Hello fellow explorers! We are back again with another exciting guide on one of the most amazing gems on our beautiful planet! This time, our blog is a guide to the Rock Fortress – Sigiriya, Sri Lanka. Alternatively famous as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is full of wonders that leave travelers amazed with their magnificence. One such wonder is Sigiriya, a fifth century fortress in Sri Lanka that has been carved out of an inselberg. What makes this site even more special is that it is a UNESCO heritage site and is popular as the eighth wonder of the world. It is at a height of about 600 feet and has a flat top. At the base of the rock, you get to see a variety of majestic gardens that are embellished with fountains and ponds.
How did Sigiriya get its name? Near the top of the fortress, there’s a Lion’s Gate which is a staircase with two gigantic stone lion paws on each side. There used to be a lion’s face as well but it got eroded overtime. This is how Sigiriya, which literally means ‘lion rock’ got its name. Interesting isn’t it?
Well, this blog has a lot more fun things for you to know that are going to leave you enticed to visit this place. Excited to know what this blog beholds for you? So without any further ado, let’s get going!
Table of Contents
Reaching Sigiriya
Sigiriya is a small town and therefore it does not have a train station or bus stop. You are just a taxi ride away from a town, Dambulla, that offers good connectivity to almost the entire island through buses. Many buses that operate on larger routes can drop you off at Inamaluwa Junction that is quite closer to Sigiriya. You can reach Sigiriya with absolute ease. All you have to do is tell the ticket seller that you want to go to Sigiriya and they will let you know when to get off the bus. When you get off the bus at this junction, you can easily get a taxi that will take you to Sigiriya.
To save some bucks, we recommend you to take a bus between Sigiriya to Dambulla. There is a train station as well that is near Habarana which is quite close to Sigiriya. Depending on what you find more convenient, you can choose how you want to reach Sigiriya.
Staying In Sigiriya
No matter what your budget is, you can easily stay in Sigiriya. From hostels to guest houses to luxurious resorts, there are a variety of accommodation options to choose from. Some of the most affordable accomodations in Sigiriya are Roy’s Villa hostel and Sigiri Saman Home Stay. The former is an amazing place to stay, has very reasonable prices and neat and clean rooms. The location in which it is present is absolutely beautiful as it is surrounded by rice paddies. The latter on the other hand is in the main town and has forest and flowers around it. It has a comfy room, great food, hot shower facilities and a lot more! What makes the stay here even better is that you get unlimited tea, coffee and complimentary water bottles as well!
Nearby Attractions
Sigiriya is full of attractions that leave tourists mesmerised with their charisma and aesthetics. Being in Sigiriya means that you are close to a lot of interesting places. Let’s have a look at some of the most popular nearby attractions in Sigiriya.
The Lion’s Rock
There is not a chance that you visit Sigiriya and don’t hear about this spot. Lion’s Rock is an incredible spot that deserves to be witnessed and simply cannot be missed. It is famous for its giant rock at the hilltop that resembles a crouching lion. If you want to witness something unique that is highly impressive, then this spot is a must visit.
Dambulla Royal Cave Temple
This collection of ancient temples is absolutely incredible. What makes these temples worth witnessing is that they are carved into the rock of one of the hills that overlooks Dambulla town. This temple is embellished with intricate carvings and is more than a millennium old. These cave temples are indeed a visual treat and are definitely worth a visit.
Pidurangala Rock
Pidurangala Rock is another spot that you cannot miss. It’s popular for offering incredible views over Sigiriya Rock. It’s very convenient as well as it’s only a 20 minute hike to the top. What makes this rock even better is that it’s very budget friendly and therefore is a must visit in this area. To have an even more amazing view, we recommend you to get to the top to witness the sunrise and sunset. We assure you that the views are definitely worth going to the top!
Kaudulla Elephant Safari
If you are desirous of witnessing elements existing in the natural habitat then going on this Safari is definitely recommended. Book a jeep safari to Kaudulla National Park and enjoy being in the lap of nature, witnessing the mighty elephants. This park is one of those few national parks where there are high chances of witness elephants.
Also Read: What to eat in Sigiriya?
Ritigala Ancient Monastic Ruins
The Ritigala Ancient Monastic Ruins are absolutely incredible and phenomenal. If you are someone who loves to visit historical places and travel back and time then this is a must visit spot for you. This spot has its presence in the Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve and is a must visit!
Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa
The enormous ruins of these mesmerizing cities are wonderfully incredible. The beauty and charm of this archaeological site is going to leave you amazed. When you are here, make sure that you visit both or at least either of these cities to add some historical delights to your trip.
Parting Words
The world is full of amazing places and Sigiriya is one of them. A unique place with a different kind of charm, Sigiriya is a spot that has echoes from the past and an enigmatic delight for the future. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to Sigiriya, a spot one of its kind!
FAQs
There are a variety of ways through which you can go to sigiriya Lion Rock. You can go by bus which would be a 4-5 hours journey. Going by car is another option which takes about 3-4 hours. You can go by flight as well which would be a 1-2 hours journey. Going by train would take about 5-6 hours and tuk tuk is another option which would be a 4-5 hours journey.
You can go to Sigiriya by air, road and train as well depending on your choice and convenience.
Minneriya National Park, Pidurangala Rock, Sigiri Art Gallery, Angammedilla National Park, Sigiriya palace, Sigiriya Lion Rock are some of the top sightseeing places in Sigiriya.
To commute within Sigiriya, you can take a taxi or a tuk tuk which are the most common modes of transportation in that area.
There are many hotels available in Sigiriya that offer all the amenities and ensure that you have a comfortable stay. From low budget hotels to luxurious ones, there are all kinds of hotels available in Sigiriya.
There are several luxurious resorts and hotels available near Sigiriya where you can stay and have a relaxing and enjoyable time. You can book any one depending on your budget, time of stay and other preferences.
There are various spots in Sigiriya that have entrance fees. For instance, in Sigiriya museum, the entrance ticket fees is US $6 for foreign adults and children. For local adults, the ticket is ₹100 and for local children, the fee is ₹50. Sigiriya rock is another famous spot in Sigiriya, the entrance fee for which is ₹ 5000 for foreigners and ₹50 for locals.
Climbing Sigiriya rock is a lot easier in comparison to the Pidurangala rock. So if you are beginner and want to have a simple climbing experience, then Sigiriya rock is a better choice for you. Contrary to this, of you want a very adventurous and thrilling experience, then Pidurangala rock is a better choice for you.
The opening hours of various tourist spots in Sigiriya are different depending on their type, best time to visit and other factors. It’s always better to check the opening hours of the spots you want to visit, before actually visiting there.
