Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Tour with Lunch (Group)

This cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2 ) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues. Inhabited by forest-dwelling Buddhist monks since the 3rd century BCE, these natural caves have been transformed continuously throughout the historical period into one of the largest and most outstanding Buddhist complexes in the Southern and South Eastern Asian region, The vast internal spaces of the cave shrines are not compartmentalized, but are spatially differentiated by a deliberate and subtle arrangement of polychrome sculpture of craftsmanship and decorated with compositions of mural paintings. Spatial hierarchy and purposive interior layout devoid of physical divisions lead the devotees systematically through the spaces from one ritual function to the next. The site is remarkable in the Buddhist world for its association for more than two millennia.

We will be visiting Elephant Fence restaurant for the lunch. This is located close to Habarana Junction. A Sri Lankan lunch served with steamed white rice, local vegetable curries, some salads, fried dry fish, Chicken or Fish and Pappadam. Those who prefer vegetarian options we have arranged it too. There will be a dessert offered at the end.

Hurulu Eco Park is the ideal location to witness wild Elephants. There will be hundreds of Elephants in their natural habitat you can spot during this safari tour. An off road Jeep with come and pick you from the Elephant fence restaurant where we have our lunch. Safari takes around 2 - 2 and a half hours to complete. Those who do not want to take this activity, can wait the the lobby of the restaurant where they have got Wi-Fi, some books and recreational activities.

A must visit place if you are touring in Sri Lanka. We wil be arriving the place by 4.00 pm and that gives you the opportunity to enjoy the sunset from the top. Sigiriya Lion Rock is an ancient rock fortress known for its massive column of rock that reaches nearly 200 meters high. The site dates back to the reign of King Kasyapa (477-495 AD), who chose this site as his new capital. He decorated the walls with frescoes, and built an impressive palace right on top of the rock column, accessible only through the mouth of an enormous carved lion. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicles this area was a large forest, then after storms and landslides it became a hill. King Kashyapa built his palace on top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure; Sinhagiri, the Lion Rock.