The Sunrise Hike to Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) Sri Lanka
The word ‘Sri Pada’ loosely translates to ‘Holy footprint’. Described as ‘one of the most extensive and most panoramic views in Sri Lanka, ever witnessed by every traveller in Sri Lanka, this lofty mountain in the hill country brings together pilgrims of many faiths every year. Followers of Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity regard it as a sacred and holy place. For Christians and Muslims, it is the place that contains the footprint of Adam after he was banished from the Garden of Eden. For Buddhists, it contains the footprint of Lord Buddha, and the Hindus refer to this sacred place as “Lord Shiva’s Peak”.
Heavy chains on the mountain’s southwestern face, said to have been placed there by Alexander the Great, mark the route to the summit. This magnificent mountain has been climbed for at least 1000 years, and has many myths and legends surrounding the Sri Lankan kings of the past, and their experiences with this mountain. Various names have been given to this mountain. ‘Samanala Kanda’ (‘Butterfly mountain’) is what some people refer to it as, as there are multitudes of butterflies inhabiting this mountain.
This masterpiece is 2,243 m (7,359 ft) tall, with approximately 5500 steps and is a cone shaped mountain located in central Sri Lanka, and apart from this location’s religious importance, it also has a rich biodiversity and was also recognized as a world Heritage site in the year 2011. There are 4 rivers that originate from Adam’s Peak/Sri Pada.
Its geographical positioning takes almost 5 hours for one to reach the peak. The hike up the peak can be an interesting experience, particularly for those with a knack for adventure. There is no railway or Air services available to reach the top of the mountain, but the highway of Hatton city is how you may find a railway line to reach your destination. According to tradition, the pilgrim season to Sri Pada begins in December and ends in May, however if one wishes to hike during off season, we also offer a guided experience to be done on a different route during day time. However, this is not advisable if you’re purely looking for a religious experience as the worship at the peak could only be done during its season. It is not advisable to climb Sri Pada in the night time during off season because the climb tends to be difficult due to heavy rain, extreme wind, thick mist and because pathways are not lit. So, based on your travel dates we could arrange a suitable hike up to Sri Pada if it is on your bucket list!
Contact us to design a tour including Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada)
Here are some tips before you plan your hike: Make sure you are not planning your hike on any of the days declared as a Sri Lankan holiday; this means that the place will be crowded, and your experience would not feel as unique and enjoyable as you had hoped, and it would take a considerable amount of time for you to reach the top. It may also get slightly chilly once you reach the top of this mountain, so grab a sweater with you just in case! Do your best to reach the peak before sunrise so you can witness the shadow of Sri Pada emerging as a reflection right before your eyes.