OFF THE BEATEN PATH - ADAM'S PEAK

 ADAM'S PEAK 

The 2,243-meter-high pilgrimage site of Sri Pada is situated in southern Sri Lanka, 40 kilometers from Ratnapura and 32 kilometers from Hatton. Celebrated as a sacred location by Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, and Muslims, roughly 20,000 pilgrims ascend the summit every year to pay homage to the Adam's Peak footprint at its summit. Muslims and Christians believe the footprint is that of Adam's first step out of Eden, Buddhists believe it belongs to Buddha, Hindus believe it belongs to Lord Shiva. Every pilgrim, regardless of faith, ascends together and pays their respects at the summit.

What: Scale the 2,243-meter-tall Sri Pada (Adam's Peak), a well-known pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka

Why: Take in the incredibly moving experience of witnessing the sunrise alongside thousands of pilgrims who are Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian.

When: Because December through April offer the best weather, this is the pilgrimage season.

Where: 32 km from Hatton and 40 km from Ratnapura in southern Sri Lanka

How: There are six routes available; the most well-liked one is Hatton, which is 5 km long and takes 3 hours one way. It is also well-served by public transportation.

Who: Short, moderate, yet strong. Sufficient level of physical condition or willpower required

Routes to Adam’s Peak

There are numerous hiking routes that can be chosen. The Kuruwita Erathna, Ihala-Maliboda, and Ratnapura routes are among the longer hikes that are accessible; however, they are more difficult and are not as frequently hiked, especially by tourists. All of them necessitate high levels of physical fitness, preparation, and navigation (more details can be found at SRIPADA.ORG).

Hatton is the most widely used option. You will also get to climb alongside thousands of other pilgrims if you choose this route. Even though you won't have the place to yourself, walking up alongside the white-dressed worshippers—many of whom finish the hike in their bare feet—is a truly magical experience.

Climbing Adam’s Peak via the Hatton Route 

Trail Start: Dalhousie (30km from Hatton)

Trail Distance: 5km one way

Elevation gain: 1000m

Climb Time: 3 hours

Hiking Season: December through April (weekends and full moons are particularly busy).

The Hatton route is brief and steep, with most of the climb being on a paved path with lighting. Along the route, there are numerous rest areas with snacks and drinking water, as well as a number of smaller temples, such as the Japanese Peace Temple.

The trail starts in the small town of Dalhousie, northeast of Adam's Peak, about an hour's ride from Hatton via tuk tuk. You'll truly get a complete experience of the people and other pilgrims on this well-traveled path. The 5,500 steps leading to the peak are uneven and harsh, so even with its popularity, the route is by no means simple. On the way down, even seasoned hikers will undoubtedly feel it in their legs. 

Best time to climb Adam's Peak

The exact dates of the pilgrimage season, which begins on the Unduvap Poya Day and ends on Vesak Poya Day are available here, are when hikers normally make the ascent. The weather is at its best during this time, but thousands of pilgrims are ascending during this time as well, which may cause traffic at the summit. Weekends and holidays, as well as January and February, are the busiest times of year to climb Adam's Peak. It is best to go midweek and toward the end of the pilgrimage season if you want a more sedate ascent. Keep in mind that the weather will be less predictable the later in the year you climb. More information about the seasons and weather in Sri Lanka can be found here. 

Make an early departure if you intend to watch the sunrise from the summit! During peak times, it can get very crowded and busy. From Hatton, the trailhead is an hour's drive away. It takes two to five hours to reach the summit by foot. Depending on the month you visit, the sun rises at around 6 am. To secure a good spot, try to reach the peak by at least 4.30 or 5 am.

Accommodation for climbing Adam’s Peak

Hatton or Dalhousie are your two options for lodging. While Hatton is a well-connected town 30 km away, Dalhousie is a small village located directly at the beginning of the trail. Although Delhousie is closer, it offers fewer services and isn't as well connected, especially outside of the pilgrimage season. Hatton has the benefit of being easily accessible, offering a greater selection of lodging options and amenities, but the trailhead is 30 km away.

Near the trail in Dalhousie are several guesthouses and hotels (many along the main road), with nightly rates starting at 1000rs. While reservations can be made in advance for popular times of the year, guesthouses with lower rates allow guests to walk in and choose their preferred accommodations. If the hike is being completed outside of the pilgrimage season, there's no need to worry about reservations; simply look for deals when you get there.

Though Hatton's tourism infrastructure isn't particularly developed, there are a few guesthouses scattered throughout the town, some of which are near the bus and train stations, for those on a tight budget. For those with a taste for adventure, Hatton boasts some excellent local eateries. There are several dosa shops that are as inexpensive as chips and highly vegan-friendly (make sure to check for ghee!). Don't expect anything fancy. Beside the bus station, there's also a great curry buffet that costs 100 rupees, and the guesthouse is right above it. 

Travelers are now much more inclined to climb Adam's Peak, and there are a lot more lodging options now than there were a few years ago. You can  discover your lodging via Booking.com, but Hostel World and Cozycozy also offer a variety of options. Go through TripAdvisor reviews left by other travelers if you're unsure about which lodging option to choose.

How to get to Adam’s Peak

All year round, buses link Hatton to numerous smaller stations, as well as Colombo, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya. There are direct buses from Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Colombo to Dalhousie during the pilgrimage season; however, these are extremely crowded during peak hours and do not run outside of season.

Hatton is also connected by trains which run year round The trip takes about 2.5–3 hours from Kandy and 5–6 hours from Colombo, with five trains per day.

During the pilgrimage season, buses departing from Hatton every 30 minutes travel via Maskeliya and arrive in Delhousie in approximately two hours. As an alternative, you can schedule a tuk tuk through your lodging or by chatting with the drivers in Hatton. This is a quicker option because it only takes an hour, but before you leave, make sure you negotiate and get a price. 2000–3000 rupees should be the amount, depending on how well you negotiate. Driving in the dark and observing Sri Pada lit up in the distance is a breathtaking experience!

What you will need to ascend Adam's Peak

Despite the short distance to the summit, you WILL need appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear. Depending on the season, the temperature varies from freezing to extremely cold at the top of the stairs, which are uneven and slick. We highly recommend these guys for a good all-round travel and hiking shoe, plus they’re vegan!

Be sure to pack warm layers for the top and a fresh set of base layers for the bottom. You'll stay warm with a good coat, a hat, gloves, and a blanket. As the sun sets, temperatures rise and can get very hot on the way back down. 

Make sure you go green when climbing 

Since Sri Pada is a pilgrimage site, it receives over 20,000 visitors a season. Regrettably, there is an extraordinary quantity of trash on the paths and beside the trails. Avoid contributing to the issue. Hiking etiquette should be followed as usual, and even though many pilgrims leave trash behind—whether it be biodegradable or not—be sure to bring a plastic bag to contain your trash. Even better, pack two bags and add more trash to your trip (why not three or four?).

The path leading to Sri Pada is a crucial habitat, especially for insects, mammals, and birds. Reduce the volume and keep your head torch's beams focused on the path if you're using one.Even though climbing Sri Pada has become popular among tourists, keep in mind that it is still a place of pilgrimage. Remember that not everyone will enjoy you taking pictures of them, even though it might look fantastic on Instagram—especially if they're climbing 5,500 steps!

The Historical Context of Adam's Peak

If you ask the locals about the history of this sacred mountain, Adam's Peak—whose history dates back to the pre-Christian era—you will hear different answers that make it special to all religions. Buddhists think that it was their lord's dwelling. Hindus maintain, however, that their folktale places Ravana, King of Asura, hiding in Adam's Peak after he kidnaps Seetha, the queen of Lord Rama, from India.
Muslims believe that Adam descended directly to Adam's Peak following the incident involving the forbidden fruit from Heaven.The first offerings made by sun worshippers are said to have been made here in 140 BC with King Dutugemunu, who is said to have healed him on his deathbed as a result of the incident in which he gave staples to monks at Sri Pada. The chronicle of Sri Lanka's ancient history suggests that Queen Varija, the daughter-in-law of King Kashyapa, is connected to the story of Sri Pada. Throughout history, the sacred site has had to endure hardships and be kept out of the public eye.

Activities You Enjoy At Adam's Peak

There is much more to do at Adam's Peak than just make the pilgrimage to this 2,243-meter-tall mountain. En route up the mountain, you will be treated to breathtaking views of lush foliage, rustic-looking surroundings, and picturesque valleys. This one might offer you the most enjoyable trekking and hiking experience up the 5,500 steps that make up the incline slopes. To complete the 4 hours of ascent and 2 hours of descent, you only need a good pair of shoes or boots and a reasonable level of fitness. Technical hiking equipment is not necessary.You will have the rare chance to see the full sunrise if you climb in the middle of the night and reach the summit before seven in the morning, when clouds are moving over you. The summit area is set aside for the pilgrimage experience of seeing the footprint and seeing monks and Buddhist monasteries.

Recommendation

Furthermore, the city can work with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority to create and implement marketing campaigns to bring more visitors to Adam's Peak. Campaigns can highlight the city's unique experiences, such as gemstone mining tours, cultural events, and eco-tourism activities. Ratnapura and the tourism authority can reach a larger audience and promote the city as a must-see destination for tourists interested in Sri Lankan culture and gemstones by collaborating.

The city can develop unique experiences, improve infrastructure and services, promote eco-tourism and sustainable practices, and create job opportunities for the local community with private investment. Furthermore, tourism investment can help to preserve and promote the city's cultural and natural heritage while also providing revenue to the local government to fund conservation efforts. Ratnapura can reach a wider audience and promote the city as a must-visit destination for tourists interested in Sri Lankan culture and gemstones by collaborating with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. Ratnapura's tourism industry has a promising future.

References 

TravelLankaConnection (no date) Travel lanka connection - , TLC. Available at: https://www.travellankaconnection.com/dehttps://www.travellankaconnection.com/destinations/adams-peak/stinations/adams-peak/ (Accessed: 14 November 2023).

Adam’s peak (2023) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam%27s_Peak (Accessed: 14 November 2023).

Written by : Mathu