The Kandy to Sigiriya Day Trip is an excellent experience for any traveler. This one-day excursion covers several culturally significant landmarks in the Central Province. During your Kandy to Sigiriya Day Tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the Matale Hindu Temple, Matale Spice Garden, and the Dambulla Cave Temple.
As your chauffeur service provider, Ceylon Waves offers a range of vehicle options from budget to luxury, based on your preference. The distance between Kandy and Sigiriya is approximately 90 kilometers and takes about 2.5 hours to travel without stops. Hiking up Pidurangala Rock or climbing the Sigiriya Rock Fortress will definitely bring joy and adventure to anyone. These two spots provide breathtaking views, making them perfect locations to capture stunning photos for Instagram.
Plan your day trip from Kandy to Sigiriya with Ceylon Waves and check out the itinerary below for more details!
The Kandy to Sigiriya Day Trip begins after guests have enjoyed breakfast at their overnight hotel.
This tour covers many fascinating destinations, with the first stop being the Matale Hindu Temple. Officially named the “Muthumariamman Temple,” its name is derived from the words Muthu, which means pearl, Mari, meaning rain, and Amman, which translates to mother. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, who is worshipped as the goddess of rain and fertility. Both Buddhists and Hindus visit this temple, and it is often used by the Hindu community as a wedding venue. The temple’s main religious event is the Chariot Festival, celebrated in March, which is a vibrant and festive occasion to witness.
The next stop on the tour is the Matale Spice Garden. This enchanting garden offers visitors a chance to wander through the aromatic greenery while gaining insight into various spices and their uses in enhancing food, cosmetics, and medicine.
Following the spice garden visit, the tour proceeds to the main highlights of the trip: Sigiriya and Pidurangala Rocks. Guests can choose the order in which to visit these two remarkable sites. Both locations are significant attractions on the Kandy to Sigiriya Day Tour.
Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is an ancient fortress built by King Kashyapa, who selected this site as his new capital. Located near Dambulla, this rock rises to a height of 180 meters. Midway up, King Kashyapa constructed a massive gateway shaped like a lion, giving the rock its name. After the king's death, the palace was abandoned and later used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving its historical significance.
Just a few kilometers north of Sigiriya is Pidurangala Rock. Although less known, Pidurangala offers a serene view of Sigiriya Rock and its surroundings. Standing at 199 meters—just 1 meter shorter than Sigiriya—it provides a tranquil experience with a natural setting. Pidurangala has its own historical significance; it is believed that King Kashyapa relocated monks to this rock before taking over Sigiriya. The climb here is more adventurous and rewarding.
Next on the itinerary is the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Dambulla Golden Temple. This sacred pilgrimage site has been a place of worship for over 22 centuries. It is considered the largest preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka, with mural paintings covering an area of 2,100 square meters and housing 157 statues. The temple comprises five caves built beneath a massive rock standing at 150 meters high, making it a geological wonder. In 1982, a giant 15-meter statue and pagoda were constructed as part of a conservation project. UNESCO has recognized the temple as a heritage site to ensure its preservation.
This will conclude your Kandy to Sigiriya Day Trip with Ceylon Waves. We will safely drop you off at your pickup location or any preferred destination.
