• Sigiriya - Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Main Road, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka. Sigiriya is one of Sri Lanka’s most treasured historical sites. Known locally as the Eighth Wonder of the World, this ancient palace and fortress complex holds great archaeological significance and draws thousands of tourists annually. It is arguably the most popular tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. The Sigiriya Citadel Rock is situated in the island’s heart, between Dambulla and Habarane, on a vast rocky plateau 370 meters above sea level. The Sigiriya rock plateau, formed from the magma of an extinct volcano, rises 200 meters above the surrounding jungles. Visitors are amazed by the unique harmony between nature and human creativity. The fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys, and fountains. The surrounding areas of Sigiriya have been inhabited for several thousand years. Since the 3rd century BC, the rocky plateau of Sigiriya served as a monastery. In the second half of the 5th century, King Kasyapa decided to build a royal residence here. After his death, Sigiriya reverted to a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century when it was abandoned. The main entrance is located on the northern side of the rock, designed as a massive stone lion, whose feet remain today, though the upper parts were destroyed. This lion gave the palace its name, Sigiriya, derived from the word Sihagri, meaning Lion Rock. The western wall of Sigiriya was almost entirely covered by frescoes created during Kasyapa’s reign. Eighteen frescoes have survived, depicting nude females, believed to be either portraits of Kasyapa’s wives and concubines or priestesses performing religious rituals. Despite the unknown identity of the females, these unique ancient paintings celebrate female beauty and hold incredible historical significance. One of Sigiriya’s most striking features is its Mirror Wall. In ancient times, it was polished so thoroughly that the king could see his reflection. The Mirror Wall is adorned with inscriptions and poems written by Sigiriya’s visitors. The oldest inscriptions date back to the 8th century, proving that Sigiriya was a tourist destination over a thousand years ago. Today, painting on the wall is strictly prohibited. The buildings and gardens of Sigiriya demonstrate that the creators of this remarkable architectural monument employed unique and creative technical skills and technologies. Constructing such a monument on a massive rock approximately 200 meters above the surrounding landscape required advanced architectural and engineering skills. The gardens of Sigiriya are among the world’s oldest landscaped gardens, featuring water gardens, cave and boulder gardens, and terraced gardens. They are located in the western part of the rock and include a complex hydraulic system with canals, locks, lakes, dams, bridges, fountains, and both surface and underground water pumps. During the rainy season, all channels fill with water, circulating throughout Sigiriya. The fountains of Sigiriya, built in the 5th century, are perhaps the oldest in the world. The palace and fortress complex is recognized as one of the finest examples of ancient urban planning. Due to its uniqueness, UNESCO declared Sigiriya a World Heritage site in 1982. Sigiriya is an unparalleled blend of urban planning, water engineering, horticulture, and arts.

• Sigiriya Museum - Stop At: Sigiriya Museum, Sigiriya Thalkotta Sigiriya Thalkotta, Sigiriya, Central Province, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka. This impressive museum features a detailed diorama of the site, offering an excellent overview and explaining Sigiriya’s cultural significance beyond its natural beauty. The theory that Sigiriya was a Buddhist monastery is presented here, although the prevailing view is that it was a palace or fortress. Trade routes are explained, highlighting Sigiriya’s connections with the Gulf, China, India, and the Roman Empire. Look for the captivating black-and-white photos of British archaeologist HCP Bell and his somewhat reluctant family exploring the site soon after its rediscovery. The museum is located near the main ticket booth. Photography is not permitted inside.

• Pidurangala Rock - Stop At: Pidurangala Rock, Pidurangala, Sigiriya, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka. While Sigiriya Rock is steeped in history and features dramatic elements like the lion’s paw and the mirror wall, Pidurangala Rock offers a more natural ambiance, despite also housing a temple. Pidurangala Rock is adjacent to Sigiriya Rock and provides the best viewing spot of Sigiriya Rock, as it is only slightly lower. Pidurangala is a popular spot for sunrise, offering 360-degree views of the valleys and Sigiriya Rock. There is no need to choose between the two; many travelers enjoy sunrise at Pidurangala and then head to Sigiriya Rock for sunset.

• Golden Temple of Dambulla - Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s largest rock cave temple is built on a 600-foot-high rock. Located at an elevation of 1118 feet above sea level, a massive rock rises from the surrounding plains of Dambulla, standing 600 feet high and over 2000 feet in length. It is home to the world’s most acclaimed cave complex, featuring magnificent Buddha images and rock paintings of vivid colors and shapes, constructed and painted from around the 2nd century BC (Anuradhapura era) and continuing up to the Kandyan era of the 18th century. The Sinhalese refer to it as ‘Dambulu Gala’ (Dambulla Rock), and the temple is called ‘Rangiri Dambulu Viharaya’ (Golden Rock Dambulla Temple). The Dambulla Rock Temple was first constructed during the reign of King Vattagamini Abhaya (103 BC and 89-77 BC), often called King Valagamba by the Sinhalese. During a South Indian invasion, the king had to abandon his Anuradhapura Kingdom. For 12 years, King Valagamba hid in these caves for safety. After regaining the Anuradhapura kingdom and becoming king, he converted the caves into Buddhist temples to show gratitude for his refuge, constructing walled partitions under the rock overhang, which spans the entire area as a single large cave. He created drip ledges along this large cave to withstand rainy weather and prevent water from seeping inside. The three cave temples, named Devarajalena, Maharajalena, and Paccimalena, were constructed by him. After King Vattagamini Abhaya’s reign, the cave temple did not receive patronage from other kings for several centuries until Vijayabahu I (1055-1110 AD), who made Polonnaruwa his kingdom. He renovated the cave temples, and it is believed that Buddhist monks dwelled in this and nearby caves at that time. King Keerthi Sri Nissankamalla (1187-1196 AD) significantly enhanced the site, constructing many additional Buddha images and gold plating seventy-three Buddha images in the cave temple. Kings Buwanekabahu (1372-1408 AD), Vickramabahu III (1360-1374 AD), Rajasinha I (1581-1591 AD), and Vimaladharmasuriya I (1592-1604 AD) also contributed to the temple’s status over the years. Archaeologists state that this cave and numerous other caves around the main rock were used for dwelling in prehistoric times, based on evidence found so far. The Dambulla Rock Cave Temple is located in the center of the Cultural Triangle of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandy. It can be reached from Kandy along the A9 road, which runs through Dambulla and Anuradhapura. Situated by the main road, it is 68 km from Kandy, and from the entrance to the Rock Temple by the main road, it is 2 km to Dambulla town.

• Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre - Pass By: Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre, Kandy - Jaffna Highway, Dambulla 21100 Sri Lanka. Located in the Dambulla Secretariat Division of Matale District, in the center of Dambulla town, this center was established in 1999 to create a wholesale market for vegetables and fruits. A key feature of the DDEC is the direct participation of farmers in selling their produce.

• Private transportation
• English-speaking service
• Bottled water included
• Parking fees covered
• Transport by tuk tuk

Welcome to the beautiful Sri Lanka! ‘Arrive as a visitor and leave as a companion!

With over a decade of experience, Dambulla tuk tuk saman is well-versed with the nuances of both tuk tuks and travel routes. Having a long-standing history of offering taxi services and tailor-made tours across Sri Lanka, in a tuk tuk or a car, we are your reliable travel ally. We can assist you in crafting your itinerary in Sri Lanka with suggestions for travel paths and must-visit spots. Be it hidden local gems or well-known attractions, we’ve got you covered. Our extensive knowledge and collaborations throughout the island make adventure planning seamless.

‘Arrive as a visitor and leave as a companion!

• Please wear clothes to cover your knees and shoulders when visiting temples

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