you round half-hour. The bus will drop you off on the primary avenue and from there you’ll should take a tuk-tuk or stroll to your lodging.

Alternatively, you may take a tuk-tuk instantly at Dambulla – the experience ought to value 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 motive force truly is aware of the place to take you. Oftentimes, tuk-tuk drivers are very eager on providing you a experience however they don’t truly know the handle of your lodge and you could be caught for some time earlier than they discover the way in which there!

Tips on how to transfer round Sigiriya

Likelihood is you’ll be staying in one of many many marvelous motels round Sigiriya somewhat than within the village itself, which doesn’t have a lot to supply. If so, you’ll have to depend on the transportation provided by the lodge within the type of tuk-tuk or personal automotive providers to take you round to the very best locations to go to.

When to go to Sigiriya Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons, and you’ll 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 be capable of. December to March are good months to go, with larger possibilities 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 case you plan to depart early within the morning to your visits, you’ll be accomplished when it begins raining!

Different helpful data 

Please beware that you simply want a visa to enter Sri Lanka. You possibly can simply apply to your visa on-line right here.

As for some 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