Sri Lanka - Climbing Adam's Peak

Sri Lanka - Climbing Adam's Peak

The climb up Adam's Peak is a traditional Buddhist pilgrimage in Sri Lanka and is walked by many Sri Lankans and tourists alike. The walk and view are really rewarding, and was definatly a good way to burn off all the curry we consumed on our trip! After the 1700m stair climb, the monks at the top weren't happy seeing too much knee peeking out from under my running shorts! Thankfully we had an emergency blanket in our bag that I used to cover up under!

Adam's Peak, Sri Lanka

Distance: 7km (5500 steps)

Time: 4 hours up, 1.5 hours down

Cost: Free!

Closest town: Dalhousie

Best time to go: December - May

What to take:

Water
Walking/running shoes
Snacks - there are little shops on the way up to buy coffee/tea and a few snacks, but if you want something nutrious, you should probably prepare something behand!
Conservative clothing - keep in mind you're climbing to a Buddist monestry, so you will need to cover up. The monks will not let you up the very top otherwise!
Sweatshirt
Rain coat

The Climb

The mountain has a Buddhist temple at the top and the pilgrimage season is between December and May. Traditionally, the climb is started in the wee hours of the morning to get to the top of the mountain for sunrise. Despite the top being packed with people, everyone was silent, taking in the view as the height of the mountain was slowly revealed by the sun. It was a really magically experience. We left at about 2.30am, but ended up waiting for about an hour for the sunrise in the last coffee shop before the summit, as it was really cold at the top of the mountain.

Getting There

There are two ways to go up Adam's Peak - from Dalhouise or from Palabaddale. From Palabaddale, the route is about twice as long, so most people approach from Dalhousie.

The bus station in Colombo is absolute chaos, but there is some method to the madness, and they are CHEAP! In the map below the buses leave from the areas in the green circles, and the train station is in the orange box. People in Sri Lanka are really helpful, so just ask someone where the bus to Hatton leaves from, and they should point you in the write direction. I would advise giving yourself an entire day to get from Colombo to Dalhousie, just in case you get a little lost!

Colombo to Hatton: Bus 18 or train
Hatton to Dalhousie: Bus or tuk tuk

Colombo Bus and Train Stations

Where to Stay

It is only really nessecary to stay for a day in Dalhousie, as once you have been up Adam's Peak there is not much else to do if you do not have a car. There are a couple of cheap guest houses online to stay in which are listed below. There are also guest houses in Delhousie which are not list online, that looked as if they would be cheaper than the places listed below.

Eating

There are plently of places to carbo load in Dalhousie to eat the night before the climb!

Post Climb

Make sure you stretch, especially if you are leaving on the bus soon after you come down the mountain, as the buses can be very crowded!