Private Sigiriya & Dambulla Day Tour with English Speaking Driver Guide
1 day
Private
With guide
About this activity
You will be picked up from your hotel in Colombo or Colombo International Airport by our chauffeur guide with Allion Car at 06:00 am and commence the day tour Dambulla and Sigiriya. You will be reached entrance of the Sigiriya Rock fortress after 3 to 4 hours journey.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, the ancient citadel of Sigiriya sits atop a giant granite rock rising 200 m above the surrounding countryside. There are conflicting theories about the history of Sigiriya, but according to the Mahavamsa, King Kassapa killed his father, King Dhatusena, in AD 477 to inherit the throne. Fearing retribution from his half-brother, Mogallana, Kassapa built an impregnable palace-fortress on the summit of the rock between AD 477 and 485. The site is thought to have been occupied for millennia, but much of what can be seen here today is attributed to the time of King Kassapa. The ruins were first discovered by British archaeologists in the early 20th century, and excavations have continued here ever since.
Highlight Points
• The Royal Gardens
• The Lion Platform
• The Mirror Wall
• Sigiriya Frescoes
• The Summit
After you will be taken to a Local restaurant for lunch (Your Expense). Enjoy the taste of Sri Lankan lunch and then transfer to visit Dambulla Rock cave temple.
The beautifully painted cave temples of Dambulla were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. The cave temples date back to the 1st century BC, when King Valagamba sought refuge in the caves after being exiled from Anuradhapura. When the king regained his throne after 14 years, he converted the caves into rock temples in gratitude to the monks who had offered him sanctuary. Further improvement and embellishment were made to the temples by various kings down the centuries. The temple complex is made up of a series of five caves that are filled with statues of the Buddha in various sizes and mudras. The walls and ceiling of the caves are adorned with paintings depicting religious and secular themes. The murals dates from between the 2nd century BC to 18th century AD.
On completion the Private Sigiriya & Dambulla Day Tour with English Speaking Driver Guide, you will transfer back to Colombo and you will be safely dropped at your hotel or the airport.
Read more
Show less
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, the ancient citadel of Sigiriya sits atop a giant granite rock rising 200 m above the surrounding countryside. There are conflicting theories about the history of Sigiriya, but according to the Mahavamsa, King Kassapa killed his father, King Dhatusena, in AD 477 to inherit the throne. Fearing retribution from his half-brother, Mogallana, Kassapa built an impregnable palace-fortress on the summit of the rock between AD 477 and 485. The site is thought to have been occupied for millennia, but much of what can be seen here today is attributed to the time of King Kassapa. The ruins were first discovered by British archaeologists in the early 20th century, and excavations have continued here ever since.
Highlight Points
• The Royal Gardens
• The Lion Platform
• The Mirror Wall
• Sigiriya Frescoes
• The Summit
After you will be taken to a Local restaurant for lunch (Your Expense). Enjoy the taste of Sri Lankan lunch and then transfer to visit Dambulla Rock cave temple.
The beautifully painted cave temples of Dambulla were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. The cave temples date back to the 1st century BC, when King Valagamba sought refuge in the caves after being exiled from Anuradhapura. When the king regained his throne after 14 years, he converted the caves into rock temples in gratitude to the monks who had offered him sanctuary. Further improvement and embellishment were made to the temples by various kings down the centuries. The temple complex is made up of a series of five caves that are filled with statues of the Buddha in various sizes and mudras. The walls and ceiling of the caves are adorned with paintings depicting religious and secular themes. The murals dates from between the 2nd century BC to 18th century AD.
On completion the Private Sigiriya & Dambulla Day Tour with English Speaking Driver Guide, you will transfer back to Colombo and you will be safely dropped at your hotel or the airport.
Included
- Private transportation By Car
- Pick-up and Drop-off in Airport, Any Hotel in Colombo.
- English Speaking chauffeur guide.
Not included
- Entrance tickets.
- Foods & drinks.
Additional
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not wheelchair accessible.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
75%
You may also like
See all 28 Collections
Click to discover other experiences
See all
Collections
Elephant Watching
7 Activities
Collections
Shore Excursions
73 Activities
Collections
Original
9 Activities
Collections
Udawalawe National Park
29 Activities
Collections
Yala National Park
23 Activities
Collections
Safari & Wildlife
92 Activities
Collections
Luxury Excursions
6 Activities
Collections
Jeep Ride
10 Activities
Collections
Beach Holidays & Honeymoon
31 Activities
Collections
Trips to Galle
71 Activities