Overview
Staying in the sacred city? Our private Anuradhapura to Sigiriya day trip takes you to two of Sri Lanka’s greatest sights in one day: the painted caves of Dambulla and the rock fortress of Sigiriya. Your English-speaking driver picks you up from your hotel in Anuradhapura at 8:00 am, and you travel in your own air-conditioned car or van.
The price covers your private return transport for the day: US$85 for 1 to 3 people in a car, or US$100 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Entrance tickets are extra. Want to see wild elephants too? Add an afternoon jeep safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla for US$60 per jeep in the booking box.
Day trips from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya: the plan
We drive first to the Dambulla Cave Temple, about 1.5 hours away, to see the five painted cave shrines before the crowds. Then it is a short drive to Sigiriya Rock Fortress: walk through the royal gardens, see the frescoes and the Lion Gate, and climb to the palace ruins on the summit. Read more about Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Dambulla Cave Temple.
Add an elephant safari
Minneriya and Kaudulla national parks are only 30 to 40 minutes from Sigiriya. On the optional safari you take a private jeep into whichever park has the elephant herds that day, from about 2:30 to 5:30 pm, before the drive back to Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura to Sigiriya: distance and timing
Sigiriya is about 75 km from Anuradhapura, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road. Without the safari you are back at your hotel by about 4:30 pm; with the safari, by about 7:30 pm. Read more about Anuradhapura.
Highlights
- Anuradhapura to Sigiriya day trip with hotel pickup at 8:00 am
- Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit the painted Dambulla Cave Temple and the Golden Temple
- Optional afternoon elephant safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla
- Private air-conditioned car (1–3 people) or van (4–7 people) with an English-speaking driver
- Transport from US$85 · safari jeep US$60 · entrance tickets extra
