Sri pada/ Adam's peak

 Adam's peak - ශ්‍රී පාදස්ථානය

Sri pada / Adam's peak is a Buddhist holy mountain located in the southern reaches of the Central Highlands in the Ratnapura District and Nuwara Eliya district of the Sabaragamuwa Province and Central Province. It is 2243 m high from the sea level and the climb is totally worth it as it is a heavenly place situated almost above the clouds. 

When to go 

The pilgrim season starts with the full moon poya day in December and finishes with the full moon poya day in May (vesak). It is best to avoid holidays and weekends as those days will be crowded. The off season is not much safe as the path is surrounded by the forest and the weather is not that friendly . But there are people who are going in the off season also. But if you go in the off season you will not be able to enter the Upper level where the sacred foot print is there. 

How to get there

There are several ways that you can get there. 

• Ratnapura - palabaddala path

This is a long, yet beautiful path starting from sripagama. You can get a bus from Colombo fort to Ratnapura and from there you can get a bus to sripagama. From there onwards your journey will be on foot. It will be a long journey which will take around 10-14 hours depending on your pace. Both sides of the road is covered by the forest, but the road is nicely built and there are lights in the night. 

 

• Hatton path

This is the most popular path. There are several ways to reach to hatton, you can get a bus from Kandy goodshed bus stand and from there you can get a bus to go to the foot or the mountain. It will take 2 - 6 hours depending on your fitness level and the crowd on top of the mountain. 

 

• Kuruvita - Erathna path

This is also a beautiful path to visit, I have not visited in this path to share my experience with you. If you are planning to go in this way, you better find someone who knows the way. 

What to bring

Usual hiking equipment, with comfortable footwear, clothing, some snacks and water. 

When you are reaching top it will be cold, therefore it is advisable to have a jersey or sweaters with you. Also you can have gloves as the iron railings will be super cold. 

Be aware of the monsoons and be ready for the rain, you may not be able to carry umbrella with you when you are hiking. 

There are shops on the way in first 2 paths I mentioned, but as you go up the prices will go high. You can have meals from there, have tea, they have mostly essential things but the price will be a bit higher than usual. 

Toilets are not that easy to find on the way, there were few here and there, but the conditions can be poor. There are several on top of the mountain.