Things to do
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Dambulla Cave Temple
Five caves cut into an overhanging cliff hold about one hundred and fifty Buddha images, some carved from the living rock, under ceilings painted to the contour of the stone. Pilgrims have used the site since the first century before the common era. Steps up the hill are open to the sun, shoes are left at the entrance, and monkeys take loose bags.
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Minneriya National Park
Elephants come to Minneriya for the grass that grows on the bed of a third century reservoir as the water drops, and the gathering can run to hundreds of animals in one afternoon. Jeeps leave in the late afternoon from Habarana. Numbers move between Minneriya, Kaudulla and Hurulu depending on the season, so operators pick the park on the day.
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Pidurangala Rock
Across the road from Sigiriya, a shorter scramble ends on a boulder ledge that faces the fortress rock head on, which is why sunrise climbers choose it. The path begins at a working monastery, passes a reclining Buddha and finishes with a clamber over rocks that needs hands. Shoulders covered at the temple, and a torch helps before first light.
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Polonnaruwa
Sri Lanka's medieval capital left a compact field of brick palaces, council chambers and stupas, with the four colossal Buddhas of Gal Vihara carved from one wall of granite at its northern end. Distances between groups suit a bicycle, and shade is scarce once the sun is up. A full day allows the museum and the outlying ruins.
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Sigiriya Rock Fortress
A granite plug rising roughly one hundred and eighty metres from the plain carries the remains of a royal citadel built by King Kassapa in the fifth century, reached by stairs through a lion's paws and past a gallery of painted court women. The climb is exposed and the metal stairways bottleneck, so first opening or late afternoon works best. Water gardens spread below.
