Sigiriya at sunrise, the Dambulla cave temples and the evening puja in Kandy, over five unhurried days.
Five days through the Cultural Triangle, starting with a pickup from Negombo or Bandaranaike airport and a four hour drive north. You climb Sigiriya at 6.30am to reach the summit before the heat and the tour buses, then break at the Dambulla cave temples on the way south. The last two days are in Kandy, arriving at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in time for the evening drumming. Every guide on this route is licensed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
A fifth century palace complex built on top of a two hundred metre granite column in Matale District. The climb is 1,202 steps, broken halfway by the mirror wall and the frescoed gallery. Most groups start at 6.30am, both for the light and because the exposed western face gets punishing after 10am.
Pickup from Negombo or the airport, about four hours north to the Sigiriya entrance.
The full climb to the summit and back, starting at the western entrance when the gate opens at 6.30am. All 1,202 steps, with handrails on the exposed sections. Not suitable for anyone uneasy with heights, as the spiral staircase to the frescoes is open on one side.
The Dalada Maligawa holds a tooth relic of the Buddha and sits inside the old royal palace compound in Kandy. Three puja ceremonies are held daily and the 6.30pm one is worth planning around. White or covered clothing is required and shoes are left at the entrance.
Sigiriya down to Kandy is roughly two and a half hours, timed to arrive before the 6.30pm puja.
The 6.30pm ceremony in the inner chamber, with drumming from the courtyard beforehand. A guide covers the history of the relic while you queue. Shoulders and knees must be covered and shoes are left at the gate.
Hotel
LKR 14,500.00 / night
Van · 8 seats
LKR 32,000.00
Car · 3 seats
LKR 18,500.00