Sigiriya Village Tour
Overview
Inclusions
- Complimentary hotel pick-up/drop-off by Tuk Tuk from/to Sigiriya.
- Authentic Sri Lankan village lunch
- Local guide
- Oxen cart ride
- Traditional catamaran safari
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Sigiriya Rock Hide, WQV5+JQM, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
You will be starting your Village Tour at 10:30am. You will be provided with directions to the village, where you will be met by your tour guide at the time of starting. You will have a quick walk around the village while your guide tells you more about village life.
You will begin the first of your activities at approximately 10:45am. The oxen cart is commonly used as the primary mode of transport in Sri Lankan villages. You will have a 15-minute oxen cart ride, ending at the banks of an artificial reservoir.
From this point, you will continue on to a 15 minute traditional catamaran ride. The area has many types of aquatic and plant life. You may be able to catch sight of an occasional crocodile or water monitor as you glide along. Another possible sighting are cormorants and other waterbirds. After you enjoy your time with nature, you will be deposited on a bank adjoining some paddy fields.
These seasonal paddy cultivations, also called ‘Chena’ cultivations, are dependent on the two major monsoon rain periods that take the place of winter in Sri Lanka. The walk through the fields will allow you to see the paddy cultivation first-hand. This quick tour will last 15 minutes and your guide will update you with more information about the local methods of rice cultivation.
You will then move back to the village and be introduced to a local, who will give you a half hour cooking demonstration on traditional Sri Lankan cooking. The demonstration will also allow you to make your own attempt at cooking a Sri Lankan dish.
You will be having lunch right after at 12:15pm. Lunch will be a buffet of perfectly cooked rice with 6 traditionally cooked Sri Lankan curries and fresh fried fish. You will also have a green salad and crunchy papadum, practically an essential addition for meals in most Sri Lankan and Indian homes. You will be eating on woven trays with clean lotus leaves on top. Your food which will be cooked in the traditional way, in clay pots over wood fires.
After the rather relaxing meal, you can spend some time in the village at your ease. Your tour guide will finish off your tour at 1:30pm.
Duration: 3 hours
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Minimum age is 10 years
- Comfortable Walking shoes & hats Recommended
- A maximum of 8 people per booking
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
This is a tourist trap. If you get the opportunity to negotiate on what your package you want I would suggest - skipping cart and lake and go straight to the village food tour! The original package includes: a 500m bull cart ride which is excruciating if you’re an animal lover, then get taken on...
This is a tourist trap. If you get the opportunity to negotiate on what your package you want I would suggest - skipping cart and lake and go straight to the village food tour! The original package includes: a 500m bull cart ride which is excruciating if you’re an animal lover, then get taken on the lake by a man who makes a lotus necklace for each person and a bouquet of flowers for a female and hat for man. As soon as I was handed them I knew exactly that this is for tips. So factor that in ontop of your paid tour. Finally you get to the village and THIS is what’s worth it’s value - two women prepare your lunch in authentic Sri Lankan style kitchen and show you old techniques and appliances. Very interesting and the ladies were adorable. I felt like if it wasn’t for this part I would absolutely slam this entire operation.Sigiriya's village tour is a must when visiting. After buying the ticket which covers everything on the tour, you experience a bull cart ride (please do not ride elephants because they are mistreated to behave around tourists and actually don't like it as wild animals when people ride on them) do...
Sigiriya's village tour is a must when visiting. After buying the ticket which covers everything on the tour, you experience a bull cart ride (please do not ride elephants because they are mistreated to behave around tourists and actually don't like it as wild animals when people ride on them) down to the lake. At the lake you go on a serene canoe ride and the guy pushing the canoe plucks out lotus flowers and leaves to make you some nice accessories. Then you are dropped off at a local spot to take a traditional Sri Lankan cooking class. The lady and her daughter were amazing and I had the food we prepared for lunch. Then a tuktuk driver takes you back to the entrance. Lovely and highly recommended. More reviews @myra.recommendsWe did this after visiting Lion Rock - what a great experience. Our driver suggested it and we didn't know what to expect but it ended up being a highlight of the holiday. Well worth it
We did this after visiting Lion Rock - what a great experience. Our driver suggested it and we didn't know what to expect but it ended up being a highlight of the holiday. Well worth it