A COUPLE’S GUIDE TO A DAY IN SIGIRIYA
Sunrise to Sunset in Sigiriya
A Couples Itinerary To Exploring The Best Highlights
From jungle safaris to magnificent fortresses, luxury hotels and thrilling hot air ballooning, Sigirya is a hotspot of experiences and adventure. Sunrise to Sunset in Sigiriya features the very best couple itineraries for seeking authentic experiences and romantic escapes. A day in Sigiriya is the perfect mix of cultural highlights, nature, culinary journeys, and the most romantic things to do in a day.
Soar with your love: Hot Air Ballooning.
Start your day gliding high above the green landscapes of the cultural triangle with a pre-dawn takeoff in a hot air balloon. Operating from November to May, this is the perfect opportunity to get an hour-long overview of this beautiful area flush with jungles, birdlife, wildlife, lakes, and iconic cultural landmarks like Sigiriya and Dambulla.
Highlights
- Glide between 500 and 2500 metres above the ground for a captivating view of the cultural triangle.
- Watch the sunrise over Sigiriya Fortress
- The Golden Dambulla Buddha Statue and Temple also come into view
- Glide over the Kandalama Tank and get a glimpse of the local fisherman casting off for the day.
Let the adventure continue, Climbing the Sigiriya Rock
A 5th century A.D. palace-fortress of King Kashyapa, Sigiriya is believed to have been a place of meditating monks from around the 3rd century B.C. A UNESCO World Heritage site and often referred to as the 8th wonder of the ancient world, the rock fortress is a must-do in Sigiriya.
Highlights
- The Palace Gardens were once considered symmetrically landscaped. During the wet season, the ancient water fountains come alive.
- The famous stone Lion Paw entrance is an iconic place for photographs.
- Once so polished, the Mirror wall reflected the surroundings like a mirror, which today has poetic graffiti from pilgrims of ancient days describing the beauty of this Palace.
- The world-famous Sigiriya frescos of celestial maidens.
- At the summit, you will see the Royal palace ruins, bathing ponds, and beautiful panoramas.
Break For Lunch
Sigiriya has luxury hotels, many of which have spa facilities. After the exhilarating morning activities, we recommend a half-hour head and shoulder or foot massage before lunch to relax and prepare you for the afternoon’s safari adventure in Minneriya National Park.
Our Recommendations
- Hotel Sigiriya
- Jetwing Vil Uyana
- Water Garden
- Aliya Resort
- Amaya Lake, Kandalama
A Wildlife Safari in Minneriya National Park
After lunch, set out to Minneriya National Park for a thrilling wildlife jeep safari experience. Famous for its elephant gatherings during the season, where hundreds of elephants gather in the Minneriya Lake grasslands, this park is also home to numerous exotic birds and wildlife.
Highlights
- Elephants, usually hundreds of them!
- Purple Face Monkeys and Toque Monkeys
- Spotted, Sambar and mouse deer
- Leopard (Less frequently spotted)
- Sloth Bear (Less frequently spotted)
- Crocodiles
- Amazing birdlife with many endemic species
An Evening Serenade in Sigiriya
Return from your safari to an evening sundowner or a cold beer before sitting down to a signature-crafted dining experience. There are plenty of romantic signature dining options, including under the stars, treehouse, poolside, tiki torch-lit BBQ, and wine cellar bespoke dining options. Be sure to pre-book a signature dining room at your chosen hotel.
Our Recommendations
- Jetwing Vil Uyana has more than five signature dining options, a wine cellar and an intimate bar.
- Hotel Sigiriya has three signature dining options and a treehouse-type bar.
- The Water Garden has curated cuisine and an upper-floor bar with amazing views.
- Kandalama Hotel is famous for its cuisine and variety of signature dining.
Conclusion
While this signature itinerary was explicitly curated for couples with just a day to spend in Sigiriya to ensure an experience of the best Sigiriya offers in a day, Sigiriya has so much more to do in the enchanting cultural triangle area.