Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip from Colombo

Are you planning on visiting the beautiful island country, Sri Lanka? Have you heard about Sigiriya and Dambulla, two of Sri Lanka’s stunning archaeological sites? Are you interested in taking a day trip from Colombo to visit both of these majestic places but are unsure of the details? Look no further! In this guide, we will provide all the essential information you need to plan a Sigiriya and Dambulla day trip from Colombo.

Introduction

Sigiriya and Dambulla are two of the most famous destinations in Sri Lanka. Both are known for their majestic beauty, their incredible history, and the amazing sights they provide. Sigiriya is an ancient rock fort constructed in the 5th century BC and sitting atop an astonishingly high rock that towers 200 meters above the surrounding jungle. Meanwhile, Dambulla is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, with its oldest remains having been estimated by archeologists to date back to the 1st century BC.
Taking a day trip from Colombo to visit both of these magnificent destinations is worth every minute. Depending on your schedule, it’s possible to schedule a full-day trip that visits both Dambulla and Sigiriya. By taking this excursion, you get to experience two of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritages in one day.

Itinerary

There are many tour companies that offer a combination tour to Sigiriya and Dambulla from Colombo. The most popular tours usually cover both destinations in one full-day trip. The tour typically starts in the early morning around 5 am with a pickup at your hotel in Colombo. You will be driven to Sigiriya and given guided tours of both sites. Once finished, you will make your way back to your hotel in Colombo, expected to arrive at around 5:30 pm.
Below is an example of one traditional itinerary when taking a day-trip combination tour to Sigiriya and Dambulla from Colombo:

• Pickup from hotel in Colombo at 5 am
• Arrive at Sigiriya at about 8 am
• Visit Sigiriya rock & explore the area for around 2 hours
• Lunch break (included in the tour price)
• Visit Dambulla Cave temples at around 12 pm
• Finish the tour at around 3 pm
• Departure from Dambulla and return back to Colombo at around 5:30 pm

Costs

The cost for a day trip to Sigiriya and Dambulla from Colombo starts from about $60 USD per person including lunch, entrance fees for Sigiriya, transportation, and an English-speaking tour guide.

Sigiriya

Sigiriya is one of the most spectacular sights in Sri Lanka. It was once home to an ancient city and royal palace, which were built atop a large rock that rises approximately 200 meters above the jungle floor. From its summit, visitors have spectacular views of the surrounding forests and the surrounding area.
The main attraction at Sigiriya is the rock fortress, which is filled with interesting structures such as the impressive Lion Gate and palace ruins. There are also numerous rock sculptures and frescoes of floral designs covering the walls of the ruins. A popular activity at Sigiriya is taking a leisurely walk around the fortress and admiring its beauty. Many visitors also enjoy viewings of sunsets from the top of the rock and appreciating the stunning views of this stunning destination.

Dambulla

Dambulla is an ancient Buddhist cave temple in Sri Lanka and is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the world. It is believed that it was built in the 1st century BC during the reign of King Valagamba.
During your visit, you will see five unique caves filled with ancient Buddhist granite statues and frescoes, dating back to around 2nd-century BC. Through centuries, pilgrims visited this site for its many beautiful statues, some of which depict Buddha in various postures, as well as numerous sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses. It’s also possible to explore various phases of painting technique adopted by painters to decorate caves.The temple complex also features an old wooden structure known as the ‘Rangiri’ (meaning ‘golden cave’) which is a great place to take photos.

Conclusion

Taking a day trip from Colombo to visit both Sigiriya and Dambulla is a great way to experience two of Sri Lanka’s most iconic destinations in one day. During your trip, you get to marvel at the beauty and history of both places while enjoying the convenience of a guided tour that includes transport and lunch for an amazing price – all for just one day!
If you’re looking for an efficient way to explore both Sigiriya and Dambulla from Colombo in one day and get a taste of two iconic sites, then this combined tour may be just what you’re looking for! For more information or to book an excursion, check out GetYourGuide.