It has been often said that cycling is one of the best ways to see and experience a country. Getting to know the natives, come in close contact with its culture and the landscape are the reason oft cited. The deeply rural area and forests around the Sigiriya fortress are great places to explore and to get acquainted with rural life in the dry zone, an area with its own particular characteristics.
There is plenty of excellent accommodation in and around Sigiriya that can be used as bases for explorations. Traversing the unpaved back roads of Sigiriya fortress by bike is the best way to experience the sights and sounds of the area. The Pidurangala archaeological site dated to the 1st and 2nd century BC just 2 km away from Sigiriya fortress is easily accessed on a bicycle. The archaeological remains and the cave temple atop the rock are noteworthy but what make the visit truly worthwhile are the gorgeous views of Sigiriya rock and the surrounding forests.
While bikers will find that the area immediately adjacent to the rock fortress is a forest reserve with endemic flora and fauna, further away they will encounter a mix of green paddy fields, irrigation canals, small reservoirs, patches of thorny scrub jungle, an occasional ‘chena’ where the forest has been burned to facilitate temporary agriculture and cattle grazing on grassy slopes. Taking a break by a canal to cool off is a lovely way to experience the rural surroundings of Sigiriya. The terrain is flat and is not too difficult to navigate on a bicycle. Bikers are also bound to come upon wildlife such as macaques, monitor lizards, small mammals, snakes, peacocks and water birds that are common on the forest tracks around Sigiriya fortress.
An early start will not only allow a greater area to be covered but it will also help to avoid the hottest time of day. Bicycles can be hired from almost all the hotels and guest houses in the area. As no travelling on the highway is involved a bike will be the ideal mode of transport to negotiate the narrow and unpaved rural tracts. Traveling by bicycle will definitely allow a deeper appreciation of the considerable natural beauty of the area. Proper safety procedures should be observed to avoid getting into uncomfortable situations.
Within easy reach of the archaeological and natural attractions of the area, Hotel Sigiriya offers well appointed accommodation and a range of services and facilities that make stays in this hotel in Sigiriya comfortable. One of prominent hotels Sigiriya it is the ideal place to relax in after a days’ sightseeing or traveling the back roads.