Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak Tourism

As one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in the Indian subcontinent, Adam’s Peak is a 7,359 feet tall mountain in Sri Lanka, frequently visited by people of almost all major religions.
It is widely known for Sri Pada, a foot-shaped indentation at the summit of the pyramid-like mountain. Also called the sacred footprint, the Buddhists believe that it is the footprint of Lord Buddha, the Hindus as that of Shiva, the Muslims as Adam’s, and the Christians as that of St. Thomas the Apostle.

After completing the ascent, pilgrims offer prayers at a shrine that sits atop the mountain. Apart from the legends surrounding the holy site, Adam’s Peak offers enchanting views of the sunrise. Any of the six trails, and a flight of more than 5000 steps, lead to the mountain peak. As one is reaching the summit, the steps gradually become steeper. Most visitors, irrespective of age and fitness levels, complete the hike in an average duration of two to four hours.

An area of religious significance, a moderate challenge for enthusiastic hikers, and breathtaking scenery all around— Adam’s Peak is one of the must-see sights on a trip to Sri Lanka.

History of Adam’s Peak

The earliest mentions of Adam’s Peak were in the Deepawamsa and Mahawamsa, 4th and 5th century Pali chronicles respectively, stating that Lord Buddha visited the mountain. Later, several Sri Lankan kings implemented facilities for easier access to the mountain peak. The famous travellers Fa Hien, Ibn Battuta, and Marco Polo have also made references to the sacred mountain in their works. Ibn Battuta refers to the foot as Adam’s and has written about a set of stairs and chains attached to iron pegs to assist travellers. In 1817, John Davy, a British doctor, stated that the footprint was adorned with brass and gems, which are not seen today.

Trekking in Adam’s Peak

Trekking in Adam’s Peak is moderately difficult, but most visitors reach the summit within two to three hours. The ideal time to begin the hike is at around 1 or 2 AM so that the peak can be reached by dawn, just in time for the breathtaking view of the sunrise and to catch a glimpse of the distinct shadow cast by the mountain. Some essentials to carry while trekking includes a water bottle, sweater, torch, raincoat, and sunscreen, as it can be very sunny during the descent.

Pilgrimage in Adam’s Peak

The religious importance of Adam’s Peak has made it a popular pilgrimage site. A temple lies at the sacred footprint, where pilgrims pray and witness Buddhist ceremonies. A large bell at the temple is often rung when a pilgrim completes the ascent. The most favourite times of pilgrimage are the Sinhalese New Year, which is usually in April, and Poya, the full-moon days.

Restaurants and Local food in Adam’s Peak

There are several shops scattered along the trails of Adam’s Peak. These shops sell mostly food, tea and water, and are at almost regular intervals. Also, there are numerous restaurants at the base of the mountain, but most shops are unfortunately not functional during the off-season; hence, it is recommended that you carry food and water if you plan to complete the hike at that time.