Sigiriya Travelers Recommend

Three days is ample time to immerse yourself in Sigiriya. Combine sightseeing at Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla with elephant-spotting game drives and village tours—capped with forays into ancient ruins, the hill town of Kandy, and Sri Lanka’s palm-fringed east coast. Here’s how to do it.

Day 1: The must-sees

Forego the hassle of driving yourself or navigating public transit, and join a private day trip to two of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage sites: Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Cave Temples. Most tours begin with a climb to the rock’s ruined 5th-century palace-fortress and wall frescoes, then continue on to Dambulla’s caves full of Buddhist icons and murals. 

Or for more flexibility, take a self-guided Sigiriya Rock tour using a mobile app, or see the rock as part of a bike or 4WD tour. If time allows, finish with a late-afternoon safari in the Minneriya, Kaudulla, or Hurulu reserve, and see wild elephants lumber to their water holes.

Day 2: Kandy or Trincomalee

Several beautiful Sri Lankan towns lie near Sigiriya. Book a day trip to Trincomalee, a charming east-coast port fringed by white beaches. Tours typically include a roundup of the town’s temples and fort, plus a boat trip to nearby Pigeon Island to go snorkeling.  

Another popular destination is Kandy, deep in Sri Lanka’s hill country. Uncover local Buddhist culture on a tour of this UNESCO-protected gem, and visit the Temple of the Tooth—home to one of Buddha’s teeth—and Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. 

Back in Sigiriya, take an evening jungle walk to see the rare gray slender loris. These endangered primates appear only at night, and a naturalist-led tour is your best chance of a sighting.

Day 3: Ancient ruins or rural life

Set out on a tour of Sigiriya’s nearby villages, learning about facets of rural life that many travelers miss. Take a bullock cart ride or a boat trip, or dine with a local family.

Alternatively, check out more of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO-listed antiquities. Roam the sun-burnished temples of the island’s one-time capital, Anuradhapura—or head to the medieval royal seat of Polonnaruwa. Whichever site you choose, opt for a tour to eliminate transport hassles and learn more about the relics.

On your last night, unwind on a sunset cruise. Board a private, nonmotorized catamaran and sail across a secluded lake with magical views of Sigiriya Rock—absorbing the scenery in silent slo-mo.

The Sri Lankan town of Sigiriya centers on Sigiriya Rock—a tall outcrop graced with wall paintings and summit ruins. One day is enough time to scale the rock, visit the Dambulla Cave Temples, and enjoy national parks and wildlife-rich forests. Here’s how to make the most of 24 hours in Sigiriya.

Morning: The highlights

Your priorities for the day should be Sigiriya Rock and the Dambulla Cave Temples, two of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. As public transit is limited, both are best reached on guided private tours with round-trip transport. Many itineraries start with a hike to Sigiriya’s rocktop ruins before hitting Dambulla’s Buddha-filled caverns. Day trips leave from Sigiriya, Colombo, Kandy, and Negombo, and often include lunch and admission tickets. If you prefer something more leisurely, opt for a morning Sigiriya bike tour.

Afternoon: Further explorations

If you chose a Sigiriya and Dambulla day trip, continue it this afternoon. After admiring Sigiriya’s rock paintings and ruined 5th-century citadel, check out Dambulla’s enchanting caves packed with Buddha murals and statues. If you did a morning tour only, spend the afternoon on safari at a nearby wildlife reserve. A late-afternoon game drive in Kaudulla or Minneriya national park gives you the chance to see herds of wild elephants gathering at water holes.

Night: Lake cruise or loris-spotting

Time to slow the pace and savor Sigiriya’s rain forests and lakes. Set out on a sunset cruise, soaking in panoramic views of the outcrop. Wildlife enthusiasts, meanwhile, shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see one of the world’s rarest mammals—the gray slender loris—in its natural habitat during a nighttime jungle walk.

With two days in Sigiriya, you can explore Sigiriya Rock’s medieval ruined citadel and still have time to experience local villages, wildlife reserves, and the ancient relics at Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Here’s how to make the most of 48 hours in Sigiriya.

Day 1: Sigiriya and safaris

**Morning:**Most travelers go to Sigiriya for the UNESCO-protected Sigiriya Rock, so start with a tour that showcases the towering outcrop crowned by a crumpled medieval citadel. Choose a self-guided or bike tour of the rock—or a hassle-free day trip that also takes you to the UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temples.

**Afternoon:**Continue exploring Sigiriya and Dambulla. Alternatively, head out on a late-afternoon game drive to see wild elephants at nearby Kaudulla, Minneriya, or Hurulu park.

**Night:**Dine to the sounds of cicadas. Or, embark on a jungle walking safari to spot one of the planet’s rarest mammals, the gray slender loris. These nocturnal primates are found in local forests, and a nighttime nature walk  maximizes your chances of seeing one.

Day 2: Villages and ancient sites

**Morning:**For the most part, Sri Lankan village life hasn’t changed in centuries—yet many visitors pass it by. Learn about Sri Lankan village culture with a bullock cart ride, boat trip, or homestead lunch. Alternatively, uncover Sri Lanka’s past on a full-day tour of Anuradhapura or Polonnaruwa, two former capitals.

**Afternoon:**If you booked an Anuradhapura or Polonnaruwa day trip earlier, delve into the sites this afternoon—highlights are Polonnaruwa’s Quadrangle and Anuradhapura’s immense Ruwanwelisaya stupa. The sites are spread across wide areas, making a tour with air-conditioned transport your best option.

**Night:**Wrap up your stay in restful mode: on a sunset lake cruise. Admire views of Sigiriya Rock (and its sister rock, Pidurangala) from the water as a private catamaran glides across the lily-covered lake and a guide shares Sri Lankan folktales.