Joanna James
As a city that's located within the Cultural Triangle, Dambulla has often been considered a spiritual epicentre rather than a playground for adventurists. Here are 7 engaging activities that may change your mind about how Dambulla is one of Sri Lanka's adventure capitals.
Although Sigiriya Rock is the area's most famous attraction; the hike up Pidurangala Rock ironically provides spectacular views of the iconic Lion Rock. Located within 30 minutes of the heart of Dambulla city centre, this hiking hotspot is a rocky outcrop that is the wilder cousin of the Palace in the Sky which is the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Those in search of adventure will find that the best time to trek up Pidurangala Rock is during the early morning hours as it is the perfect venue to catch a glorious sunset over the horizon.
No trip to Dambulla would be complete without exploring one of Sri Lanka's most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ranked among some of the top things to do on the island, this palace/fortress lies atop a volcanic plateau measuring in at 200m in height. In addition to being a natural wonder, the venue is also an architectural marvel with its own water gardens, ancient irrigation system and ruins. The Mirror Wall, the Sigiriya frescoes and the Lion Paws are just some of the main highlight that greets visitors who hike up to the summit of the mountain where the remains of other ancient structures are found.
Ranked among the top safari hubs in the country, the Minneriya National Park is the perfect sanctuary for a 4x4 adventure. Herds of elephants, deer, bears, and boars are just some of the inhabitants of this national park. Home to nearly three hundred elephants, the best time to embark on a wildlife safari at Minneriya is during the dry season from June to August.
Whether one is religiously inclined or not, one cannot argue with how awe-inspiring the jungle setting of the Dambulla Cave Temple happens to be. Divided into 5 caves, this temple which dates back to the 1st century B.C is located in the heart of a forest atop a towering mountain thick with foliage. The hike up to the temple is an adventure in itself as one is likely to come across various plant life and bird species.
Those who are fortunate enough to be visiting during cricket season or an international cricket tournament can catch a game at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium. ranked among Sri Lanka's largest sports arenas, the stadium packs in crowds of 30,000+ on game days.
Tourists based at Amaya Lake or other centrally situated hotels in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, should also explore this manmade jungle. Dating back to the 1960s, the area is now a wildlife haven where spotted Deer, Black Naped Hares, and Rock Squirrels congregate.
Although it's called a lake, Kandalama is a massive reservoir built more than 17000 years ago by King Vasabha. The best way to appreciate the beauty of this body of water is to sign up for a biking tour around its periphery.
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