Are you thinking about climbing Sigiriya Rock, but this is your first time? Your possibly wondering is it worth the hype and the money, and how challenging is the climb?
From a couple that have climbed Sigiriya Rock twice, this isn’t just any old climb, it’s stepping back in time, marveling at one of the most iconic views in Sri Lanka.
Rising from the jungle, this ancient rock fortress is just as intriguing as it is breathtaking.
We’ve climbed this as a starry-eyed first timer and again as a more seasoned traveller. In fact, Shams has climbed Sigiriya Rock three times.
In our ultimate guide, we will cover everything from, how challenging the climb will be, the costs, how to purchase the tickets, to what to pack, the best time to go and safety tips.
And if you are afraid of heights, then this might not be right for you!
Let’s discover one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka.
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How to get to Sigiriya Rock
This ancient fortress is one of eight UNESCO World heritage sites, located in Sri Lanka’s cultural Triangle.
You’ve got a couple of options to get to Sigiriya Rock.
If you’re on a tight budget, your best option is a bus.
Bus
Colombo – You can take the bus from Colombo to Dambulla and then take a tuk-tuk or taxi to Sigiriya Rock. The journey should take around 4-4.5 hours depending on traffic.
Dambulla – take either a tuk-tuk or taxi to Sigiriya Rock.
The journey should take around 20 minutes depending on traffic.
Train
Trains are still an affordable option and can offer a scenic view.
Colombo – trains leave Colombo to Habarana, from here you’ll need to take a tuk-tuk or taxi to Sigiriya Rock.
The journey should take around 4 hours.
Private vehicle
This is the most expensive option but offers more comfort and flexibility.
You could hire a vehicle and drive yourself. Theres options between hiring a car, tuk-tuk and motorbikes.
Due to the chaotic road conditions, you should be a confident driver, if you choose to drive yourself. We have been visiting Sri Lanka annually for 15 years on and off and we would love to drive ourselves, but don’t feel confident, due to the driving conditions.
Another option is to hire a private vehicle and driver. This still gives you the comfort and flexibility, but you’ll let someone else drive for you.
Private drivers can often turn into valuable tour guides.
We often hire private drivers, on our trips outside of Colombo, just merely for the added comfort and less stress of trying to navigate public transport.
Need more help on deciding the best way to navigate Sri Lanka? Then download our Sri Lanka transport cheat sheet, it will breakdown everything you need to know, to help you decide which transport option is suitable for you and your needs.
You can download it here.
Best time to visit Sigiriya Rock
The ideal time to visit Sigiriya Rock, is between the dry months of December and April. This is when you’ll experience less rain fall and better views.
But this is the peak tourist season, which brings crowds.
To avoid the crowds, you can either hike during the off-peak season, or during sunrise or sunset.
Climbing Sigiriya Lion Rock during the shoulder months and wet season, will be the ideal time to avoid the crowds.
And while it might be the wet season, rainfall is often short-lived. So, you’ll likely experience more short showers, rather than hours of rainfall.
Whatever time of year you visit Sigiriya Rock, the midday heat, is always going to be the busy time and the hottest.
We’d recommend hiking at sunrise or sunset, for cooler temperatures, and reduced crowds.
In our experience, you’ll be rewarded with epic views, no matter the time of year that you visit.
Ticket and entry details
Entrance tickets for foreign passport holders are $35 per adult and $20 per child.
Tickets can be purchased on the day, and the prices include Sigiriya Museum, the gardens and Sigiriya Rock fortress.
Cash is king in Sri Lanka, we’d recommend keeping enough cash with you, to pay for entrance to Sigiriya Rock.
Opening times are between 5am and 6:30pm daily, but tickets can only be purchased between 5am and 5pm.
What to expect when climbing Sigiriya Rock
This is an easy to moderately challenging climb, with about 1200 steps to the summit. We would say that you do need some level of fitness, but with regular stops along the way, it is achievable.
Although, we wouldn’t agree that it is a casual stroll in the park, there is some legwork required.
It should take a couple of hours to climb, depending on the number of stops you make and how much time you spend at the top.
The route to the top of Sigiriya Rock
You’ll start at the ticket office, where you’ll purchase the tickets.
At this point, you have the choice to visit the museum, which provides details of the history of Sigiriya Lion Rock.
Or you can skip the museum.
In our experience, we would recommend visiting the museum, to learn more about this historic rock.
Gardens
This will be the easy part of the climb, just after the ticket office, you’ll wander through the gardens at the base.
Admire the different plants and wildlife species in the garden, with the towering rock just ahead.
The climb
Now this is where the challenge really starts.
The steps to the top are pretty levelled but you may come across a few, that are not. Just watch your footing as you go.
As you start to climb, there are a few areas where you can stop for a breather and to drink plenty of water.
Wall frescoes
After a short climb, you’ll reach the most beautiful wall frescoes, that look like they were painted yesterday not over 1000 years ago.
Take a few minutes to really admire the bright colours and the possible stories told.
Mirror wall
Around 20 meters from the wall frescoes is the mirror wall.
It may not look much now, but this plaster wall, would have been polished so King Kasyapa could see his own reflection.
Lion’s Paw
Keep making your way up the steps, to the magnificent Lion’s Paws, which is where Sigiriya Lion Rock gets its name.
This would be the entrance to the king’s palace, with a large lion’s head, which no longer remains. All that is left are the two paws.
Just imagine how grand it would have been and how imposing it would be to walk into the palace.
This is our favourite spot at Sigiriya Rock, because of how much detail went into the paws.
Summit
You have a little way to go, before you reach the summit.
The steps up are a little different, with metal stairwell built into the rock.
But once you reach the top you are rewarded with the ruins of the once grand palace and the views are 360 degrees.
Well worth the leg work to reach the top.
Spend some time here, admiring the views, having some refreshments before making your way back down.
What to pack for the climb
There are a lot of steps and not a lot of shaded areas, so wearing and packing the essentials will make all the difference and keep you safe.
Here are just a few things we packed on our climb up Sigiriya Rock.
Shoes
While there isn’t a vast difference in terrain (almost all of it will be climbing steps), practical shoes are a must. We’d recommend sturdy and comfortable shoes, such as trainers or sandals.
We wouldn’t recommend flip flops, although you may see locals climbing in them or bare footed.
Comfortable clothing
It can get very hot and humid, especially during the midday sun and there is very little shade. So, wearing lightweight comfortable clothing is essential.
We found wearing exercise clothing, was ideal, as they were durable, comfortable and usually have the moisture wick material.
Camera/phone
You’ll want to get some incredible pictures along the way, so a camera or your phone can do just the trick.
Sun protection
We have mentioned this a few times already, but with the limited shady areas, sun protection is a must.
If you are anything like me and have experienced sun burn before, then you’ll not want to experience it in Sri Lanka.
So, sun cream, sun hat and glasses are a must.
Food and water
There is no water source at any point after the ticket office, so have enough water to keep you hydrated for a good couple of hours, or longer.
Dehydration isn’t fun.
Have some snacks also, will help keep your energy levels up, and stop you feeling hungry.
You can download our full checklist on what to pack for any type of holiday. You can download it here.
Safety tips
Hundreds of tourists and locals, including us, visit Sigiriya Rock daily, without incident. Therefore, it is safe to climb, BUT there are some considerations:
Climbing the steps
The steps can get slippery when wet, just be careful and use the handrail as you make your way up or down the rock.
Wildlife encounters
You will see a LOT of monkeys at Sigiriya Rock and throughout the whole island. They may seem sweet and cuddly, but they can get vicious, especially if they feel threatened or scrounging for food.
Keep any food out of sight and don’t feed the monkeys or any other wildlife. This will just encourage them more.
Be aware that there are bees and wasps’ nests at Sigiriya, don’t disturb them and keep away. There are plenty of signs warning you of bees and wasps.
Things to do in Sigiriya
We loved visiting Sigiriya Rock, so much so that we climbed it twice, but there are so many more things to do in the area.
While you’re in the area, these are the things we would recommend including into your Sri Lanka itinerary.
Climb Pidurangala Rock
Only about 2km from Sigiriya Rock, this cheaper alternative is a more adventurous climb. But not easy.
The steep and uneven steps make this a little more challenging but is well worth it once you reach the summit.
And just before you reach the top, you’ll need to climb fallen rocks, varying in different sizes.
At the top, you’ll have 360 degree views across the landscape, and stunning views of Sigiriya Rock towering through the forest below.
It was so much fun climbing Pidurangala Rock and can’t wait to do it again.
Climbing Pidurangala Rock is ideal for budget travellers, looking for a cheaper alternative to Sigiriya Rock.
Dambulla Cave Temple
You probably came through Dambulla to get to Sigiriya Rock, which would make this an ideal spot to cover either on your way to, or from Sigiriya. Before taking onward travel.
There are five cave temples perched on top of Dambulla.
Explore the various cave temples, take in the peaceful atmosphere, give some offerings to Buddha, pray and just learn more about Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
You’ll also be rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding area and Sigiriya Rock in the distance.
Tips to make the most of your visit
We’ve got some bonus tips to help you plan your epic adventure to Sri Lanka
- Arrive Early – we’d recommend arriving around 15-30 minutes before opening time to get a head start and be the first to climb Sigiriya Rock without the crowds
- You don’t need a guide – in our experience you don’t need a guide to take you up Sigiriya Rock, although we saw plenty of touts trying to offer their services. If you want a guide, then that’s up to you to pay for it, but save your money and do it yourself.
- Combine Sigiriya Rock with other attractions in the area – if you’ve only got a short time in Sri Lanka, utilise this time wisely by fitting other attractions into your itinerary, that’s within proximity.
- Stay in nearby Sigiriya Village or Dambulla – beat the crowds and get to Sigiriya Rock early, watching the sunrise is ideal, as you watch the different colours dance across the landscape.
Conclusion
In our honest opinion, climbing Sigiriya Rock is 100% worth it. We loved it that much that we did it twice, even though it is on the pricey side.
Let’s face it, it is one of Sri Lanka’s top tourist hotspot and one not to be missed and an experience that will stick with you long after your legs stop aching.
Between the ancient history, epic views and a sense of achievement, when you reach the top, it’s more than just a climb, it’s a story you’ll tell forever.
Although this isn’t the cheapest option in the area, it is not a gentle stroll in the park. But if you plan it smart, include the cost into your budget, time it right and come prepared, it’s totally worth the cost and effort.
If you’re travelling on a super tight budget, then Pidurangala Rock might be the better option for you. It’s far cheaper, quieter and still offers incredible views, including Sigiriya Rock.
We know you won’t regret it.
Got questions about the climb or planning your Sri Lanka itinerary? Drop them in the comments – we’re happy to help! We’ve done this climb more than once, so if there’s something we didn’t cover, just shout.
Continue your travel planning, with these useful posts:
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- Travel guide to Sri Lanka
- Best places to visit in Sri Lanka
- How to visit Yala National Park on safari
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- Temple etiquette – Do’s and Don’ts
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