Sigiriya & Hiriwaduna Village Tour from Sigiriya

<p>Sigiriya, also called Lion Rock Situated in central Sri Lanka consisting of the ruins of an ancient stronghold that was built in the late 5th century on a remarkable monolithic rock pillar. Sigiriya was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. </p>

<p>The rock, which is so steep that its top overhangs the sides, rises to an elevation of 1,144 feet above Sea level and is some 600 feet above the surrounding plain. The Sinhalese king Kashyapa built a palace in the shape of a monumental lion on the several acres of ground at the summit, intending it to be a safeguard against his enemies. </p>

<p>However, the king was defeated in 495, and the palace fell into ruin. The site soon became a pilgrimage destination, however, and it is now a popular tourist spot. Visitors begin the final ascent </p>

<p>Hiriwadunna is a beautiful village shaded on either side by a dry zone shrub forest, with unpaved gravel paths and humble village folk will give you a chance to witness the environment of a typical Sri Lankan village life and spot a few unique species of birds. </p>

<p>A ride on a bullock cart along a dirt track and through rice paddies down to the picturesque Hiriwadunna Lake will leave you with a sense of peacefulness. </p>

<p>This is an unforgettable experience for visitors and will most definitely be one of the places they feel most at peace, during the time spent in Sri Lanka.<br /><br /></p>