A very worthwhile experience. Lovely lower level gardens and pool. So pleased we had a guide with us for the final stages of the rock climb - having travelled all those steps, an explanation at the top was very welcome. Do be mindful of the number of guides who will try to assist you en route- sometimes hard to move for people trying to help…. Once your legs have recovered, remember to view the frescoes on the way down - more stairs to climb, this time on a spiral staircase (for variety!) but worth the effort.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- English Speaking Local Guide
- Entrance Ticket to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Excludes
- Pick-up/Drop-off from/to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
- Gratuties
- Food and drink
- Expenses of a personal nature
Itinerary
Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ' the Lion Rock'. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.
Language Offered
Additional Info
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Reviews
Sigiriya, named after the imposing lion-shaped gateway that once stood at the summit’s entrance, was a rock fortress ahead of its time.Designed with Water Gardens, beautiful frescoes and reflective walls, developing this heavenly masterpiece is no mean feat, considering it is a 180 m monolithic rock in the jungly region of the Central Province in Sri Lanka!What’s on this Lion Rock fortress, and what can you expect to see on this UNESCO site that is remarked as a possible candidate for the 8th Wonder of the World? This post shall show you all.
Absolutely shocked for the sheer engineering of it. No wonder it’s deemed the 8th wonder of the world. The summit was something to truely feel greatfull to be present. Start the journey at least at 7am to avoid the extreme heat projected by the rock. If you make the descent by 9am you’ll be good. Do not climb this past 10am as there’s no shade while climbing or at the summit due to hot sun. Hydration is key to this and I would rate this a medium climb due to the uneven steps throughout. It’s definitely worth it and once in a life time experience.
My husband, father and I climbed lion rock with our driver/guide. It was very humid which made the climb more challenging but we saw people doing it in flip flops and crocs and we managed it without difficulty. Definitely need to take a bottle of water with you as you will perspire, a lot! We found having a guide helpful as we got a lot more valuable information and understanding than we would have had we gone alone. The views from the top were impressive. If people have vertigo they might want to think twice as some of the steps up the side of the rock are a bit precarious and we saw someone struggling. Definitely worth a visit!
We recently completed an amazing tour with 7b Holidays Sri Lanka and could not be happier. From the very first inquiry, their team was highly responsive and helpful. They built a custom itinerary that perfectly matched everything we wanted to see on the island.Our driver/guide was exceptional. He drove safely through the busy traffic, was always punctual, and shared great information about local history and culture. The accommodations they selected were excellent, and every transition from city to city went smoothly.If you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka, we highly recommend booking through them. They truly take the stress out of travel!
Amazing, The Lion Rock is beautiful, we climbed at dawn for sunrise, the stories are also amazing which out guide told to us
Amazing experience! Would definitely recommend! Worth going to visit
Sigiriya Lion Rock is an incredible destination and one of the highlights of Sri Lanka. The climb is well worth the effort, with breathtaking views from the top and fascinating ancient ruins to explore. The frescoes, mirror wall, and lion's paws showcase the site's remarkable history and craftsmanship. The surrounding gardens are beautifully maintained, adding to the overall experience. I highly recommend visiting early in the morning to enjoy cooler weather and fewer crowds. A truly unforgettable place for history lovers, photographers, and anyone who enjoys spectacular scenery.
This was a once in a lifetime experience.
Sigiriya is the most beautiful place I have seen
Outstanding Experience Visiting the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Beautiful Atmosphere, Rich History, and the Entire Tour was Handled with Absolute Professionalism and Comfort, A Must Visit Destination in Sri Lanka. "Admission is USD 35 for International Visitors. It Feels a Little Pricey. But it Includes Entry to Both the Meuseum and the Ancient Fortress."
Our driver guided us up the rock and back again. A well worth it experience. Yes, there are lots of steps. I suffer from Vertigo, but managed in the end. Great views. Go early before it gets too hot and hornets become a problem, were were finished by 11am so no issues. can get crowded. You do need some fitness, but we did notice a young family with a baby, a 2 and a 4 year coping. Watch out for monkeys trying to steal your stuff. i consider this the macho pichu of sri lanka. A must do.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent Service with Sigvian Travel Sri Lanka! We had a wonderful experience with Sigvian Travel Sri Lanka. Sampath was very friendly, professional, and always on time. The vehicle was clean, comfortable, and the journey was safe and smooth. He helped us a lot during our trip and made everything easy for us. Highly recommended for airport transfers, day tours, and travelling around Sri Lanka. Thank you for your great service — we will definitely contact you again when we return!
best experience with Travel together Srilanka
Best to get there at 5am to hit the April sunrise at 6am. There’s lots of steps after walking through the gardens, so having time without pressure is good. It’s excellent.
Had an amazing trip to Sigiriya with Andreen Travels! 🌿✨ From start to finish, everything was well organized and smooth. The journey was comfortable, and the team made sure we had a stress-free experience. The visit to Sigiriya was absolutely unforgettable – the views from the top were breathtaking, and the whole experience felt truly special. What I appreciated the most was their friendly service and attention to detail. They guided us properly, managed time well, and made sure everyone enjoyed the trip to the fullest. If you’re planning a trip to Sigiriya or anywhere else, I highly recommend Andreen Travels. Definitely worth it! 💯
We enjoyed our climb and views even though it was misty , we had a guide but not necessary. However our guide must have had a partner who joined us near gardens, he insisted on helping me and carried my water bottle. Guide asked him to show us views and take photos during the climb. Of course then he told us his story, we gave him a generous tip but he wasn't happy with it and kept looking for more, said others gave him far more . Sharing this for others to be aware if an extra person joins you .
Incredible experience and well worth the walk up. Our guide got us there for 6:15 and it was worth it to avoid the heat and huge crowds. Really recommend going with a guide as there’s a lot to learn. Make sure you avoid the dodgy guides trying to help you up the rock as they demand money.
Spectacular historic site with incredible views from the top…well worth the climb. We had a guide arranged for us who knew the whole story of the fortress..I would recommend doing the same If you are at all afraid of heights you may find it a daunting challenge as the stairs are fixed on the outside of the cliff and it’s a long way up! Apparently 20 to 30 % of the people who attempt it turn back Wear good shoes (so many people attempting it in flip flops!!) and take plenty of water!!
Very nice expérience. The staff is discreet but very efficient especialy bhagya and keshana
Excellent experience, nice guide nice location with excellent architecture and calm vibes travelholm.com did a fantastic job in showing us Sri Lanka with safety and comfort
Sigiriya is one of the most breathtaking historical sites in Sri Lanka, combining natural beauty with ancient architecture. Rising dramatically from the surrounding plains, the rock fortress offers stunning panoramic views from the top. The climb is rewarding, passing beautiful frescoes, mirror walls, and the famous lion-shaped entrance. The well-preserved ruins reflect the rich history and advanced engineering of ancient Sri Lanka. The surrounding gardens and water features add to the peaceful atmosphere. Sigiriya is not only a cultural treasure but also a scenic wonder, making it a must-visit destination for history lovers, photographers, and travelers seeking a unique and memorable experience.
This is a must do and even if there are many steps, it’s doable for everyone, take your time, go up slowly because the view and the experience are worth it!
A ticket is required to enter Sigiriya, and it’s absolutely worth it. Plan to spend around 3–5 hours here to walk around comfortably, explore the gardens, climb the rock, and truly take in everything this place offers. Sigiriya is simply awesome. From the perfectly planned water gardens to the steep climb and summit ruins, it’s hard to believe the level of architecture and engineering achieved so many centuries ago. Some of the design details feel way ahead of their time and honestly leave you in disbelief. This is not a place to rush—take your time, enjoy the views, and absorb the history. Sigiriya is one of those rare places that truly makes you stop and say “How did they even build this?” An unforgettable experience.
Amazing experience, especially the sunset view and breathtaking surroundings from the top of the mountain! Even the down trek was adventurous as it was already dark!
Sigiriya is an incredible place to visit. The climb to the top is a bit challenging, but the views are absolutely worth it. Seeing the ancient ruins and learning about the history made the experience even more special. The scenery from the top is breathtaking and something we will never forget.
We arrived early to see the sunrise and avoid the crowds and heat. A note for Sri Lankans with dual citizenship: take a photo of your Sri Lankan passport or citizenship certificate. When we gave our NIC, we were told it wasn’t in the system and they tried to charge foreign ticket prices despite the fact that we spoke very fluent Sinhalese. As per the guide we should have just asked for local tickets instead of showing NIC cards. It was frustrating and disappointing to be treated this way. Thankfully, we eventually found our citizenship certificate in our emails. Despite this, Sigiriya was absolutely worth it. My son had no trouble climbing with the guide. I found it a bit tiring, but there are plenty of places to rest. We saw the sunrise and had an amazing guide—well worth the visit.
We visited the rock fortress a few days ago. It was an early start (5am) as we wanted to beat the heat and crowds. It was drizzling and very humid and crowded so the plan didn’t work. We were dropped off by our guide at the entrance gate and made our way through the garden part of the walk along with hundreds of other people doing the same thing. Many were rushing to get to the top for dawn. It was not a simple walk as there are no lights, was very slippery and most of the steps in the early part of the walk were uneven. Once you get to the climbing part, it is fairly straight forward to follow the steps. But depending on your fitness, you may need to stop regularly to rest. We had read about local unauthorized guides assisting without request and then expecting payment and that quickly played out for us but we refused, however, they follow you along. We climbed to the level just below the lions paw before dawn and my wife (who has low blood pressure) had to stop as she almost fainted, from the heat and humidity, which we have since discovered, can make your blood pressure drop further. Unfortunately we didn’t make it to the top but many people of all ages were climbing without issue. Many stopping at each level for a break. By the time we descended, you could see the view which was pretty but clouded with rain before exiting the park without really exploring the lower levels of the fortress. Overall, not the experience we had wanted.
One of best places I ever visited. Truly remarkable, breathtaking and so old but unbelievable. We hiked up to the summit with our great tour guide from Traumland Tours-Tharindu and he well explained the entire site. Definitely will be back to this place.
This site is always listed as a "must visit", so I went along with that. A few observations. An early start seems essential to avoid climbing in the heat - though i would not want to be on those shaky steps before the sun was up. Note the access to the start of the rock climb is a longish walk from the entrance / ticket office so allow time for that in planning. Then I was reluctant to take a guide - but once one had clung on to me I was glad i did, partly for information but largely being no longer young it was good to have a helping hand up some of the eroded stone steps on the long route up and down and best to fix the fee before starting. Take time to see everything on the top and make sure to see the paintings in the cave with a metal staircase up and down on the way back.
I really enjoyed this walk up the Lion Rock. I had my own guide so can’t comment on those at the bottom. Really interesting and beautiful views in the morning. It was boiling hot though even at 7am with not a scrap of breeze even at the top. There are a lot of steps (over 1200) so you need to be reasonably fit….plenty of places to rest though apart from the the last 300 or so.
Best family time ever! We were lucky enough to have met such an incredible and multitalented guide (Janaka) . Who knew the site inside out as well as a great photographer and patience with kids curiosity! Made our journey so fun and interesting that didn’t even realise we had reached the top of Sigirya. Thanks to Janaka, our family has a beautiful memories to cherish.
Definitely worth paying for a local guide to talk you through the history - a great experience and a must do activity if visiting Sri Lanka
Sigiriya Rock is definitely a must-see if you’re in Sri Lanka, but for me, one visit was enough! The entry fee for foreigners is $35 for adults and $20 for kids, which feels a bit steep, but it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, so I’ll take it. Pro tip: Bring water, a hat, and comfy shoes. And don’t forget that sunscreen—it’s a must in the heat! ☀️ On your way to the rock, you’ll see wild monkeys. They’re super cool—some have black faces, others are pink—but remember, don’t touch or feed them. They bite! Just snap a pic from a distance. 📸🐒 There’s also a museum you can visit, located in a pretty dilapidated building where you buy the tickets. It houses a replica of the paintings from Sigiriya Rock, but for the high fees they charge, I think they should at least renovate and modernize the space. My guide shared some amazing stories about the ruins. I couldn’t help but think how cool it would be to see a 3D model of what this place looked like back then. The ruins start as soon as you cross the moat, not just at the top! It gets crowded, so go early. You’ll avoid the rush and the scorching noon sun. It’s a total win-win. 🌅 And about those comfy shoes… you’re going to need them! There are over 1,200 steps to reach the top, so get ready for a leg workout. 🏋️♀️ Along the way, you’ll find other cool sights. There’s a cave shaped like a king cobra, boulders forming an archway, and ancient pools. It’s pretty amazing to see. At the top, it’s mostly ruins, but the views make it totally worth it. Plus, the wind up there is a nice break from the heat. It kind of makes you think about the people who built it—reminds me of Machu Picchu! 🏞️ Don’t miss the cave paintings of the women—they’re stunning. The way down is easier, but be careful, as the steps are steep and narrow. Keep an eye out for a cool tree on your way down—it’s like a white birch wrapped around a darker tree. So unique!
Highly priced! Pls don't trust. Actual price is 20 dollars whereas I was charged 81 dollars through online booking. Pls
What an experience to think all them years ago how they managed to built a palace on the top of a rock Expensive ticket but well worth it Took us over 2 hrs and it's quite the climb but we'll rewarding
And we weren't! This is a popular tourist site and not cheap to enter $30+. After visiting the museum the walk to the rock climb is at least 1kn on a very slight incline and a few worn steps. I have a knee problem and was prime target for 'helpers' getting me up the few steps. We said didn't need it but they insisted. We said we were not going to pay anything they said ok. We managed to walk halfway up the rock and the helpers insisted on helping. Didn't really need it. Husband could have helped me. We were also hassled by guides who wanted $20. You get all the history in the museum do no need for a guide. Finally decided to give up at the last place where you are not committed to go to the top. Husband walked up spiral staircase to see original rock frescoes. We had seen a copy in the museum. The helpers then asked for money. We offered a small amount to stop the pestering and they were not happy and refused it wasn't enough for them. For the 20 minute walk down to the exit car park they continued asking for more money. We remained polite but firm. If we hadn't had to do the 1k walk from the entrance may have got up the rock but very hot and walk was tiring. Would not go again. Would not recommend for anyone with bad knees/hips.
We had a great tour of Sigiriya! It was an excellent experience with a very knowledgeable guide! We highly recommend this tour! It was really nice to hear so much about the history of the Sigiriya, the extensive engineering feats, and the wildlife.
I visited Sigiriya in July as a solo traveler and booked an admission ticket with a tour. The guide picked us up at the entrance, was friendly, and told us a lot about the history of the fortress, the frescoes, and the mirror wall. The climb is strenuous, but the view from the summit over the green surrounding area is worth it. Even as a solo traveler, I felt well taken care of at all times. Anyone traveling in Sri Lanka should definitely plan for Sigiriya.
Very beautiful memory of this climb. However, be careful if you are sensitive to vertigo; the steps are dangerous and the railings are relatively low. You can quickly be taken by surprise by the drop beneath your feet.
An absolute must-do if you visit Sigiriya; a spectacular view from the top, as you can actually see Minneriya Park. However, watch out for one thing: We had an unpleasant experience; we wanted to give the guide a tip because he had been very kind and helpful, but when we gave him the money, he arrogantly started with, “I normally ask for 7000 rupees.” At that point, we called our driver, who told us that he was not required to ask us for extra money because the guide was included in the entrance ticket. When we pointed this out to him and gave him a tip anyway, he responded rudely. It's a shame, because the place is very beautiful.
Great experience, our guide took the time to explain everything to us. And took great photos of us
Visit with a French guide. A magnificent place. A view of a beautiful garden. A gentle ascent. A story, a true story. A must-do, I recommend it.
Beautiful place but very difficult to physically climb the stairs. Which is equivalent to climbing 44 floors and 1200 steps.
The place is absolutely fantastic but... overcrowded! Even arriving very early in the morning, the rising caterpillar crosses the descendent in an uninterrupted flow... some quiet passages however but access to the platform is really painful. remains the low parts with its pools and gardens that reserve real moments of calm and serenity, the magnificent ladies of Sigiriya, the cave of the cobra hood, ...
Lions rock belongs to SriLanka. A highlight literally and figuratively. It's a bit of a climb but then you also have wax. And you can rest anywhere. So do it!
Sigiriya Rock is absolutely impressive and a real highlight in Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, we had a rainy day, so the view upstairs wasn’t quite as strong – but the climb and the whole facility are still mega worth seeing!
World Heritage Site actually says it all. Visiting the museum is strongly advised, because you can also photograph the copies of the images here, which you cannot photograph on the rock itself.
We are quite early with a guide up the mountain. The 1202 steps are well managed bar The sunrise was unfortunately denied us as it was very cloudy idiots we had a beautiful view and the guide explained everything important to us about this “palace”
We visited the rock on our round trip. Our guide had organized a tough, wiry older local guide for the climb, who not only accompanied us on the sweaty climb of stairs but also showed us details and told us things. We can only advise this, only then is a little high. Unfortunately we didn't have such a great view as it was quite cloudy, we don't want to miss the experience.
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