Visiting Sri Lanka in September

Posted on by Sanjeewa Padmal (Seerendipity)

Sri Lanka is a tiny tropical island in Asia, but that’s the only thing small about this fascinating holiday destination. The country was known as Ceylon in the past. Sri Lanka boasts an ancient civilization dating back to the pre-Christian era, golden colour sandy beaches, and green-capped mountains, national parks teeming with leopards and elephants and tea plantations. When you are visiting Sri Lanka in September, you’ll see colonial architecture from the days when the Portuguese, Dutch and English ruled.

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Sri Lanka is a tiny tropical island in Asia, but that’s the only thing small about this fascinating holiday destination. The country was known as Ceylon in the past. Sri Lanka boasts an ancient civilization dating back to the pre-Christian era, golden colour sandy beaches, green-capped mountains, and national parks teeming with leopards and elephants and tea plantations. When you are visiting Sri Lanka in September, you’ll see colonial architecture from the days when the Portuguese, Dutch and English ruled.

The rich history of Sri Lanka goes back many thousands of years; hence, Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle with ancient monuments is considered to be must visited site on the island for travellers. The September Sri Lanka tour starts from Colombo. You will visit important historical monuments such as ancient temples, stupas and palaces in the first few days of the trip. Your cultural triangle tour either starts in Kandy or Anuradhapura depending on the travel route you choose for your September tour itinerary.

Sri Lanka grand tour, a 14-day private Sri Lanka tour offers the perfect introduction for visitors to Sri Lanka. Your customizable 14 days tour itinerary includes the cultural triangle, Sri Lanka hill country, wildlife safari, south coast and west coast beaches. From US$ 895 per person.

How is the weather in Sri Lanka in September?

Weather in the month of September can be best described as dry weather. The dry weather prevails over most parts of the country except a few areas on the south and west coast of Sri Lanka. The southwest monsoon may bring some sudden rains over the southern and western coast of Sri Lanka. Most areas of the Sri Lanka hill country, Cultural triangle, east coast and northern part of Sri Lanka experience dry weather in September.

Is September a good month of the year to visit Sri Lanka?

September marks the shoulder season in Sri Lanka, the season between the rainy season and the dry season. The travellers see bright daylight with a warm sunny weather in most parts of Sri Lanka in the shoulder season. Therefore, September is considered to be one of the best months to travel to Sri Lanka.  Due to the dry weather, the travellers have the opportunity to engage in many interesting outdoor activities such as visiting historical monuments, trekking, hiking, and basking in the sun from their beach bunk.

As the hill country of Sri Lanka has dry weather in the shoulder season, you can also visit Sri Lanka hill country tourist resorts such as Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Ella, during September. September is the ideal time of the year to visit Sri Lanka due to 3 main reasons,

  1. Low cost
  2. Good weather
  3. Less crowd

The island has two seasons in terms of tourist arrival, the peak holiday season from November through April and the off-peak holiday season from April through October. Hordes of foreign travellers arrive in the six months from November to April, which creates a high demand for accommodation and other facilities required by the travellers.

The island attracts a fewer number of travellers during the off-peak season, therefore, you can expect less crowded hotels and tourist sites in the month of September. On the other hand, due to the low demand the cost of travelling in the month of September plummets, and travellers may be able to get as much as a 25% reduction on their regular travel costs.

Best places to visit in Sri Lanka in September

With dry weather over most parts of Sri Lanka and the average temperature hovering around 30 degrees Celsius in the low country, September is a good time to travel to the most popular tourist places in Sri Lanka. Starting from the hills country resort of Ella and Nuwara Eliya to the cultural triangle cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Kandy. However, you should avoid some of the seasonal travel destinations in the month of September such as Adams Peak. Below are the 15 best places to travel in the month of September in Sri Lanka,

  1. Colombo
  2. Anuradhapura ancient city
  3. Sigiriya rock fortress
  4. Kandy ancient city
  5. Dambulla golden temple
  6. Polonnaruwa ancient city
  7. Minneriya national park
  8. Trincomalee
  9. Horton plains national park
  10. Nuwara Eliya
  11. Ella hill country resort
  12. Hikkaduwa beach
  13. Weligama beach
  14. Bentota beach
  15. Galle

Colombo tour while visiting Sri Lanka in September

Warm and sunny weather prevails in Colombo throughout the month of September. Therefore, the Colombo city tour can be included in the trip to Sri Lanka in September. Colombo has been the commercial capital of Sri Lanka for more than 2000 years. The harbour is an important part of Colombo and it was frequented by merchants from many countries such as Arab, China, India and, Greece. Colombo Harbour functioned as an international port even for many millennia. Today Colombo is a popular destination among travellers. Colombo offers many interesting tourist attractions such as pristine beaches, ancient monuments, world-class shopping malls, cafes, bars, restaurants and recreation centres.  

Visiting Sri Lanka in September; Anuradhapura tour

Anuradhapura is one of the most important tourist attractions you visit on your Sri Lanka trip in September. This ancient city is tucked away about 200 km from Colombo and it would take around 5 hours to reach Anuradhapura from Colombo. It is one of the oldest cities in the world dating back to the 3rd century BC. Much like Peru’s Machu Picchu, locals were aware of the ancient city but not many others until it was discovered by the colonial rulers in Sri Lanka in the 18s.

Anuradhapura was a flourishing city in the past and it was the capital of Sri Lanka for more than 1000 years. The city was invaded many times by the invaders and it was abandoned by Sri Lankan kings in the 10th century AD. Today, Anuradhapura is a popular tourist attraction with a large number of temples, Stupas, Buddha Statues, palaces, gardens and man-made ancient lakes.

Sigiriya rock tour while visiting Sri Lanka in September

The iconic Sigiriya rock fortress is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. It is one of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world, dating back to the 5th century AD. The engineers, archeologists and historians are taken by awe by this ancient masterpiece. Sigiriya rock fortress shows the usage of trigonometry principles and hydraulic principles. The water garden of Sigiriya is planned with swimming pools and natural fountains and they were planned by engineers with advance knowledge of water management. Today, the Sigiriya rock fortress is in a ruined state but it still has many places that are well preserved over the last many millennia.    

Exploring Kandy on your Sri Lanka trip in September

Kandy is the capital of Sri Lanka’s hill country and it is the gateway to Sri Lanka’s hill country. Kandy was the last kingdom of the Sri Lankan monarchy. The verdant hill of Kandy is the place for thriving tea plantations, vegetable plots and rubber plantations. The road trip from Colombo to Kandy is considered one of the most beautiful road trips in Sri Lanka. The travellers on this route pass verdant hills, coconut plantations, rubber plantations, rice paddies and scenic countryside.

Kandy hosts the most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The left eye tooth of Buddha, which is one of the most sacred insignia of Buddha. The tooth relic of Buddha is deposited in the tooth relic temple. Therefore, it is visited and venerated by Buddhists from all over the world.

Kandy is a city with a large number of tourist attractions such as an ancient temple, botanical garden, colonial mansions, patches of forests, trekking and hiking sites and places to shop for authentic Sri Lankan handicrafts. Kandy remains dry throughout the month of September, therefore Kandy is one of the best places to spend a few days during your September tour.   

Exploring ancient Dambulla golden temple in September

Dambulla golden temple, Better known as “Rangu Dambualu Temple” is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the world. Therefore Dambulla temple is an important tourist site in Sri Lanka and is visited by a large number of travellers. The temple harbours a large number of Buddha statues and paintings, most of which are many centuries old.

Exploring the ancient city of Polonnaruwa on your Sri Lanka tour in September

With the abandonment of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa became the capital of ancient Sri Lanka in the 10th century AD. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lank and it is a UNESCO world heritage site. Polonnaruwa is located in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanak and it is a place to see a large number of historical temples, gardens, palaces, Buddha statues and a museum and many more.

Minneriya safari in the month of September

Tucked in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, Minneriya national park is one of the best places for safari. The dry and sunny weather in the month of September makes it ideal for a safari. If you head on to the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka in September don’t miss this opportunity to encounter a wide range of wild animals in the Minneriya national park. It is estimated that around 800 wild elephants are living in Minneriya; therefore Minneriya is one of the best places to spot wild elephants. At Minneriya national park safari you will be able to witness large herds of wild elephants, these herds exceed many hundreds of wild elephants most of the time.

Visiting Trincomalee on your Sri Lanka trip in September

Trincomalee is the capital on the east coast of Sri Lanka. Trincomalee is a Tamil stronghold and a large number of people living in Trincomalee stick to Hinduism. Therefore, Trincomalee is one of the best places to see Hindu architecture, due to the concentration of a large number of Hindu temples. Trincomalee also boasts to have a well-preserved Fort built by past colonial rulers in Sri Lanka. Trincomalee is ideal to do outdoor activities in the month of September, due to the fair weather. Trincomalee is surrounded by many beaches such as Nilaveli that are ideal for a beach holiday in the month of September. The sea off Trincomalee is very supportive for swimmers, divers, and snorkelers and has very clean and clear water.

Touring Horton plains national park

Horton plains national park is one of the last remaining cloud forests in Sri Lanka and part of the Horton Plains is mountain grassland which is a popular hangout among the Sambar deer. Horton plain national park sits on a mountain that rises 2300 meters above sea level, therefore, it is the national park with the highest elevation in Sri Lanka. The national park has a very high bio-diversity and it is home to a large number of endemic fauna and flora species.  

Visiting Nuwara Eliya on Sri Lanka trip in September

Nestled at the foothills of the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya is one of the destinations to enjoy the cool climate and beautiful gardens. The city is nestled at an elevation of 1800 meters above sea level and it is one of the highest-elevated cities in Sri Lanka. It was developed during the Brutish administration in the 18s and Nuwara Eliya was the main holiday destination for ancient colonial rulers. Today this hill country resort is a very popular holiday destination among travellers around the world. September is one of the best months of the year to visit Nuwara Eliya and it has warm, sunny weather throughout the month of September.

Nuwara Eliya is a city with an amalgamation of British and Sri Lankan architecture. The city features many interesting places such as ancient monuments, beautiful gardens, waterfalls, mountain valleys, green-capped mountains, and Buddhist and Hindu temples.

Visiting Ella mountain resort in September

Nestles in the central hill of Sri Lanka, just south of Nuwara Eliya, Ella is one of the popular hill country holiday destinations among local and foreign travellers. The travellers encounter this peaceful resort on their trip on the southern route.  

The mountain resort is surrounded by green-capped mountains, picturesque tea plantations, mighty rivers, sweeping valleys and isolated patches of forests. This calm and quiet hill country resort is ideal for a peaceful and leisurely holiday. The holiday in Ella can make more interesting with a small twist while adding a few hiking, trekking and even adding a few adventure activities like waterfall abseiling and rock climbing. A trip to Ella is usually involved with many outdoor activities such as visiting a waterfall, visiting nine arch bridges, ancient temples etc. Therefore this destination should have fair weather to make your trip interesting and September is a month with warm, sunny weather in Ella.

5 things to add to your Ella tour in September are,

  1. Mini Adam’s Peak hike
  2. Ella rock hike
  3. Visiting Ravana waterfall
  4. Visiting Nine arch bridge
  5. Taking a rail trip from Ella to Kandy

Sri Lanka September beach tour in Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is a beach resort on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. Hikkaduwa is a beach lover’s paradise and it attracts a large number of travellers every year. Hikkaduwa sandwich between Colombo and Galle, This fine, palm-fringed beach stretch is located on the Galle-Colombo main highway. This beach town is packed with cheap guest houses, cafes, bars, tourist shops and restaurants. It seems the charm of this coastal belt is somewhat compromised due to the unplanned constructions. But, if you look for a nice sandy beach to spend some time leisurely and peacefully, Hikkaduwa might be the place for you.

Sri Lanka September tour to Weligama Beach

Weligama is a popular beach town on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Weligama Beach along with Mirissa attracts a large number of beach holiday lovers every year. Weligama is popular among travellers as a place for beginner-friendly surf spots due to its long sand banks and gentle waves. Weligama plays a big role in the food scene. Many dozens of beach restaurants and hotels offer delicious food varieties and Weligama is one of the best places to sample delicious Sri Lankan fish curries. Don’t forget to set yourself in a cosy corner of a beach restaurant as the sun dives into the sea and enjoys a great sunset.

Visiting Bentota Beach on your Sri Lanka trip in September

Better known as golden mile, Bentota Beach is considered to be the best beach in Sri Lanka. This palm-fringed golden colour beach is located about 75 km south of Colombo. Bentota beach resort has a very unique location, Bentota beach resort sandwiched between the Indian Ocean and the Bentota River. Only its northern tip is connected to the mainland. Bentota is one of the most well-developed beach resorts on the island. Travellers with any type of budget have the opportunity to have an enjoyable beach holiday as it provides a wide range of accommodation facilities from budget hotels to luxury accommodations such as 5-star hotels.

Places for wildlife tour in September

 Sri Lanka is an all-year-round safari holiday destination. All national parks are open throughout the year except few exceptions such as the closure of Yala national park for about 1 month during the drought season. On the Sri Lanka September tour, you will come across two national parks, they are Yala national park and Minneriya national park. Both are popular places for safaris. However, Yala national park is located on the southern tip of Sri Lanka and travellers, who opt for the tour on the southern route, will come across the Yala national park and the travellers on the northern route should have to do the safari in Minneriya national park.

Best beaches for Sri Lanka holidays in September

The east coast of Sri Lanka is a popular seasonal beach holiday destination in Sri Lanka.  Beach holiday lovers should head on to the east coast if they wish to snorkel, dive, or swim in the sea in the month of September. The beaches on the East Coast provide an ideal setting for beach lovers in the month of September. and it is ideal to enjoy Sun, Sea and Sand in a warm sunny tropical climate. However, these beaches are included in Sri Lanka’s trip on the northern route.

  1. Nilaveli beach
  2. Aru Gam Bay beach
  3. Kalkudah beach
  4. Pasikudah beach

What are the activities available for travellers on the east coast in the month of September?

  1. Beach hopping
  2. Surfing, Diving and Snorkeling
  3. Fishing and boating
  4. Whale watching
  5. Take part in the Wildlife tour
  6. Taking a whale-watching tour
  7. Visiting ancient monuments
  8. Visiting Hindu and Buddhist temples
  9. Exploring colonial forts
  10. City tours

Transportation of the Sri Lanka tour in September

The travellers find many options when it comes to travelling around Sri Lanka, Buses, trains, private taxis as well as helicopters and planes. But for a sightseeing tour, it is highly recommended to use a private taxi with a local driver/guide. Private taxi is the most popular form of travel among travellers. It is the most efficient way of travelling in Sri Lanka. Travelling by taxi is safe, and efficient and it gives you a very comfortable ride.

Language of the Sri Lanka tour in September

The Sri Lanka 10-day tour in September includes an English-speaking local guide. However, the tour can be booked with guides in other languages such as German, French, and Spanish etc.  

Sri Lanka in September itinerary

Usually, the Sri Lanka September tour packages are available in two distinct routes as below. The best travel route for your trip depends on a few reasons such as Climate conditions, and the tourist attractions you are interested in.  

Sri Lanka September tour itinerary on the northern route

  • Day 1 Colombo >>Kandy
  • Day 2 Kandy
  • Day 3 Kandy >>Nuwara Eliya >> Horton plains national park
  • Day 4 Kandy >>Sigiriya >> Polonnaruwa >> Minneriya national park
  • Day 5 Sigiriya >> Trincomalee >>Nilaveli
  • Day 6 Nilaveli
  • Day 7 Nilaveli
  • Day 8 Nilaveli
  • Day 9 Nilaveli >>Anuradhapura >>Colombo
  • Day 10 Departure

Sri Lanka September tour on the Southern route

  • Day 1 Colombo >>Anuradhapura >> Sigiriya
  • Day 2 Sigiriya >> Polonnaruwa >> Minneriya national park
  • Day 3 Sigiriya >>Kandy
  • Day 4 Kandy
  • Day 5 Kandy >> Nuwara Eliya
  • Day 6 Nuwara Eliya >> Ella >> Yala
  • Day 7 Yala >> Galle >>Bentota
  • Day 8 Bentota
  • Day 9 Bentota
  • Day 10 Bentota >> Colombo airport

Is the Cultural Triangle included in the Sri Lanka tour in September?

Visiting the cultural triangle is on the bucket list of most travellers arriving in Sri Lanka because the cultural triangle is the best place to witness the bygone era of this tiny island. Simply without a tour of the cultural triangle, the trip to Sri Lanka will not be quite complete. Dry sunny weather prevails in most parts of the cultural triangle in the month of September and it is a blessing for the travellers because fair weather is very important to have fair weather to visit historical monuments.

Duration of the Sri Lanka tour itinerary in September

The standard tour package discuss in this article is a 10 days tour; however, the trip can be curtailed by a few days or extended by another few days based on the requirements of the participants. There may few minor changes to the itinerary if you change the duration of the trip.

Sri Lanka wildlife tour in September

Both national parks discussed in this article (Yala and Minneriya national park) are ideal for wildlife safari in the month of September. In fact, September is one of the best times of the year to have a Minneriya safari due to the dry weather. During the dry weather most waterholes in the national park dry out, and Minneriya Lake become the best source of water for wild animals, therefore, a large number of wild animals gather around the lake for water.  Your jeep driver and ranger will guide you to the best places in the park to witness a fascinating array of animals from wild elephants to crocodiles, buffaloes and perhaps a leopard too.

Sri Lanka hill country tour in September

Sri Lanka hill country tour will be packed with a wide range of tourist attractions from beautiful gardens to rolling hills, colonial architecture to cascading waterfalls and more. The weather in Nuwara Eliya is in favour of travellers in the month of September. Nuwara Eliya also provides many interesting adrenaline-pumping activities for travellers such as trekking, hiking, mountain climbing, rock climbing and jungle trekking. Nature lovers and bird enthusiasts can expect a very rich experience on their visit to Horton plains national park and the Galway Forest.

Doing a hill country train ride while visiting Sri Lanka in September?

The hill country rail journey is a big attraction and a large number of travellers like to do it. The travellers, who choose the northern travel route, can do the rail journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. However, the traveller, who opts for the southern route can do a train ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and extend their journey to Ella.  

Visiting Sri Lanka in September, how to get more information?

The train journey on the hill country rail track from Kandy to Ella is an iconic one and will take you chugging along in a blue colour carriage up through lush verdant hills. There is a very high demand for this hill country trail journey and it is considered to be one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. The Sri Lanka trip in September can be included with the hill country rail journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya; however, you can extend the rail journey up to Ella if you choose the trip on the southern route.

More information about the Sri Lanka tour in August can be obtained by writing to us on adminW”seerendipitytours.com or wending us a Whatsapp message at 0094774440977.

About The Author

Sanjeewa Padmal (Seerendipity)

administrator

The focus of this site is Sri Lankan travel. We at Serendipity Tours (Private) Limited, attempting to impart our valuable experience as travellers who have explored most parts of the country over the last decade. We are helping our valuable readers plan their memorable Sri Lanka trip with our travel expertise and experiences. In case you require any additional information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at admin@seerendipitytours.com. In addition, we can plan your vacation package or any other Sri Lankan travel-related needs.

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