At the foot of Sigirya Rock
Highlights
- Definitely worth the visit, plan to spend 3-5 hours at the site.
- For about $10USD you can hire a professional guide to explain the history.
- Start your day early and take your time once you arrive. There is so much to explore!
I advise those wanting to beat the traffic/heat, head over as early as possible. Our day started at 6:30AM. We took a 25 minute tuk-tuk ride from our hotel near Dambulla, Sri Lanka to the entrance of the site. Noticed a few people walking the distance, but for the time savings, I'd recommend otherwise.
Before entering the grounds, we paid $30USD per ticket. I consider this a great value for what you get to experience. The area was pretty easily navigated, but I recommend hiring one of the many tour guides along the way. Unless you already have an understanding of the history surrounding the location, it helps having the locals break it down.
Walking through the garden with a local guide
We came across all types of creatures, including this monitor lizard. It got spooked as I was trying to take a closer look...
Whether looking out at the beautiful landscapes or up close at the charming details, Sigirya keeps the mind in a constant state of awe. Rocks that may seem to serve as a retaining wall, were actually traps for potential invading foes. We were told they never had to be used.
One constant theme of this area was how it would serve the king. These pools were built for the king's many concubines. Mo money mo problems if you ask me, but to each their own.
We finaly made it to the foot of this massive rock!
Once you reach the top of the winding staircase, past howling dogs and out-of-breath travelers, you can see why the king resided here. Not to mention, he didn't have to make the journey on foot. We learned that he was carried up and down by a team of men every time.
That all for my day at Sigirya Rock. I don't want to give away too many of the details. I highly recommend you check it out for yourself. If you do, be sure to share your trip with my. I find it fascinating to see how different travelers explore the same region.
Regards,
Bradford Tennyson
All photos used in this post were taken by and owned by me.
Wouldn't be complete without a photo of some monkeys we came across that day. Just chillin...
Camera | Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Location | Sigirya, Sri Lanka