Alphonso

A visit to Ritigala forest monastery with a local guide

Ritigala is an extraordinary and fascinating cultural and eco-tourism site. Here you can find seventy rock caves that were believed to have been inhabited from the 1st century BC. This area is filled with a rich history, with its incredibly developed culture and brilliant design. The walks through the relics and the jungle are peaceful and feel like something out of an explorer's adventure.

  • Discover the ancient abandoned forest monastery with your expert guide.
  • Trek along shady rock-hewn paths
  • Explore a lesser-visited mountain reserve, home to wildlife resembling that of the Himalayas.
  • The picturesque setting and unspoilt reserve make for ideal photography.

Ritigala is one of the island’s lesser-known monasteries. But one of its most mysterious. It is home to 70 rock caves that were believed to have been inhabited by Buddhist monks who wanted to attain enlightenment since the first century BC.  

Ascent through the steep steps carved into rock, which lead up to a beautifully constructed pavement, a stone path 1.5 meters wide that meanders upwards through the forest, linking the major buildings of the monastery. Feast your eyes on the lush forest growth around you.As you explore the monastic areas that are spread in 700 acres, your knowledgeable host will bring Ritigala to life with his stories, giving you a glimpse of the thriving monastery that once was. The area is rich in flora, some of which are medicinal and found only here and also fauna. The dense jungle is inhabited by wild elephants, leopards and bears.The revered solitude of the Ritigala Monastery still pervades the air, while alongside it the Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve is a sanctuary of 1,582 hectares to which visitors are allowed only with special permission.

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