Quick answer
Sunrise at Sigiriya falls roughly between 5.50 am and 6.30 am all year. It is earliest around May to June and again around October to November, at roughly 5.50 to 6 am, and latest around late January and February, at roughly 6.25 to 6.30 am. Sunset falls roughly between 6 pm and 6.30 pm. Twilight is short, about 20 to 25 minutes. Always check a sunrise app for your exact dates.
Key takeaways
- Sunrise at Sigiriya ranges roughly from 5.50 am to 6.30 am through the year.
- The latest sunrises come around late January and February, the earliest around May to June and October to November.
- Sunset ranges roughly from 6 pm to 6.30 pm, so days are close to 12 hours long all year.
- Twilight lasts only about 20 to 25 minutes, so the sky brightens and darkens quickly.
- Times given here are approximate; check a sunrise app for your exact date before an early start.
Why sunrise times barely change
Sunrise times barely change at Sigiriya because Sri Lanka lies only about 7 to 8 degrees north of the equator. Day length stays close to 12 hours all year, varying by well under an hour between the longest and shortest days, so the sun rises and sets at similar times in every season.
The small changes that do occur come from two effects. Day length varies slightly with the season, and the Earth's elliptical orbit shifts solar noon earlier or later through the year. Near the equator, the second effect matters as much as the first, which is why the earliest sunrises are not at the June solstice alone.
The practical result is a range of roughly 40 minutes for sunrise. Enough to change your alarm, but not enough to change the shape of a day.
Approximate sunrise and sunset by month
Approximate sunrise and sunset times at Sigiriya by month are given below, rounded to five minutes. They are for planning, not for precise timing; check a sunrise app or weather site for your exact dates, as times move a few minutes within each month.
Sri Lanka uses a single time zone, so these times are close to those in Kandy or Colombo, with Sigiriya a few minutes earlier than Colombo because it lies further east.
- →January: sunrise about 6.20 to 6.30 am, sunset about 6.05 to 6.15 pm.
- →February: sunrise about 6.25 to 6.30 am, sunset about 6.15 to 6.20 pm.
- →March: sunrise about 6.15 to 6.25 am, sunset about 6.20 pm.
- →April: sunrise about 6 to 6.10 am, sunset about 6.20 pm.
- →May: sunrise about 5.50 to 6 am, sunset about 6.20 to 6.25 pm.
- →June: sunrise about 5.50 to 5.55 am, sunset about 6.25 to 6.30 pm.
- →July: sunrise about 5.55 to 6 am, sunset about 6.30 pm.
- →August: sunrise about 6 am, sunset about 6.20 to 6.25 pm.
- →September: sunrise about 5.55 to 6 am, sunset about 6.05 to 6.15 pm.
- →October: sunrise about 5.50 to 5.55 am, sunset about 5.55 to 6 pm.
- →November: sunrise about 5.50 to 6 am, sunset about 5.50 to 5.55 pm.
- →December: sunrise about 6 to 6.20 am, sunset about 5.55 to 6.05 pm.
Twilight and first light
Twilight at Sigiriya is short, which matters for planning. Near the equator the sun rises and sets steeply, so the period between first light and sunrise lasts only about 20 to 25 minutes. The sky goes from dark to bright quickly, and the best colour often lasts 10 to 15 minutes.
For a sunrise climb, this means arriving at your viewpoint about 15 to 20 minutes before the published sunrise time. Arrive at sunrise itself and you miss most of the colour. For sunset, it means starting down from a viewpoint such as Pidurangala as soon as the colour fades, because darkness follows within half an hour.
- →First light: about 20 to 25 minutes before sunrise.
- →Best colour: roughly 15 minutes either side of sunrise.
- →Dark after sunset: within about half an hour.
Using the times to plan
Using sunrise times to plan a Sigiriya stay is straightforward. For Pidurangala, start climbing about 40 to 45 minutes before sunrise, which ranges from about 5.10 am in June to about 5.45 am in February. For the tank bund or a hotel terrace, be in place 15 to 20 minutes before sunrise.
For Sigiriya rock, the opening time of around 7 am matters more than sunrise. In June, the sun has been up for over an hour by then; in February, only about half an hour, so the first section of the climb is in softer light.
For sunset, plan to be at your viewpoint 20 to 30 minutes before the published time and to be back on lit roads within about 30 minutes after.
- →Pidurangala start: about 40 to 45 minutes before sunrise.
- →Flat viewpoints: in place 15 to 20 minutes before sunrise.
- →Sigiriya rock: opens around 7 am all year.
- →After sunset: off unlit roads within about 30 minutes.
Sunrise and the seasons
Sunrise and the seasons interact at Sigiriya through cloud more than through timing. The latest sunrises, around January and February, coincide with some of the clearest mornings of the year. The earliest, around October and November, coincide with the wettest months, when dawn cloud is common.
Mid-year mornings, from June to September, are generally dry around Sigiriya, with some haze. At Lankan Stays & Trails we set sunrise climb times for each guest's exact dates, rather than using one time for the whole year.
Frequently asked questions
What time is sunrise at Sigiriya?
Sunrise at Sigiriya falls roughly between 5.50 am and 6.30 am, depending on the month. It is earliest around May to June and October to November, and latest around late January and February. Check a sunrise app for your exact date, as times move a few minutes within each month.
What time is sunset at Sigiriya?
Sunset at Sigiriya falls roughly between 5.50 pm and 6.30 pm through the year, earliest around November and latest around June and July. Darkness follows within about half an hour, so plan to be off unlit roads soon after sunset.
When is the latest sunrise at Sigiriya?
The latest sunrises come around late January and February, at roughly 6.25 to 6.30 am. That is convenient for sunrise climbs, as it means a slightly later alarm, and those months are also among the clearest of the year around Sigiriya.
How long is twilight at Sigiriya?
Twilight is short, about 20 to 25 minutes, because Sri Lanka lies close to the equator and the sun rises and sets steeply. The best sunrise colour often lasts only 10 to 15 minutes, so arrive at your viewpoint well before the published sunrise time.
Is it light when Sigiriya rock opens?
Yes. Sigiriya opens at around 7 am, which is always after sunrise. In June the sun has been up for over an hour by then, and in February for about half an hour. The early part of the climb is still in soft, low light.
Are these sunrise times exact?
No. They are approximate and rounded for planning. Sunrise times move a few minutes within each month and vary slightly with exact location. For an early start, check a sunrise or weather app for your specific date and set your plans from that.
What time should I start a sunrise climb at Sigiriya?
For Pidurangala, start climbing about 40 to 45 minutes before the sunrise time for your date, from about 5.10 am in June to about 5.45 am in February. Sigiriya rock opens after sunrise, at around 7 am, so it is not a sunrise climb.