Adam's Peak, Sacred summit in Ratnapura district, Sri Lanka
The 2,243-meter mountain features 5,200 stone steps leading to a summit temple where pilgrims gather to observe the sunrise over Sri Lanka's central highlands.
Ibn Battuta documented his ascent in the 14th century, noting iron chains as handrails, which Marco Polo had previously described in his travels.
The summit houses a rock formation resembling a footprint, which Buddhists attribute to Buddha, Muslims to Adam, and Hindus to Shiva.
The climb typically starts at 3 AM from Nallathanniya village, taking approximately four hours to reach the top before sunrise.
During sunrise, the mountain casts a perfectly triangular shadow across the surrounding plains, creating a natural phenomenon visible only from the summit.
Location: Ratnapura district
Elevation above the sea: 2,243 m
GPS coordinates: 6.80942,80.49939
Latest update: May 27, 2025 20:25
Sri Lanka offers diverse photography sites from ancient fortresses to national parks. Sigiriya Rock displays stone architecture amid green landscapes. Buddhist temples house cultural artifacts, while colonial structures like Galle Fort stand along the coast. National parks contain elephants and leopards in their natural habitat. Mountains, waterfalls, and beaches provide natural settings. The country features religious monuments such as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth and Nallur Kandaswamy Temple. Gardens, tea plantations, and forest reserves showcase the local flora.
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