A Sigiriya itinerary for 1, 2 or 3 days, hour by hour

The one rule: work around the heat

Sigiriya is in Sri Lanka's dry zone. By 11 am the rocks are hot to the touch, and by 2 pm everyone sensible is asleep. So every plan below does the same thing: climb early, rest at midday, and go out again in the afternoon for the safari or the softer light.

That rhythm is the reason to stay close to the rocks rather than in Dambulla or Habarana. You can be back in a cool room in 10 minutes. More on where to stay.

Pick how long you have

Times are for a typical day. Sunrise moves between about 5:45 and 6:30 through the year: see the sunrise planner.

Which safari park?

Three parks are within about 45 minutes, and the elephants move between them with the water. Ask a jeep driver who goes out every day: he'll know which park has the herds that week.

• Minneriya: usually best from about June to October, when hundreds of elephants gather on the drying lake bed ("The Gathering", around August and September).
• Kaudulla: often better from about August to December.
• Hurulu Eco Park: a good choice in the wetter months, roughly November to April.

Jeeps hold about 6. Ask for a shared jeep if there are only two of you. A half day jeep is about LKR 9,000 to 12,000, plus park tickets. Full details are in our elephant safari guide.

Got a fourth day?

• Anuradhapura: the ancient capital, with huge stupas and the sacred Bodhi tree. It's a full day, about 1.5 to 2 hours each way.
• Ritigala: forest monastery ruins in the jungle, with almost nobody else there. Go in the morning, about 1 hour away.
• Do nothing: a slow breakfast, a cycle round the village lanes and a long afternoon on the verandah. Underrated.

Planning your days: quick questions