Dambulla Temple
Dambulla temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is the largest and best-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka. It has been a fully functioning temple since its inception over two thousand years ago. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Lord Gautama Buddha and his life.
The beauty of the cave temple is its setting into five huge caverns high on a mountainside. Inside are 153 Buddha statues in various poses, three statues of ancient kings, and four other statues including those of Vishnu and Ganesh. The ceiling and walls have been painted and repainted over the centuries by the resident monks and contain some interesting juxtaposition of imagery, including those of royal life.
The Dambulla cave monastery is still functional and remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka. Today, Dambulla cave temple is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka.
Kandalama Lake
Kandalama Lake is located to the north of the Dambulla region. It can be reached by proceeding about 10 kms from the Kandalama Junction close to the Rangiri Dambulu Raja Maha Vihara. On the Eastern bank of the Kandalama Wewa ancient irrigation reservoir at the distance of 10 km from the Rangiri-dambulla Rock Cave Temple.
Sigiriya - The 8th Wonder of the World
The palace and rock fortress is located in the heart of the island between the towns of Dambulla and Habarane on a massive rocky plateau 370 meters above the sea level. Sigiriya rock plateau, formed from magma of an extinct volcano, is 200 meters higher than the surrounding jungles. Its view astonishes the visitors with the unique harmony between nature and human imagination. The fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys, and fountains.
The construction of such a monument on a massive rock approximately 200 meters higher from the surrounding landscape required advanced architectural and engineering skills. The gardens of Sigiriya are among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world.
Sigiriya has water gardens, cave and boulder gardens, and also terraced gardens. They are located in the western part of the rock and are with a complex hydraulic system, which consists of canals, locks, lakes, dams, bridges, fountains, as well as surface and underground water pumps.
Pidurangala
The rock lying adjacent to Sigiriya is called Pidurangala. It is a few kilometers north of Sigiriya. King Kasyapa built his palace on Sigiriya, but he worshipped the Buddha on the Royal Cave Temple on Pidurangala. The monastery dates back to the third century BC, but it was under King Kasyapa that it was expanded. It’s said the monastery was home to 500 monks and occupied an area of 14 acres during his reign.
The temple still stands to date, and is open to visitors. Pidurangala is particularly beautiful at sunrise, offering a stunning view of Sigiriya and the surrounding landscape.
Hot Air Ballooning
Flight Time: Approx 1 Hour. If you visit the beautiful Royal Kingdom of Sigiriya, then you should take the opportunity to see the wondrous sights from the air. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of dramatic landscapes, thick jungle canopies, and the thrill and serenity of a hot air balloon flight.
November to April is the best time to soar over Sri Lanka’s spectacular countryside. Flying over the jungle, you may see elephants roaming freely, water buffaloes standing in the paddy fields, and monkeys swinging from the trees.
Bird Watching & Jungle Safaris
For hiking adventure enthusiasts, we offer a range of exhilarating safari tours to Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks. Both parks and surrounding forests have recorded over 170 species of birds. From migratory birds to forest birds, there are numerous species, including some endemic and endangered ones.
Among the 34 species of amphibians and reptiles at Minneriya National Park, there are many endemic and endangered species. Currently, 24 known species of mammals reside around Sigiriya and Minneriya Park regions, including Elephants, Leopards, Sloth Bears, and more.
