Sigiriya, Sri Lanka’s most famous landmark, should be on your itinerary when you visit the country. It’s safe to say that Sigiriya is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations. It has been photographed and shared by tens of thousands of people from throughout the globe. In addition to this, there is a lot more to see and do in Sri Lanka, making Sigiriya an essential stop on any visit. So, to help you make the most out of your time in Sigiriya, we’ve put up a list of our favorite activities.
- Climb the Rock
Most of the year, the hours at Sigiriya Rock are 7 am to 5:30 pm every day. Sigiriya is best visited early when it is cooler than in the afternoon. A half-hour after they begin letting people in is the optimal time to arrive at the door. So as not to get caught in the middle of a big crowd. To climb Sigiriya it’s likely to take about an hour and a half. If you go up at a busy time of day, it may take a little more time than usual with the intention of stopping for photos and taking in the scenery.
- How Much It Costs To Climb The Sigiriya Rock? Fifty rupees for residents and 30 dollars (5000 Rupees) for all foreigners.
- Is Sigiriya Rock Difficult to Climb? As long as you get there early enough, most individuals should be able to scale it. Only the final ascent, which involves climbing metal stairwells, is challenging. These can be a little scary when wet, so that some people may find this a little intimidating.
- If You’re Going to Climb Sigiriya Rock, What Should You Wear? Investing in a good pair of shoes is a necessity. For safety reasons, it is best to avoid flip-flops. Shorts and a t-shirt should be enough for the rest of the day.
- Reach the Pidurangala Rock.
Opening hours are from 5 am to 5 pm daily. Due to its proximity to Sigiriya Rock, Pidurangala Rock is difficult to miss. However, it’s a stunning sight to see in its own right. It’s almost as high, and it provides beautiful views of the surrounding forestland. Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala Rock are two of the most popular spots to see the sunset in Sri Lanka. Each one can be done sequentially, but it will be exhausting, and you will have to walk in the midday sun. While Lion Rock is a famous site to see the sunrise, this is a more affordable option.
- See the Sigiriya Museum
An archaeological museum and the Sigiriya Rock ticket office are both located in the same complex. In order to get inside, you’ll need to pay the $30 entrance fee.
In addition, the Sigiriya Citadel’s history, the Lion Rock Fortress, and the ruins excavated nearby are covered in greater detail in the book. A trip to the museum is a popular pre-climbing recommendation. In this way, you will be able to appreciate the scenery more and have a deeper appreciation for the rock’s historical significance.
- See Minneriya National Park’s Elephants
In Sri Lanka, you’ll never run out of elephants to see! For those who want to view elephants while visiting Sigiriya, Minneriya National Park is the place to go. Large herds come here in the dry season, and it is well-known for this. There are many additional animals to be seen here, including birds. It costs $15 per person to enter the park, and then you’ll need to hire a jeep safari for the day.
- Take A Look Around In Kaudulla National Park
If you’re thinking about going to Minneriya National Park, don’t miss Kaudulla National Park. Similarly, it is one of Sri Lanka’s most important bird habitats and is growing in popularity as a destination for Sigiriya travelers. Elephants are also attracted to the area during the dry season. It’s always a good idea to go on two safaris rather than just one, as there is no assurance that you will see these herds going by!
- Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
A hot air balloon ride over Sigiriya is one of the most unusual things to do in Sigiriya. The season runs from November to April. To see the sunrise over the surrounding jungle canopies is simply awe-inspiring on a clear, sunny day!
- See what’s going on in the Polonnaruwa kingdom.
The town of Polonnaruwa is just over an hour’s drive from Sigiriya. Visit the Thivanka Image House, Parakrama Samudra, and Gal Vihara while in Polonnaruwa. After spending the day in Polonnaruwa, you can return to Sigiriya in time for sunset.
- The Dambulla Cave Temple
There is a lot to see and do in the small town of Dambulla, but there isn’t much more to do there. From Dambulla to Sigiriya, the travel time is only around an hour. More than a hundred Buddha statues are housed in the unique cave temples, all meticulously carved and kept.
There are a total of five caverns, each with its own design features. It’s a good idea to hire a tour guide. If you’re interested in learning more about the site’s enormous historical significance, they’ll charge you roughly 1,000 LKR.
- Visit Anuradhapura for a Day Trip
To get the most out of your time in Sri Lanka, there are three attractions you should visit when staying in Sigiriya. If you’re in Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura is a must-see. Take Mihintale, for example. Archaeological sites and temples from ancient Sri Lanka can be found in the historical capital of Sri Lanka, Dambulla. If you take your own vehicle to the Old City, you’ll pay just $25 to see all of its attractions.
- Take It Easy In Trincomalee And Bask In The Sun
Our preferred beachfront resort in Sri Lanka is Trincomalee. If surfing is what you’re looking for, you’ll be disappointed. However, Trincomalee still has a lot to offer visitors. Only one long stretch of pristine, sandy beach is available to visitors, but there are plenty of bars and resorts to choose from for the day. There are a few things to do in Trincomalee despite the weather being hotter than in Sigiriya. However, if you want to spend the day sipping cocktails and swimming in the warm water, we suggest driving up to Fernando’s and renting a sun lounger.
- View the artwork and crafts of Pethikada
One of the most famous art galleries is located in the middle of town, Pethikada. Jagath, a local artist, creates all of the artwork, and his style mirrors that of the Sigiriya Rock pictures. Other types of art, such as carvings in wood, are also accessible.
Pethikada paintings make excellent gifts for friends and family back home. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s worth your time to take a look at the artwork, even if you don’t want to purchase anything. This modest art gallery is a must-see because it contains so much exciting artwork!
- Shop Handcrafted Wooden Souvenirs
Sigiriya’s streets are lined with stores that offer wood-carvings done by locals. If you’re in Sigiriya, chances are you’ll be drawn into one of these stores and wind up with a small wooden elephant as a souvenir.
The wood carvings, especially the larger ones, are stunning. It was well worth my time to pop in for a brief peek. It’s a habit to buy a Christmas ornament while on vacation! Carvings start at roughly 300 rupees and can cost up to $3,000!
- Take a hike up Rose Quartz Mountain.
Sri Lanka’s Rose Quartz Mountain is one of the most incredible things to see and do there, hands down. As a tourist, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Rose Quartz Mountain is the biggest of its kind in Southeast Asia! You’ll trek through a forest, through some ruins, and finally ascend a mountain made entirely of Rose Quartz! Wow, this is really neat!
It’s not a blazing pink mountain by any means, but it does have a dusty rose color to it, and you can definitely feel quartz under your feet. You must pay $5 to climb the peak. The hike takes approximately an hour and a half and isn’t particularly challenging, but I recommend wearing shoes with good traction (runners or trainers will suffice) as sections of the terrain are steep.
It will take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to get to the base of Rose Quartz Mountain from Sigiriya, but it’s definitely worth it! Enter Jathika Namal Uyana into Google Maps to get the location of Rose Quartz Mountain. Jathika Nmal Uyana is the name of the forest and the mountain that lead to the hike’s starting point.
- Safari in the Wasgamuwa National Park
Wasgamuwa National Park is the final safari on this list of things to do in Sigiriya. Large elephant herds can be observed from November through May. (as opposed to Minneriya and Kaudulla, where the elephant gatherings are from July to November).
A safari in Sri Lanka’s Wasgamuwa National Park provides a unique opportunity to see wildlife in its natural habitat.
- Archaeological site and natural preserve in Ritigala
While visiting Anuradhapura or Polonnaruwa requires a whole day, Ritigala is an excellent option. There are remnants of a 1,000year-old city that can be found here. The city was enormous in those days. When the British conquered Sri Lanka, most of these ruins were destroyed, but there is still 5% left to explore.
The moment you step foot on the Ritigala property, a guide will provide you with a brief history of the region. A map and directions will be provided to you by him before you are left to your own devices. A forest, ruins, and the traces of a city await you.
Visit the remains on your own, but make sure to arrange transportation to and from the site in advance of your visit! (best to get your driver to wait for you). Private excursions with a knowledgeable guide are the most popular choice for most people—cost: 350 rupees to enter the site.
