Recently Viewed
Dambulla and Sigiriya Tour from Kandy: Visit Iconic Sri Lankan Landmarks
4.8
100 Ratings
Kandy
Experience the beauty of Sri Lanka’s iconic landmarks, Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple, on a guided tour from Kandy. Discover the rich history and stunning architecture of these sites in just one day.
Experience the beauty of Sri Lanka’s iconic landmarks, Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple, on a guided tour from Kandy. Discover the rich history and stunning architecture of these sites in just one day.
Duration:
11 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Sri Muthumariamman Temple - A historic Hindu temple situated on the route to Dambulla.
- Ranweli Spice Garden - Matale is renowned for its spices due to its ideal climate for cultivation. Visitors will gain insights into various spices, their uses, and the production process.
- Golden Temple of Dambulla - Among the oldest cave temples…
- Sri Muthumariamman Temple - A historic Hindu temple situated on the route to Dambulla.
- Ranweli Spice Garden - Matale is renowned for its spices due to its ideal climate for cultivation. Visitors will gain insights into various spices, their uses, and the production process.
- Golden Temple of Dambulla - Among the oldest cave temples globally, featuring 05 caves with a history dating back to the 1st century BCE. Visitors will learn about its historical and religious significance.
- Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress - Constructed by King Kashyapa between 473 – 495, this fortress stands 660 ft. tall and requires climbing 1200 steps to reach the Lion Rock Fortress atop Sigiriya. Several platforms provide rest stops along the way. Today, Sigiriya is a renowned archaeological treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fortified garden city is a remarkable example of ancient urban planning, landscape architecture, construction technology, hydraulic engineering, and fine art. Recognized as one of the best-preserved ancient urban sites in Asia from the 1st millennium, it is a living museum. Sigiriya is one of Sri Lanka’s ancient political capitals and its most spectacular heritage site.
- Sigiriya - Explore the traditional village of Sigiriya to experience the simple lifestyle of Sri Lankan people. Observe farming and agricultural activities, and enjoy the preparation of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine using spices. A delicious Sri Lankan lunch will be served at the end.
- Minneriya National Park - As one of Sri Lanka’s main national parks, Minneriya is the perfect place to observe giant elephants in their natural environment. It hosts Asia’s largest elephant gathering. During the safari tour, visitors can also see various other animals. An off-road vehicle will be arranged for those interested in exploring the park.
What's Included
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Entrance fees
- Entrance fees
- Entrance fees
- Entrance fees
- Entrance fees
- Entrance fees
Additional Information
Departure from Kandy is at 6:30 am, while the return from Sigiriya is scheduled for 5:00 pm. Please note that even if you are ready to leave earlier, you may need to wait until 5:00 pm as this is a group tour. The Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple are must-see attractions in Sri Lanka, and this tour offers travelers the chance to visit…
Departure from Kandy is at 6:30 am, while the return from Sigiriya is scheduled for 5:00 pm. Please note that even if you are ready to leave earlier, you may need to wait until 5:00 pm as this is a group tour. The Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple are must-see attractions in Sri Lanka, and this tour offers travelers the chance to visit these iconic sites efficiently and affordably. A well-maintained vehicle will be provided, with the type ranging from a minivan to a luxury tourist coach, depending on the number of bookings. Travelers will be picked up from several designated points, and you can contact us for guidance on the nearest pick-up location based on your hotel in Kandy.
Location
Joy Boat Service
Sangaraja Mawatha
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(100 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
491vivient
Apr 29, 2026
Great Day Tour to Dambulla & Sigiriya with Shanaka 🌿 - We had such an amazing day exploring Dambulla and Sigiriya from Kandy, and Shanaka truly made the experience seamless and memorable.
He was punctual, friendly, and incredibly accommodating throughout the entire trip. The day was well-organised, with the perfect balance of sightseeing and downtime, which made a big difference—especially with the heat! Shanaka was always checking in on us, making sure we were comfortable and enjoying every stop along the way.
His calm and easygoing nature made the journey feel relaxed, and his local knowledge helped us get the most out of both Dambulla and Sigiriya. Nothing ever felt rushed, and we always felt in great hands.
A fantastic day from start to finish—highly recommend Shanaka if you’re looking for a smooth, enjoyable, and well-paced tour experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gabsterr
Apr 21, 2026
Amazing experience - Ana amazing experience, I had Shanaka as my guide who was really lovely and accomodating. It turned out to be a private tour not a group tour which meant he gave me the option of what I wanted to do so we did a Sigiriya village tour instead of the safari which was incredible highly recommend (and a lot cheaper). Includes riding in a traditional cart and then a boat ride where the guide made me a bouquet of flowers and necklace and then a lovely lunch with traditional Sri Lankan food! We also visited the dumbulla cave temples and I climbed the sigiriya rock which was breathtaking. Highly recommend if you want to tick of a lot of spots in one day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z2241prkathryng
Apr 18, 2026
A Journey - Amila madushan was really kind and helpful and very attentive. He brought water and provided helpful information about everything. It was a really beautiful experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alyssagv9294ch
Apr 12, 2026
Review for Mahaweli Travels & Amila Madushan - I would like to start by sincerely thanking Mahaweli Travels. Even though they found out at the very last moment that I was the only traveler and the other two people were not joining, they did not cancel my ride or charge me anything extra. That level of professionalism and kindness truly meant a lot to me.
Now, I want to talk about Amila Madushan — the heart of this entire experience.
He picked me up near Kandy and from the very beginning, he was extremely well-spoken and warm. Not only did he comfortably communicate in English, but he also made me feel safe and cared for throughout the journey.
We had planned to visit Dambulla, Sigiriya, and a jungle safari. Initially, we were supposed to start with a temple, but I requested to visit a Buddha temple with a monk that I had seen and felt deeply fascinated by. Without hesitation, he adjusted the plan. Not only did he take me there, but I also got the chance to have a meal there, which made the experience even more special. I truly felt lucky and grateful in that moment.
After that, we visited a spice garden and then continued to Dambulla. Climbing Dambulla is not easy — around 300 steps — and for someone like me, it’s extremely challenging. Normally, a guide would drop you at the bottom and wait. But Amila didn’t do that. He came all the way up with me, encouraging me at every step. He patiently explained the history in such depth that I could truly feel the place, not just see it.
Then came Sigiriya — which is even more challenging, with over 900 steps. Honestly, if I had been alone, I would have just looked at the rock from the outside and left. But because of him, I was able to do something I never thought I could.
He didn’t just guide me — he supported me. He carried my bag, held my water bottle, and even kept an umbrella over me the entire time — while climbing up and coming down. That level of care, respect, and genuine kindness is something I have rarely experienced.
More than anything, he gave me the mental strength to keep going. Because of him, I reached the top and came back down safely. It wasn’t just a trip — it became one of the best experiences of my life.
He also guided me honestly about what to buy and where, showing that he truly cares about travelers and not just the job. His knowledge, patience, and sincerity are exceptional.
I truly believe Mahaweli Travels should recognize him — not just with a bonus, but as one of their most valuable guides. People like him make journeys unforgettable.
I am deeply, deeply thankful. Honestly, I don’t even have enough words to express my gratitude.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suruh2020
Apr 11, 2026
Very good experience - I had an amazing experience with my driver and tour guide, Amil Madushan from Mahaweli Tour. I would definitely recommend him to anyone planning a tour.
He is very responsive, careful, honest, and kind, with great knowledge of the country’s history. His guidance was not only helpful during the tour but also provided me with valuable insights about the country overall.
Definitely choose him without any hesitation! He will always be there for you throughout the entire tour—not like other drivers who just drop you off and pick you up. He truly cares about your experience.
Thank you so very much, Amil and Mahaweli Tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ronanm796
Apr 11, 2026
Wonderful tour - excellent guide - Amila Madushan was my guide. He is a very cool guy, we chatted about a lot of things during the tour and it was really insightful. The day couldnt have went better - Amila is a great guide and helped with anything I needed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pahand2026
Apr 10, 2026
A scenic, and information filled experience - The experience was brilliant, views were amazing and the tour guide, Amila Madushan did an excellent job of showing all the best spots around, as well as explaining the history and cultural influence behind these places. The fee was fairly reasonable as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Freeflow77
Apr 3, 2026
Great way to see Sigiriya in a day - Great tour and good value. Got to climb both rocks and my driver and guide Isuru qas fantastic.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karolinefauskangera
Mar 26, 2026
Great experience - I ended up with a group of solo travellers and had a very enjoyable day packed with activities. Chauffeur Kushan was very helpful, good company and made sure everything went smoothly. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
360mariannal
Mar 26, 2026
Satisfied 😊 - Everything was nice. Punctual and flexible on the drop off.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
