Delve deep into Sri Lanka’s rich history, fascinating culture, and amazing wildlife on this jam-packed private day tour to Sigiriya. You’ll kick off your full-day adventure with a trip out to Sigiriya; a 5th-century rock fortress and ancient engineering marvel. You’ll then jump in a bullock cart and take a boat trip across a lotus lake to a local village for a DIY lunch cookery class, and finish up with an evening elephant safari through Minneriya National Park.
Itinerary Summary
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Once you have arrived at Sigiriya, you will start exploring the heritage city of Sigiriya and also you will be climbing the mighty Sigiriya Rock. The huge Sigiriya Rock rising 370m above the jungle is an ancient fortress surrounded by extensive gardens, moats and ponds. A climb to the summit up stone stairways and iron walkways includes views of Sigiriya’s famous frescoes, the Maidens of the Clouds. From the top views stretch over the jungle on all sides. The summit has the ruins of the palace of King Kasyapa who was besieged here.
NOTE: You have the option of climbing either Sigiriya Rock or Pidurangala Rock depending on your preference.
Cultural Village Safari
- You will start off from the main road where you will be welcomed by the first glimpse of the activity which you will be riding a bullock cart to give you experience of the transportation method that has and still being used by the rural areas and villages of Sri Lanka.
- The bullock cart ride will take you to a small lake where you will experience a catamaran boat ride. The catamaran boat will take you through the lake with an abundance of lotus flowers to the port of a small village. During this experience you will encounter many varieties of birds and wildlife with a breathtaking scenic view of the surrounding.
- After making port at the village, a small three-minute walk will take you through the corn and vegetable plantation up to a traditional house where you will learn how to cook a Sri Lankan meal followed by a delicious lunch.
- During this experience, you will be taught from A to Z on how the Way of Life in a Sri Lankan traditional village works and also on how to make a delicious curry of a Sri Lankan meal. We will demonstrate on how to cook the meal from the traditional way of scrapping coconuts to finally tasting the curry that you have prepared. Best thing is that you will be actively participating on the processes and as well as you will be taught about the ways of villagers use to accomplish their day to day tasks.
- After experiencing these memorable activities, you will be taken back to the place where we have initially started the activity.
Minneriya National Park
- Welcoming an evening filled with adventure and wildlife sighting, you will get into the safari jeep getting to get ready for a rumbling in the Minneriya National Park to witness the world famous elephant gathering.
- During the safari at Minneriya National Park, you will encounter many animals from endemic birds to hundreds of elephants in their natural habitats. Our safari jeep driver will fill you with in-depth knowledge of the surrounding national park and as well as all the animals that you will come across during the safari.
