26 mars 2015

Climbing Lion Rock, Sigiriya In Sri Lanka

By Jonny Blair


Sigiriya is worth seeing and to be honest on my travels I haven't actually seen anything else like it. It's like a lost city on a rock in the middle of nowhere! Sri Lanka is becoming very popular with holiday makers, backpackers and tourists these days and places like Sigiriya are simply marvellous and help display the beauty of Sri Lanka to the world.

How to get to Sigiriya

To get to Sigiriya we recommend basing yourself in the funky town called Dambulla which is nearby. From here it is a short tuk tuk, bus or taxi ride to the town part of Sigiriya and the rock. You can also enjoy the cafes, bars and sights of Dambulla while you are there.

What price is climbing Sigiriya?

The bad news it costs a whopping THIRTY US DOLLARS. That's $30 US. Non-negotiable. It's a one off payment and you pay it at the entrance to Sigiriya. Yes, I know you're all saying how can I budget for this? And to be honest, it hits the wallet hard - Sri Lanka is cheap and you can get a 5 hour bus ride for under $2 US yet have to fork out fifteen times as much to see (and climb up) a rock.

What is the Lion Rock at Sigiriya?

Lion Rock at Sigiriya is a massive rock in the middle of a field. From 1992 onwards it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and visitors, backpackers, tourists and even locals love the hike up to the top for the views and the ancient lost city there.

How Long Should You Spend At Sigiriya Lion Rock?

The top of Sigiriya is somewhat inspirational and you really need to savour the moment at the top and contemplate where life has taken you. It will take a few hours all in all but totally worth it.

What else can you do at Sigiriya?

OK well basically you climb to the top of the rock and then head back down. Honestly that's the gist of it. On the way up you can admire the walls, some minor stone structures, some monkeys and the views back down.

Overall the Lion Rock at Sigiriya in Sri Lanka is a magnificent place to backpack to and most people love it. Bring your camera and savour the views.




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