Sigiriya

A full day trip to the Cultural Triangle and a visit to one or more of the World Heritage Sites, works well from the Estate House. The 5th century old rock fortress is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD) and it can be reached in less than 2½ hours from The Estate House.

The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town, built on top of the rock. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock.  As you start to walk up Sigiriya you can visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway.  These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

Walking up Sigiriya is not recommended for anyone who is a fear of flights or is not prepared for some strenuous walking as the steps are steep.