Sri Lanka / Kandy & the Hill Country / Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)
Night Pilgrimage to the Sacred Footprint at Sunrise
A 2,243 m cone whose summit shrine holds a footprint revered by Buddhists (the Buddha's), Hindus (Shiva's, as Sivanolipadam), Muslims and Christians (Adam's). Pilgrims climb about 5,500 steps through the night from Dalhousie (Nallathanni) to see the sunrise and the peak's shadow. The season runs from the Unduvap full moon in December to Vesak in May, when the path is lit and tea shops are open; outside it the path is dark, wet and lonely. Base yourself in Dalhousie; Hatton is the nearest station.
Highlights
- Night climb to the summit for sunrise
- Triangular shadow of the peak at dawn
- Sacred footprint shrine
- Pilgrim tea stalls on the steps (in season)
- Maskeliya reservoir views
- Tea estates round Hatton
Things to do
- Sri Pada night climb for sunrise (start ~02:00)Morning · 7h
- Rest and tea-estate walk in DalhousieAfternoon · 2h
- Laxapana FallsAfternoon · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: January – April
Heads up
Inter-Monsoon Storms
October and November bring thunderstorms across the whole island and the risk of cyclones from the Bay of Bengal: Cyclone Ditwah at the end of November 2025 caused deadly floods and landslides, especially in the hills. Watch the Department of Meteorology's warnings (meteo.gov.lk) and keep a spare day.
Worth knowing
Hill-Country Railway Disrupted
Landslides from Cyclone Ditwah (November 2025) cut the scenic Main Line through the hills; in 2026 the trains were reported starting at Nanu Oya (for Nuwara Eliya) rather than Kandy. Check eticket.railway.gov.lk before planning round the Kandy–Ella ride, and book reserved seats 30 days ahead when they open; a car to Nanu Oya and the train on to Ella still gives the best stretch.
Worth knowing
Adam's Peak Off Season
The pilgrimage season runs from the Unduvap full moon in December to Vesak in May. Outside it the path is not lit, the tea stalls are shut, the south-west monsoon soaks the mountain and the summit is usually in cloud: the climb is possible but slippery and lonely, and only with a guide. Go between January and April for a clear sunrise.
Heads up
Pilgrimage Season Crowds
In season the path is lit all night and tea shops stay open. On full-moon (Poya) days, weekends and holidays thousands climb at once and the top steps queue for hours before dawn: go on a weekday, start by 02:00, and take warm layers for the summit (near 5 °C at sunrise).
- Vesak — The full moon of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing: towns hang paper lanterns and lit pandals (thoran) telling Jataka stories, and roadside dansal stalls give free food and drinks to everyone. Colombo's lights round Beira Lake and Gangaramaya are the most elaborate. Alcohol sales stop and slaughterhouses close for the Vesak week; it also ends the Adam's Peak pilgrimage season.