Located some 40km from Ratnapura and 32km from Hatton, Adam’s Peak (aka Sri Pada) is a 2,243m (7,359 ft) tall conical mountain in the southwestern corner of Sri Lanka. It is a beautiful holy place and an important pilgrimage site for Sri Lankans. If you’re looking for a hiking hotspot while traveling in Sri Lanka, consider climbing the scenic and historic Adam’s Peak. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know before you climb Adam’s Peak.

Buddhists say it’s the footprint of Buddha’s left foot, Hindus consider the footprint to belong to none other than Shiva and Muslims and Christians believe it’s Adams first step after being exiled from the Garden of Eden.

Whatever your beliefs, staying one night and getting up to trek for sunrise was worthwhile and the picturesque views from Adam’s Peak were worth the climb.

What to Know Before You Climb Adam’s Peak, Sri Lanka

In this guide you will find:

• Essential Travel Tips for Climbing Adam’s Peak
• Example Itinerary for Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak)
• Best Time to Climb Adam’s Peak
• How to get to Adam’s Peak
• What to Pack When Climbing Adam’s Peak
• Accommodation for climbing Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak At a Glance

• Closest City: Dalhousie village, Sri Lanka (Some climb from Ratnapura);
• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (Reasonable level of fitness or determination needed);
• Adam’s Peak height: 2,243m (7,359 ft) at the peak. Gain 1,000 meters (3,280ft) while climbing;
• Climb Time: It takes around 3 hours for the climb and another 1 to descent;
• When to Hike: Pilgrimage season starts in December and lasts until March/April due to the best weather conditions;
• Cost: Climbing Adam’s Peak is completely free;
• Altitude Sickness: The mountain isn’t high enough;
• Nallathanniya to Sri Pada Distance: 5km one way.

Essential Travel Tips for Climbing Adam’s Peak

The hike took me a little less than 3 hours in good weather. The total distance to the summit from Dalhousie village is around 7 km and the elevation gain is about 1,000 vertical meters. If you’re planning on seeing the sunrise at 6 A.M, you’ll need to set out from Nallathaniya between 2 A.M and 2:30 A.M. Aim to be at the peak by at least 4.30 – 5.00 A.M to get a good spot.

Make sure to bring layers or some other warm clothes as waiting for the sunrise and spending several hours on the mountain top can be a chilling experience. You’ll find locals wearing mostly wear long pants, coats, hats, and gloves.

You do need to be quite fit to climb up Adams Peak as there are more than 5,000 steps. If you have any joint problems I would recommend using trekking poles or finding a stick along the way.

There are a number of food stalls that line the trail almost all the way to the top. As well as pay toilets. However, the toilets are pretty grim and often do not have toilet paper.

Visitors must remove their footwear before entering the sacred area at the summit of Adams Peak. Adam’s Peak footprint is enclosed in a tiny pavilion and painted in gold. Foreigners and pilgrims are permitted to enter the temple and view the footprint (there is a blanket over it) or make a small donation.

Example Itinerary for Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak)

It is possible to make the trip quickly by climbing the day you arrive and leaving the place as soon as you finish the climb. If you’re short on time you can get to the peak and back in less than 4 hours if it’s not busy, not allowing time to watch the sunrise. Although you’ll save some pennies on accommodation I would not recommend doing this. It will be a much more exhausting hike than you may think since you’ll have to climb with your backpack. Moreover, you won’t take in the full experience, especially during the pilgrimage season.

It’s possible to find cheap accommodation in Hatton and it’s worth paying for 2 nights. Nobody wants to be climbing 5000+ steps with all of their stuff on their back. If you’re staying in Nallathaniya (Dalhousie) village, it is easily done to arrive and climb the same day. Although the trail is just a stone’s throw away from your accommodation, don’t plan anything strenuous the next day!

The climb is best done in 2 or 3 days. My suggested itinerary from Hatton would be:

Day 1

Arrive in Hatton and find a place to stay;
Pack your gear, arrange transport to Dalhousie and get a good dinner;

Day 2

12 A.M Tuk-tuk from Hatton to Dalhousie;
1.30 A.M Start trail from Dalhousie;
4-5 A.M Arrive at peak for sunrise;
7 A.M Start trail back down;
Take a bus or tuk-tuk to Dalhousie (Nallathanniya);

Day 3

Pack your backpack and move on.

When to Climb Adam’s Peak

The pilgrimage season at Adam’s Peak officially starts in December (Unduvap Poya festival) and runs until April/May (Vesak Poya festival). The busiest periods for climbing Adam’s Peak are December and January when the weather is at its best. Moderately warm temperatures and dry days make climbing the mountain more comfortable.

If you want to avoid crowds, it makes sense to go midweek and at the very end of the pilgrimage season. Weather conditions outside the pilgrimage season are less favorable, with more chances of rain, heavy mist, and bad weather. The stone boardwalks and stairs become very slippery when wet, and there is typically a risk of lightning. Most shops and Adam’s Peak hotels close during the low season because tourist traffic is sparse.

I’d also recommend avoiding days near the full moon and the week of Sinhalese New Year (Aluth Avurudda, mid-April). During these busy times, the entire place will be crowded as hell. It may take 5-8 hours to reach the peak during the high season.

Routes to Adam’s Peak

While in ancient times there were three paths from Ratnapura, Uva, and Kehelgamuva, today there are six routes pilgrims and travelers use to climb up Adam’s Peak.

When it comes to choosing the path, the most popular base for travelers is the small village of Nallathanniya on the Hatton side. This route is shorter than all the others although it is the steepest.

The Ratnapura-Palabaddala trail is the second most popular route and if you’re feeling adventurous you might start the climb to the summit in Palabaddala or even descend to Palabaddala after climbing from Dalhousie-Nallathaniya as most pilgrims do. Check sripada.org for additional information.

How to get to Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak trail starts from Nallathaniya (Dalhousie) village that sits about 32 km from Hatton in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.

Buses travel to Hatton from Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and many other small towns all year round – even on public holidays. During pilgrimage season there are buses, which run directly from Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Colombo. You can catch a bus at the main bus stand in Hatton to Nallathaniya via Maskeliya. If there are no direct buses, you will have to first reach Maskeliya and then take a bus from there to Dalhousie.

Buses run every 30 minutes between the Hatton train station and Dalhousie and the journey takes 1.5 hours and costs 80 LKR.

You can also take a tuk-tuk. Just make sure to ask your hotel or guesthouse to assist with the arrangement. Alternatively, you can ask drivers in Hatton. A journey from Hatton to Dalhousie by tuk-tuk takes 1 hour. Don’t forget to negotiate a better deal! It should be 1,500 – 2,300 LKR depending on your negotiating skills. It’s a bumpy but really enthralling ride passing through beautiful waterfalls, small villages, and green tea plantations.

Hatton is also connected by trains that run year-round. It’s about a 3-hour journey from Kandy, about 1.5 hours from Nuwara Eliya, about 5-6 hours from Colombo and 4.5 hours from Ella. You can purchase tickets online or at the station. The trains have three classes, and seat reservation is only available for first-class berths.

What to Pack When Climbing Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada)

Although it won’t take long to complete the route you do need warm outdoor clothes and some extras.

The stone staircase is uneven and slippery so you need good traction and ankle stability. On the summit, it can get very cold in the mornings, especially if there is wind.

Make sure you take warm layers and change of base layers for the top. A hat, gloves and a rain shell will keep you feeling cozy. As the sun rises in the morning, the temperature begins increasing and the way back down can get hot. Bring enough to keep you warm at the top but avoid overpacking as you’ll likely take the layers off when you start descending.

I spent a great deal of time on Adam’s Peak and if you’re like me you’ll be as hungry as a hunter once you reach the peak! To save money and make sure I had lots of snacks I packed everything in my backpack. If you opt for a lighter backpack then you can buy tea and drinks, refreshing trail snack and sundries from the trail-side shops.

I took fresh fruit, trail mix to provide protein and healthy fats, and nuts for breakfast and a 2L water bottle (all bought from Hatton). The shops on the trail are far more expensive than regular shops in Hatton. If you’re wanting to save money lay out your gear so you know you have everything before that epic climb.

Packing List For Climbing Adam’s Peak:

Clothes

• Thick outdoors socks
• Reliable zip-off hiking pants
• T-shirt
• Breathable hiking shoes
• Base layer clothing
• A warm travel sweater – necessary while waiting for the sunrise
• Rain jacket
• Hat, gloves

Food and Extras

• Small backpack
• Water bottle
• Camera
• Snacks – purchase in Dalhousie unless you want to pay extra on the trek
• Sunscreen for the trek down
• Sunglasses for the way down
• Trekking poles – help reduce the risk of knee pain
• Head torch (some parts are not well lit)
• 2L water bottle
• Plastic rubbish bin bags

Accommodation for climbing Adam’s Peak

You have two places to choose from if you’re planning to climb Adam’s peak: Hatton or Dalhousie. While Dalhousie-Nallathaniya is the closest village and a good starting point for climbing Adam’s peak, Hatton is a well-connected town some 32 kilometers away. Whilst Dalhousie is closer, it’s not as well connected (particularly outside of pilgrimage season) and has limited services.

On the contrary, Hatton’s a great location for access to the rest of Sri Lanka makes it a great place to stay with more accommodation options and amenities. If you’re looking for budget options in Hatton, these are dotted through town with a few close to the train and bus station.

Dalhousie has a number of guesthouses and hotels very close to the trail varying from as low as 1500 LKR. If you’re planning on going during high season I’d recommend booking ahead. However, with budget guesthouses, you can simply show up and take your pick. If you’re climbing Adam’s Peak outside of pilgrimage season then there is no need to book ahead, just look when you arrive and you’ll be able to get much cheaper rates.

Climbing Adam’s Peak has become much more popular with travelers and in recent years the accommodation options have really grown. I found my hotel through Agoda.com but there are also a number of options on Booking.com and even Airbnb. If you’re not sure which accommodation to pick it’s helpful to surf through a dozen pages and read some reviews on TripAdvisor.

Where to stay in Dalhousie (Adam’s Peak)

You’ll find guesthouses for all budgets are available in the Dalhousie area. I stayed at the White House and enjoyed my stay. Since the whole town seems to revolve around the trek, you’ll find many guesthouses and restaurants within walking distance of the Dalhousie area. Consider staying at one of the budget or mid-range hotels.

Most of the budget and mid-range hotels are on one main road. The high-end accommodation usually offers a memorable stay amidst beautiful tea plantations a few miles from Adam’s peak.

Budget accommodation near Adam’s Peak

White House
Grand Adams Peak
Adam’s Peak Inn
Daddy’s Guest Home

Mid-range accommodation near Adam’s Peak

White Elephant Hotel
Queensark Guesthouse
Delhousie Hotel Galle
Punsisi Rest

Luxury accommodation near Adam’s Peak

Binoya Tea Estate Bungalow
Craig Appin by Jetwing Bungalow
Strathdon by Jetwing

How Hard Is It To Climb Adam’s Peak?

Climbing Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka is a bit challenging but definitely a truly magical experience. For me, it was one of those moments where you feel completely connected with the people around you, as you all enjoy a sense of accomplishment and a sublimely beautiful sunrise.

Consider your physical shape before you go. While most people with average fitness should be able to successfully climb Adam’s Peak, it’s not that easy for people with musculoskeletal pain. There are 5000+ steps to climb that are often taller and more irregular than normal steps. Thus, some people may feel knee pain. So you should be careful.

It’s also important to get good quality sleep before leaving for climbing the stairs. It is not difficult since it can be done at your own pace but unequal steps can be painful. Having enough water with you during a climb is essential if you want to maintain your energy and feel good. A 2L water bottle would be just fine. The descent is sometimes seen as more difficult as you have to focus on the movements, balance, and stabilization while going downwards.

Concluding How to Climb Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka

These days it’s all too easy to get hung up on the impressive photos people splash all over social media about climbing Sri Pada. These highlight reels showcase the unparalleled grandeur of this amazing place in all its glory after all! Although, the harsh truth is being unprepared and setting unrealistic expectations for your trip to Adam’s Peak is likely to result in disappointment, so it’s a good idea to learn some travel tips for Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) first.

Now you’re equipped with my best advice for planning your visit to Adam’s Peak, I am confident that YOU will be confident when visiting this jaw-dropping place. With a little research, knowledge, and planning ahead of time, I hope these tips have helped make climbing Adam’s Peak more simplified and much less daunting!

Have you climbed Adam’s Peak? What do you think it is better to wear on the hike? Let me know if you have any questions or tips to add in the comments below.

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