Overview in Negombo

Negombo, Sri Lanka · Day Trips, Outdoors, History, Animals, Boat Tours · USD 50

Dambulla to Sigiriya tour: private hotel pickup at 6:30 or 7:00 am to climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, with optional Pidurangala, village tour or safari. From US$50. Our private Dambulla to Sigiriya tour is the easy way to climb Sri Lanka’s famous Lion Rock while you are staying in Dambulla. Your English-speaking driver picks you up from your hotel at 6:30 or 7:00 am, and about 30 minutes later you are at the gate of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, ready to climb before the day gets hot. The price covers your private transport, waiting time and return: US$50 for 1 to 3 people in an air-conditioned car, or US$70 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Entrance tickets are extra. You can make a full day of it by adding Pidurangala Rock, a village tour with lunch, or an afternoon elephant safari in the booking box. Sigiriya tour from Dambulla: the climb Walk through the royal water and boulder gardens, climb the spiral stairs to the painted maidens frescoes and the Mirror Wall, and pass between the giant stone paws of the Lion Gate to the palace ruins on the summit. Allow 2.5 to 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Read more about Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Optional extras Pidurangala Rock is next door to Sigiriya and has the best view of Lion Rock itself, after a short, steep hike and a scramble over boulders. For sunrise, book our Pidurangala Rock sunrise hike instead. A village tour takes you by bullock cart and catamaran to a farming village for a home-cooked rice and curry lunch. In the afternoon, a private jeep safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla brings you close to wild elephant herds. More day tours from Dambulla and Sigiriya This is one of our private day tours from Dambulla and Sigiriya. Coming from further away? See our Sigiriya day trip from Colombo or from Kandy. See all day tours from Dambulla and Sigiriya → Highlights - Dambulla to Sigiriya tour with hotel pickup at 6:30 or 7:00 am - Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the cool early morning - See the frescoes, the Mirror Wall, the Lion Gate and the summit palace - Optional Pidurangala Rock hike, village tour with lunch or Minneriya safari - Private air-conditioned car (1–3 people) or van (4–7 people) with an English-speaking driver - Transport from US$50 · entrance tickets extra Itinerary Your driver collects you from your hotel in Dambulla at 6:30 or 7:00 am, whichever you choose. We confirm the exact time after booking. A short, scenic drive north through forest and paddy fields to the Sigiriya ticket office, where your driver waits for you. Explore the water and boulder gardens, see the frescoes and the Mirror Wall, pass through the Lion Gate and reach the palace ruins on the summit. Hike up neighbouring Pidurangala Rock for the classic view of Sigiriya. The path is steep with a short boulder scramble near the top; wear good shoes. Ride a bullock cart, cross a lake by catamaran and enjoy a home-cooked rice and curry lunch with a village family. Take a private jeep into Minneriya or Kaudulla, whichever has the elephant herds that day, about 40 minutes from Sigiriya. Without extras you are back at your Dambulla hotel by late morning. With extras, we drop you off after the last activity, by about 6:30 pm after a safari. What’s included Included - Private air-conditioned car or van - English-speaking driver - Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dambulla - Waiting time while you climb - Fuel and parking fees Not included - Sigiriya and Pidurangala entrance tickets - Optional village tour (price on request) - Optional safari jeep (US$60) and park tickets - Meals and drinks - Tips for your driver (optional) FAQs Sigiriya is about 20 km from Dambulla, roughly 30 minutes by road. Private transport with waiting time costs US$50 for 1 to 3 people in a car or US$70 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Entrance tickets are extra. Choose 6:30 or 7:00 am. An early start means you climb Sigiriya in the cool morning, before the crowds and the midday heat. Most people take 2.5 to 3 hours to see the gardens, frescoes and summit at a relaxed pace. There are about 1,200 steps. Yes. Pidurangala is next to Sigiriya and has the best view of Lion Rock. Add it in the booking box; the small entrance fee is paid at the temple. Yes. You can add a village tour with a rice and curry lunch, and an afternoon private jeep safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla for US$60 per jeep. We confirm the village tour price when you book. Yes. We also pick up from hotels in Sigiriya, Habarana and Kandalama. Just tell us your hotel when you book.