Dambulla itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Dambulla

1. 01

   Day 1: Cave temple and a Sigiriya afternoon

   Reach the Dambulla Cave Temple soon after it opens, with shoulders and knees covered, and allow about two hours for the five caves and the Golden Buddha below. Have lunch in town, rest through the hottest hours, then drive to Sigiriya in the late afternoon if you have the energy, or simply relax at a hotel.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Dambulla Cave Temple (Royal Rock Temple)	About 2 hours	Moderate	Early morning, on a weekday; avoid the hot afternoon and full-moon (Poya) days unless you want the crowds

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Dambulla Cave Temple (Royal Rock Temple): The route climbs the rock on a sloping path and steps, with shoes off at the caves. Stone gets hot by midday and there are no lifts. Go early, pause at landings, and wear socks to protect your feet.

Plan 02

2 days in Dambulla

1. 01

   Day 1: The cave temple

   Visit the cave temple early, then the Golden Temple and its museum at the foot of the rock. Rest in the afternoon. If a cricket fixture is on, the Rangiri Dambulla stadium makes a good evening.

2. 02

   Day 2: Sigiriya or a lakeside morning

   Drive to Sigiriya at opening time for the fortress, or spend a slow morning at Kandalama beside the reservoir. Move on to Polonnaruwa or Kandy in the afternoon.

Plan 03

3 days in Dambulla

1. 01

   Day 1: Cave temple and Golden Buddha

   Cave temple at opening time, the Golden Temple, then a long rest. Walk the town at dusk.

2. 02

   Day 2: Sigiriya

   Take a car and driver to Sigiriya early, before the heat. Return to Dambulla or to a resort at Kandalama for the afternoon.

3. 03

   Day 3: Polonnaruwa or Nalanda Gedige

   Spend the day in Polonnaruwa, about 67 km east. Alternatively, on the road south, stop at Nalanda Gedige, a rebuilt stone shrine near Matale, on the way to Kandy.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Dambulla trip for parents and children

• Visit the cave temple at opening time on a weekday: the climb is easier before the heat and the caves are calmer before tour groups arrive.
• Wear socks you can take off and put on easily; shoes come off at the temple and sun-heated stone can burn bare feet in the afternoon.
• Take your time on the climb, stopping at the landings, and keep a bottle of water; there is no shortage of shade-less stretches on the rock.
• The dry zone is hot for much of the year, so keep midday free for rest and avoid sightseeing between about 11 am and 3 pm.
• Kandy, about 72 km south, has the nearest large hospital we can name; carry regular medicines and have travel insurance that covers medical evacuation.
• Ask your hotel in advance for plain, mildly spiced vegetarian meals if you have dietary needs.

Dambulla with elderly parents: the full guide →