Day tour to Sigiriya & Dambulla from Kandy by Aaliya Tours

This was a great day out, helped by a really knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide Mr. Irfan. The trip is a long day but there's lots to see and do, we left 8am and returned around 8pm so don't plan anything after. Mr Irfan talked about various as we drove past which was very interesting, and also offered a few extra stops with things to do, in addition to slowing down so we could take pictures. He seemed really proud to be able to show off the country. Although the driving may seem a bit crazy in Sri Lanka Mr Irfan was a good driver and kept us safe on the road. Unlike big tour groups there's no rushing around or telling you to be back at the bus at x time you can go at your own pace. Just be aware its a longish drive from Kandy to the sights so be prepared for a few hours in the car, and make sure you have cash for the stops. ATMs are dotted around if needed and when there Sigiriya took USD as well as local. The places themselves are beautiful and must see. Don't be too daunted by climbing the rock it's not as bad as it looks!

If you stay in Kandy, highly recommend this 1 day tour as its most efficient and fastest way to travel to Sigiriya & Dambulla at once. And 1 day prior to the day trip date, agnecy noticed me Im the only tourist arranged booking on the day but they cnfm as prviate day tour with best driver Adil. We didnt visit Sigiriya rock but spent most of time at top of Mt.Pidurangala has a very scenic landscape. Tour started 9am from Kandy and cameback around 8pm after all day lovely trip. Thank you to Adil for safe driving and cheerful day.

As the title indicates we didn’t see either of the 2 items on the Day tour Sigirya, we decided not to ourselves because of the timing and the cost. Dambulla did not happen because other things did. Shamil our driver took us on a magical mystery tour which was really fun BUT if you had set your heart on doing the things as described then I would advise being very strict and direct and saying so and asking that that was all you did. You will see why :-) . On leaving Kandy our first surprise stop was at a Hindu temple. It was beautiful. Being a Sunday there were children inside, dressed in lovely clothes, singing. Shamil insisted we pose for photos with them. The children just giggled then ignored us and carried on singing. Next stop was for coconut water, at a roadside stall, then eating the flesh from the inside with a spoon made from a piece of the shell cut of the end. Very refreshing. Onto another Buddhist temple where we met a librarian who told us something about the history of the scripts there and then wrote our names on papyrus. The next stop was lengthy, a Spice Garden. It was informative and enjoyable and ultimately expensive. The oils were probably good value in that you got more for your money than you would online in the UK and we also bought a selection of spices that would make a delicious curry. We also got a wonderful complimentary massage. BUT it all took up time. He had also stopped for lunch a wee shack cafe. Next stop was Pidurangala Rock this was the option instead of Sigirya As it is opposite it. At tthe top there are amazing panoramic views and views of Sigirya. We also saw 2 eagles. On the way back we saw an elephant in a river playing with a young boy and Shamil dived out and got us fresh avocados, really fruity. He was great fun and we had a wonderful day just not the one we had thought we were going to have but for us that didn’t matter. If it matters to you then you need to say at the start that you do not want any diversions and be very firm and you will have a lovely time with a charming driver.