Is the 36 USD Sigiriya ticket actually worth it
I am torn The Sigiriya foreigner ticket went up again this year to roughly 36 USD while Pidurangala next door is 1000 LKR and apparently has the better view of the Lion Rock itself For an architecture nerd interested in 5th century palaces is the climb to the actual fortress mandatory or can I skip and just visit the gardens plus Pidurangala
5 Answers from travellers
For an architecture nerd you cannot skip Sigiriya itself The frescoes on the mirror wall the lion paws the water gardens with hydraulic pressure systems and the engineered staircases between boulders are unique on the planet Pidurangala gives you the view but Sigiriya gives you the substance Do both Pidurangala at 0530 for sunrise (cheap entry pure cardio climb) then walk over and enter Sigiriya at 0900 once it opens to beat the heat
SAARC nationals get 50 percent off Sigiriya bring your passport at the ticket counter EU and other discounts do not apply
Hornets warning is real I saw a stretcher come down past the lion paws in February Move quietly past the warning signs and do not use perfume or strong deodorant before climbing
I did Pidurangala only last year regret it I saw Sigiriya from outside but never walked the gardens or saw the frescoes 36 USD feels steep until you realise it is a UNESCO site with active conservation
Avoid 11 AM to 2 PM the rock heats up to 45 degrees and the steel handrails burn your hands Climb starts 0700 latest in summer
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