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Sigiriya · Dambulla · Polonnaruwa · Kandy

The Cultural Triangle

The ancient capitals are active pilgrimage sites, not roped-off museums, and this is the part of the trip that surprises first-time visitors most.

Sigiriya rock fortress rising from the forest at sunrise, seen from the air

At a glance

Days here
On the 15-day tour: Days 2–7
On the 21-day tour: Days 2–5, Days 8–10
Nights in
On the 15-day tour: Anuradhapura, Habarana or Sigiriya, Kandy
On the 21-day tour: Anuradhapura, Habarana, Kandy
Pace
On the 15-day tour: four full days and two travel days.
On the 21-day tour: three full days, two travel days, one long travel day and one easy day.
Temperature
26–33° by day, 19–25° at night, through the year
Best months
Anuradhapura: February (40 mm), March (50 mm), June (40 mm)
Habarana: June (20 mm), July (40 mm), August (40 mm)
Kandy: February (70 mm), March (90 mm), June (80 mm)

Highlights

A woman sits on the rock at the top of Pidurangala, looking across to Sigiriya at sunrise

Sigiriya

On both tours

The rock fortress rises straight out of the forest, with its water gardens at the foot. The climb to the top is about 1,200 steps, done early before the heat. On the 15-day tour you can first climb neighbouring Pidurangala at sunrise for the view across to the rock.

The white Thuparamaya dagoba ringed by slender stone pillars, Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura and Mihintale

On both tours

The first ancient capital, with the sacred Bodhi tree and the great white stupas. On the 15-day tour you see it by bicycle with your guide, about four unhurried hours. Late in the day a long stone stairway climbs Mihintale, about 1,850 steps.

The round brick Vatadage at Polonnaruwa: carved guardstones flank the steps up to a seated Buddha

Polonnaruwa

On both tours

Lakeside ruins of another ancient capital. The 15-day tour rides through them by bicycle from about 14:30, back by dusk. The 21-day tour stops here on its way to Dambulla.

Inside the Dambulla cave temple: a row of standing and seated Buddha statues under a painted rock ceiling

Dambulla cave temple

On both tours

Painted cave temples under an overhanging rock, 364 steps up; cover shoulders and knees. On the 15-day tour the morning ends at the vegetable market and a Sri Lankan lunch.

A tusker elephant in front of a large herd at Minneriya

Wild elephants

On both tours

An afternoon jeep safari in an elephant park. On the 15-day tour your guide picks Minneriya, Kaudulla or Hurulu Eco Park on the day, by where the herds are. The 21-day tour goes to Minneriya.

The Temple of the Tooth on the shore of Kandy lake, reflected in still water, hills in mist behind

Kandy

On both tours

The last royal capital, by Kandy lake. Its Temple of the Tooth Relic is one of Buddhism's most sacred sites, so wear long trousers or a skirt and cover your shoulders. Kandyan dancers perform in the evening.

  • Sigiriya rock rising above the trees at the end of the straight path through its water gardens, under a clear blue sky
    Sigiriya from the water gardens
  • Mihintale's white stupa on the hilltop at sunset
    Mihintale at sunset
  • A carved moonstone, a half-circle stone with rings of animals and swans, at the foot of temple steps
    Moonstone, Anuradhapura
  • A herd of wild elephants with calves on open grassland in Kaudulla National Park
    Wild elephants, Kaudulla
  • The white dome of Ruwanweli Seya in Anuradhapura, seen from a path lined with trees
    Ruwanweli Seya, Anuradhapura
  • A Kandyan dancer in a silver headdress and beaded costume, mid-dance
    Kandyan dancer
  • The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy in warm evening light, behind its lawn and white walls
    Temple of the Tooth, Kandy
  • The white entrance buildings of the Dambulla cave temple under the overhanging rock
    Dambulla cave temple

Weather by month

MonthAnuradhapuraHabaranaKandy
DayNightRain, mmDayNightRain, mmDayNightRain, mm
Jan29°22°80 mm28°21°110 mm26°19°120 mm
Feb30°22°40 mm29°22°50 mm28°20°70 mm
Mar33°24°50 mm32°23°50 mm29°21°90 mm
Apr33°25°100 mm33°24°90 mm30°22°180 mm
May32°25°150 mm32°25°130 mm28°22°250 mm
Jun31°25°40 mm32°25°20 mm27°22°80 mm
Jul32°25°60 mm32°25°40 mm27°22°120 mm
Aug32°25°70 mm32°24°40 mm27°21°120 mm
Sep31°25°80 mm32°24°50 mm27°21°130 mm
Oct30°24°220 mm30°24°200 mm27°21°350 mm
Nov29°23°330 mm28°23°340 mm26°21°440 mm
Dec28°23°150 mm28°22°170 mm26°20°160 mm

Modelled from ERA5-Land climate reanalysis (about 9 km grid), not a single weather station.

Plan for
About 1,200 steps to the top of Sigiriya. Dambulla's cave temples add another 364.
Heat
The hottest region on the route. Sites are best before 10am, so the days start early.
Safety
No particular risks here beyond the steps and the usual safari-vehicle rules. The everyday things to watch are petty theft and tuk-tuk fares.
Food
Rice and curry, heavier on vegetables and lentils than on the coast.

Which days go here

15 days · 14 nights

21 days · 20 nights

Getting there, visa, health and money: see Before you go on the tour page.

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