Sigiriya Sri Lanka travel pictures & information

Rock Fortress Outside Sigiriya at a distance

The fortress dominates the landscape. Up close, it's even more impressive, as is the view from the top, some 600 feet (182 metres) from the bottom.

An RAF veteran told me how, during WWII, he and his fellow pilots relied on this pillar of stone to guide them to their nearby base. (There were no night flights.)

Sigiriya Fortress

The fortress, which dates back to the 5th century, is set amidst a park land. Almost all the top surface is ruins -- the foundation, swimming pool and a few low crumbling walls are all that remain of the Royal Palace.

Sri Lanka's ubiquitous vendors clog the stairs around the exit pestering one and all.

Access to Fortress

This is the easiest part of the path -- the approach to the base of the stairs.

Near the start of the stair-trail, there's a sheltered alcove with ancient frescoes.

Entrance fees are to be paid at a booth before the start of the path.

Halfway to the Top

About half way up the fortress, there's a wide lookout where vendors (that, for once, you are glad to see) sell bottles of cold water. From the stairs, you can see large wasp nests hanging down close to the stairs, though their inhabitants took no notice of us.

My climb started shortly after 9 a.m., when the site opens, and took several hours to climb up and back, with lots of time at the top to admire the view. Though the day was overcast, it was still very hot and humid. There's as steady stream of visitors, so the pace on the narrow walkway is steady, too.

Huffing and puffing my way to the top as early in the morning as it was, I met three elderly, barefoot women clad in saris, who had obviously made the climb much faster than I.

Top of Sigiriya Fortress

The 360-degree view shows why this site was an impregnable fortress.

Not only could rulers of old see daytime attackers from a great distance, or their nighttime campsites, they were also secure knowing attackers could not scale the sheer cliffs undetected.

Not long before my visit, I was told, a tourist from Germany took a step off the top, and fell to his death. Alcohol and great heights do not mix well.

Sigiriya Village Hotel Gardens

A short walk downhill from the Hotel Sigiriya is the Sigiriya Village Hotel. (The names are similar, so pay attention when booking.) This hotel was a pit stop on The Amazing Race television show.

The grounds were quite lovely, with a large swimming pool, and a good dining room. Meals were served buffet style, with breakfast-time omelette stations, and after-dinner entertainment. A loud racket on the roof early one morning turned out to be the resident monkeys, that could usually be seen swinging through the garden's trees.

The rooms were very spacious and comfortable, with television and air conditioning; and a candle and matches in case the lights went out. The attendants placed nosegays of flowers each night when they turned down the covers.

A resident gecko kept the mosquitoes at bay, though coils were provided. Pack your flashlight, as power interruptions often occur.

Sigiriya Village Hotel spa

This is in the lovely ayurvedic spa on the grounds, with a doctor of ayurvedic medicine on staff. Sessions may be booked at the front desk, and charged to your room.

The spa itself is located in a separate building a minute's walk from the lobby. This was my first experience with the treatments, which make liberal use of herbal and other natural oils.

TIP Wear a swim suit to the spa, as it's easier to wash than clothing.

As with many spas visited, the rates are so reasonable by western standards, I booked as many treatments as I could find time for. And trying not to overtip the practioner was a losing battle.

Though indicative of the great satifaction with the therapist and the treatments, overtipping is demeaning to the recipient.