7,000 ft above the lush tea valleys of Sri Lanka we sat huddling for warmth along with hundreds of others at the summit. Shrouded in mist & the rose-colored hue of first light, Adam’s peak is painfully beautiful. But climbing Adam’s Peak is no walk in the park. 12,000 stone stairs twist & wind up the side of the mountain and although technically speaking it’s a rather easy climb, you’ll be in pain for days afterward.
Sri Lanka is filled with loads of gorgeous hikes but personally, Adam’s Peak was our hands-down favorite. Setting out in the dead of night under a blanket of twinkling stars, joining thousands of others as they begin their pilgrimage to the top culminating in one of the most picturesque sunrises I’ve ever witnessed.
You’ll be joined on the trail by locals. Making the long pilgrimage to the summit alongside the elderly clinging to their walking sticks, monks stopping along the way to pray, and passing by sleeping locals who were just too exhausted to make it in one go. Some people take days to complete the 9-mile loop. We completed it in about 8 long hours.
Climbing Adam’s Peak should be at the top of every Sri Lanka travelers bucket-list. Here is everything you need to know to successfully reach the summit.
What is Adam’s Peak or Sri Pada?
Adam’s Peak isn’t your typical mountain trek. First of all, it’s entirely made up of carefully cemented stairs. Secondly, don’t expect to ever have the path to yourself.
Adam’s Peak is a religious pilgrimage after all. Also known as Sri Pada, Adam’s peak is an expected yearly pilgrimage for Buddhists, Hindi’s, Christians, and Muslims alike. So, what’s the religious significance? It all centers around a footprint.
- Buddhists believe that the footprint of Buddha lies at the summit imprinted in a large sapphire, left on his last visit to Sri Lanka.
- Hindu’s believe the footprint atop Sivan Adi Padham (their name for Adam’s Peak) belongs to Shiva dancing while he created the world.
- Christians came to Sri Lanka in the 16th century & claimed the footprint was noneother than St. Thomas’s. The man who is deemed to be the first to bring Christianity to Sri Lanka.
- Muslims believe the footprint to be Adam’s himself (here arises the common name-Adam’s Peak). When Adams was expelled from heaven he was placed atop the peak to stand on 1 foot for 1,000 years as penance. Legend goes, this peak was chosen because Sri Lanka is the closest earthly place to heaven. This I completely agree with.
The original inhabitants of Sri Lanka worshipped the peak as well. The aborhiginal Vedda’s called the peak Samanala Kanda, named after one of the four guardian dieties of the island.
So, who truly gets to lay claim to the peak? Or is it truly shared?
It is absolutely shared. You’ll see trekkers of all religious backgrounds & nationalities as well as the tourist climbers like myself. However, at the base and at the summit the site is undoubtedly Buddhist. A beautiful temple perched at the top preserves the revered footprint. It’s also referred to as it’s Buddhist name most commonly by locals–Sri Pada.
Getting There
Where is Adam’s Peak & how do you get there?
Adam’s Peak is in the middle of nowhere. The closest “major” town is a little rough-around-the-edges town called Hatton. Here’s how to get to Adam’s Peak.
1. Take the Train to Nanu-Oya Station (Hatton)
Either from Kandy, if you’re coming from the North or Nuwara Eliya if coming from the South. This leg of the journey is part of one of the most beautiful train rides in the world–Kandy to Ella.
2. Grab a Bus from Hatton to Maskeliya
This winding single lane road bus route is gorgeous. So vibrantly green and lucious, if you can get past the vomit-inducing speeds and jerky turns as you careen around sharp corners that is.
3. Stay Overnight in Maskeliya
I prefer staying in Maskeliya versus Hatton because you are closer to the base of the trek.
4. Middle of the Night Tuk-Tuk to the Base
If the budget isn’t a concern you could also choose to stay in Hatton. The middle of the night drive will be much longer and more expensive, but if time is an issue Hatton is much closer to the railway station.
But you’ll miss out on one my favorite places we stayed in all of Sri Lanka.
Where to Stay
We stayed in some phenomenal budget-friendly guesthouses in Sri Lanka. This was one of our favorites.
Dam House
Dam House is an all-around winner. This guesthouse is an easy walk from the bus stop, provides drivers to the peak, & has the best home-cooked breakfast in all of Sri Lanka.
That’s not to mention the best part of the guesthouse–the balcony views. Sitting directly across from the peak and a stunning lake framed by Sri Lanka’s iconic gorgeously green tea fields. Numb legs and slightly broken spirits we layed on the balcony & stared up at what we had accomplished the night before.
What to Bring
- Cold Weather Clothing. Beanie, gloves, coat, pants, long socks….the whole shebang. It get’s seriously cold up there. It’s the middle of the night & a higher elevation.
- Comfy lightweight shoes. Trainers or athletic sneakers are the best options. Something to support your arches but also lightweight since you’ll be essentially on a stair-master for 8 hours.
- Blankets. Once you reach the summit, you’ll have to sit & wait for sunrise. You’ll want a blanket to snuggle up in. Trust me.
- Money for tea houses or bring your own snacks. Tea houses line the entire path to the summit. Tea, ice cream, roti, and various other breakfast foods are all available 24/7.
- Camera (obviously).
What to Expect & Important Tips for Climbing Adam’s Peak
There are a few essential things you should know to have the best experience climbing Adam’s peak.
Time Your Climb: Don’t Climb on Full Moon’s, Holidays, or Weekends.
You won’t be able to reach the summit. Upwards of 20,000 people can visit on a weekend or holiday evening– sometimes 300,000 people in a single weekend. The stairs become so congested it can take 6+ hours waiting in a freezing cold line 100 meters from the summit. The summit is always crowded but make it easier on yourself & hike on a weekday.
Sunrise view from just below the summit. The never-ending staircase to the bottom.
Full moon’s are a Sri Lankan holiday so trains & many religious sites are jam-packed. Make sure to keep the moon phases in mind.
Whatever You Do, For the Love of God, DON’T climb During Low Season or on a Cloudy Night.
High-season is from December to April. Outside of this time of year, the summit will be completely covered in clouds. Not only will you not see the sunrise, but you also won’t see any of the stunning views on the way down. You’ll be cold, wet, & miserable. It’s not worth it.
Start Your Climb Early
The trek is long & you’ll want plenty of time to enjoy a warm cup of tea near the top. I recommend leaving Dam House at 2 AM to have a sufficient amount of time before sunrise (for someone with relatively good physical fitness).
Climbing Adam’s Peak is Free
No admission fees here. The temple you pass through at the base encourages donations but it’s not required.
We were warned that many “monks” and other beggars often line the stairway during the peak pilgrimage season. We didn’t encounter any but it’s good to aware of.
The Best Sunrise Views Aren’t Actually at the Summit
Unfortunately, due to the temple & facilities at the peak, the best sunrise views are blocked. I recommend beginning your descent just before sunrise. Near the top along the stairs, you’ll have the best panoramic views and a perfect shot of the sunrise.
So How Difficult is the Climb? & Is it Worth it?
When we took that final step, #6,000, to reach the summit I was exhausted–yes, but stupidly I said: “hey, that wasn’t so bad”. I was quickly made to eat my words on the 6,000 step return trip.
Going down the stairs is SO MUCH WORSE. My knees and arches were aching and the way down seemed impossibly longer in the daylight. I literally thought I wasn’t going to make it at certain points. I contemplated laying in the sunshine & taking a nap alongside some of the pilgrimaging locals.
That being said..it’s so doable. 80-year old grandmothers who can barely stand-up straight make this pilgrimage. Albeit slowly. Women carrying newborns, barefoot monks, and those seeking good health all make the trek. So you can too.
It’s 100% worth it. As long as the weather conditions are right, no rain or clouds, you won’t be disappointed.
Total Costs of Climbing Adam’s Peak
Climbing the peak itself may be free but you’ll still have to pay for several essentials along the way. Here’s a breakdown of the essential costs for two people to climb the peak.
Grand Total: $27 for two people including accommodation.
- Unreserved 3rd Class Train Ticket from Kandy to Nanu-Oya:$ .50 per person
- Bus from Nanu-Oya (Hatton) to Maskeliya: $.25 per person
- Accommodation at Dam House: $15 for a private room
- Middle of the Night Tuk-Tuk to Adam’s Peak: $5 each way
- You also have the option to take a bus back from the peak. It’s much cheaper but we were far too exhausted to try to find it & wait around.
- Bus back to Nanu-Oya (Hatton): $.25 per person
What is an unreserved train ticket? Trains in Sri Lanka are complicated. Here’s the general breakdown. Reserved tickets have guaranteed seats & can be bought at any time in advance. This is a good option for long rides or busy routes that could have a full train. Unreserved means you can get on the train but you aren’t guaranteed a seat. You can only buy these tickets at the station. Each type has 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class tickets as well. There really isn’t any difference between 2nd and 3rd class from what I can tell.
Climbing Adam’s Peak was not on our original Sri Lankan Itinerary. But this trek gave us some of our very favorite moments from our time in Sri Lanka. It’s a look at religion & local customs as well as providing stunning scenic views. & an exhilarating high of accomplishment when you finally do reach that summit.
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1 Comment
Darla G
April 24, 2020 at 2:34 pmThis looks amazing and I can’t believe how affordable this trek is. Glad you made it back down-that would be rough on my knees too!