Sigiriya

I have visited the pyramids of Giza, Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat, and the Taj Mahal — and Sigiriya stands comfortably alongside every single one of them as one of the true wonders of the ancient world. Nothing in any photograph or travel article I had read prepared me for the reality of standing at the base of this extraordinary rock and looking straight up at the sheer scale and drama of it rising from the jungle. The climb was challenging but every single step was rewarded with something new and remarkable — the ancient water gardens, the breathtaking frescoes painted 1,500 years ago on the bare rock face, the Mirror Wall, the Lion Paws, and finally the summit with its extraordinary ruins and the most spectacular view I have ever seen from any vantage point anywhere on earth. Sigiriya is a genuine wonder of the world and visiting it was the greatest single travel experience of my life.

Jonathan M.

United Kingdom

I am an art historian by profession and Sigiriya moved and amazed me in ways that very few places in the world ever have. The frescoes of the celestial maidens painted directly onto the rock face in the 5th century AD are among the most extraordinary surviving examples of ancient painting anywhere on earth — the skill, the beauty, and the remarkable state of preservation of these images after fifteen centuries of tropical weather is simply breathtaking. But beyond the frescoes the entire site is a masterpiece of ancient planning, engineering, and artistic vision that speaks of a civilisation of extraordinary sophistication and ambition. The views from the summit looking out across the jungle to the distant horizon in every direction are overwhelming in their beauty and scale. Sigiriya is without question one of the greatest sites of human achievement I have ever had the privilege of visiting.

Isabella R.

Italy

I will be completely honest — I am not the most enthusiastic climber and when I saw Sigiriya rising from the jungle for the first time I had a moment of genuine doubt about whether the climb was for me. Our guide offered exactly the right combination of encouragement and practical advice and we took it slowly and steadily with plenty of rest stops along the way. Every single rest stop offered a new and incredible view or discovery that made the effort completely worthwhile. By the time we reached the summit and the entire landscape of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle spread out before us in the golden morning light I was completely overwhelmed with a sense of achievement and wonder that I have rarely experienced anywhere in my travels. Sigiriya is extraordinary. Do not let the climb put you off — just take your time and enjoy every magnificent moment of it.

Ryan C.

Australia