Explore ancient cave at Deraniyagala
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka • 
Underrated
Underrated
Best months to visit
Jan, Feb, Mar
20°C – 29°C, january in sigiriya features warm temperatures ranging from 20°c to 29, medium crowds, peak season
20°C – 29°C, january in sigiriya features warm temperatures ranging from 20°c to 29, medium crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Steep climb with 1,200 steps; not wheelchair accessible.
Steep climb with 1,200 steps; not wheelchair accessible.
Value for money
Medium
Included with ticket; frescoes are underwhelming for some.
Included with ticket; frescoes are underwhelming for some.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Historical Insight
Couples enjoyed the pre-fortress history and unique frescoes at the base.
Romantic Setting
Perfect for couples seeking a shared adventure and intimate moments.
Easy Access
Visitors found the Boulder Garden caves easily accessible for a quick visit.
Faded Frescoes
Travelers felt the faint frescoes were underwhelming and hard to see.
Underwhelming Experience
Couples noted the cave itself is a minor attraction, easily missed.
Unclear Value
Some couples felt the cave wasn't a highlight compared to the main climb.
How to book
ViatorRECOMMENDED
Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
2h - 3h
4.8
from
USD 45
per_person
BOOK
GetyourguidePremium Experience with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
4h - 5h
4.9
from
USD 70
per_person
BOOK
KlookPrivate Full-Day Tour
Non-refundable
8h - 10h
5.0
from
USD 120
per_person
BOOK
Hours of operation
Monday
05:00 AM - 06:30 PM
Tuesday
05:00 AM - 06:30 PM
Wednesday
05:00 AM - 06:30 PM
Thursday
05:00 AM - 06:30 PM
Friday
05:00 AM - 06:30 PM
Saturday
05:00 AM - 06:30 PM
Sunday
05:00 AM - 06:30 PM
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Discover a glimpse of Deraniyagala Cave.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
HIGH
21-29°C
Cooler and very wet with high humidity.
Cooler and very wet with high humidity.
Open
High demand may lead to limited availability.
High demand may lead to limited availability.
Not recommended
December features cooler, wet conditions with high tourist activity due to the holiday season, leading to higher prices and potential availability issues.
December features cooler, wet conditions with high tourist activity due to the holiday season, leading to higher prices and potential availability issues.
January
MEDIUM
20-29°C
January in Sigiriya features warm temperatures ranging from 20°C to 29.3°C, with moderate rainfall averaging 42mm over 16 days.
January in Sigiriya features warm temperatures ranging from 20°C to 29.3°C, with moderate rainfall averaging 42mm over 16 days.
Open
No significant restrictions.
No significant restrictions.
Recommended
January offers pleasant weather conditions suitable for exploring the ancient caves at Deraniyagala in Sigiriya. It's advisable to book accommodations in advance due to higher demand during this peak season.
January offers pleasant weather conditions suitable for exploring the ancient caves at Deraniyagala in Sigiriya. It's advisable to book accommodations in advance due to higher demand during this peak season.
February
MEDIUM
20-31°C
February experiences slightly warmer temperatures between 20°C and 31°C, with reduced rainfall averaging 72mm over 8 days.
February experiences slightly warmer temperatures between 20°C and 31°C, with reduced rainfall averaging 72mm over 8 days.
Open
No significant restrictions.
No significant restrictions.
Recommended
February continues to provide excellent conditions for visiting Sigiriya's ancient caves. Early reservations are recommended to secure preferred accommodations.
February continues to provide excellent conditions for visiting Sigiriya's ancient caves. Early reservations are recommended to secure preferred accommodations.
March
MEDIUM
22-31°C
March sees temperatures ranging from 21.9°C to 31.1°C, with lower rainfall averaging 52mm over 7 days.
March sees temperatures ranging from 21.9°C to 31.1°C, with lower rainfall averaging 52mm over 7 days.
Open
No significant restrictions.
No significant restrictions.
Recommended
March offers warm and relatively dry conditions ideal for exploring Sigiriya's ancient caves. Booking in advance is advisable due to ongoing peak season demand.
March offers warm and relatively dry conditions ideal for exploring Sigiriya's ancient caves. Booking in advance is advisable due to ongoing peak season demand.
How to get there
Bus
Recommended
Buses are available from Colombo (Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal) to Dambulla, then local buses to Sigiriya. From Kandy, direct buses go to Dambulla. The Sigiriya bus stop is a short walk from the ticket counter.
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis and tuk-tuks are available from major cities like Colombo and Kandy, providing direct travel to the Sigiriya site. Local tuk-tuks are common from nearby towns like Dambulla.
Train
Recommended
The nearest train station is in Habarana. From Habarana Railway Station, hire a taxi or tuk-tuk for the 20-25 minute drive to the Sigiriya site.
Bike
Bicycles are suitable for exploring the immediate vicinity of Sigiriya, but not for long-distance travel to Deraniyagala.
Car
Driving is a flexible option. From Colombo, take the A1 and A6 highways. Parking is available near the main entrance and ticket office.
Shuttle
Shuttle services may be available through tour operators or accommodations, offering organized transfers to the site.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Not suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required