Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Cave Temples Day Trip: Explore Sri Lanka's Historic Sights

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Sigiriya

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Embark on a day trip to Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temples in Sri Lanka. Explore historic sights, ruins, and Buddha-filled caves with a private tour and air-conditioned vehicle.

Duration: 12 hours

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Sigiriya - Greet your professional Chauffeur Guide at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) or your hotel and proceed to Sigiriya, passing through Rambukkana.
No 21, Ayurvedic Herbal Garden - Discover Sri Lanka’s famous spices in a man-made forest and enjoy a complimentary 10-minute head massage. The garden is rich with herbs, spice…

Sigiriya - Greet your professional Chauffeur Guide at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) or your hotel and proceed to Sigiriya, passing through Rambukkana.
No 21, Ayurvedic Herbal Garden - Discover Sri Lanka’s famous spices in a man-made forest and enjoy a complimentary 10-minute head massage. The garden is rich with herbs, spice groves, and plants, all shaded by tropical trees that enhance the unique aroma of each spice and herb. Visitors can explore and learn about Sri Lankan spices, herbs, and the benefits of Ayurveda. The tropical climate helps preserve the ancient originality of the plants and herbs. The educational tour, known as “The Spice Tour,” allows visitors to experience the essence of Sri Lankan spices and herbs, with demonstrations in various foreign languages to meet customer needs.
Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress - Admire Sigiriya Rock, a granite outcrop that turns into water gardens during the rainy season. Climb the metal steps to the top of the rock, where you’ll find the ruins of a fifth-century fortress. View the frescoes along the way and explore the remnants of a royal citadel built by King Kasyapa at the summit.
Pidurangala Rock - Hike up Pidurangala Rock, visit the ancient temples, and enjoy a full view of Sigiriya Rock for stunning photos.
Sigiriya Craft Village - Experience the best of Sri Lanka in the village with Kingfisher Tours and get a unique insight into village life. Take an oxen cart ride and see the world from a village farmer’s perspective. Enjoy a relaxing catamaran safari on a calm lake. Walk through golden fields ripe with paddy. Watch a traditional cooking demonstration that teaches the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine. Savor a home-cooked lunch made over a wood fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed on woven trays. Enjoy the life of a Sri Lankan villager for a day. (Optional)
Dambulla Cave Temple - After lunch at the Oakray Restaurant in Inamaluwa, visit the UNESCO-listed Rock Temple of Dambulla: five hill caves converted into a temple in the first century BC and filled with Buddha statues. Explore the caves with their stunning wall and ceiling murals as your guide shares the history of Dambulla.
Colombo - Return to your original pickup location and conclude your day tour.

What's Included

Private transportation
On-board WiFi
Bottled water
Lunch
In-vehicle air conditioning
All Local Taxes & Charges

What's Not Included

Food & Drinks except Lunch

Additional Information

Two prized attractions in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Cave Temple, are not feasible to visit in a day using public transportation. This exclusive tour from Colombo, Negombo, or Kandy enables you to tick off both of these sites in a single day, courtesy of a private air-conditioned transport. Discover the ancient ruins on top of Sigiriya Rock…

Location

Sigiriya

Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings

4.4

(67 Ratings)

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Elene_g

Apr 23, 2025

Our Guide Abdul was very... - Our Guide Abdul was very helpful and accommodating. Private transfer and the day trip was tailored to our requests, got to see the places we wanted and skipped ones we didn't.

Review provided by Viator

Toshiyukis2025

Apr 18, 2025

Excellence experience - The driver Mr. Mohamed Aswer completed his work perfectly and supported us warmly. We are appreciated his professionalism and guidance. We prefer to have his support next time too if possible. Once again l, thank you very much!

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Marcus_e

Apr 4, 2025

Peaceful day - A good day out. We had two drivers with us so we both had someone to ask questions to. The lads were patient and aloffered plenty of things to do. We picked and chose what we wanted to do and didn't feel rushed for time. Would gladly use them again.

Review provided by Viator

Goplaces68096785370

Mar 20, 2025

Great Service 5/5 - Communication was fast and clear. This was my solo travel, Abdul Roman was very friendly and looked after you like his own family. It was a pleasure getting to know him. Went to Sigiriya and Dambulla, both amazing places to visit.

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Anacholita

Jan 29, 2025

Warm and personalized treatment - Warm and friendly drivers. Went out of their way to make our journey unique and wonderful. They even went and got medicine when I got sick. Remember to bring cash with you as some places dont take cards.

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Rakesh

Jan 10, 2025

Best tour ever - Wonderful tour operator. It is a private tour. Very affordable and the driver was very friendly. The manager who manages this is kind and helpful. Definitely recommended. Right from pickup to drop at the hotel was smoothly planned and executed.

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795sham

Jun 20, 2024

Recommended Company - Wonderful experience travelling with this company high quality service provided by them along with guiding as well Really enjoyed this day tour fully packed with activities1

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Morgandmindy

Feb 26, 2024

Stunning views - Excellent experience but not for the lighthearted. Have to be reasonably fit to climb this. Although, you’d be surprised at how many infirm can manage it!! Beautiful views and definitely with a trip. Take lots of water. Locals will try for cash at every opportunity so have your wits about you.

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Nabe

Feb 11, 2024

Sigiriya Rock Day Trip - The service and hospitality was excellent. We also got a free car upgrade, so we were able to spend a comfortable time. They also suggested sightseeing around Sigiriya Rock based on our needs, so it was a very satisfying day tour.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Jeffcreek

Apr 1, 2024

Not enough time to do it all - We arrived by cruise ship and this was a one day experience. We have done lots of trip advisor trips so we do have experience. The guide is the important link. Communication from the tour company is second. The communication from the tour company was pretty good but on the day we arrived, we didn't know where to meet the guide. We arrived in a working port. I called our guide and he said to take the shuttle bus to the port gate. That is not uncommon in a working port. It too dangerous to let tourists walk through the port. He was at gate one. The bus dropped us off at gate two. We had no control over any of this. I called our guide again and he said he would pick us up. It took him 15 mins to get there. Aashik then took us to our first stop. A jewelry store. I kept asking him the same question all day. Do we have enough time to do everything on the tour. His answer was always yes. I told him that the most important thing was to get us on the ship by 10:30 pm. He always said, "no problem". My wife liked the jewelry store and the owner made some great deals. I told Aashik that out of all of the things on the tour, the Elephant part can be dropped if time is an issue. We spent about an hour at the store. Next stop was a spice farm. We got the personal "speedy" tour with one of the reps. We also received some great back rubs with red oil. We made some purchases here also. Traffic was horrible the entire way. Driving in Sri Lanka takes a special talent. Our driving was in the passing lane often. 2 lane highway the entire time. We were in the car for hours.Obviously we skipped the included lunch. I don't even know where that would have taken place. We stopped at the Elephant place. I don't know why. We got out of the car and told the attendant that we had no interest. Other things to do. Back in the car. More driving. We were 8 miles from Sigiriya and it was already after 5 pm. We stopped for the ancient dinner experience. We boarded a cart pulled by an ox. About 20 mins down the road we boarded a hand paddled boat for a trip across a lake. We arrived at a little village where some women prepared us dinner. They demonstrated the ancient ways of preparing the food. The food was delicious. There was a charge for dinner. The tour company allowed us to pay less because we didn't get the lunch. Time was now an issue. Do we go to Sigiriya, the whole reason we took this tour, or we do we drive back to the port? We had 4 hours before the ship left. Sigiriya was 30 mins away with traffic. 2500 steps, up to the top. We needed 2 hours to do? Who knew this? We chose to go back to the port. Traffic is too unpredictable. Halfway back we got onto an expressway. What a relief. I am guessing that all of the other stops interfered with taking the expressway on the way there. We arrived back into the port at 8:45. Time to spare. I am glad we left when we did. If you choose this tour and are on a ship, realize the issue of time and traffic. It is unavoidable. Plan accordingly.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Check Availability

From $60

up to 15 guests

2 - Adult