Adam’s Peak, also known as Sri Pada, is a 2,243 m (7,359 ft) mountain in the central highland region of Sri Lanka. It is the 5th tallest but the most sacred mountain in Sri Lanka. Every year, approximately 20,000 pilgrims, ranging widely in age, fitness level, and religious beliefs, take on the task of climbing Adam’s Peak in search of moral and spiritual significance. The typical climb is started in the middle of the night so you can reach the peak for a breathtaking Adam's Peak sunrise!
For Sri Lankans, Sri Pada is an important pilgrimage site. However, the religious significance of Adam’s Peak greatly depends on who you’re talking to:
For Sri Lankans, Sri Pada is an important pilgrimage site. However, the religious significance of Adam’s Peak greatly depends on who you’re talking to:
- Buddhists – claim the footprint mark is the left foot of Buddha
- Hindus – consider the footprint to belong to none other than Lord Shiva
- Muslims and Christians – believe it’s Adam’s first step after being exiled from the Garden of Eden.
What type of climb is Adam’s Peak?
Mix of incline trekking and 5,000-6,000 crumbling stone steps. No technical climbing necessary. It takes most people 2-4 hours to summit based on fitness, crowds, and breaks. 2-3 hours to come back down. This climb is not for the feint of heart, and you should take part in significant fitness training before embarking on this challenge.
Best time of year?
January – July. Avoid days near the full moon and the week of Sri Lankan New year (mid April), and the weekend if possible. During these busy times the trek will be so crowded you may have to wait 5-10 hours in a line to reach the peak.
What's next?
We are looking for numerous Fundraising Expedition teams to go to Sri Lanka in 2021. Please get in touch and we can plan your bespoke adventure to one of the most incredible places on Earth.
As part of the expedition, you would be based in Kandy, a magical city in Sri Lanka's hill country. You would be staying in and supporting the local community as an ecotourism activity and your itinerary will be built around your interests; normally it would include picnics by sacred pools with the local community, sessions with children in Buddhist monasteries, any number of expert led jungle treks, visits to elephants, leopard and turtle projects and more. We can come and give a talk to your group on the options available if you wanted to take advantage of this.
The funds raised will be split between support for your stay within the local community, possible micro-finance actions and support for a tree planting project to restore degraded mountain terraces where tea plantations have failed in such a way as to create 'corridors' between pockets of leopards and increase the gene pool available for healthy breeding.
Mix of incline trekking and 5,000-6,000 crumbling stone steps. No technical climbing necessary. It takes most people 2-4 hours to summit based on fitness, crowds, and breaks. 2-3 hours to come back down. This climb is not for the feint of heart, and you should take part in significant fitness training before embarking on this challenge.
Best time of year?
January – July. Avoid days near the full moon and the week of Sri Lankan New year (mid April), and the weekend if possible. During these busy times the trek will be so crowded you may have to wait 5-10 hours in a line to reach the peak.
What's next?
We are looking for numerous Fundraising Expedition teams to go to Sri Lanka in 2021. Please get in touch and we can plan your bespoke adventure to one of the most incredible places on Earth.
As part of the expedition, you would be based in Kandy, a magical city in Sri Lanka's hill country. You would be staying in and supporting the local community as an ecotourism activity and your itinerary will be built around your interests; normally it would include picnics by sacred pools with the local community, sessions with children in Buddhist monasteries, any number of expert led jungle treks, visits to elephants, leopard and turtle projects and more. We can come and give a talk to your group on the options available if you wanted to take advantage of this.
The funds raised will be split between support for your stay within the local community, possible micro-finance actions and support for a tree planting project to restore degraded mountain terraces where tea plantations have failed in such a way as to create 'corridors' between pockets of leopards and increase the gene pool available for healthy breeding.