Full day
Kandy Cultural Tour
The Temple of the Tooth, royal gardens, tea tasting and Kandyan dance.
- Temple of the Tooth
- Royal Botanic Gardens
- Tea factory tasting
From, per vehicleUS$45
View tour
Private day tour
Sigiriya & Dambulla Day Tour
Climb the 5th-century Lion Rock before the heat and the crowds, then step inside the painted cave temples of Dambulla. A full day in Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle with your own car and chauffeur-guide.
- DurationAbout 14 hours from Colombo
- PickupFrom 05:00
- Pickup fromColombo or Negombo, Kandy, Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana
- Best timeJanuary to September
Highlights
- Climb Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, past the frescoes and the giant Lion's Paw
- See more than 150 Buddha statues in the five caves of Dambulla
- Lunch on rice and curry cooked by a village family
- Your own car and English-speaking chauffeur-guide all day
Your day
Pickup from your hotel
Your driver collects you from your hotel in Colombo or Negombo. We can pack a breakfast box on request.
Dambulla Cave Temple
Five cave shrines carved into a granite outcrop, with painted ceilings and more than 150 Buddha statues. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sigiriya Lion Rock
Climb about 1,200 steps past the 5th-century frescoes and the Lion's Paw to the palace ruins on the summit. Allow 2 to 3 hours.
Village lunch
Rice and curry cooked by a local family near Sigiriya.
Elephant safari or village tour Optional
Add a jeep safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla to see wild elephants (best from July to October), or a bullock-cart and catamaran village tour.
Drive back
Relax on the way back. Your driver stops wherever you like for tea, fruit stalls or photos.
Drop-off at your hotel
Back in Colombo or Negombo in the evening.
Good to know: Staying in Kandy? Pickup is at 07:00 and you're back by about 17:00. Staying near Sigiriya? We start at 07:30 so you climb before the midday heat.
Prices
| Pickup from | Car · 1–3 | SUV · 1–4 | Van · 1–6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo or Negombo hotelPickup around 05:00, back around 19:30 | US$145 | US$175 | US$190 |
| Kandy hotelPickup around 07:00, back around 17:00 | US$80 | US$95 | US$105 |
| Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana hotelPickup around 07:30, back around 14:30 | US$45 | US$55 | US$60 |
Prices in US dollars for the whole vehicle, not per person. Guests per vehicle shown in each column.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking chauffeur-guide
- Fuel, highway tolls and parking
- Bottled water
Not included
- Entrance tickets to Sigiriya and Dambulla, paid at the gate
- Lunch and drinks
- Optional jeep safari or village tour
- Tips for your driver
Before you go
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. The climb has steep metal staircases near the top.
- At Dambulla, cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes and hat at the temple.
- The upper staircase on Sigiriya is exposed. If you're nervous of heights, you can stop at the Lion's Paw terrace.
- The rock is hottest and busiest from late morning, which is why we start early.
Questions
How hard is the Sigiriya climb?
Most people reach the top in 1 to 1.5 hours at a steady pace, with plenty of places to rest. You need to be comfortable with steps and some height.
Can we skip Dambulla?
Yes. It's your private tour, so your guide can swap Dambulla for a safari, Polonnaruwa or more time at Sigiriya.
Do you have child seats?
Yes, free of charge. Tell us your children's ages when you book.
More private day tours
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Full day
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Galle Fort's ramparts, a river safari, a beach swim and stilt fishermen.
- Galle Fort walk
- Madu River boat ride
- Beach and sunset
From, per vehicleUS$50
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Half-day safari
Yala Safari Tour & Transfer
Morning jeep safari for leopards and elephants, with an onward transfer option.
- Leopards, elephants, sloth bears
- Private jeep and tracker
- Safari + transfer option
From, per vehicleUS$80
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Need a ride from the airport too? Book an airport transfer from US$25.