Sigiriya Hike & Minneriya Safari Private Full Day Tour
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Start your day with a visit to the iconic Sigiriya Lion Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka’s most renowned landmarks. Ascend the ancient rock fortress, marveling at its impressive frescoes, the Mirror Wall, and the sprawling ruins of the royal palace at the summit. Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and reflect on the historical and architectural significance of this ancient marvel.
After exploring Sigiriya, indulge in a delicious Sri Lankan traditional lunch, savoring the rich flavors and spices that define the island’s cuisine.
In the afternoon, head to Minneriya National Park for an exciting half-day Jeep Safari. Traverse the park’s diverse landscapes, including lush forests and open grasslands, in search of South Asia's largest elephant gatherings. Witness these majestic creatures up
Conclude the day with a sense of awe and fulfillment, having experienced two of Sri Lanka's most iconic attractions in a single, unforgettable adventure.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Sigiriya Lion Rock
Sigiriya Lion Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka’s most renowned landmarks. Ascend the ancient rock fortress, marveling at its impressive frescoes, the Mirror Wall, and the sprawling ruins of the royal palace at the summit. Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and reflect on the historical and architectural significance of this ancient marvel.
Minneriya National Park
A half-day jeep safari will be conducted to witness the rich wildlife and stunning landscapes of Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. Both parks are renowned for their large elephant populations, with the annual “Elephant Gathering” being a key attraction. Depending on the season and wildlife movement, you can choose either park for an unforgettable safari experience.
Options
Sigiriya Hike & Minneriya Safari Private Full Day Tour
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Hotel Pickup & Drop-off
Bottled water
Lunch
Sigriya Village Tour
Safari Jeep with Driver
Park Entrance Fee - 35$ Per Person
Sigiriya Lion Rock - 35$ Per Adult
National Guide For Sigiriya Lion Rock (Optional)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
70 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Perfect combination of animals and nature.
nayoleou,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Wild nature. Free animals. The best combination for a day we will remember.
Visit
Saud A,May 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I did the the lion rock then we went to safari And there is more in the experience I recommend it
Safari
Adventure37993345263,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything went well! Pick up time was accurate and our drivers were very kind and professional!
Great experiencia
mirallesbonaventura,May 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything was as expected. The only thing that we think has to change is to give a tip everywhere. We are tourist not banks, we understand that our posibilitéis are not them but we are trying to do our best and to fit our money to the trip as well. Thanks
Our experience
Georgie S,May 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Overall, we had a great day! We started at 7am for Sigiriya Rock, which was the perfect time as there were very few people around. The grounds were beautiful. Entry was $45 per person and not included in the tour, but you can pay by card at the entrance. We also paid 15,000 rupees cash each to the guide for Minneriya park entrance fee. Afterwards we did the Sigiriya Village Tour, which included an eco farm growing herbs and spices for Ayurvedic medicine. We were given a massage using different oils and products, which was unexpected but very good. Small tips are encouraged throughout the village tour, usually around 200 rupees, but they seemed optional. We also bought some oils and creams from the farm. Next was a tractor ride, they even let us drive it briefly, followed by a handmade raft trip across the lake. The two men paddling made flowers, necklaces and hats from plants they picked along the way. Very peaceful experience. Lunch was excellent. A local lady demonstrated traditional Sri Lankan cooking and showed us how to de-shell rice, prepare coconut leaf thatching, and process coconuts before serving a large traditional meal. For the safari, our guide explained that due to the weather the elephants had moved, so we went to a different park instead of Minneriya. He explained everything clearly using a translator app. We still saw lots of elephants, which was the main thing. The jeep ride is (as you’d expect) extremely bumpy though, so be careful if you have back problems!
Best tour
K7050TC,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a fulfilling day, canoeing, cooking classes and meeting elephants! It was fun. Thank you very much.
If you are in Sigiriya, this tour is for you!
annamS3519RC,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was such a fun tour! The guides are very kind and good at entertaining customers. I was also good at finding elephants and it was a very fulfilling day. If you are coming to Sigiriya, I think this tour is the best! I recommend it.
excellent!
annamS3519RC,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00His tour was fantastic. He's very kind and great at entertaining his customers. Thanks to him, I had a wonderful trip. It's a tour that lets you fully enjoy Sigiriya.
Amazing Experience with Mahesh
michaelrC862YE,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had an absolutely incredible experience on this private Sigiriya and safari tour, and a huge part of that was thanks to our driver and guide, Mahesh. From start to finish, Mahesh was outstanding. He was extremely efficient and made the entire day feel seamless and well-paced, which is so important when you’re covering multiple destinations. Beyond that, he was genuinely one of the friendliest and most enjoyable guides I’ve ever had—easy to talk to, fun to be around, and clearly passionate about what he does. What really stood out was his expertise. During the safari, Mahesh knew exactly where to go to find elephants and positioned us perfectly to get incredible, up-close views without ever feeling rushed or intrusive. We saw so much more than we expected, and it was clear that his experience and instincts made all the difference. Throughout the entire trip, he was also incredibly knowledgeable about everything we were seeing—whether it was the history around Sigiriya or the wildlife on the safari. He added so much context and insight that made the experience feel much richer and more meaningful. If you’re considering this tour, I cannot recommend it enough—especially if you can request Mahesh. He truly elevated the entire experience and turned what would have been a great day into an unforgettable one.
An experience not to be missed.
Bernadette H,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Four friends had a great day with driver and guide Thiradu, visiting Sigiriya Lion Rock and Minneriya National Park. We paid an extra SLR2500 and took the additional tour of a local village which included a cooking demonstration and lunch. Well worth it as we saw how the local villagers live. Didn’t see as many elephants as we expected, but Thiradu knew all the spots they were likely to be in. His English was of a high standard and we found him very informative. Be prepared to be very generous with guides at Lion Rock who seem to appear out of nowhere to assist you in climbing the stairs. Our only concern was the reliability of the jeep we were travelling in….. reluctant to start first try.
Secure Checkout
Related Experiences
Operated by Minneriya Wild Tours