From Colombo: Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip and Safari

Embark on a full-day Sigiriya and Dambulla tour from Colombo and experience the thrill of climbing a rock and exploring the ancient Royal Rock Temple complex. Discover historical sights and stunning cave art on this unforgettable adventure.

Duration: 14 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Colombo - Our driver will meet you in the lobby of your chosen pickup location. We recommend being in the lobby 10 minutes before the activity. If possible, get a packed breakfast from the hotel.
  • Galewela - Refresh yourself with some coffee. We assure you this is the best coffee and café you’ll find, with great service and a very clean setup.
  • Dambulla Cave Temple - Also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, this World Heritage Site is located in central Sri Lanka, 148 kilometers east of Colombo and 72 kilometers north of Kandy. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.
  • Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre - Situated in the Dambulla Secretariat Division of Matale District, this center was established in 1999 as a wholesale market for vegetables and fruits. A key feature is the direct participation of farmers in selling their produce.
  • Golden Temple of Dambulla - Known as Jumbukola Vihara in the Mahavamsa, the principal Pali Chronicle of Sri Lanka, this rock temple is located about 47 miles northwest of Kandy on the main road to Anuradhapura. It is one of the most extensive and well-preserved rock temples on the island. (Photo stop only)
  • Sigiriya Museum - Managed by the Central Cultural Fund, this museum is considered one of the most beautiful in South Asia. It showcases the cultural, technological, and archaeological significance of Sigiriya, including three decades of research. The museum’s design is inspired by Sigiriya’s complex systems, particularly its clever use of water for beauty, environmental quality, and irrigation. (Combine with Sigiriya Rock Fortress)
  • Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress - Sigiriya is a stunning example of ancient Sri Lankan art, architecture, and landscaping. Built over 1,600 years ago, the 600 ft high rock once appeared as a massive white cloud above the forests, adorned with frescoes of semi-naked nymphs. A lion-shaped gatehouse guarded the entrance to the Sky Palace atop the rock. Though the climb is strenuous, it is worth it. A must-visit site!
  • Oakray Woodcarvings - Oak Ray Wood Carving offers a comprehensive collection of wooden carvings, from typical elephant ornaments to intricate traditional masks. The ‘Oak Ray’ brand, known for catering to tourists, has expanded into handicrafts, making it a go-to place for mementos of your journey around Sri Lanka.
What's Included
  • Complimentary Wifi Access During the Travel (Subject to Availability)
  • Seasonal fruits (subject to availability)
  • Hotel pickup and drop off by air conditioned vehicle
  • King Coconut (subject to availability)
  • Bottled water
  • Guide Assistance in Sigiriya Lion Rock (English, German, French, Spanish)
  • English Speaking Driver cum Guide
What's Not Included
  • Food and Beverages, unless specified
  • Gratuities
  • Entrance Fees Sigiriya USD 36 & Cave Temple USD 8
Additional Information

Climbing a rock - if you’re in good shape and don’t stop to look at things, it’ll take you less than 30 minutes to climb all the way to the top of the rock. If you need a few breaks along the way or simply want to stop often to take photos and admire the view, it’ll take an hour and a half to two hours to climb up and go back down again. and then Visit The beautiful Royal Rock Temple complex sits about 160m above the road in the southern part of Dambulla. Buddha images were first created here over 2000 years ago, and over the centuries subsequent kings added to and embellished the cave art.

  • Comfortable walking shoes recommended for this tour.
  • All visitors to Buddhist and Hindu temples are expected to remove footwear and hats. Also shoulders and knees should be covered
  • The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
  • Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date
  • Entrance need to pay directly and please bring cash to avoid the delay
  • If you need to withdraw cash by ATM please advice to Driver or Guide about that earlier
Location
Colombo
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(108 Ratings)
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Rebecca_b
Jun 26, 2024
Wonderful experience! - This was a very long trip, so plan a rest day afterwards. And you'll be sore from climbing all those steps. We had a knowledgeable guide who was thoughtful and helpful. There were some expenses not included, so be prepared for that.
Review provided by Viator
Constansemjeldheim_b
Apr 20, 2024
Great way of seeing Sri Lankan highlights - Great way of seeing some of the highlights of Sri Lanka. Fun filled day and quick / easy communication
Review provided by Viator
Melette_m
Apr 8, 2024
Excellent - We love the experience n our guide Naveen very helpful n really took care of us. We recommend it.. we enjoyed the coconut n corn he bought for us too.
Review provided by Viator
Marko_s
Apr 7, 2024
Highly recommended - Highly recommended. First and foremost our guide Chathu, what an amazing guy, so accommodating, knowledgeable. We stopped at places to have amazing breakfast and coffee, and lunch, affordable but good. Breakfast included continental options and amazing coffee. Sights were amazing, I could write a whole essay just for that, but I’m here to give praise to a really good service of this company. Fruit was bought as we stopped along the way in authentic locally sourced shops, all free. Coconuts, bananas, mangos, just amazing! A small word of caution, it gets really hot, and a lot of steps would definitely be a challenge for anyone with disabilities. Take an extra t-shirt, don’t spare the sunblock!
Review provided by Viator
Niros239
Mar 27, 2024
Organist worthwhile - best experience sigiriya view is stunning highlight is safari to see elephants is amazing very long day worth for price
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Abiramp2024
Mar 22, 2024
Pidurangala very Good - Really good Experience highly recommended i change the sigiriya Rock for Pidurangala since entrance way lower then sigiriya driver very flexible and changed to pidurangala after my request. Travel companions was with same mentality giving me nicer experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mariagz3736jh
Jul 11, 2024
TOTALLY UNPROFESSIONAL !!! - The tour was not as described .I have booked this tour directly from their site. But there is no minneriya national park.poor communication and no guide.Totally money oriented with many tourist shops. UNPROFESSIONAL
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Smithylondon2019
Mar 21, 2024
Great sites indifferent tour “guides” - After a 5.45am pick up and 3 1/2 drive to Dwe stopped 10 minutes from Dambulla at a truck stop serving Nescafé from a machine. Not exactly as described. At no point did either of the two tour guides/drivers talk to us about anything at all - just when we were due back on the bus - because I asked! No cultural information at all. Nothing. There was no fruit or coconut as described and tbh you’d be much better off with a private taxi - after Sigirya we stopped at a tourist “buffet” playing loud Western music (Boyzone after 2000 year old paintings, really?) It was a tourist ghetto. Just awful. We spent over an hour there ( for no reason as it was a buffet and everyone finished after 20 minutes) then a slow 4 hour drive in complete silence hitting avoidable (?) rush hour traffic. Really really disappointing. Not one word about any of the sites and no attempt or interest in the passengers. AVOID!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chiristinel2024
Jul 8, 2024
Terrible tour! DON'T TAKE IT - It was a terrible tour. The driver always forced me to purchase something from shops. Nothing was perfect and professional seems like a scam it was not as described. I asked for a money back but they refused. I was in the car more than 12 hours. NO GUIDE, BAD COMMUNICATION don't take it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P4347tjjennyh
Jul 8, 2024
Think Twice before Book ??????? - I had bad experience with this tour bcz the driver is not safe at all and the price is too expensive. asking additional money during the tour. the driver is not qualified for this and I don't recommend this for anyone. I was at cave for 15 minutes and driver force me to come down bcz he was getting delayed. Really annoying
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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September 2024
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