Hike to Pidurangala Rock in Sigiriya

Sigiriya View from Pidurangala Rock

Pidurangala Rock is another famous tourist attraction in the Sigiriya area. It is a 360-degree viewpoint with a nice little hike to follow. The view of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress from Pidurangala Rock is simply breathtaking, and we believe you’ve seen it while searching for images of Sri Lanka on Google Images.

Pidurangala Rock is not as famous as Sigiriya Rock. But it is a superb destination that you should also visit during your tour of Sigiriya. It is located 2 kilometers to the north of the rock fortress. The hike will start from the Pidurangala Raja Maha Viharaya, where the initial part of the hike is not very difficult. In the beginning, there is a clear and nice footpath. After that, you will meet the Pidurangala cave temple and the ancient ruins around it. Historians believe that the ruins date back more than 2000 years. They also believe the entire area was a monastery before King Kashyapa came to Sigiriya in the 5th century AD.

After the cave temple, your hike will become much harder, and you will have to cross some difficult spots. The route is easy to find thanks to the man-made red arrow signs. Anyhow, your route is along the large boulders. If you are an experienced hiker, it will only take you around 30 minutes to climb this rock. But if you are a lazy hiker, then it will take you around 45 to 60 minutes to reach the top.

The view from Pidurangala Rock is absolutely fabulous. It is an ideal spot to take some rare images. From there, you can observe most parts of the Central and North-Central provinces of Sri Lanka. The best time to visit there is at sunrise and sunset. These times allow you to take your best shots.

As a visitor, you should buy a ticket to enter Pidurangala Rock. It is open from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is no water source on the top; therefore, you should bring enough water with you.

Finally, we suggest that you don’t forget this place during your travels to Sigiriya Rock Fortress or Dambulla Cave Temple.

 

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(Cover Image Source: @ParadiseSrilanaka 

Sigiriya Village Tour (Habrana) with Mahaweli Tours and Holidays

Sigiriya Village Tour

Our Sigiriya Village Tour will give you an exciting and memorable experience, for sure. This guide will give you all the information regarding the tour.

Introduction to Sri Lanka Tours

Sri Lanka is a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean with a total area of 65610 sq km. It is a rich nation in lovely beaches, scenic landscapes, amazing wildlife, and cultural heritage. It is a worthwhile decision to visit Sri Lanka in 2022 and beyond. There is no matter whether you are a foodie traveler, an adventure lover, a beach lover, or a wildlife enthusiast. Sri Lanka is the best place for all these activities. The island is now free from COVID-19 and welcomes tourists with great hospitality.

Our Village Tour in Sigiriya

If you are interested in experiencing traditional Sri Lankan culture, you should definitely visit a Sri Lankan village or a remote area.Our Sigiriya Village Tour will give you opportunities to listen closely to villagers and their normal lifestyle, which they have been surviving for thousands of years.

You can spend a few hours with villagers to learn about their daily lives. You can enjoy sightseeing paddy fields, chena cultivation, poultry keeping, and beekeeping during your Sigiriya village tour. Activities such as bullock cart riding and traditional catamaran riding will also provide you with unforgettable experiences.

The visitors will also participate in learning how to cook traditional Sri Lankan food. Here you can take part in its activities and finish up with delicious Sri Lankan dishes. Finally, you will take the buffet lunch that you worked on.

Highlights of Our Sigiriya Village Tour

Dates and times are available all year.
Time: It is preferable to begin after 11.30 a.m.
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Meals Included: Sri Lankan Lunch
Difficulty Level: Easy
Dress code: Casual dresses with shoes, sunglasses, and caps and hats if required since it is an outdoor activity taking place during the middle of the day.
Tour Type: Private
Guided Tour: Yes. Tour guide will accompany the guests,s and there will be local guides to explain each activity.

Activities / Places Nearby

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Tour to Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tour

Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tour will give you one of the most exhilarating experiences. We will provide you or/ and your group with a guide who will communicate with you efficiently. The guide will also explain the important knowledge and share the historical value of the place. If you require language specific guides, they can be arranged upon special request.

Introduction to Sigiriya

For every person who loves history, art, nature, and culture, Sigiriya has them all. There are cultural ruins and there are unbelievable remnants of history. Sigiriya Rock comes under the second one, being one of the most wonderful alterations of nature. This enormous rock fortress was once named as a world wonder. It is a world renowned architectural symbol with priceless ancient technology, paintings, and water system that functions up to date. It is probably the most visited tourist spot in Sri Lanka.

Where it all began: The history and formation of the kingdom

The Rock hill served as a monastery in the beginning of 3rd century BC. In the latter part, King Kashyapa reigned on the fortress and made it himself a castle on the rock. The technology used to build it, is still one of the marvelous inventions. After the kings reign it turned back in to a monastery until it was abandoned.

Entrance to the Sigiriya

The entrance of the castle is located in the northern end of the rock and the entire entrance is a carved Lion, from which it got the name ‘Sigiriya’, meaning ‘Lion’s Rock.’ The feet of the lion remain till date while the upper part is destroyed.

Frescos: It is eye candy!

Sigiriya frescos (stroke paintings) are believed to depict either the king’s wives, concubines, or other women who used to perform rituals and customs in the castle. Around eighteen paintings have lasted up to this date. These paintings show how women of ancient days lived, their head jewelry and mere beauty. It is a significant symbol of Sri Lankan history.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, what is so good about you at all?

One of the most amazing elements of Sigiriya is the Mirror Wall. This was used to be polished so thoroughly that the king used to see his reflection through it. This was used to write poems and scripts by visitors. The oldest script denotes that the fortress used be a tourist spot for more than a thousand year.

The oldest landscape in the world

The rock’s western upper side has pools, a terrace-like pond, and landscaped gardens. In the entire world, Sigiriya engineering is considered one of the most complicated technologies to this date. The landscaped gardens accompanied by pools on top of the rock, show unbelievable hydraulic systems that has been pumping water from under the ground to the top of the Sigiriya rock.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tour with Mahaweli

You can plan your Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tour with Mahaweli Tours & Holidays. We are a reputed and leading tour agency in Sri Lanka. No need to think twice. Simply call 0777 111 553 or send an email to info@mahaweli.lk.

Conclusion:

This magnificent Rock Plateau is still one of the wondrous creations of all time, considering the engineering technology, landscaping, paintings, and water systems. For every tourist that steps in to this island, the first note of advice from locals is to visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and they are right, you should pay a visit to see it yourself!

Read More about our: Nuwara Eliya City Tour

(Cover image represent one of our customers. You can check more photos from our mahaweli facebook page )