This is the most sacred mountain in Sri Lanka; sacred to all four major religions-Buddhism, Hinduism, Muslim and Christianity. Buddhists call the mountain Sri Pada (“the sacred footprint”) and say it was visited by Gautama Buddha and placed His Footprint on top of the mountain. To Hindus, the peak is “Shiva Adipatham” and has the Shiva’s footprint. Muslims insist it is the place where Adam first set foot on earth when he was expelled from the Garden of Eden. Roman Catholics say the footprint impressed on the boulder at the summit is that of St. Thomas, the early Christian apostle who preached in South India. People of all religious groups ascend the mountain on pilgrimage from the Full moon Poya day in December till the Full Moon Poya Day in May when the pathway to the summit is lighted in the night and other facilities are provided.

Trail Difficulty: Strenuous

Around 01:00 hrs commence your ascent of Adam’s Peak – a four-hour climb on steps – to witness the changing colours of the sky prior to sunrise and the glorious spectacle of the sunrise itself. The first signs of dawn are seen around 5.15 and sunrise is usually between 5.30 and 5.40. This, by all accounts, is a glorious spectacle where you can see the sky lighten gradually and then the sun emerges in its entire splendor. It is a ‘must-see’ for those climbing Adam’s Peak, almost as important for some, as worshipping the sacred footprint is for others.