Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) is also known as the “butterfly mountain”. At an elevation of 2,243 metres (7,359 ft) it is a stunning tall conical mountain. In Buddhist tradition it is held to be the footprint of the Buddha. There is probably no mountain anywhere more famous than Adam’s Peak for reasons that are cultural and spiritual. The climb takes approximately three and a half hours and the trail is flanked by the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary one of Sri Lanka’s highest protected forest reserves. Views from the top are stunning, especially early morning as the warmth of dawn lights up the country in an endless vista of forests, valleys, mountains and lakes. The season to climb is from December to April where pilgrims begin their climb shortly after midnight in order to summit at sunrise. Year-round climbs during the day are possible, although sporadic rainy weather and mist is to be expected.