At the heart of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle, Sigiriya Village is just a few minutes' drive, and in most cases not more than a 90-minute drive, to many of the isle's most glorious ancient temples and palaces - centuries-old monuments brought to life by years of painstaking labour, brick by arduous brick carried on foot up mountains and through rivers - and the country's best national parks.
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Lion Rock: Approximately 2-minute drive to the World Heritage Site rock fortress, built in the 4th century AD |
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Dambulla: Approximately 15-minute drive to this ancient cave temple with breathtaking wall and ceiling paintings |
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Ritigala: Approximately 30-minute drive to this range of wooded mountains where winding paths across stone bridges lead you to a 2nd century B.C. forest hermitage site |
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Matale: Approximately 60-minute drive to the Aluvihare cave temple, Nalanda Gedige - an image house, which is a composite style of architecture unique to Sri Lanka, as well as an extraordinary combination of Hinduism and Buddhism - and spice gardens |
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Hill country: Approximately 60-minute drive to velvety-green tea gardens and a truly pleasing climate |
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Mihintale: Approximately 90-minute drive to one of the most revered sites of Buddhists across the country, where the first message of Buddhism was heard in Sri Lanka |
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Polonnaruwa: Approximately 90-minute drive to see truly magnificent ruins of an ancient civilization |
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Anuradhapura: Approximately 90-minute drive to the first capital city of ancient Sri Lanka, a glorious era in the island's rich history |
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Kandy: Approximately 90-minute drive to the revered Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha |
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Minneriya National Wildlife Park: Approximately 45-minute drive to the park which is home to Sri Lanka's much loved Sambar Deer, Leopard and Elephant. The central place of pride is the ancient Minneriya Tank built in the 3rd century AD by King Mahasena, where during the dry season (June-September), herds of wild elephants gather to bathe and graze, and huge flocks of birds including the Cormorant and Painted Stork fish in the shallow waters |
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Trincomalee: Approximately 2-hour drive to the breathtaking turquoise-blue waters of the country's east coast |
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