Adam's Peak
Sri Lanka's sacred mountain, 2,243 m: a night pilgrimage up thousands of steps and the peak's triangular shadow on the clouds at sunrise.
What it is
Sri Pada, or Adam's Peak, is revered by several faiths. On the summit a hollow in the rock looks like a giant footprint: Buddhists see it as the Buddha's, Hindus as Shiva's, and Muslims and many Christians as Adam's. A small shrine stands over it, and shoes come off at the entrance.
When and how
The pilgrimage season runs from the December full moon (poya) to the May one, when the path is lit and tea stalls are open. The classic route starts in Dalhousie (Nallathanni): more than 5,000 steps and three to four hours up. Pilgrims set off around 2 a.m. to arrive by sunrise. On a clear morning the mountain casts a triangular shadow west across the clouds and valleys. Off season the path stays open, but the lights are off, the stalls closed and the steps slippery with rain.
Tip
The summit is 10–15 °C colder than the village, and you wait for dawn in the wind. Bring a warm layer and avoid weekends and poya days, when the steps are jammed.
Photos and video
