Sigiriya Sri Lanka Holidays
Sigiriya
Holidays
The Lion Rock — Sri Lanka's most extraordinary ancient monument, rising 200 metres above the jungle
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Flight Time
10–11h from London, then 4h drive from Colombo
Best Time
December to April (dry season in the Cultural Triangle)
Country
Sri Lanka
Suppliers
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Sigiriya Holiday Guide
Sigiriya is the most extraordinary ancient monument in Sri Lanka — a massive rock fortress rising 200 metres above the jungle, built in the 5th century AD. The climb to the summit, past ancient frescoes and the lion's paw entrance, is one of the great experiences in Asia.
Pidurangala Rock offers the finest view of Sigiriya. The Minneriya elephant gathering (July to October) is one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the world. Dambulla Cave Temple is 20 minutes away.
The best time to visit is December to April. We search across Travelpack, Emirates Holidays and JTA Holidays for the best deals.
Popular Areas in Sigiriya
Average Temperatures
Jan
30°C
Feb
31°C
Mar
32°C
Apr
32°C
May
31°C
Jun
29°C
Jul
28°C
Aug
28°C
Sep
28°C
Oct
28°C
Nov
28°C
Dec
29°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Sigiriya
The ancient rock fortress, frescoes and extraordinary natural setting that make Sigiriya the most spectacular site in Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya Rock Fortress is the most extraordinary ancient monument in Sri Lanka — a massive granite rock rising 200 metres above the surrounding jungle, with a palace complex on the summit built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century AD. The climb to the summit (approximately 1,200 steps) passes ancient frescoes, the famous mirror wall and the lion's paw entrance. The views from the summit are extraordinary.
Ancient Frescoes
The Sigiriya frescoes are among the finest ancient paintings in Asia — a series of extraordinary paintings of celestial maidens (apsaras) painted on the rock face in the 5th century AD. The frescoes are remarkably well-preserved and are one of the most important examples of ancient Sri Lankan art. They are accessible via a spiral staircase on the rock face.
Pidurangala Rock
Pidurangala Rock, just 1km from Sigiriya, is the best viewpoint for photographing Sigiriya Rock — a smaller rock with a shorter, steeper climb (approximately 45 minutes) that offers extraordinary views of Sigiriya and the surrounding jungle. The sunrise view of Sigiriya from Pidurangala is one of the most spectacular in Sri Lanka.
Minneriya Elephant Gathering
The Minneriya National Park, 30 minutes from Sigiriya, hosts the largest elephant gathering in Asia between July and October — hundreds of wild elephants gathering around the Minneriya tank as the water level drops. The gathering is one of the most extraordinary wildlife spectacles in the world.
Dambulla Cave Temple
The Dambulla Cave Temple, 20 minutes from Sigiriya, is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with five caves containing 153 Buddha statues and extraordinary ancient paintings covering the walls and ceilings. The temple is one of the most important Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka.
Luxury Jungle Lodges
Sigiriya has some of the finest luxury lodges in Sri Lanka — Heritance Kandalama (designed by Geoffrey Bawa, built into the jungle above a lake), Water Garden Sigiriya and Aliya Resort & Spa are all exceptional. The combination of extraordinary ancient history and luxury accommodation makes Sigiriya one of the finest destinations in Asia.
Village Cycling Tours
Cycling tours through the villages around Sigiriya are one of the most rewarding experiences in Sri Lanka — visiting local farms, temples, paddy fields and the extraordinary rural landscape of the Cultural Triangle. The tours are typically half a day and cost approximately £15–20 per person.
Local Food
The restaurants around Sigiriya serve excellent Sri Lankan food — rice and curry, hoppers, string hoppers and the extraordinary variety of Sri Lankan cuisine. The lodge restaurants are also excellent. The local food is fresh, flavourful and very affordable.
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