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Sigiriya & Dambulla: UNESCO Heritage Tour
4.5
80 Ratings
Sigiriya
Sigiriya and Dambulla are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Sigiriya was once proposed as the eighth Wonder of the World. This excursion is highly recommended during a visit to Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya and Dambulla are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Sigiriya was once proposed as the eighth Wonder of the World. This excursion is highly recommended during a visit to Sri Lanka.
Duration:
14 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Sigiriya - Early morning leave for Sigiriya (approx. 4 hours drive) and climb the 5th-century Sigiriya rock fortress. Sigiriya is famous for its toadstool of golden-hued granite, protruding into the searing blue sky from a hot, flat wilderness of scrub-land, which is transformed in the rainy season to a water garden. Afterwards visiting this…
- Sigiriya - Early morning leave for Sigiriya (approx. 4 hours drive) and climb the 5th-century Sigiriya rock fortress. Sigiriya is famous for its toadstool of golden-hued granite, protruding into the searing blue sky from a hot, flat wilderness of scrub-land, which is transformed in the rainy season to a water garden. Afterwards visiting this beautiful area, have lunch at a Local Restaurant.
- Dambulla Cave Temple - After lunch, visit Dambulla rock temple that was built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and it is a World Heritage Site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and ceilings, is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha and the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 meters.
On completion of this visit, you will be driven back to your hotel (approx. 4 hours drive)
What's Included
- Sightseeing tours led by an English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Inclusive of all fees, taxes, parking, and highway charges
- Entry to top attractions: Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sigiriya Museum, and Dambulla Cave Temple
- Enjoy local cuisine with lunch at a restaurant, plus refreshments and water bottles
- Sightseeing tours led by an English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Inclusive of all fees, taxes, parking, and highway charges
- Entry to top attractions: Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sigiriya Museum, and Dambulla Cave Temple
- Enjoy local cuisine with lunch at a restaurant, plus refreshments and water bottles
What's Not Included
- Any video/still camera fee to the monuments and places of visit
- Tips to guides, restaurants, and hotel lobby. Tipping is expected.
- Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Price Includes section
- Any video/still camera fee to the monuments and places of visit
- Tips to guides, restaurants, and hotel lobby. Tipping is expected.
- Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Price Includes section
Additional Information
- Group discount is available when group size is 7 people or more
- Please wear clothes to cover your knees and shoulders when visiting temples
- Group discount is available when group size is 7 people or more
- Please wear clothes to cover your knees and shoulders when visiting temples
Location
Sigiriya
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(80 Ratings)
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448melquiadesm
Jan 14, 2022
Sigiriya and back with the delightful Dhamita! - I toured Sri Lanka with the very delightful Dhamita in 2018 and it still remains one of the best experiences of my life! (So much so, that I am leaving this very positive review in 2022...apologies for the massive delay, Dhamita!) Dhamita communicated very well via text, picked me up on time in his luxurious Air Conditioned (!) car and we set off on a 5-hour drive to glorious Sigiriya. Although Sigiriya was my destination, what made this trip absolutely remarkable were all the stops on the way there and back...an invaluable experience. With my consent, we stopped at various temples, food stands, metal, wood working, furniture and jewelry shops, I got to meet the most amazing people, and tasted the most delicious authentic local cuisine... a truly genuine experience! When (not if) I return to Sri Lanka, I will be contracting Dhamita and Beyond Escapes as my guide again! Maybe to Kandy next time :) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thatstunningguy
Jan 12, 2020
One of Srilanka’s outstanding and must visit attractions - One of Srilanka’s outstanding and must visit attractions, The eight wonder of the world - Sigirya Rock Fortress also known as Lion Rock. On day 3, we went to climb the Sigirya Fort, There were around 1,200 steps which took around 2 hours to reach the top of the rock to enjoy awesome breathtaking and panormic views.
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Juro2017
Nov 19, 2019
Very good tour :) - We had a private tour from Kandy to Sigyria and Dambulla cave temple, the tour was very good, both guide Hanushka and the driver were kind and knowledgeable, they came on time and the guide gave us s lot of information, we also really liked the lunch, we could choose what to take (buffet) and it was typical Sri Lankan cuisine ;)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jb
Nov 14, 2019
Fantastic day excursion - We had a wonderful experience with Savi.
This is a very long day trip including 2x4h drives from Colombo and back, but worth every minute of it.
The temple in Dambulla caves is very inspiring and the climb up to the Sigiriya fortress very impressive. A tough climb but the view from the top is amazing.
Our diver, Savi, was extremely helpful and suggested we added a jeep safari to see elephants; a great suggestion.
Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kenny
Nov 3, 2019
Excellent day - Me and my partner had an excellent day on this tour. Our driver Pathum was very knowledgeable on the caves tour and kept us away from pushy locals. The Sigiriya tour was excellent and we were allowed to peruse at our "leisure" (if you can call climbing the rock in 35 degrees and 95% humidity leisure!) He also drove us expertly and safely back to the hotel in the middle of a monsoon, would highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Georgie
Oct 25, 2019
Visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress - We set out early in the morning, to start the climb of 1200 steps, before the sunrise. Better to have an early start as it would be quite tiring to climb, while it is hot. Make sure you carry water.
Climb is difficult, but doable, we did it in about two hours climbing ip and coming down.
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Jauntwithjosh
Oct 19, 2019
Stunning tour and extremely impressive customer service. - I booked (via Viator) this private tour (just me and the driver who was also the guide) from Colombo. When I missed a flight and didn't get into Colombo until the next day, I messaged the company and they immediately responded to tell me that we could do the tour the next day, no problems or questions asked. In fact, we had to leave at 4am instead of 6am just so they could immediately take me to the airport to catch my next flight at 7pm. Again, no problem whatsoever. It is so refreshing to deal with people who are so flexible. I'm sure if it was a group tour (or less expensive) than it might not have been as flexible, but I felt very well taken care of. The driver/guide (one person) spoke very good English, had a great sense of humor, was kind to start the tour so early, and did not rush me AT ALL. We did not make any unnecessary souvenir stops either that I'm sure other tours force you to do. The cave and lion rock (Sigiriya) were really interesting places and must be a highlight of Sri Lanka. I probably wouldn't go to Sri Lanka and miss those places. A note of caution, climbing the stairs at Sigiriya was intense, both because at times you are looking down the face of a cliff (perfectly safe but might bother some who are afraid of heights). I'm in just so-so shape and probably have never sweated more in my entire life. But since you're not rushed at all, you can stop and catch your breathe multiple times. If I had friends or family visiting Sri Lanka, I would be sure to get the same guide and company for them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Georgetravels36
Sep 1, 2023
Great experience. - Overall a great tour with Mr Dinesh, extremely knowledgeable and helpful throughout the day. Sigiriya is a must see!
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Adeedesilva
Nov 3, 2019
The view is great - It's an experience you wouldn't want to miss when visiting Sri Lanka! The climb is a bit, but with the right people it turns into a really good work out & the best part is the view is great.
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Lynne
Oct 16, 2019
Sigiriya - Interesting museum at start of the tour including toilets!
Recommend starting your day very early to avoid the heat and crowds.
Walk through the gardens and over the ancient moat as you approach the rock itself - and then you start the assent. The Lion Paws are about half way up , and from there it is mainly metal steps that are very steep. You come down a separate flight of stairs back to the Lion Paws. Exhausting!
Fabulous view at the top though.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
