Sigiriya and Dambulla Tour (All Inclusive)
Overview
Don't miss Sigiriya rock fortress and Dambulla cave temple when you are in Sri Lanka. Both places are nominated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Sigiriya rock fortress is the most visited tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. It is sometimes known as the Sigiriya Lion Rock, after its original name “Sinha-Giri”. Dambulla golden rock cave temple was home to thousands of meditating monks since its monastic beginnings in the first century BCE. Today the same Dambulla cave temple hosts a massive collection of Buddhist murals and sculptures belonging to a pan-Asian artistic tradition.
Explore Sigiriya and Dambulla on this full-day tour. Depart from your hotel at Colombo or Mount Lavinia in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide.
Sigiriya rock fortress is the most visited tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. It is sometimes known as the Sigiriya Lion Rock, after its original name “Sinha-Giri”. Dambulla golden rock cave temple was home to thousands of meditating monks since its monastic beginnings in the first century BCE. Today the same Dambulla cave temple hosts a massive collection of Buddhist murals and sculptures belonging to a pan-Asian artistic tradition.
Explore Sigiriya and Dambulla on this full-day tour. Depart from your hotel at Colombo or Mount Lavinia in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide.
Inclusions
- Hotel pick up and drop off to most closely located hotels in mentioned locations.
- Air conditioned vehicle with English speaking driver.
- Mineral water during the tour.
- Lunch at a local restaurant.
- Entrance fees to Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Temple.
- All government taxes.
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Sigiriya, Sigiriya, Central Province
Sigiriya rock fortress is the most visited tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. It is sometimes known as the Sigiriya Lion Rock, after its original name “Sinha-Giri”. The name comes from its palace entrance through a massive brick sculpture of a lion head. Only the paws of this sculpture remain at the foot of the rock today. Sigiriya rock fortress is a fifth-century fortified palace complex, which was used by King Kassapa (477CE-493CE). The Sigiriya rock abruptly rises 600 feet high from the surrounding plains. The ruins of King Kassapa’s royal palace are scattered on the peak rock plateau. The hike to the top is via 1200 steps. Some of them were constructed at the time of King Kassapa. The foothills and immediate surroundings of the Sigiriya rock were once an elaborate royal pleasure garden. The archaeological value of the site is immeasurable, perhaps unsurpassed in South Asia.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Dambulla, Dambulla, Central Province
Dambulla golden rock cave temple was home to thousands of meditating monks since its monastic beginnings in the first century BCE. Today the same cave temple hosts a massive collection of Buddhist murals and sculptures belonging to a pan-Asian artistic tradition. The cave temple was abandoned at regular intervals since its humble beginnings. Yet the royals and Buddhist elite kept renovating it to appease countless faithful pilgrims.
Duration: 2 hours
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Sigiriya, Sigiriya, Central Province
Sigiriya rock fortress is the most visited tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. It is sometimes known as the Sigiriya Lion Rock, after its original name “Sinha-Giri”. The name comes from its palace entrance through a massive brick sculpture of a lion head. Only the paws of this sculpture remain at the foot of the rock today. Sigiriya rock fortress is a fifth-century fortified palace complex, which was used by King Kassapa (477CE-493CE). The Sigiriya rock abruptly rises 600 feet high from the surrounding plains. The ruins of King Kassapa’s royal palace are scattered on the peak rock plateau. The hike to the top is via 1200 steps. Some of them were constructed at the time of King Kassapa. The foothills and immediate surroundings of the Sigiriya rock were once an elaborate royal pleasure garden. The archaeological value of the site is immeasurable, perhaps unsurpassed in South Asia.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Dambulla, Dambulla, Central Province
Dambulla golden rock cave temple was home to thousands of meditating monks since its monastic beginnings in the first century BCE. Today the same cave temple hosts a massive collection of Buddhist murals and sculptures belonging to a pan-Asian artistic tradition. The cave temple was abandoned at regular intervals since its humble beginnings. Yet the royals and Buddhist elite kept renovating it to appease countless faithful pilgrims.
Duration: 2 hours
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Please be ready at the hotel lobby 15 minutes before the pick up time.
- Please bring valid passports for entering to the sites.
- Please wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees for visiting sacred and holy places.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
oshanm2016
February 2020
This is a fabulous day out to see sigiriya and dambulla in the heart of Sri Lanka's cultural triangle. Sigiriya is known as for its ancient value, the gardens and fresco paintings. You should visit the museum at the bottom to get an idea of the layout. Then you can start climbing. There were many...
This is a fabulous day out to see sigiriya and dambulla in the heart of Sri Lanka's cultural triangle. Sigiriya is known as for its ancient value, the gardens and fresco paintings. You should visit the museum at the bottom to get an idea of the layout. Then you can start climbing. There were many steps including metal staircase. The views from the top are amazing as the majority of the area is flat around the rock. It took about 2 hours to explore the whole site. Then we had our lunch from a restaurant nearby. Our next visit was dambulla cave temple. The five very large caves were carved into hard rock over 2000 years ago. If you are interested in Buddhism this place is worth a visit. The whole experience was well worth.299dinushas
February 2020
Visiting and climbing the Sigiriya Rock is a must. This was our second time climbing the rock has done it two years ago. I would definitely recommend having a guide as it really brought the rock to life. Sigiriya is an amazing place and every step is worth the effort. We did not find any of the s...
Visiting and climbing the Sigiriya Rock is a must. This was our second time climbing the rock has done it two years ago. I would definitely recommend having a guide as it really brought the rock to life. Sigiriya is an amazing place and every step is worth the effort. We did not find any of the steps too steep and the views at the top were breathtaking. In the evening we visited Dambulla cave temple. Beautiful frescoes cover the walls of the temple and the statues are impressive as well. The big Buddha’s statue at the entrance is wonderful. This tour worth 5 stars for sure.ranjikas
February 2020
We climbed sigiriya rock and dambulla temple during our 2 nights visit to Colombo. Our tour guide from Overa Tours picked us from our hotel and went to sigiriya straight away because morning is the best time to climb sigiriya which is bit cooler and less crowded. During this 1 hour climb, we gain...
We climbed sigiriya rock and dambulla temple during our 2 nights visit to Colombo. Our tour guide from Overa Tours picked us from our hotel and went to sigiriya straight away because morning is the best time to climb sigiriya which is bit cooler and less crowded. During this 1 hour climb, we gained many historic value of sigiriya. I would recommend you all to visit the museum before climbing sigiriya which is really interesting. The climb is not difficult except the last metal steps to the top. Dambulla also has a museum at the bottom and a cave temple at the top for which you are required to climb a few steps. On the top, you can see some caves and Buddha’s statues. Both are interesting places to visit.Oshadha W
February 2020
Sigiriya and dambulla are a bit difficult sites to cover within a day from Colombo. So we searched for tours to do this within a day since we did not have much time. We booked with overa tours and the guide picked up early in the morning from our hotel who is very courteous and helpful. We visite...
Sigiriya and dambulla are a bit difficult sites to cover within a day from Colombo. So we searched for tours to do this within a day since we did not have much time. We booked with overa tours and the guide picked up early in the morning from our hotel who is very courteous and helpful. We visited sigiriya first and dambulla temple after lunch. Tough climbing for those who are afraid of height but the view from the top was spectacular. Our guide explained everything we need to know. It was incredible how they manage to paint on the walls and still remains even if 2000 years old. Dambulla cave paintings were fabulous and must see. Well worth booking this tour if you want to do sigiriya and dambulla within a day.927ayeshag
February 2020
Both sigiriya and dambulla temple are must visit places. Sigiriya has the most stunning view from the top. And so as dambulla. We started very early in the day because of the long ride. Driver picked up at the time and he was very courteous. He even bought us snacks during the tour. Most enjoyed ...
Both sigiriya and dambulla temple are must visit places. Sigiriya has the most stunning view from the top. And so as dambulla. We started very early in the day because of the long ride. Driver picked up at the time and he was very courteous. He even bought us snacks during the tour. Most enjoyed part of the tours was climbing the sigiriya. Climbing the rock was never easy but well worth to see the stunning view from the top. Other part was the dambulla temple and it frescos. We wont regret about this tour well organized and well worth.niluka c
February 2020
Sigiriya and dambulla temples are amazing places to visit. It was a bit crowded in sigiriya which was more like a queue to the top. But worth the climb to the top. You have to climb to dambulla temple as well. It has very beautiful paintings and statues. Five caves are amazing. The best part of...
Sigiriya and dambulla temples are amazing places to visit. It was a bit crowded in sigiriya which was more like a queue to the top. But worth the climb to the top. You have to climb to dambulla temple as well. It has very beautiful paintings and statues. Five caves are amazing. The best part of both sites is the view from the top. We had our lunch at a restaurant which was also great. Perfect tour. Recommended.