Rising dramatically from the central plains, the enigmatic rocky outcrop of Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka's single most dramatic sight. Near-vertical walls soar to a flat-topped summit that contains the ruins of an ancient civilization, thought to be once the epicenter of the short-lived kingdom of Kassapa, and there are spellbinding vistas across mist-wrapped forests in the early morning.
Sigiriya refuses to reveal its secrets easily, and you'll have to climb a series of vertiginous staircases attached to sheer walls to reach the top. On the way you'll pass a series of quite remarkable frescoes and a pair of colossal lion's paws carved into the bedrock. The surrounding landscape – lily-pad-covered moats, water gardens and cave shrines – only add to Sigiriya's rock-star appeal.
Sigiriya is situated in the Matale district. It is in close proximity to Dambulla, a prominent town in Sri Lanka. It is easily accessible by air, road and train, which makes Sigiriya travel an exciting prospect for travelers from around the world. There’s no dearth of medium of transportation that you can avail to reach your destination. It is not surprising to see why Sigiriya is on the top of every tourist’s wish list. Being well-connected to almost all parts of the world, it is hard to say no to the idyllic landscapes of this city.
By Air: The distance between Sigiriya and Colombo is 150 km. If you fly from Colombo to Sigiriya, it will take you half hours. It is the fastest way to reach Sigiriya. Cinnamon Air is a reputed domestic airline which has an air taxi operating regularly from Colombo to Sigiriya. It can only accommodate around 8 people, so make sure to book in advance. The Sigiriya flights embark from Colombo to Sigiriya at 10 AM from Monday to Sunday.
By Train: Another way to reach Sigiriya from Colombo is via train. However, there are no direct trains to Sigiriya. A feasible option is to board the train from Colombo Fort to Habrana. Habrana is 17 km away from Sigiriya. The train leaves at around 6:10 AM regularly from Colombo Fort railway station and takes around 5 hours to reach Sigiriya. You can take a taxi from Habrana to reach Sigiriya. The journey will cost you a nominal sum.
By Road: You can reach Sigiriya from Kandy, Sri Lanka via bus. The distance between Sigirya and Kandy is 90 km. First, visit the bus terminal in Kandy and take a bus to Dambulla. Your bus journey will be filled with sights of attractive cave temples. From Dambulla, grab a local bus to Sigiriya. The buses to Sigiriya leave within every 30 minutes from Dambulla bus terminal in the day time. A bus will take around 4 hours to reach your destination.
You can also hire a cab from Colombo International airport. There are a plethora of cabs stationed near the terminal. The driver will take you to some of the major attractions around this region.
January to April is the best time to visit Sigiriya when the climate is moderate and suitable for day trips. May to August is the dry season in Sigiriya, and the place has a tropical climate with a humidity of 80% all year round.
Sigiriya is one of the most valuable historical monuments of Sri Lanka. Referred by locals as the Eighth Wonder of the World this ancient palace and fortress complex has significant archaeological importance and attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is probably the most visited tourist destination of Sri Lanka.
The palace is located in the heart of the island between the towns of Dambulla and Habarane on a massive rocky plateau 370 meters above the sea level. Sigiriya rock plateau, formed from magma of an extinct volcano, is 200 meters higher than the surrounding jungles. The fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys and fountains.