No stay in Sri Lanka is complete without a hike up
Adam’s Peak, also called Sri Pada Mountain. This pointy mountain is a centre of pilgrimage for all four major religions in Sri Lanka. The top is where the Buddhists worship a footprint of Buddha, while Muslims believe it was made by Adam; Hindus think it was made by Lord Siva, and Christians that it was made by Jesus.
There is a season for climbing Adam’s Peak (when the rains are not battering the mountain). From the full moon in December to the full moon in April, pilgrims climb in the middle of the night in order to reach the peak by sunrise. It can take around five or six hours to reach the top, where it’s windy and chilly. There are resting points along the way, first-aid areas next to praying spots, and hot tea vendors and souvenir sellers. The peak is 2,243m (7,359ft) above sea level and gives a bird’s-eye view of pretty much the entire island.
Hire a car to get to the area on Saturday morning, take it easy and then hike up during the night to reach the peak by sunrise. Then, take the day to rest before heading back to Kandy.