Sigiriya is in the district of Matale, and is known to be the home of UNESCO’s 8^th wonder of the world, Sigiriya rock. The rock holds the ruins of the late King Kashyapa’s “Sky Palace”. What remained of an ancient volcano was carved and chiseled to look like a lion, which is known to be symbolic of pride and royalty. Today, only the paws of the lion on either side of the staircase remain.

Plan your trip

There are 1200 steps that have to be climbed in order to reach the top of the rock; keep in mind that it will also be crowded on the way. The best way to avoid the traffic would be by going on weekdays, and not on public holidays. The gates open at 7 am, so starting a little after that is advisable.

The ideal weather for this activity would be from January to April, and from July to September. It can be quite windy, as well as sunny; so be prepared for both instances.

There are some areas which don’t allow flash photography. If these rules are not followed, there is a possibility that your camera equipment will be confiscated.

If you plan your climb through a hotel, they are most likely to provide a guide for you, but if they don’t there are also reliable guide books that you can purchase. You should also expect to see a colorful array of vendors selling products from fizzy drinks to snacks at the foot of the rock.

There is also a museum that you can visit which the payment for your ticket covers.

The Gardens

One of the gardens consists of old toppled boulders that once held the fortress together. Upon close inspection, some inscriptions can be seen on them.

There are also water gardens with ancient bathing pools which were built for the pleasure of the royals, and fountains that thrived on the principles of gravity and pressure. These hydraulic systems are testimonies to the advanced architectural technology that existed at the time.

The Frescoes

The walls of the caves in the rock are decorated with the paintings of nude women; perhaps the King’s wives, concubines or even nymphs. These women are known as the Sigiriya’s damsels.

These paintings are the only non-religious paintings to survive in Sri Lanka.

Although some of the damsels hold the mistakes of the artist; like a few extra hands, they are still captivating in their beauty.

The Mirror wall

A wall that used to be highly polished so that the King could see his own reflection in it still stands to this day. It is now known as a graffiti wall, and holds the writings and poems of visitors that date back to the 8^th century. Although this is not allowed anymore, some of the words on this wall can still be read, and are enriched with the beauty of Sri Lankan literature.

The Summit

The remains of what once was a great palace can be seen at the top of the rock, perched on the different levels, as well the gardens that its occupants maintained. Surrounding it all is a bird’s eye view that stretches over forest cover and the vast expanse of the ocean; truly gaining it’s right to be the “Sky palace”.

Horton plains; a national park wedged between Nuwara Eliya and Haputale, is known for its abundance of endemic flora and fauna, which ultimately led to it being declared a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s also known for being the home of World’s end, and Bakers falls. It’s the perfect place for bird enthusiasts, and any person who loves a challenging hike.

Planning your trip

The best time to visit would be from November to March, but if you are hoping to see any leopards or other animals, August would be ideal.

Hiking in the morning before 10 am increases the possibility of being able to avoid the fog; especially from May to July. The park usually opens at around 6 am, so get there as early as possible. 

The entire hike would take around 3 hours or more, and being at least moderately fit would be preferable as the hike is quite strenuous.

Bringing food and drinks in to the park is allowed, but if the packaging is made out of plastic or polythene, the workers will provide you with an alternative paper bag. Water bottles are allowed, but their labels will be removed. This is practiced in order to prevent the park from any possible pollution.

Light, warm clothing would be the best option; as it is quite cold and windy up there. Make sure you are able to move around comfortably in whatever you decide to wear. Staying hydrated along the way should also be prioritized.

On the route

The path starts off easy as you just walk through grasslands. Then it’ll start to get harder as you approach the cloud forest, where you will have to climb stairs solely made out of mud which is held together by tree roots. You will also come across very rocky areas which require some well thought out maneuvering.

Along the way to the main sights, you’ll also come across Mini World’s end, the smaller version of World’s end. You will also see little bridges crossing over streams as Horton Plains is the catchment area of all of Sri Lanka’s major rivers.

For fauna; a variety of birds fly in the air, bear monkeys hang in the trees, and sambar deer roam around freely while you travel, but these are just a few examples of the many animals that are known to wander throughout the park.  Horton plains is also known for sightings of the Fishing Cat; a mammal that’s declining in popularity, and has been declared an endangered species by the IUCN. There have also been sightings of the slender Loris, a primate which was presumed to be extinct.

As for flora; you will also pass many spices that grow in the wild, such as cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon. The path is also decked with plants and flowers that attract an array of insects like butterflies.

World’s end

This is the escarpment that has a drop of about 900 m, almost as if it was the edge of the world; giving it its name. The drop is not protected so do take care when you try to look over.

You will be provided with a boastful view of all the houses that line the hills, and land that stretches out for miles. When it’s not foggy, you will even be able to see the Southern Coast.

Baker’s falls

After you feel like you’ve had your head in the clouds for long enough, you could follow a path that will lead you to Baker’s falls, where you can enjoy the cooling spray of the water, and then proceed to make your way back to the entrance.