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View all Kandy toursAdam's Peak Overnight Guided Climb from Kandy with Sunrise at the Summit
The classic night ascent of Adam's Peak from Kandy: leaving around midnight, climbing 5,500 steps by lamplight with a guide, reaching the summit for sunrise, and back in Kandy by mid-morning.
Highlights
- A 2,243-metre sacred peak climbed by lamplight, sacred to four religions
- Around 5,500 steps, done overnight to avoid the heat
- Sunrise from the summit and the mountain's triangular shadow across the cloud
- The pilgrimage atmosphere in season, with tea stalls the whole way up
- Return transfers from Kandy, so no separate overnight stay is needed
Adam's Peak Overnight Guided Climb from Kandy with Sunrise at the Summit: Key Facts
| Price | From $125 per person |
|---|---|
| Duration | 15 hours |
| Languages | English |
| Tour type | Guided Tour |
| Booking | Direct with the local operator — no OTA markup |
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All-Inclusive Adam's Peak Guided Night Hike from Kandy
Full description
Adam's Peak is a 2,243-metre cone in the middle of a 224-square-kilometre wilderness sanctuary, and it is sacred to four religions at once. Buddhists hold that the depression at the summit is the Buddha's footprint, Hindus that it is Shiva's, Muslims and Christians that it is Adam's — which is why the pilgrimage season sees tens of thousands of people on the same staircase.
The climb is done at night, and not for the drama. It is roughly 5,500 steps over seven kilometres, and doing it in daylight in the tropics would be brutal; doing it between 2am and 5am is merely hard. The path is lit and lined with tea stalls during the December-to-May season, and in that period it is a genuinely communal thing — families, monks, elderly pilgrims doing it barefoot.
You reach the summit before dawn. In clear weather the sunrise throws the mountain's own shadow, a perfect triangle, across the cloud to the west — the reason most people come. The temple at the top rings its bell for each pilgrim who has reached it.
Then you come down, which takes about as long and hurts more, and the van returns you to Kandy through the morning.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Pickup in Kandy
Evening collection for the drive to the trailhead.
Nallathanniya trailhead
The start of the climb.
The ascent
Around 5,500 steps by lamplight with your guide.
Summit
The temple, the footprint shrine and the wait for sunrise.
Descent
Back down the same staircase in daylight.
Drive back
The return to Kandy.
Kandy
Drop-off at your hotel.
Detailed Itinerary
Hotel pickup
Three hours to the trailhead. Sleep in the van if you can.
Nallathanniya
The standard route. Tea stalls are open all night in season.
Climbing
Three to four hours. The last kilometre is the steepest and the coldest.
The summit
Cold and often windy. Sunrise is around 6.10am.
Coming down
Two and a half to three hours. Steps are uneven and knees suffer more than lungs.
Kandy
Drop-off at your hotel. Plan nothing for the rest of the day.
Includes
- Return transport from your Kandy hotel by van, an English-speaking guide for the climb, the ascent and descent.
Excludes
- Meals and drinks, warm clothing, torches, donations at the summit temple, gratuities, personal expenses.
Important information
Meeting point
Hotel pickup in Kandy; the exact address and time are confirmed after booking.
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts
About this activity
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Traveler Reviews
The climb was a unique experience, guide was very kind and patient, also transfer was smooth and very efficient. After the climb they offered us a very needed breakfast. Thank you!!
This has been one of the highlights of my time in Sri Lanka thus far. Communication with the company was excellent and they sent details of my driver ahead of schedule and he reached out early too. My driver, Ahamed, was absolutely brilliant and I cannot recommend him highly enough. If I could, I’d have him drive me everywhere! He was fantastic. As was my guide, Priyantha, who was waiting for me at the base of the mountain at 1am when we arrived exactly on schedule. Priyantha was knowledgable, kind, patient and easy company on the walk. We had breathtaking views at the top and Priyantha ensured I was in the correct spot for the sunrise, which was spectacular. It was just incredible and I can’t recommend the tour enough - especially if you’re lucky enough to get Ahamed and Priyantha.
We had a very nice day! The hiking was long and a bit difficult but the views were beautiful. Ours guide and driver were really helpful and did their best to make our trip unforgettable.
The Adam Peak hike was fantastic. Let me start by saying that the agency, with their professionalism, organized the hike down to the finest detail. From the punctuality of the transportation that took us to Adam Peak in a comfortable way, to Priyanthe, our guide, waiting for us as soon as we arrived at Adam Peak. With professionalism and experience, she was able to understand our pace and needs. The effort was worth it in the end. I recommend bringing something that will keep you warm from the cold to the summit. Thank you.
The entire experience was smooth and totally enjoyable. Got picked up from Kandy at 10pm by the driver ShafeerAhmed. Totally professional and safe. Fr be took 3hrs to base of Sr Pada. Felt very safe with Safeer’s driving and had a good nap. Was met by Priyanth my guide at the start of the trek Up. Priyanth is a very knowledgeable, experienced and patient guide… took time to explain things to me, culturally and historically. We made it up to within 100 metres within 3 hours (1.45am to 4.30am). We stopped at a tea shop and had a lovely hot milk tea as it was too early get up for sunrise. Made our way up at about 5.15 and it was just magical! Totally recommend this tour 😊
The experience was excellent from start to finish. The driver, Ahamed, provided a safe and smooth transfer, was punctual, and very attentive to my needs. The guide, Priyantha, was knowledgeable and shared interesting facts about the places we visited. He was especially helpful in finding the best spots to watch the sunrise. While the activity is a bit physically challenging, it is absolutely worth the effort. I highly recommend this tour!
Safe and good transport both to and from the mountain, and a very nice guide to bring us to the top. Will recommed doing this, but bring warm clothes!!
The transportation was smooth. The guy was professional too. It’s cold up hill so don’t forget to keep yourself warm!
our driver was safe and very considerate. Our guidePryianth was so informative kind generous but over all he was the sweetest young man. I can't praise Imran and Priyanth enough. The walk is tough in places but so worth while when you get to the to to wait for sunrise. Breakfast was exelent.
I was looking for a way to climb Adams Peak from Kandy and I booked this activity. I must say that it exceeded all my expectations. The organisation is perfect and the driver Imran took care of every detail. The experience is truly unique and unforgettable, especially in the season when locals go on pilgrimage to the temple. Definitely recommended.