Sigiriya

Sigiriya Trips

Perched on a rocky outcrop, the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya rises high above Sri Lanka's rainforest canopy. These are the ruins of the fifth-century King Kasyapa's home and palace, with superb water gardens and paintings. And the location is truly incredible...

Lion Mountain is a vast 200m-high rock that juts up out of the middle of a plain. Getting up there now is tricky enough, with its steep steps and gangways; building a huge fort there must have been near impossible. From the top there are simply breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. There’s a certain sense of foreboding as you step between the paws of a huge lion carved into the rock to enter the site. Under the deep green and red leaves of the Indian rose chestnut trees below, giant golden Buddhas gleam, peacefully guarding eye-poppingly colourful cave temples.