Sri Pada (Adams Peak)

Sri Pada (Adams Peak)

The most famous physical feature of Ceylon is Adam’s Peak, which is situated in the Rathnapura district.

It is on the edge of the central massif but its surrounding group of mountains called the Wilderness of the peak, is so extensive in comparison to the bulk of the other mountain groups that it appears to from a nucleus of its own, separate from the others. It is about 7500 ft height and, though it is the second highest peak in the land, its position in relation to the topography is so dominant that it stands out above all others.

From December to April, pilgrims converge to climb the 2,224m (7,295ft) Adam’s peak. At the top is a huge “footprint”, Buddhists believing it to be the mark of Lord Buddha’s.

The view from the peak at dawn is enough to shock the most cynical agnostic in to a state of reverie. It takes about four hours to climb to the top from the town of Dalhousie.

Reaching the base of Adam’s peak is simple and if you’re making a night ascent, you’ve got all day to arrive. Buses run to Dalhousie from Kandy, Nuwaraeliya, and Colombo in the pilgrimage season. Otherwise you need to get first to Hatton or Maskeliya. If you are really running late, taxi will take you to Hatton or Dalhousie. You’ll need to cover 220km (136mi) to get there from Colombo and surroundings are comfortable year round, heavy rains can be expected from May to August and October to January.

This is why there is a season for the Adam’s peak pilgrimage, i.e. from full moon of December until full moon of May. If you try to climb in July – August, you are likely to get soaking wet before reaching the top, where it is cold day and night. Once you get wet, it will be a long night waiting for the sun to come up.

Sure, there are pilgrims who climb year round, and you might even be lucky enough to climb and stay dry and warm. But the chances of that are rather slim in July.

Yes, the climb is well lit year around, so it is safe also. Accommodations are many pilgrims.