Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lanka is known as the 8th wonder of the world. It is an ancient rock fortress which dates back to the 5th Century, but settlers have visited it for more than 5,000 years. In its heyday, the fortress was carved into a gigantic lion and was virtually impenetrable. Nowadays though the fortress is no more and it is one of the main tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. Each year tourists flock here to conquer the 1,200 steps leading to the summit and, in April, my husband and I were two of them. If you are wondering how to climb Sigiriya, especially if you aren’t somebody who goes to the gym each night, then this post is for you. I’ll cover everything you need to know from the perspective of somebody who doesn’t often do this sort of thing!
How to Climb Sigiriya | Your Quick Guide
What to Know Before Climbing
Costs and Tickets
A tourist ticket to Sigiriya costs. $30 USD and you can buy these on the day. There is an option to buy your tickets online, but we didn’t even need to queue to get ours when we arrived so there isn’t any need to do this.
What to Bring
The main things you need to bring are the essentials for any hike in a warm country. Bring as much water as you can; it gets hot really quickly and there is nowhere to buy it once you get climbing. We found the paths okay to climb, but there were some places where it got slippery. I would suggest good trainers (walking boots are overkill). Lastly, make sure that you bring a hat, suncream and mosquito repellent.
Top Tip: There are lots of stray dogs all around Sigiriya. Our guide brought some dog biscuits which really helped out these friendly pooches!
When to Climb
We did a lot of research on when the best time would be. A lot of people said to climb first thing in the morning (from 7:00am) when it is cooler. In Sri Lanka it gets warm really quickly and much of the path, especially the last ascent, is totally exposed. I would suggest going as early as you can, or during the evening. The latest ticket you can buy is at 4:00pm and the temperature drops drastically in the evening. We began our climb at around 08:30, which was too late as the temperature was already high.
Your Climb
I remember thinking how on Earth was I going to climb Sigiriya, especially when we first saw it. In the heat it can be a really challenging task but, luckily, the climb is broken down into a few key stages. Here are your checkpoints along the way and I would suggest stopping at each to catch your breath.
The Boulder Gardens
This is the first part of the fortress and you’ll know you’re here when you see two giant rocks that close together and form an arch. Between them are the first steps that go up towards the summit. You don’t necessarily need to stop here, but it is a good place to top up on any suncream or take some quick ‘before’ photos!
The Lion’s Paw Area
Once you climb up the steps from the gate, you’ll reach the Terraced Gardens. Some of this climb is up a newly-installed ramp, which really makes it easier. However, not too long after (once you hit the Mirror Wall level), you’ll be faced with some really steep steps heading up to the Lion’s Paw area. This is one of the most challenging parts of the climb, so take your time; slowly is how most people climb to the top of Sigiriya.
Once you get to the Lion’s Paw area, I would strongly suggest resting and taking in the view. There is some shade here too if you want to cool down. The next part is the hardest…
Stairs up to the Sky Palace
The climb up to the Sky Palace is one of the scariest things I’ve done. The steps are metal and are attached to the side of the rock, making it challenging for sufferers of vertigo! Fortunately, there are two staircases and you can climb slowly up towards the summit.
Going back to timings, I would again emphasise the importance of doing this in the cooler part of the day. It is difficult work and the sun makes it even more challenging. There is no shelter and, due to the one-way system of the stairs, once you get going it is difficult to get second thoughts.
The Sky Palace
The Sky Palace makes it all worth it. You are greeted by some of the best views I’ve ever seen (seriously, they were amazing) and can take your time to explore. The ruins are similar to Machu Picchu in terms of location and style, and it is incredible to think that this was essentially home to a 5th Century King who liked the finer things in life. There is also an ancient swimming pool which he would swim in. Walking around will take you 20-25 minutes and it is the perfect opportunity to take some incredible photos, especially during the early evening.
The Descent – Mirror Wall and the Sigiriya Paintings
I found the way down a lot easier than the way up, despite being slightly terrified of the view down from the Sky Palace. Once you climb down from the Lion’s Paw, you’ll get to the Mirror Wall. This is the ‘orange stripe’ that you see on Sigiriya from a distance and once had a mirror-like plaster placed upon it to entertain the king and his visitors. Nowadays it is far more dull, but it is not difficult to imagine how spectacular it used to be.
Nearby is a spiral staircase that leads into the rock. After climbing up Sigiriya, the last thing I wanted to do was more climbing. However, I was glad that I did go up as this is home to ancient paintings of women who used to be a part of the king’s harem. You cannot take any photographs here, but the paintings are certainly impressive when you consider that they are over 1,500 years old!
Is Sigiriya Worth It?
Climbing Sigiriya was one of the best travel moments I’ve ever had. Not only did I get a massive sense of accomplishment, but I also saw some of the most incredible views and architecture I’ve ever seen. I know that $30 USD is a hefty price tag, especially for solo travellers who want to keep budgets down, but it is really worth every penny. If you don’t do it, I promise you will regret it.
Final Thoughts | How to Climb Sigiriya
I loved my time in Habarana and Sigiriya was the highlight of it. Honestly, I don’t think that I’ll experience anything like it again soon and I am so happy that I – somebody who is not great with heights or who is really into fitness – managed to climb to the top. I would lastly say that if you can, then go and climb it. I promise it will be worth the sweat and tiredness!
