They had said it would be pretty. They had said it would be a challenging climb. They had said it held spiritual significance.
They didn’t say it would be the most amazing sunrise view in all of Sri Lanka, or perhaps all of Asia, or dare I say, the world.
Okay maybe not the world but it was definitely in my top 5.
I have a thing for climbing and hiking, especially for a sunrise. It’s what my family always did together and there’s nothing like the view at the top of a strenuous hike to provide the perfect reward for all that hard work – not to mention you can totally have chocolate milk after. I mean you’ve earned it, amiright or amiright?
Adam’s peak (or Sri Prada) is so-named because it is believed that Adam’s footprint rests at the top, if you ask a Musilm or Christian, that is. If you ask a Buddhist, it is most certainly the Buddha’s footprint and if you ask a Hindu, it belongs to Shiva.
Either way, it has become a significant pilgrimage place for several faiths, resulting in large numbers of locals making the 5,000-stair climb to the peak at 2,243 meters (7,359 feet) over 5 kilometers (3-ish miles) during the months of December to May along a well-lit path.
I elected to go the week right before the pilgrimage season began, which ended up being the best idea ever.
The pathways were not lit during this time, so I brought a headlamp along so as not to stumble and fall, which I am prone to do.
During the peak pilgrimage season, hundreds if not thousands of people flock to Adam’s peak each day for the sunrise, making it a crowded climb. When I went, there were about 50 people at the top, which is probably the max that the peak can comfortably accommodate.
Hiking up with the stars, though, shutting off my headlamp every now and then and just sitting and admiring, not worrying about anyone else passing by and happily not missing out on the milky way that would be shut out by lighting, was perfect to me.
I had read various forums saying that it would be unsafe to try the climb during the off-season, or that it was closed. I’m happy to report this is untrue and I’d urge anyone who wants to try it, as long as it’s not raining (because that would make it quite unpleasant and muddy), to give it a shot.
Yes, it’s a bit of a challenge to climb up 5,000 stairs, but it’s well worth it. Even the red-faced couple I ran into about a half hour from the top, worried they wouldn’t make it, arrived in plenty of time to see the sunrise.
And my, what a truly marvelous sunrise it was.
The walk down, given all those stairs, was a challenge for the knees, but on the high of the sunrise, I barely felt it. Once I was done with the steep stairs, I leaped, ran, and bounded the rest of the way down. Total time was about 6 hours – 4 of which were spent climbing, 2 of which were spent waiting for and then admiring the sunrise.
Do it yourself:
- The base town for Adam’s Peak is Dalhousie where there are guesthouses and restaurants
- Dalhousie can be accessed by direct bus from Colombo or Kandy during the peak season. During the off-season, it must be accessed via Maskeliya which can be reached by taking a bus from Hatton where there are both busses and railway stops
- If you want to take a tuk-tuk from Hatton, thereby avoiding overcrowded and uncomfortable busses, the going rate is about 1,000 Rupee (about $8)
- The tuk-tuk driver will probably bring you to a guesthouse. I can’t recommend any place in particular, but haggle for the room if during the off-season
- In order to leave ample time to make it to the top, start the hike around 2:30-3am. I arrived at the summit a bit too early and had a cold wait at the top, but I passed by a lot of hikers as well who arrived well after me, so adjust according to your hiking abilities
- Be sure to bring a headlamp (if hiking during off-season), jacket, and water.
- A little tip: the best viewing for the sunrise is at the small platform to the left of the stairs just a few feet from the top (if you’re facing the peak) rather than the peak itself
- Cost: 100% free though there are monks near the entrance who will tie a white string around your wrist, say a chant, and ask for a donation, which is completely up to you
- Little shops will be selling roti and hot tea near the top – even during the off-season
Christina says
I love having to work to see a sunset/sunrise – makes it so much better! It’s crazy being level with or over the clouds when the sun comes up…we saw the sunrise in Maui at 10k feet and it was awesome! Sri Lanka looks amazing!
Kristin says
Me too. Makes it so much sweeter.
Michelle | Lights Camera Travel says
Wow these photos are unbelievable! What an incredible experience
Kristin says
Thanks 🙂
Lunaguava says
We missed Adam’s Peak when we visited Sri Lanka in 2010 (just went straight from Kandy to Ella – amazing train ride), but will definitely try to climb it if we ever return to that gorgeous island. Lovely post and great photos! Good luck and safe travels!
Kristin says
Kandy and Ella are also great choices.
A Southern Gypsy says
This is one of my must-dos when I make it Sri Lanka. Gorgeous photos! 🙂
Kristin says
Thank you and you definitely should!
Turner says
Nice shots, as usual.
Kristin says
Thank you 🙂
Ryan says
*Picks jaw up off the floor* WOW that is for sure one of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve seen too. I’ve never hiked up a mount for a sunrise, but that is surely changing now.
Kristin says
Lots of great places to do so in Southeast Asia!
Stephen says
This was easily my favorite moment from being in Sri Lanka, and your photos actually do it justice! While you were on the platform, did you have monks chanting in the background right before sunrise? I hiked up with a Brit/Spanish couple, and all three of us agreed that it was this really beautiful magical thing. I’m happy to see this, though, as I feel like not many bloggers get to Sri Lanka.
Kristin says
I didn’t watch it from the platform because the area just next to the stairs, just barely below it, is actually way better viewing and I had it to myself!
Stephen says
Yea its hard to describe exactly where we were. From that bottom set of stairs of what would be properly considered the temple (but before you get to the main area where you can go up to the enclosure housing the ‘footprint’) you can sort of sneak off to the left and get to a little enclosed balcony type thing that looks back out over the east.
But, at any rate, glad you found somewhere amazing to watch it from!
Jamie says
Wow that view and sunrise is just breathtaking. I’d LOVE to do that some day and just take a few moments to meditate while up there.
Kristin says
It’s a highly spiritual place, so it’s a good selection for meditation 🙂
Joe says
I’m planning my trip to Sri Lanka and even with 2 weeks I’m having to scale back my options. However Adam’s Peak has caught my imagination and trying my best to fit in. Is September a good time to climb? And once on the top can you see/view the footprint?
Kristin says
You know, I honestly didn’t try to see a footprint because I was so entranced by the sunrise. I went in December and I would think September is also good. It’s best to go when it’s not pilgrimage season as it is so crowded at that time.
Soh says
Hiya,
I’ve just read this post as I’m due to climb this in a few days’ time. I feel relieved, I’ll be doing it solo – am wondering if you felt safe doing the hike as a solo female?
Alyssa says
namaste!
wondering if its alright to do it solo ? 🙂
Kristin says
Yes I walked most of it on my own and you’ll see people along the way.
Brandon says
I don’t know what I remember more… the mind-blowing sunrise or how bad my knees hurt climbing down ha ha!
Kristin says
yeah I’d much rather climb up than down.
Kierstin says
Awesome, great posts. Appreciating all of your Sri Lankan posts, as I am going in March. Looking forward to reading your blog about other countries you have visited!!
Pam says
with your photos I’m gonna try to pitch Sri Lanka to my travel buddy instead of Vietnam 😀
Love this, and hopefully my painfull knees would be able to survive 5 000 stairs, probably would need double the time to climb up 😀
Love, peace & pancakes from Croatia
Kristin says
It’s all good going up! It’s the climbing down my knees always hate. I’m with you there!
Carly says
This looks so amazing. We are going to Sri Lanka in three weeks, and I realise that this will be during pilgrimage season- I understand that the crowd is just something that we wont be able to avoid. We will be in Kandy and I hoep to squeeze this in. Do you think that if we organise a driver it is close enough from Kandy to just get picked up very early in the morning and start the hike? Thank you
Kristin says
I would try to stay near the base of the mountain or you’re looking at a midnight pickup I’d guess
Dnesh says
Hi Kristin, your blog post has got me more excited to do this hike during my next trip to sri lanka. Since i will be travelling from Colombo, i was thinking of catching the last train to Hatton and then get a tuk tuk to Adam’s Peak base. The hike would roughly begin at about 2/3am, is it safe to do this hike during the off-season? But your write up did gave some courage to do this!
Kristin says
I did it during the off season when the path wasn’t lit. You just need to bring a head lamp so that you can see!
Saud Khan says
Hi Kristin,
5000 steps – 2-3 hrs uphill, so we require head lamps, water bottles and jacket as it gets cold at the top if we reach early, please advice if their is anything more to be added. I will be visiting Srilanka next month and the peak is on top of my list.
Kristin says
Maybe bring a snack too 🙂
Ambroise says
Hey Kristin,
Your post is in opposition with all the reviews saying ‘do not climb off-season’. But after reading your post I think it worth it and is maybe even better than climbing it during the normal season. By any chance do you know if I can access to the peak from Ratnapura? Thanks 🙂
Kristin says
I’m not sure where I went from, but I liked my off season climb!