Climb the legendary Adam’s Peak, a sacred mountain for multiple religions for what many call the quintessential Sri Lankan trekking experience. The ascent involves thousands of stone steps and usually starts around 2–3 a.m. to reach the summit by sunrise. At dawn, hikers are greeted by a stunning sky, and in clear weather. The mountain’s triangular shadow stretching across the plains is a breathtaking sight.

Though physically challenging (especially for the knees and with long stretches of stairs), the experience is deeply spiritual and visually stunning. Outside pilgrimage seasons the path is quieter, but weather can change quickly.