Nestled inbetween the hills within the Sri Lankan highlands sits a moderately unassuming village pathed with only one highway that acts because the gateway to probably the most well-known walks in Sri Lanka – Adams peak or Sri Pada.
For a lot of, a hike as much as Adams peak will make the last word Sri Lanka bucket record having simply accomplished it myself, I agree. The hike as much as Adam’s Peak is a really distinctive and humbling expertise bodily, but additionally gives the prospect to dive deep into the tradition and traditions right here in Sri Lanka. Adams peak is unquestionably among the best issues to do in Sri Lanka!
If you happen to’re at present planning your Sri Lanka journey and do not know what Adam’s Peak is… Adam’s Peak is a 2,243 meter tall conical mountain positioned in central Sri Lanka. The mountain is a sacred pilgrimage website for Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians because of the footprint imprinted at its summit, which every religion attributes to its personal sacred determine.
If you happen to’re searching for the very best time to hike Adam’s Peak, one of the best ways to get to Adam’s Peak, the very best place to remain for Adam’s Peak and only a normal information for Adam’s Peak (what to pack and put on and so forth) – you’re in the best place!
That is an Adam’s Peak journey information.
Pens and paper on the prepared – it’s time to plan your Sri Pada pilgrimage.
Different journey guides you may discover helpful…
Sri Lanka Google Map Legend
How lengthy will you want for Adam’s Peak?
Relying in your health a hike to the summit of Adams peak will take you something between 1-5 hours, there are 5 500 steps!! Sure, this hike isn’t any joke, it’s an journey! On the best way down it’s so much faster for apparent causes, it took us slightly below an hour and a half to descend.
Don’t worry about your health stage, simply go away your self sufficient time to not fear about getting again for a sure time. There are households with young children strolling this route and there are stopping factors, seats, refreshments and bathrooms dotted all the best way up. I had no concept what number of services can be on this route – it shocked me! Take some cash and also you’ll by no means be removed from what you want – water, relaxation or glucose.
As a result of early advisable begin time of 2am (if you wish to catch dawn and keep away from the noon warmth), I’d suggest reserving an evening earlier than the summit after which an evening after. Getting an excellent sleep earlier than hand is essential. and you’ll positively have to relaxation after! Our legs have been sore for DAYS!
Methods to get to Adam’s Peak?
Adam’s Peak is positioned in central Sri Lanka, about 40km northeast of the hill city of Ratnapura. When planning your path to Adam’s Peak, you’ll need to pop Dalhousie or Nallathanniya into your sat nav, this small city supplies the principle entry level to the mountain (which is about an 8 hour drive from Colombo).
There is no such thing as a escaping it. To get to Nallathanniya you don’t have any alternative however to tackle the tough winding roads, coated in gravel and pot holes as you wind by acres upon acres of tea plantations and estates. Whether or not you do this by bus, tuk tuk or automobile is as much as you, we opted for a automobile as we have been travelling from Kandy (3-4 hours) after which onward to Hiriketiya (5-6 hours) and we wished consolation!
Most individuals will get a prepare by way of Columbo / Ella / Kandy to Hatton which is the closest entry prepare station to Adams Peak. From there you may choose up a tuk tuk or automobile to experience the ultimate stretch!
Tip: If you happen to hike throughout off peak season, public buses and tuk tuks are tougher to return by.
The mountain itself sits within the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, residence to lush montane forests and tea plantations, a mixed journey with visiting some native tea plantations is a should.
Tip: We’d extremely suggest our driver Dilshan who drove us from Kandy to Adam’s Peak after which again to the coast! You possibly can contact him on WhatsApp right here: +94 71 985 6115
The place do you keep for Adam’s Peak?
For probably the most comfort and to base your self initially of the path, you’ll need to discover someplace in Nallathanniya. That is the place the Adam’s Peak stroll begins – you may’t get any nearer!
We selected an area homestay final minute and would extremely suggest Lavendra Visitor Home. It was simply £8 an evening for the 2 of us, double mattress, scorching bathe, good location and a HUGE breakfast upon our return from the hike. See beneath pictures.
When is the very best time to hike Adam’s Peak?
Time of 12 months
There are some months the place the height is definitely closed and a few months the place the climate will definitely add extra problem and so there are positively higher instances all year long to plan your Adam’s Peak hike.
June/July: The monsoon season means the mountain is often closed these months.
August to October: The mountain is open throughout these months too however you threat extra probability of rain. Much less crowded although than the principle season which may very well be nice!
December to Could: That is the principle pilgrimage season when the mountain is open and situations are greatest for climbing to see the dawn. In fact although, these are the busier months with the busiest months being April and Could.
I can’t write this weblog submit with out warning you about how busy the Adams peak pilgrimage will get throughout public holidays, full moons and different spiritual occasions. As a sacred website for Buddhists, Hindus and Christians there are a couple of dates specifically the place this route is chaos!
I do not know what big day we by accident timed ours with (twelfth March 2023 if anybody needs to enlighten me) however we set off at 2am and have been 1km from the highest by 4.30am however it took us one other 4 hours (sure!) to truly attain the height at 8:23am.
Why? As the trail will get towards the tip it will get steeper and narrower, I’m speaking very steep! Mix this with one other 20,000 individuals and a restricted summit space and you’ve got your self a really lengthy visitors jam. At one level we didn’t transfer for an hour!
There have been no indicators (in English anyway) that indicated how far you have been from the highest, it was solely when fellow European travellers tipped us off on their descent that there’s an alternate path to the summit (a fork at one of many temples) that can bypass this principal queue!
So if you end up stumbling throughout a really busy summit like we did (which I don’t suppose is that widespread), take the best turning on the intersection within the picture beneath and comply with the opposite path!
Time of day
While you learn up on-line about Adams peak and do your analysis you’ll discover that most individuals suggest to start the hike round 2am. I’d agree with this because the solar rises round 6am which provides you 4 hours to succeed in the height and benefit from the daybreak of a model new day from the summit.
Mountain climbing earlier than the solar rises additionally means you keep away from the added problem of the warmth – which for those who’ve been in Sri Lanka for some time earlier than planning this – you’ll perceive the advantage of.
How a lot does it value to climb Adam’s Peak?
There’s no official entry payment for Adam’s Peak however you’re requested to make a donation, signal your title and also you get a string tied round your wrist initially of the hike. We adopted the lead of the hikers earlier than us and positioned 1000rph down. We do not know of the advisable quantity, if you already know, please go away a remark!
I’d positively suggest bringing money on this hike (and in all places in Sri Lanka).
What to pack for Adams Peak?
While you need to go as mild as attainable by way of weight, additionally, you will want to organize a bit of for this hike. You’ll be breaking a sweat and placing your physique by its paces so some gasoline, water and necessities are wanted. Due to the recognition of this hike, despite the fact that Dalhousie is a small city, they’ve native stalls and retailers promoting all the things you want together with wooly hats, native glucose crammed treats, waterproofs, umbrellas – actually something and all the things!
Listed here are a couple of necessities I’d wish to convey to your consideration:
- Cozy trainers – some individuals have been barefoot however I’d be carrying your comfiest energetic trainers / climbing boots for those who’re travelling with them!
- Head torch or a torch – In pilgrimage season the trail is lit up. Nonetheless, you have to a head torch for those who climb Adam’s Peak at another time as there aren’t any lights and the route is totally darkish.
- Layers – for those who set off at 2am it’s chilly and so till you heat up (occurs rapidly) you’ll want a layer to entice you away from bed. While you attain the highest and anticipate dawn, it’s possible you’ll recognize your layer once more. Nonetheless when that Sri Lankan sunshine hits – you’ll be taking it proper off! As you’re getting the image – layers is essential to your consolation!
- Money cash – for snacks / donations
- A digicam – in fact!
- Suncream / hat / glasses – you’ll recognize the reduction on the best way again down.
- Snacks and water!! As a lot as you may carry.
High suggestions for Adam’s Peak:
- Have a relaxing couple of days deliberate afterwards, we may hardly stroll up and down stairs for about 3 days afterwards!
- Strive among the native sweets within the city earlier than hand, tremendous low-cost and helps the locals!
- Don’t fear about getting hungry or thirsty – there are PLENTY of choices the entire approach up!
- Benefit from the expertise!
My sincere opinion of this journey?
I completely cherished it. It was an actual bodily problem (we actually went for it on the ascent) after which it was a psychological problem being at a stand nonetheless for 2-3 hours amongst the locals as we queued to succeed in the summit.
The Sri Pada hike really inspired us to benefit from the journey and never be centered on the vacation spot. We surrendered to the hundreds of individuals we had been accompanied by and bathed within the laughter and music of households within the queue moreover us, all attempting to cross the time. It was humbling to see 70-80 12 months olds strolling and to see households actually pull collectively as a unit, holding every others palms, carrying one another and smiling on the summit.
The summit itself just isn’t what you’d anticipate for those who’re used to mountain hikes, it’s a sacred website and so there are wires and railings throughout making it exhausting to see the view. Another excuse to benefit from the journey and never be centered on the vacation spot… the very best views are on the best way!
Sri Lanka Google Map Legend
That’s it for my Adam’s Peak journey information!
Something you’d add? Any questions? Depart a remark for those who’d like to select my brains any extra!
Love as at all times and comfortable adventuring…
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