Adam’s Peak – Sri Lanka’s Most Sacred Mountain

Sri Lanka is one of the most preferred tourist hotspots in the Southern Asia. From the delightful sights of nature to the glorious cultural ethnicity of this island nation, everything is a treat to the eye. Some of the breathtaking attractions in Sri Lanka hold religious significance as well. Could there be anything more perfect than a tranquil and serene place to visit on a vacation? Speaking of which, Adam’s peak is one such attraction in Sri Lanka. Whether you are someone who enjoys or an exciting trek or if you’re a spiritual person, this is a must-visit attraction. Now, let’s dive in, to know more about the Adams Peak.

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Facts and Whereabouts:

The Adam’s Peak is located in the Southwestern part of the Central highlands in Sri Lanka. To be more precise, it is situated in the Sabaragamuwa province and is 32 Kilometres away from the city of Hatton.

The Adam’s Peak has a cone-shaped head and hence is very steep as you reach the summit. It has an altitude of about 2,240 metres above the sea level. There are about 5,500 steps to climb to the summit from the trailhead. Adam’s peak was once considered the tallest mountain of Sri Lanka, but is currently the fourth tallest mountain. This mountain also serves as a watershed for four major rivers in the country. It also includes the longest river of the country, Mahaveli Ganga. This peak is also referred to as the Sri Pada mountain.

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Brief History on the Sacred Mountain:

The sacred prominence of the mountain is due to an indent that is shaped like a footprint. It dates back to the early days that the Hindus believed it was the footprint of Lord Shiva whereas Buddhists believed it was the footprint of Gautama Buddha and Muslims & Christians believed it was none other than Adam’s. Since then, over 20,000 pilgrims trek to the summit every year just to see the footprint during the sunrise. A phenomenal trace of the mountains shadow as well, can be seen suspended mid-air from the top during sunrise.

As Sri Lanka was always known for its shrines, it was in the 500 common era that this mountain became very popular. The European, Indian and Arab traders frequently took this route back in the ancient days. That is when they explored this peak and the word spread. Although, it is believed that the first person to unearth the footprint was King Valagambhu in the 1st century BC.

The Trek:

The journey would begin from the trailhead which is in the town of Nallathaniya also known as Dalhousie. The distance from this town till the summit is about 7 kilometres. The overall time taken to complete the trek to and fro would take 7 hours approximately. Though the trek could be tiring and time consuming, the breathtaking views along the journey, would be jaw-dropping. The trail would take you alongside the tea estates and a variety of fascinating trees and waterfalls. You will also find a Japanese peace pagoda called the Sama Chatiya on the way to the summit. During the peak season, you will come across plenty of tea and food stalls along the trail. This would help to keep your stamina high and yourself hydrated.

Also Read: Japanese Peace Pagoda in Galle

Best Time to Visit the Adam’s Peak:

The best time to visit the Adam’s Peak is during the summer season in Sri Lanka that falls between the months of December and April. This is also when the pilgrimage season begins. There are usually long queues during the months of December and January, which is the peak season for pilgrims. Also, on full moon days, the place is over crowded. Hence, the best time to visit the peak in order to avoid a large crowd, would be between February and April.

However, one could also trek the mountain during the off-peak season of June to November. You will not find pilgrims or crowd during this season, but be sure to expect rains and unpredictable weather conditions. The chances of viewing the footprint on the summit during this season is nil, as the doors to the shrine would be closed. The doors are left open only during the pilgrimage season.

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Other Things You Must Know:

• How to Reach Nallathaniya / Dalhousie: You could reach Dalhousie by taking a bus ride for approximately Rs. 1,500 or a tuk tuk ride for approximately Rs. 700 from Hatton. As for you to reach Hatton, you could either take a scenic train or a bus ride from Kandy or Colombo.
• Operating hours: The mountain as such is always open for tourists to trek. Keep in mind that during the off-peak season, the gates to the shrine would be closed. During the peak season, if you are looking to watch the sunrise from the summit, the recommended time for you to begin the journey at the trailhead would be 1:00 am. The journey upwards, could take anywhere about 3.5 to 4 hours.
• Entry fee: There is no entry fee for this place. However, it is recommended for you to carry some cash to buy some water, food or tea along the route.
• What to carry: You could carry warm/spare clothes with you considering the early morning trek would be a bit chilly. Carry your camera, to capture the scenic beauty on this journey. Along with enough water, carry some salt during the trek, to protect yourself from leeches just in case.

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Doesn’t the trek sound exciting? What’re you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to this beautiful island for a perfect vacation. You can find Sri Lankan Tour Packages on the Pickyourtrail website or you could also customise your own trail to Sri Lanka.