About this experience
The Dambulla Cave Temple sits above the plains in Matale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist places of worship. Also called the Golden Temple, the complex dates back to the 1st century BCE, and it remains a working pilgrimage site rather than a museum piece. Booking your entrance ticket online through Lakpura keeps you out of the queue at the counter, and a physical ticket is available on request.
You climb the rock staircase to the terrace, where the view opens out across the surrounding countryside, then work through five caves cut into the overhang. Inside, your local guide walks you through the murals covering the walls and ceilings and the ranks of Buddha statues filling each chamber, including the 14-metre reclining Buddha. The paintings tell episodes from the life of the Buddha, and the guide explains what you are looking at rather than leaving you to guess at it.
The price covers your entrance ticket, a guide who speaks English and taxes, and booking is confirmed instantly. Allow two hours in total, and note that food, drink and gratuities are on you. Transport is not part of the package, so make your own way to the site and back. Cancel more than 24 hours ahead for a full refund; inside that window no refund is given.
