Sigiriya rock fortress: 7 tips for a visit

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The Sigiriya rock fortress is Sri Lanka's most popular attraction. We show you how to avoid queues, crowds and advertisers to make optimal use of your morning

It does not often happen that people say "visiting rock formations" when they are asked what they like to do on vacation - a strange fact that you consider that so many of us spend time and money for it, be it in Cappadocia Turkeyyosemite in the USA, Guatape in Colombia or Machu Picchu, which would be only half dramatic without its rock.

One of the world's lesser -known curiosities in this category is the Sigiriya rock fortress in Sri Lanka, a gigantic rock column that rises 200 m (660 feet) from the forested levels underneath. Sigiriya is roughly in the center of the country and is a cornerstone of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya, also known as "Löwenfelsen", is particularly remarkable for the fortress, which is built into its walls and its plateau. Colorful frescoes decorate the walls while two huge lion paws guard the main gate.

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It is said that the fortress was built by King Kasyapa over 1,000 years ago, who buried his father alive in a wall before he climbed the throne. Kasyapa died 495 AD of a violent death, after which the fortress was used as a Buddhist monastery.

Today the Sigiriya rock fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can climb the 1,200 steps, many of which are screwed to the rock wall to explore one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. Here are our tips for planning your trip.

get your timing correctly

Sigiriya Rock Fortress is not as famous as Machu Picchu, but it is Sri Lanka's most popular tourist attraction, so do not assume that it will not be overcrowded.

We made the 30-minute drive from Habarana Village by Cinnamon to arrive at 7.30 a.m. The website opens at 7 a.m. and we recommend being there soon afterwards. It is early, but the single -row stairwells clog later a day and can extend the one -hour rise to three hours.

alt = "View from the rock fortress Sigiriya"> Atlas & Boots Visit early for thinner crowds

It is also a good idea to avoid weekends, especially Sundays and public holidays. Remember that, unlike Machu Picchu, the place on the plateau is limited. So if you come by at overcrowded times, you will be in line while people explore the top.

Pay the price tag

The entry fee for the Sigiriya rock fortress is 4,500 LKR per person (corresponds to $ 30 /28 GBP). Some argue that the price of $ 60 is overpriced for two people - and you may be right - but consider what you have already spent on Sri Lanka for the whole way. It is worth spending a little more money to see the country's greatest sight!

take a travel guide with you - but no travel guide

If you enter the Sigiriya complex, you will probably offer you the services of a guide. It is not necessary to use one. All signs and paths are clear and a good travel guide explains the meaning of the sights (we use Lonely Planet).

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If you organize your visit to your hotel, you should point out when booking that you do not need a travel guide, since one is usually offered as part of pre -booked packages.

do not rush through

Hoping to avoid crowds, we drove directly to the summit and sacrificed a number of good photo motifs on the way. In retrospect, we could have taken more time for a break, as the crowds of people only started to collect on our way down.

alt = “In the early morning look at the rock fortress Sigiriya”> Atlas & Boots The morning light ensures better photos

don't feel under pressure to storm up. Take a break to enjoy the further look at the Sigiriya rock fortress before making your way up. The early morning light in combination with fewer people ensures a better view and of course better photos.

Note the photography signs

Photography is not permitted in certain places along the way, especially on the frescoes that accommodate a gallery with painted nymphs.

alt = "Gallery in the rock fortress Sigiriya"> Dream time Do not take photos of the gallery

Please note these signs, not only to maintain the site, but also to avoid that your camera is confiscated. We have heard reports that expensive DLSRs (without return) were confiscated as a punishment for ignoring the signs. The warnings are clear, but if in doubt, ask a security guard. There is usually one that is posted in the protected area.

spend time in the gardens

The Sigiriya rock fortress is surrounded by an extensive network of gardens, water trenches, ponds, canals, streets and fountains covered with lily. It is worth spending time after visiting the rock to explore the area.

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We didn't visit the Sigiriya Museum because we were under time pressure. We were told that it is pretty sparse, but it is included in the ticket price, so you might want to visit it anyway.

Visit the nearby Pidurangala rocks

Unfortunately, the Sigiriya complex is missing viewpoints on the rocks itself. The Sigiriya rock is the highest thing in the area, so it is difficult to find a suitable place to take pictures.

The nearby Pidurangala Rock offers an excellent solution. Pidurangala is two kilometers north of Sigiriya and is a harder ascent (approx. An hour), but much cheaper (500 LKR / 3.5 USD) and offers a panoramic view of the area.

Alt = “The view of the Sigiriya rock fortress from Pidurangala”> Atlas & Boots A look at the Sigiriya rock fortress from Pidurangala

Budget -conscious can climb pidurangala instead of Sigiriya. This is a completely acceptable way to see Sri Lanka's most popular attraction, but our recommendation is to do both!

rock fortress Sigiriya: The essentials

What: Visiting the Sigiriya rock fortress, also known as "Löwenfelsen", in Sri Lanka.

Where: We stayed in the Habarana Village by Cinnamon, a charming hotel, 30 minutes by car from Sigiriya. Our room was modern and comfortable with a view of picturesque gardens that are crossed by ways that lead to Lake Habmana, as well as one or the other tree house!

The staff in the Cinnamon was typically Srilankisch: always ready with a smile or amusing anecdotes who were usually told with the sincere confidentiality of a friend.

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the pool, the spa and the amenities were all exemplary, but we have to mention the food. We don't concentrate on the kitchen often, but we make an exception for executive boss Chandana Wijeratne, who prepared the best food that we had throughout Sri Lanka.

If you appreciate good food, we strongly recommend that you book the private cooking class at Chandana (ask at the reception or book in advance at reservations@cinnamonhotels.com). The tempered dahl may be the best you will ever try.

When: The weather in Sri Lanka is a bit complicated because there are two separate monsoon times that affect different parts of the country. Jan-April and Mitte Juli-Sep offer the best odds for good weather nationwide.

like: The entry fee for the Sigiriya rock fortress is 4,500 LKR (30 USD / 28 GBP).

You can get from Colombo via Habarana to Sigiriya. There is a daily train service in the early morning of Colombo (see timetable here) - LKR 600 for reserved tickets of the 2nd class. With Cinnamon you can take a tuk tuk to Habarana Village from the train station.

Habarana to Sigiriya is a 30-minute drive (16 km) away. Your hotel can organize a taxi and tickets to Sigiriya.

Many tourists choose to rent a driver for the entire trip. This costs about $ 45 a day (including the days on which you do not use the driver). We used Ajaa (+94 777 284 178) and Sisi (+94 777 203 083) for shorter transfers and found them friendly and reliable.

Most international flights end up at the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Book via Skyscanner at the best prices.

Lonely Planet Sri Lanka is a comprehensive travel guide for Sri Lanka, ideal for those who want to explore the most important sights and choose less busy roads.

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