Tips for taking on Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak, also known as Sri Pada or Samanala Kanda [Butterfly mountain] is a tall mountain in the hill country in Sri Lanka. The mountain is called Sri Pada [sacred footprint] because there is a shape of a 5 ft footprint at the summit. Buddhists believe that it is the footprint of Lord Buddha, Hindu’s believe that it is the footprint of God Shiva and Christians and Islamists believe that it is that of Adam. There is a shrine at the summit to the Buddhist Deity ‘Saman’, who is charged with protecting the mountain.

Every year, thousands of devotees of all ages, sizes and physical capabilities climb to the top on foot to worship the footprint during the season, which starts on the full moon poya day in December and ends on the full moon ‘wesak’ poya day in May. It is possible to climb the mountain during the off season as well, but it is slightly more difficult due to rain, strong winds and mist. Also, the pathway is only lit up during the season time.

This was my first time climbing Adam’s Peak, which is unusual for me, having traveled all around Sri Lanka since I was a kid. It was the one place that I hadn’t got a chance to see yet. I’ve been talking about going for the last two years and finally, I added it to this year’s list of New Year’s resolutions! Here are a few tips from my experience to help you with your Adam’s Peak Adventure!

Tip 1 – DO NOT GO ON WEEKENDS!!!

Don’t do it, just don’t! Before we went, everyone told us not to go on a weekend, especially Saturdays because of the crowd. But we went anyway. We were informed that it would take 7 hours to climb to the top with a crowd. So we timed it and started the ascent at 11 PM so that we would make it to the summit to see the sunrise at 6 AM. But, the particular Saturday that we chose, was so overcrowded that it took us 10 and a half hours!!!! The last 500 meters took us about 4 hours. We were squashed into a stagnant crowd and ascended one step every 10-15 minutes. The last bit was more of a mental challenge than physical! So the best time to go is during the season, but on a weekday.

The crazy crowd!

Tip 2 – The Route

There are 6 trails to climb the mountain. The Hatton-Nallathanniya trail is around 5 KMs shorter than the others, but it is also the steepest, with over 5000 steps. It is also the most crowded route. The second most popular is the Ratnapura-Palabaddala trail.

 

The trails...

Tip 3 – Take a Jacket

It gets quite chilly at Adam’s Peak, especially at the summit, so yoga pants, a tshirt and a jacket/hoddie is the best combination.

Tip 4 – You have to see the sunrise!

Talk to the locals in the area and find out what time is best for you to start the climb on that day. We planned for 7 and it took us 10.5, so we weren’t at the summit for sunrise, but we were lucky enough to get a good view of it from where we were.

Worth it for this view!

Just before sunrise!

There isnt anything like it!

Tip 5 – Try the Beli Mal Tea

All along the way there are rest stops selling refreshments. You should have some Beli Mal Tea with a piece of hakuru [jaggery]. It’s a refreshing warm drink made from the bael flower. Promise me you’ll try it?!

Time for a break

A sign that says 'Lets drink Beli mal'

Tip 6 - Partake in the rituals

There are several rituals that the devotees undertake while going up. There’s no harm in joining them and getting the most out of your Adam’s Peak experience. Join them in the religious kavi [poems] and chants, light incense sticks and thread a needle through a pack of herbs at the ‘Indikatu pahana’ [Needle lamp] and string it along the pathway up. This was done in the olden days to show the path to the top so that no one would get lost. Similar to Hansel leaving a trail of breadcrumbs! You should also ring the bell at the summit. The number of times you ring the bell signifies how many times you’ve climbed Adam’s Peak. While we were there, one lady rang it 12 times!

Light incense sticks 

Threading the needing through the bag of herbs

...And string it along the path.

Ringing the bell at the summit

Tip 7 – Power through

You’re going to want to turn back at some point. I know I did. The last 500 meters was the most challenging, and I thought about quitting and turning back every 5 minutes. But you shouldn’t!  I powered through and I’m so glad I did. I felt accomplished and I was lucky enough to watch the sunrise…

Tip 8 – You can do it!

If you think you’re too old or unfit to climb Adam’s Peak, you’re wrong. If I can do it, and if devotees well over the age of 70 can do it, then so can you. It’s not a race. You could take your time, take breaks and do it at your own pace. It is not an impossible thing to do if you are willing!

Do it for this view!

Tip 9 – Get a foot massage on the way down!

One the way down, you could get a Siddhalepa herbal foot massage. It is perfect because at this point your legs will feel like blubber and your feet would be so tired after hours of going up and walking down.