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hosting travellers for years and can provide
lots of useful tips about the rock and region.
Rooms are basic (some share bathrooms), but
adequate enough and certainly inexpensive.
It’s close to both the rock and village centre.
The Hideout Sigiriya loDGE $$
(%077 771 6088; http://sigiriyahideout.com; r incl
breakfast US$58-79; aWs) The aptly named
Hideout is indeed a real escape, tucked away
at the end of a dirt road surrounded by fields
and with viewing treehouses for spotting birds
(including eagles and peacocks). It’s extreme-
ly peaceful here. Rooms are spacious but per-
haps a little prosaic for the prices asked. Still,
the setting is lovely and the welcome is warm.
Upali, the charming elderly owner is a
worldly gent who lived in Japan for years and
has travelled the globe. Located 7km west of
the village.
Fresco Water Villa HotEl $$
(%228 6160; http://www.frescowatervilla.com; r US$85;
aWs) A new three-storey modern hotel
with minimalist rooms kitted out with stylish
furniture and finished in subdued colours. It’s
set off the road and the 25m pool is heaven
after a hard day tackling the rock. However
the in-house restaurant is pricey. It’s 5km west
of the village centre.
Hotel Sigiriya HotEl $$
(%228 6821; http://www.serendibleisure.com; Hotel rd; r
from US$87; ais) There are truly remark-
able views of the rock from the dining and
pool areas at this hotel. Rooms are spacious
enough but the decor could perhaps use an
update. Lots of tour groups stay here and it’s
also popular with twitchers, lured by its resi-
dent naturalist who leads much-lauded bird-
watching trips (Rs 2000).
Jetwing Vil Uyana l UXUrY HotEl $$$
(%228 6000; http://www.jetwinghotels.com; Kibissa; r
US$163-370; aiWs) For natural-world im-
mersion – crocodiles in the pond, monitor
lizards in the grass and occasional visiting
elephants – the Jetwing is a great choice. The
huge, individual chalets (book a ‘water’ or ‘for-
est’ dwelling for the best views) have a rustic
look outside but inside are equipped with all
mod cons (including Bose sound systems).
A resident naturalist is on hand to give
walking tours, there’s a yoga instructor, and
the cuisine (and dining room setting) are su-
perb. It’s 7km west of the village.
Elephant Corridor l UXUrY HotEl $$$
(%228 6951; http://www.elephantcorridor.com; Kibissa;
r from US$220; aiWs) Set in over 80 hec-
tares of unfenced grasslands, this high-end
hotel is a terrific place to spot wildlife. Igua-
nas, monitor lizards and mongooses are all
regularly encountered and wild elephants
wander through the area. The villas are spec-
tacular and incredibly spacious, all with pri-
vate indoor plunge pools and there’s a good
spa and pool set in a forest clearing.
Rack rates are steep but web deals can drop
tariffs to around US$100 a night. Located 7km
west of the village.
Chooti S rI lANKAN $
(mains rs 180-300; h7am-9pm; W) Cooking up a
rotti storm, this likeable shop-cum-restaurant
serves up delicious, freshly cooked sweet and
savoury rotti bread by the roadside (and good
meals too). Suck on a fresh coconut or slurp
on a fruit shake and you’re sated. It’s in the
centre of the village.
7 Shopping
Sigiriya Crafts Complex HANDICrAFtS
(Sigiriya rd; h8am-6pm) Artisans and crafts-
people, including wood carvers and sculptors,
are based at this government-run crafts vil-
lage about midway between Inamaluwa and
Sigiriya.
8 Information
Stock up on cash elsewhere as there are no banks
in Sigiriya and the nearest AtM is in tiny Kimbissa,
5km west of the village. You’ll find plenty of banks
in Dambulla, the nearest town.
Head to Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/
sri-lanka/the-ancient-cities/sigiriya) for planning
advice, author recommendations, traveller re-
views and insider tips.8 Getting There & Around
Sigiriya is about 10km east of the Inamaluwa
junction on the main road between Dambulla and
Habarana. Buses to/from Dambulla run about
every 30 minutes from 6.30am to 6.30pm (rs 28,
45 minutes). A three-wheeler between Dambulla
to Sigiriya is around rs 800.
Sigiriya and its surrounds are ideally explored by
bike ( rs 300 per day) or scooter (rs 1500); most
guesthouses can organise rentals.Habarana
%066 / POP 8700
This small town serves as a base for Sigiriya
and safaris to Minneriya and Kaudulla Na-
tional Parks. There’s a fast-expanding range
of accommodation in the surrounding area,
including lots of new luxury places. Transport