Adam's peak in Sri Lanka

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Why visit Adam's peak

Adam's Peak or Sri Pada or Samanalakanda (Samanala Kanda, butterfly Mountain) is a peak with a height of 2243 m. in the west-central mountainous part of Sri Lanka (see Adam's peak on Sri Lanka map). It is one of the highest mountains of the island, and one of the significant tourist attractions Sri Lanka and places of pilgrimage for believers of all religions. It is believed that here is a footprint left by God.

Buddhists believe that Gautam Buddha himself left a trace, Hindus-god Shiva, Muslims-Adam expelled from Paradise, and Christians – St. Thomas or again the first man on earth Adam. For Lankan residents, climbing Sri Padu is considered mandatory at least once in their lives. Every year thousands of pilgrims come here to touch the sacred imprint.

No less interesting is the peak of Adam and tourists. They go here to meet the dawn, and of particular interest to landscape lovers is the regular pyramidal shadow that the peak casts at dawn. Visiting Adam's Peak is free, access is open around the clock.

Adam's Peak

Minutes before dawn on Adam's peak
Minutes before dawn
Minutes before dawn
Dawn at Adam's peak
Dawn at Adam's peak
Dawn at Adam's peak
Dawn at Adam's peak
Dawn at Adam's peak
Stupa on the way up
A shrine with a footprint

When to go to Adam's peak

The pilgrimage season lasts from December to May (or rather, from the moment of the full moon in December to the full moon in April), and this is simultaneously the best season for a tourist visit. It is at this time that you are most likely to find clear weather at dawn or sunset, which is very important. In addition, in the off-season of pilgrimage, access to the shrine at the top can be completely closed, which, however, does not prevent you from enjoying the views and meeting the dawn, provided the weather is good, of course.

The weather here changes very quickly, and starting the ascent in clear weather it is quite possible to get at the top in fog and rain, and vice versa.

Adam's Peak weather and forecast

It should be borne in mind that special days are allocated during the pilgrimage period. These are the days of the Full Moon Poya Days, and it is at this time that believers consider it obligatory to visit the shrine. At this time, there are so many pilgrims on the ascent that there are human "traffic jams" on the stairs, and it is simply impossible to get to the top by dawn or dusk, unless you move out much in advance and take a place at the top. We would recommend avoiding lifting at this time. Here is the Poya Days schedule for the coming years:

Poya Days in 2023

January 6th
February 5
March 6
April 5
May 5 - May 6
June 3
July 3
August 1st
August 30
September 29
October 28
November 26
December 26

Poya Days in 2024

January 25
February 24
march 24
April 23
May 23
May 24
June 21
July 20
August 19
September 17th
October 17th
November 15th
December 14

Poya Days in 2025

January 13
February 12
March 13
April 12
May 12
May 13
June 10
July 10
August 8th
September 7
October 6th
November 5th
December 4th

Poya Days in 2026

January 2
February 1st
March 3
April 1st
May 1st
May 2
May 30
June 29
July 29
August 27
September 26
October 25
November 24
December 23

How to climb Adam's peak

In total, there are five climbs to the top from different places. The most popular and well-equipped tourist route to the mountain starts from the village of Dalhousie (Dalhousie, also Delhouse, also Nallatanniya), where there are hotels and everything you need for a day stay. At any Dalhousie hotel you can find a guide (but they are not required, it is easy to go up without them) or get instructions for the climb, and immediately go from here to the route. There is absolutely nothing to do in the village of Dalhousie itself, this is only a transshipment base before climbing to the top. See for a detailed guide to Dalhousie village here...

Search and book hotels near Adam's Peak best in these worldwide hotel search engines:

The climb to the top is quite difficult, because the shortest route from Dalhousie will have to overcome a distance of about 5 km to a height of about 300 floors, or almost 1000 meters, and in time it can take 3-5 hours in one direction. If you go from Ratnapura, you will have to climb at all to 1800 meters. However, as practice shows, everything is possible, and even elderly pilgrims rise here. Those who want to see the dawn climb to the top should start at 2 AM (If you are physically well prepared and there will be no "traffic jams" on the way up, you can get out at 3 am) in order to be on the spot by 6:00 or 6:30 and not miss the sunrise. But during the pilgrimage period, especially on weekends or on the days of the full moon (see calendar of days above), the Ascent is so busy that even if you go out at midnight, there is a chance to get stuck in "traffic" and just stand on the ladder until dawn.

The exact time of Dawn at Adam's peak today: 05:55

Adam's peak at night

The Ascent is completely through a wide well-equipped staircase, there are no bad sections. The stairs are one and up and down. All along the way up there are temples and shrines, cafes, stalls with food and drinks, toilets (paid, 40 rupees), everywhere there is lighting. However, not in the pilgrimage season (from June to November), almost all shops and cafes are closed, the lights go out. At this time, be sure to take a flashlight with you so that your hands are free.

Stairs up

When you get to the very top, you will need to take off your shoes, since this is a sacred place. Shoes can be left directly on the stairs, but if you are worried, take a bag for it and put it in a backpack. After that, it is better to wear warm socks on your feet, because it is cold at night, the concrete floor is also very cold. In general, it is quite cool upstairs, and a warm jacket or jacket is mandatory, and the locals generally go upstairs in hats and gloves.

At the very top is a shrine with an imprint of the Buddha stupa, which anyone can see, but photographing the imprint is strictly prohibited. The shrine is located on a small fenced area.

Playground with shrine

After you see it, you need to leave the site to take a place to meet the sunset, since it is forbidden to wait for Dawn on it. It is best to decide in advance on the place and occupy it, since there are quite a lot of people even in the off-season of pilgrimage. The most comfortable seats are immediately to the left of the entrance to the site with the shrine on the left on the long steps.

The most convenient places to meet the dawn

After you meet the dawn, move to the other side of the site to look at the beautiful pyramidal shadow of Adam's peak.

The shadow of Adam's peak

How to get to Adam's peak

The best way to climb Adam's Peak is from the village of Dalhousie, which can only be reached by bus or taxi. The nearest major tourist city to Dalhousie is Nuwara-Eliya, but also relatively nearby are the cities Kandy and Ella. During the pilgrimage season (from December to May), direct buses from Colombo, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya can run to Dalhousie, otherwise you will have to transfer to a bus or tuk-tuk in Hatton.

To get there comfortably and without transfers, you can book a ready-made tourist transfer (taxi) from Colombo airport or other places in Sri Lanka through the search form from Kiwitaxi:

How does the transfer booking works see more >

Find the route

Book your transfer online

The driver meets you at the airport or train station

All buses in Dalhousie arrive and depart from the bus station (station on the map). This is a conditional bus station, in fact just a parking lot of local buses. In the daytime, there are always buses to Dalhousie and Maskelia. From it to any place in the village is easy to reach on foot.

Dalhousie bus station

And now more about each of the ways to get to Dalhousie:

By train

The nearest railway station is in the town of Hutton. It is located on the railway line running from Colombo through the mountainous part of the country to Badulla, respectively, by direct train you can get here from Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Haputale, Badulla and other mountain cities. From other parts of the country, you will have to go by train with a transfer to Colombo.

However, note that trains in mountainous Sri Lanka are very slow, and it is better to leave on the earliest flights. You can check the train schedule on the official website of Sri Lanka Railways - https://eservices.railway.gov.lk

Upon arrival in Hutton from the railway station you will need to get finally to Dalhousie. Tuk-tuk drivers are constantly on duty here, who offer a trip from 4000 rupees (approximately 13.46 USD, see currency of Sri Lanka) for the entire tuk-tuk in the pilgrimage season, and in low season you can bargain even for 2000 rupees.

It is much cheaper to take the local state direct bus to Dalhousie. These buses depart after each arrival of the train directly from the exit of the railway station on the Left, cost 100 rupees (2023), the journey is about one and a half hours. If this bus is not available in low season, you can walk 10 minutes or take a tuk-tuk for 200 rupees to Hatton bus station, and then take a local bus to Maskelia, where you can change to a bus to Dalhousie. Buses on these routes run often in the daytime, so you can get there in 2 hours.
By bus

Unfortunately, there are almost no direct buses to Dalhousie from major cities and resorts in Sri Lanka. During the pilgrimage season to Adam's peak, there is one bus per day from Colombo (departing at 08:45 from Colombo and in the opposite direction), and sometimes there are direct flights from Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. In other cases, you need to go to Hutton or Maskelia, where you will need to change to a tuk-tuk or bus to Dalhousie.

Hatton is a major transport hub with a large bus station, and here during the day there are frequent buses from Nuwara Eliya (95 rupees, 2 hours on the way, depart every 15-30 minutes), Colombo (from 380 rupees, 5-6 hours on the way, depart approximately every 30 minutes), Kandy, Negombo. There are flights from other cities, but we do not know the exact departure schedule.

From the resorts of the south and West Coast (Hikkaduwa, Bentota, Mirissa, etc.), Hatton is most quickly reached by express buses on the new expressway Matara-Kaduwela (Kaduwela), which during the day often depart from Matara and Galle (buses cost from 460 rupees, very fast). In Kaduvela, at the bus station, you will need to change to a direct or passing bus from Colombo to Hatton.

Upon arrival at the bus station in Hatton, Dalhousie can be reached by tuk-tuk for 2,500 rupees in the pilgrimage season, and in the low season you can bargain for 1,200 rupees. Cheaper is the local state direct bus to Dalhousie. These buses depart after each arrival of the train at Hatton railway station and pass through the bus station, cost 84 rupees (2019), a journey of about one and a half hours. But there is no great point in waiting for a direct bus, and often you can get there faster by buses with a transfer in Maskelia. Buses to Maskelia and on to Dalhousie run frequently during the day, so you can get there in 2 hours.

Another popular climbing route is from Ratnapura, but it is much heavier. It is believed that only the most real believers pilgrims can climb it, because they will have to overcome 2000 meters in height and 8 and a half kilometers along the route. The Ascent should be laid 8-12 hours, which means that if you want to meet the dawn, you need to start the ascent already at 18 hours of the previous day. What is good is that there are very few people on this route, i.e. you don't have to overtake or pass someone all the time, as from Dalhousie.

The ascent itself does not start directly from Ratnapura, but from the village of Siripagama. It, in turn, can be reached from Ratnapura by tuk-tuk or local bus in 2 and a half hours.