Private Day Trip to Sigiriya and Hiriwaduna from Colombo
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Type: Private Day Trips
Duration: 12 hours
This private tour will take you to two destinations, one historical and the other cultural. The historical destination is Sigiriya, the ancient rock fortress in Central Sri Lanka, and the cultural destination is the picturesque rustic village of Hiriwaduna.
Your expert guide will show you the lives of the kings of centuries past as you walk the halls of the rock palace where King Kassyapa ruled. Afterwards, you will visit a traditional Sri Lankan village filled with rustic charm, and experience many activities such as a catamaran ride, bullock cart ride, traditional Sri Lankan cooking demonstration and many others, along with a traditional lunch made at the village itself.
More About This Activity All Private Day Trips →
This private tour will take you to two destinations, one historical and the other cultural. The historical destination is Sigiriya, the ancient rock fortress in Central Sri Lanka, and the cultural destination is the picturesque rustic village of Hiriwaduna.
Your expert guide will show you the lives of the kings of centuries past as you walk the halls of the rock palace where King Kassyapa ruled. Afterwards, you will visit a traditional Sri Lankan village filled with rustic charm, and experience many activities such as a catamaran ride, bullock cart ride, traditional Sri Lankan cooking demonstration and many others, along with a traditional lunch made at the village itself.
Travel to Sigiriya in the Morning (approximately 4 to 4.5 hours)
The tour starts at 6:30am. You can arrange to be picked up from any hotel In Colombo. You will be travelling in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. You will reach Sigiriya at 10:30 am. After a short climb up a wide staircase, you will reach the base of the rock fortress which was once used as the capital by King Kasyappa in the 5th century AD.
It is said that the entire rock of Sigiriya was once carved in the shape of a lion. But the ravages of time have blurred the lines till only the vaguest likeness remains. Another visible feature is the entrance, which is flanked by two enormous lion paws carved into the rock. From there, the actual climb begins. Traverse precarious looking staircases that hug the sides of the rock face. As you climb the rock, you will see the various gardens, the park and features, such as the mirror wall on various rock platforms. After your guide shows you these ruins, you will climb further up. Here on the western rock face and in some of the caves, you will see the colorful frescoes that give Sigiriya its fame. They are still bright, over one and a half millennia after being painted.
After gaining a clearer understanding of King Kasyappa, you will climb back down with your guide, who can also provide assistance on the climb if required. The entire climb up and down will take two hours and you will be bound for Hiriwaduna Village by 12:30 pm.
The drive to Hiriwaduna Village (approximately 20 minutes)
Once you reach Hiriwaduna, your activities will begin with a 15-minute ride in a traditional cart hitched to oxen (bullock cart). The ride will end at an artificial reservoir.
A 15-minute catamaran safari awaits you on your arrival at the reservoir. The experienced navigator will show you some of the amazing plant life and wildlife that call the waters home. So don’t forget to pack your binoculars.
The catamaran ride will disembark you at the inner village with rural mud houses. You will then be guided to one of the local houses where you will receive a cooking demonstration for 15 minutes. You also get to try your hand at local cooking as you help make one of the dishes.
After the demo, your traditional Sri Lankan lunch will be ready. You can expect lunch at approximately 2pm. It comes cooked over wood fires in clay pots. You will be eating on plates made of clean lotus leaves placed on woven trays. The buffet menu will be as follows:
Main: Rice with 6 curry sides, whole fried fish, green salad and papadam
Dessert: Seasonal fruits/ Curd with kithul treacle
After lunch in this rustic setting, you will be leaving the village to travel back to Colombo at 3pm. You will be touching base at your hotel in Colombo by 7pm to complete your tour.
Your expert guide will show you the lives of the kings of centuries past as you walk the halls of the rock palace where King Kassyapa ruled. Afterwards, you will visit a traditional Sri Lankan village filled with rustic charm, and experience many activities such as a catamaran ride, bullock cart ride, traditional Sri Lankan cooking demonstration and many others, along with a traditional lunch made at the village itself.
Travel to Sigiriya in the Morning (approximately 4 to 4.5 hours)
The tour starts at 6:30am. You can arrange to be picked up from any hotel In Colombo. You will be travelling in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. You will reach Sigiriya at 10:30 am. After a short climb up a wide staircase, you will reach the base of the rock fortress which was once used as the capital by King Kasyappa in the 5th century AD.
It is said that the entire rock of Sigiriya was once carved in the shape of a lion. But the ravages of time have blurred the lines till only the vaguest likeness remains. Another visible feature is the entrance, which is flanked by two enormous lion paws carved into the rock. From there, the actual climb begins. Traverse precarious looking staircases that hug the sides of the rock face. As you climb the rock, you will see the various gardens, the park and features, such as the mirror wall on various rock platforms. After your guide shows you these ruins, you will climb further up. Here on the western rock face and in some of the caves, you will see the colorful frescoes that give Sigiriya its fame. They are still bright, over one and a half millennia after being painted.
After gaining a clearer understanding of King Kasyappa, you will climb back down with your guide, who can also provide assistance on the climb if required. The entire climb up and down will take two hours and you will be bound for Hiriwaduna Village by 12:30 pm.
The drive to Hiriwaduna Village (approximately 20 minutes)
Once you reach Hiriwaduna, your activities will begin with a 15-minute ride in a traditional cart hitched to oxen (bullock cart). The ride will end at an artificial reservoir.
A 15-minute catamaran safari awaits you on your arrival at the reservoir. The experienced navigator will show you some of the amazing plant life and wildlife that call the waters home. So don’t forget to pack your binoculars.
The catamaran ride will disembark you at the inner village with rural mud houses. You will then be guided to one of the local houses where you will receive a cooking demonstration for 15 minutes. You also get to try your hand at local cooking as you help make one of the dishes.
After the demo, your traditional Sri Lankan lunch will be ready. You can expect lunch at approximately 2pm. It comes cooked over wood fires in clay pots. You will be eating on plates made of clean lotus leaves placed on woven trays. The buffet menu will be as follows:
Main: Rice with 6 curry sides, whole fried fish, green salad and papadam
Dessert: Seasonal fruits/ Curd with kithul treacle
After lunch in this rustic setting, you will be leaving the village to travel back to Colombo at 3pm. You will be touching base at your hotel in Colombo by 7pm to complete your tour.
« Go Back