Private Day Trip to Sigiriya & Dambulla from Kandy – Aaliya Tours
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Our driver will pick you up from hotels within Kandy city limits around 8 AM or earlier. Begin with a scenic drive to Sigiriya, stopping at the colorful Matale Hindu Temple and the UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temple, home to ancient murals and Buddha statues. After lunch at a local restaurant, climb the legendary Sigiriya Rock Fortress, offering breathtaking views and royal ruins.
If you wish to add a National Park safari, options include Minneriya, Kaudulla, or Hurulu Eco Park—please contact us early to arrange timing.
Note: Visiting both Sigiriya and Pidurangala Rock on the same day is not recommended due to time limits; choose one for the best experience.
Our friendly chauffeur-guide will share local stories, traditions, and fruits along the way, ensuring a memorable and comfortable journey with Aaliya Tours.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Dress code when you entered to the Cave temple and Matale Hindu temple, the nee should be coverd
What To Expect
Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil
The magnificent temple, adorned with 1,008 statues of Hindu deities, is the masterpiece of renowned South Indian sculptor Nagalingam and his son Ramanathan. Supported by a dedicated team of around 100 designers, painters, and architects from Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, they completed the grand Raja Gopuram in 2007 at an estimated cost of Rs. 150 million. This architectural marvel stands as a powerful testament to their exceptional skill, deep devotion, and artistic vision.
Sigiriya Lion Rock
Discover the majestic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka’s most remarkable landmarks. Built in the 5th century by King Kashyapa as his royal palace and citadel, this ancient marvel rises 200 meters above the surrounding plains, offering breathtaking views. The fortress is renowned for its advanced architectural design, intricate water gardens, frescoes of celestial maidens, and the iconic Mirror Wall, which still preserves ancient inscriptions. A testament to ingenuity and artistry, Sigiriya remains a symbol of Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage.
Options
Tour by bus (Up to 15 Adults)
Private Tour by Bus Pickup included
Tour by Van (Up to 11 Adults)
Pickup included
Tour by Car (Up to 3 Adults)
Private car Pickup included
by Tuk Tuk (Up to 2 Adults)
Private Tuk Tuk ride Pickup included
Tour by Van (Up to 6 Adults)
Private Tour by Van: Private Tour by Van (Up to 11 Adults) Pickup included
What‘s Included
Driver/guide
Fuel surcharge
Day tour as per itinerary
Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
Bottle of water
Drinks
Lunch
Entrance tickets of activities
World heritage sites guide
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
198 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great day with our tour guide Irfan
Sascha H,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked the tour spontaneously one day in advance, and everything went smoothly from start to finish! We received information via WhatsApp in advance about what we should bring and what kind of clothes are appropriate. The pickup at our hotel in Kandy also went smoothly and on time. Our guide Irfan was excellent. He told and explained an incredible amount to us on the way to Sigiriya, and even bought us a small snack and water for the journey! For lunch, he showed us a small local restaurant just before Sigiriya, where we had lunch. The food was a 10/10! The Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple was also a very interesting and cultural experience. Here too, Irfan explained a lot about the individual caves to us. Furthermore, we could understand Irfan well at all times because his English is really good. We also felt safe at all times in his car, even when the road was bumpy; he is a very safe driver! All in all, Irfan gave us an unforgettable day that we will not forget anytime soon. Thank you, Irfan!
Spontaneous trip to Lions Rock
tobiaswV4668AZ,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked the tour spontaneously one day in advance. Our driver Mr. Irfan picked us up punctually at the desired location. During the drive, he was able to tell us a lot about the places and landscapes we passed by. The Dambulla Caves were our first stop. We spent about 1 hour here and visited a total of 5 caves with statues of Buddha and others. Mr. Irfan was also able to share quite a bit of information here. Afterward, we had lunch in Sigiriya. The restaurant was extremely delicious and authentic. Without a guide, we probably would not have found it. After that, we continued to the hike. We decided to climb the smaller mountain to have a good view of Lions Rock. After about 20 minutes, we were already at the top. Towards the end, you have to do some climbing, as the steps stop. The view of the rock and the surroundings was phenomenal. All in all, we had a great trip and can only recommend it.
Amazing tour and guide
U4539VAsarahc,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Shamin was amazing, very knowledgeable great trip, extremely flexible with our stops…. Best day ever!!!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent Guide and Safe Driver – Highly Recommended
gerasimos m,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful experience with our guide Adhil during our visit to Sigiriya and Dambulla. He is a very safe and careful driver, which made us feel comfortable throughout the entire trip. Adhil provided great information about all the places we visited and explained everything clearly, making the tour both interesting and educational. He was extremely polite, friendly, and always ready to help us with anything we needed. After the tour, he also drove us to our next hotel at a very good price, which was a big help and very convenient for us. Overall, Adhil was professional, kind, and reliable. We truly enjoyed the experience and highly recommend him to anyone visiting Sigiriya and Dambulla.
Rainy day for a tuk tuk ride
Q6390KKjennifera,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fazeel took me out to Dambulla on what turned out to be the wrong day to take a tuk tuk. It was rainy the whole way out and most of the day, and he had the best humour about getting the brunt of that rain. He was flexible about the order of things and gave good advice about climbing Sigiriya when it was such a cloudy and rainy day. Dambulla was worth the ride out though, absolutely amazing. I'll just have to save Sigiriya for another time!
Siraj Great guide
lisahW798FY,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Siraj was a Great Guide and can strongly recommend. He made additional stops and gave a lot of infos.
Fantastic 12-hour tour with Adhil
CityCobra73,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was to be one of the highlights of our Sri Lanka tour and we were not disappointed. Adhil is a very pleasant and prudent guide who has responded to all our wishes and always provided us with information about the various excursion destinations. In short, we can recommend everyone to book this tour with "Aailia Tours Kandy".
Amazing driver and guide!
292leok,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Adhil was a great driver and an excellent companion. He is very professional, helpful, and made our trip much more enjoyable. I highly recommend his services to anyone traveling in Sri Lanka!
Very nice day discovery
jerome d,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our driver IRFAN arrived as agreed on time at our hotel, throughout the day he was valuable advice in making us discover all the specifics of this beautiful country. He accompanied and directed us on most of the visits to give us historical or cultural indications. He even offered us culinary specialties for our breakfast. A lot of nice attention and beautiful discoveries that allowed us to have a great time with him. We highly recommend it.
10 out of 5!
Antonios K,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an unforgettable experience in Sri Lanka thanks to Mr. Irfan, who was far more than just a tour guide. He was our driver, photographer, organizer, and local expert all in one. From the majestic Sigiriya to Buddhist and Hindu temples, from tasting exotic local fruits to seeing how spices are made firsthand, and ending with an incredible safari, every moment was perfectly planned and executed. Mr. Irfan was always punctual, professional, and genuinely passionate about sharing his country with us. He made sure everything ran smoothly, adapted to our interests, and captured beautiful photos that we will treasure forever. His knowledge, kindness, and attention to detail turned our trip into something truly special. If you are looking for a seamless, enriching, and memorable tour in Sri Lanka, I highly recommend this tour and of course Mr. Irfan without hesitation. This was an amazing journey that we will never forget.
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