expedia
List your propertySupportTrips
Member discount illustration

Members save 10% or more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide when you’re signed in

Sign in
Learn about Expedia Rewards
Feedback
Pidurangala
Sigiriya
On the way to sigiriya
Hotel ulagalla thirappane
At sigiriya

Golden beach Negombo to lion rock sigiriya hiking

By Ishan Tours and Holidays
Free cancellation available
Price is £79 per adult
See tickets
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 12h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
Overview

The Dambulla rock is 160m high and is surrounded by more than 80 documented caves. Five popular caves contain the major attractions, with several statues and paintings that are related to Buddha's life. These caves vary in sizes and magnificence. 4 statues of Gods and Goddesses, including one of Vishnu and Ganesha.
King Walagamba converted the caves into a temple in the 1st century BCE. Exiled from Anuradhapura, he sought refuge here from South Indian invaders for 15 years. After reclaiming his capital, the King built a temple in thankful worship. Many other kings added to it later and by the 11th century, the caves had become a major religious centre. King Nissankamalla gilded the caves and added about 70 Buddha statues in 1190 AD. During the 18th century, the caves were restored and painted by the Kandyan Kings.

Activity location

  • Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress
    • 21120, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Negombo
    • Negombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka

Check availability

Golden beach Negombo to lion rock sigiriya hiking
  • Activity duration is 12 hours12h12h
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 07:30
Price details
£79.15 x 1 Adult£79.15
Total
Price is £79.15
Until Thu, 2 May

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedDriver and guide
  • What's includedWhat's includedWe provide 2 bottles for travellers
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedAll Fees and Taxes
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedDriver and guide fee

Know before you book

  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • In accordance with UK consumer law, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
  • This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).

Activity itinerary

Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress
  • 2h
  • Admission ticket not included
Since the 3th century BC Sigiriya was used as a monastery and after eight centuries it was turned into a royal palace. The construction and early history of the palace and fortress of Sigiriya is connected with several tragic events in the relationship of two royal brothers – Kasyapa and Moggallana. King Kasyapa (477-495 AD) illegally took the throne. The legal heir of the throne Maggallana was forced to escape to India. Fearing an attack by his brother Kasyapa decided to move the capital from Anuradhapura to the central parts of Sri Lanka. He constructed a royal palace on a high rock to make sure it will not be invaded by the right heir of the throne Maggallana. The palace – Sigiriya was constructed using the most advanced technologies of the time and was richly decorated with colourful frescos. After Kasyapa was killed in the battle with his brother’s army, the capital was moved back to Anuradhapura. Maggallana destroyed the palace of his brother and Sigiriya became a Buddhist monastery again. Approximately a thousand years later – in the 14th century it was abandoned also by monks. In 1831 Europeans accidentally discovered Sigiriya. Jonathan Forbes – a major of the British army discovered it on his way from Polonnaruwa – a city in central Sri Lanka. The site immediately attracted the attention of historians and archaeologists, but only in the 1980s major excavations took place here.
Pidurangala Rock
  • 2h
  • Admission ticket not included
The UNESCO World site of Sigiriya (Lion Rock) in Sri Lanka has quite the view and is justifiably one of the most visited sites in Sri Lanka but there’s a view to rival this just Pidurangala Vihara (Sinhala: පිදුරංගල විහාරය) is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Pidurangala village of Matale District, Sri Lanka. The temple was constructed on a massive rock called Pidurangala, which is located a few kilometres north of the historical fort Sigiriya
Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and Golden Temple
  • 2m
  • Admission ticket not included
Dambulla cave temple (Sinhalese: Dam̆būlū Len Vihāraya, Tamil Tampuḷḷai Poṟkōvil) also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country.[1] This site is situated 148 kilometres (92 mi) east of Colombo , 72 kilometres (45 mi) north of Kandy and 43 km (27 mi) north of Matale Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains.There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Gautama Buddha and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses. The latter include Vishnu and the Ganesha. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square metres (23,000 sq ft). Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara, and Buddha's first sermon.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIESSigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress
    • 21120, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLENegombo
    • Negombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Sigiriya your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Sigiriya

With so many things to do in Sigiriya, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Sigiriya. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Sigiriya to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.