Sigiriya is the rock fortress that rises 200 metres out of the jungle in the heart of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle. In the late 5th century King Kashyapa I built his palace on its summit; today the rock, its frescoes and the ancient water gardens at its base make up one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Cultural Triangle is generally driest from about February to September. Whatever the month, start the climb when the gates open at 7am, before the heat and the queues build.
Stay two nights. Sigiriya is within an hour of Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Minneriya National Park, which makes it the ideal base for the region. It's around three and a half hours by road from Colombo.
Read our guide: Climbing Sigiriya: What to Know Before You Go.
Every tour can be tailored — combine it with other destinations, add nights or change the pace.
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Climb the Sigiriya rock fortress, explore the carved sanctuaries of Polonnaruwa and pay respects at Kandy's Temple of the Tooth on a 4-day journey through Sri Lanka's UNESCO heartland.
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