Sigiriya, also known as Lion Rock, built on top of a huge boulder in the 5th century. A palace. A rock fortress. The hidden castle of King Kasyapa. A Buddhist monastery from the 14th century. Similar to the cosmic mountain of Meru? The eighth wonder of the world? No place in Sri Lanka has generated as many theories and legends as the 180m monolith, set amidst stunning scenery.

Experience Overview

Sigiriya consists of 1200 steps. The first part of the visit is a leisurely walk through the pleasure gardens. Then one starts to climb. There are two areas where one can take a break on the way up. The entire duration of the experience takes approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the speed at which you want to climb. Water is provided. If it looks like it might rain don’t forget to take an umbrella from the vehicle.

Includes:

Entrance Fees, Water, a Tambili (Coconut) at the end.

Duration:

Depending on how fast you climb the visit takes anything from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours.

Difficulty:

Moderate. There are 1200 steps to the top in 3 stages. Getting to the 1st stage is reasonably easy. If you have any medical condition please let your guide know.

Suitable for children:

A small child may not make it to the top unless he / she is carried by his parents. That said, the rock is surrounded by beautiful gardens ideal for kids to play around. One option with the kids is to go for a long stroll around the gardens, and perhaps climb to the first stage.

Meeting time on location:

To be confirmed with your chauffeur guide or national guide.

Pick-up time:

To be confirmed with your chauffeur guide or national guide.

What to wear or bring along:

Light clothing, sun cream, a hat (careful with the wind).

Private or not?

The visit is private, guided by your chauffeur guide, national guide or site guide. That said, there may be other people around at the site.

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A visit to UNESCO Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Experience - Sri Lanka In Style

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Managing Expectations

“ It is important to remember that, whilst they are experts in their field, the people who run or host our experiences are not necessarily used to working in the tourism industry and may not offer the level of service you would find at a five-star hotel. For example, instead of a formal lecture, you may get a relaxed conversation where open discussion is encouraged. All of our hosts are, however, extremely engaging, knowledgeable and passionate about educating visitors about their chosen subject and we have worked with them to ensure that they deliver worthwhile, fulfilling experiences. We welcome feedback, so please let us know what you thought and if you think any improvements could be made to the experiences we offer. ”

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A visit to UNESCO Sigiriya Rock Fortress