Aliya Resort and Spa

Undiscovered Sri Lanka

Wildlife & Nature Go Local + 3 more + 3 more

Explore Sri Lanka beyond the usual tourist trail.

17 days

from £4,932 pp

Classic Sri Lanka

A classic two-week route through Sri Lanka’s highlights.

Classic Beach + 3 more + 3 more

from £4,020 pp

Sri Lanka Family Holiday

Sri Lanka, designed with families in mind.

Family Beach + 2 more + 3 more

from £4,060 pp

Active Sri Lanka

Dive into action with Sri Lanka’s best hiking, rafting, and wildlife encounters.

Safari Adventure + 1 more + 2 more

from £4,260 pp

The Wildlife of Sri Lanka

Safari Wildlife & Nature + 1 more + 2 more

A wildlife-focused journey through Sri Lanka’s National Parks.

12 days

from £3,830 pp

Luxury Sri Lanka

Experience the best of Sri Lanka, with plenty of indulgence along the way.

Romantic Luxury + 1 more + 2 more

from £8,430 pp

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in Sri Lanka

Pidurangala Rock Climb (Sunrise)

Pidurangala Rock is adjacent to Sigiriya Rock and is the best viewing spot of Sigiriya Rock as it is only slightly lower. Pidurangala is a popular spot for sunrise hikes as you can enjoy 360-degree views of not only the valleys and jungle scenery but also Sigiriya Rock. Halfway through the hike, you will reach the Royal Cave Temple which only has a few remains left. A huge reclining Buddha lays inside the temple and is definitely worth the visit. We recommend doing this hike very early in the morning, arriving at the top of the Rock about 30 mins before official sunrise in order to get the most stunning views. At this time of day before the heat of the sun, the ascent should only take between 20 and 45 mins depending on fitness levels.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

This half-day tour takes us to the ancient city of Sigiriya; Sri Lanka’s short lived yet most extraordinary medieval capital. It sits atop a huge flat-topped outcrop that soars 180m high, dominating the jungle on every side. On closer inspection what you’ll find are pleasure gardens, a series of ancient frescos, as well as staircases leading to the remains of a palace. The 5th century AD saw this monastery transformed into a unique combination of urban planning as well as natural and imaginatively landscaped gardens, with ingenious ancient hydro engineering. Otherwise known as the ‘Lion’s Rock’, Sigiriya was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and it remains one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic attractions. It’s not only a unique archaeological site but also an incredible geological formation that offers outstanding views of the scenery below. The walk up to the rock is fascinating, passing through the ruins of water gardens that still activate fountains on a rainy day. You’ll also pass the boulder gardens before beginning the climb through the terraced gardens. An extraordinary 1202 steps takes you to the top of Sigiriya, the climb seems difficult, however the continuous climb is broken up by short terraces at regular intervals to make it less strenuous. At the half way mark a short flight of stairs will take you to the paintings of the Sigiriya maidens, which is a real highlight. There were 500 frescos originally, only about 50 remain today. You will also see the mirror wall with its ancient and barely decipherable graffiti. The climb from the lions paw to the top of the rock is along a narrow metal stairway with railings. For some the climb is difficult and requires a certain degree of energy but it’s worth it as the views from the summit of the rock are spectacular. We recommend visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the temperature is cooler.

Polonnaruwa Ancient City Ruins

This half-day tour takes you from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa. It’s the second great capital of Sri Lanka, after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. Polonnaruwa is arguably better preserved than Anuradhapura and is certainly more accessible. It’s made up of both Bramanic monuments built by the Cholas, as well as the ruins of a fantastic garden city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s described as a ‘shrine to Buddhism and Singhalese history’, apparent in its enormous rock carvings. The tour includes the King’s Council Chambers, the royal baths and ruins of Buddhist shrines such as the Vatadage, which is a circular relic house. It also takes in the ‘Hatadage’, where it’s believed the Sacred Tooth was placed for some time. The tour also includes a myriad of other monuments, including the gigantic rock sculpture of the Lord Buddha. Polonnaruwa is one of Sri Lanka undisputed highlights and an integral park of Sri Lanka’s ancient history.

Dambulla Cave Temple

Dambulla is well known for its remarkable and impressive cave temples, officially known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. This site has acted as a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries and is undoubtedly Sri Lanka’s best preserved and largest cave temple, with a total of five sanctuaries. Deservedly a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Golden Temple of Dambulla is an outstanding example of Sri Lanka’s religious art, with Buddhist mural paintings covering an area of 2100 m2 along with 157 Buddhist statues. Access to the caves is only possible with a gentle climb along wide sloping steps. We feel Cave 1, which has a huge statue of the reclining Buddha, and Cave 2, with an interior surface completely covered in murals, are of particular interest. This tour normally takes 1-2 hours depending on the depth of your interest. Dambulla lies approximately two hours south of Anuradhapura and is just 30 minutes from Sigiriya Rock. Therefore, it can be easily visited en route to Kandy.

Local Village Experience with Lunch

This half-day visit starts off with a ride on a traditional bullock cart along a dirt track, through rice paddies and down to the picturesque Hiriwaduna Lake. The adventure continues with a catamaran ride on the shimmering lake, which is home to a large variety of dry zone bird life. The lake offers views of the surrounding forest, marshland and tiny farming plots owned by the locals. After the catamaran ride you will take a short ride on a Land Master tractor, or walking tractor, which was designed by the Sri Lankan engineer Dr. Ray Wijewardana. He invented a number of devices to assist local farmers. Your guide will then take you on a rickshaw ride to a local home, giving you the chance to interact with a traditional family by assisting the women in preparing a Sri Lankan lunch, using traditional Sri Lankan methods of cooking. Afterwards you will enjoy the lunch you helped to prepare before a leisurely walk back to the main road.