Sigiriya & Dambulla Day Tour from Colombo with Safari

Dambulla Cave Temple

The Dambulla Cave Temple, also called the Golden Temple, has been a place of worship for more than two thousand years. Five caves under a huge granite outcrop hold over 150 statues of the Buddha, including a long reclining figure, and their ceilings are covered with brightly painted murals telling stories of the Buddha's life and Sri Lankan history. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You reach the caves by a stairway up the rock, with views over the forest on the way. Shoes are left at the entrance and shoulders and knees must be covered. The temple closes briefly in the morning, around 10:30 to 10:45, for daily worship, which your driver builds into the schedule. The Dambulla Cave Temple ticket is not included in the price and is paid at the gate.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sigiriya, the Lion Rock, is a sheer column of rock about 200 metres high rising above the jungle. In the fifth century a king built a palace on its summit, surrounded by moats, water gardens and terraces at its foot. Halfway up you pass the famous frescoes of painted maidens and the polished Mirror Wall, then climb between two giant stone lion paws, all that remains of the great lion gate.

The climb has about 1,200 steps and takes around two hours up and down, so wear comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen and carry water. People often ask how to get to Sigiriya from Colombo: it is a drive of several hours, which makes a day trip from Colombo with a driver the simplest way. The Sigiriya ticket is not included and is paid at the site.

Elephant Safari in Minneriya, Kaudulla or Hurulu

In the afternoon you can join a jeep safari of about two and a half hours in one of the national parks near Sigiriya: Minneriya, Kaudulla or Hurulu Eco Park. The park is chosen on the day according to where the elephants are, as herds move between them with the seasons. From around July to October, Minneriya and Kaudulla are famous for large gatherings of elephants around the old reservoirs.

Besides elephants you may see deer, water buffalo, monkeys, crocodiles and many birds, although wildlife is never guaranteed. Safaris are timed for the late afternoon, when animals come out to feed. The jeep safari is optional and paid on the spot, with the cost depending on the park and the number of people sharing the jeep; we tell you the current fees before you travel.

Village Life and the Cultural Triangle

If you prefer a gentler afternoon, choose the traditional village tour instead of the safari. These tours usually include a ride through rice fields, a short boat trip on a lake and a visit to a local family to see how traditional food is prepared, giving a feel for country life in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The village tour is also paid locally.

Sigiriya and Dambulla lie in the Cultural Triangle, the region of ancient royal cities in the centre of the island. The best time to visit Sigiriya is early in the day and in the drier months from January to April, but the trip runs year-round. On the way back there is time for a stop at a batik and silk shop before the long drive to Colombo.