6 days · 5 nightsAncient Kingdoms & Sacred Cities
Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla in one journey.
- The Cultural Triangle
- Sigiriya
- Kandy
Includes Sigiriya
From$1,290per person
Cultural Triangle · Sigiriya
A king’s palace in the sky,rising out of the morning mist.
Lion Rock · Pidurangala · Minneriya
Nothing prepares you for the first sight of Sigiriya. A sheer, flat-topped rock rises nearly 200 metres straight out of the jungle, and on its summit a king once built his palace. It is arguably Sri Lanka’s most iconic sight — and one of the world’s great ancient wonders.
In the fifth century AD, King Kashyapa chose this rock for his capital. He laid out symmetrical water gardens at its foot — among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world — and built a great lion-shaped gateway halfway up. Today only the lion’s colossal paws remain, guarding the final stairway to the summit.
On the way up, tucked beneath an overhang of the rock, are the Sigiriya frescoes: graceful painted women whose colours have survived some 1,500 years. Beside them runs the Mirror Wall, once polished so smooth the king could see his reflection, now covered with poems left by visitors more than a thousand years ago. Sigiriya has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.
For the most breathtaking view of Lion Rock itself, climb neighbouring Pidurangala at sunrise or sunset. And in the dry season, the nearby national parks of Minneriya and Kaudulla host “The Gathering”, when hundreds of wild elephants come together around the ancient reservoirs.
Picture this…
Imagine it: it is 6.30 in the morning. You have climbed the last iron stairway between the lion’s paws, and now you stand on a king’s terrace as the mist lifts off a sea of jungle that stretches to the mountains. The only sound is birdsong.
Unmissable
Moments you’ll remember forever.
01
The summit at dawn
Start the climb at opening time to beat the heat and have the ruins almost to yourself.
02
Ancient frescoes
The painted maidens of Sigiriya, sheltered under the rock for some 1,500 years.
03
The Lion’s Paws
The giant carved paws that once formed a lion gateway to the palace.
04
Pidurangala sunset
The best view of Sigiriya itself, from the rock across the forest.
05
The Gathering
Hundreds of wild elephants at Minneriya and Kaudulla in the dry season.
06
Village life
Ride a bullock cart, cross a lake by catamaran and cook lunch with a local family.
Through the lens
Sigiriya, as you’ll see it.
Our recommended journey
Lion Rock at Dawn
A short, unforgettable escape to the most iconic place in Sri Lanka — timed so you stand on the summit as the jungle wakes up.
Most loved for Sigiriya- Sigiriya summit at opening time
- Sunset from Pidurangala rock
- Jeep safari to see wild elephants
- Dambulla Cave Temple
From$820per person
Choose this journey No payment to enquire · every day can be changed to suit you
- Day 1
Arrive in the Cultural Triangle
Drive north to a jungle lodge near Sigiriya. Sunset climb of Pidurangala with Lion Rock in view.
- Day 2
The king’s rock
Climb Sigiriya at opening time: water gardens, frescoes, the Lion’s Paws and the summit. Afternoon elephant safari.
- Day 3
Caves & village life
Dambulla’s painted cave temples, then a village visit with a home-cooked Sri Lankan lunch.
- Day 4
Onward
Continue to Kandy, or return to Colombo or the airport.
Included
- Private chauffeur-guide throughout
- Jungle lodge stays with breakfast
- Sigiriya and Dambulla entrance tickets
- Jeep safari with park fees
- 24/7 support from our team
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Secluded romantic sanctuaries, private candlelit dinners, and scenic vistas
- Sigiriya
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Includes Sigiriya
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Can’t decide?
That’s what we’re here for. Let’s design it together.
Every traveller is different. Answer a few questions and one of our Sri Lankan specialists will send you a personal itinerary within one working day — free, and with no obligation.
- 1Tell us your dream
A few easy questions about places, dates and how you love to travel.
- 2We design it for you
A Sri Lankan specialist crafts a personal day-by-day itinerary.
- 3Refine it together
Change anything until it feels perfect. No obligation, ever.
Takes about 3 minutes · SLTDA licensed specialists
