So, having completed Leg 1, (in my head, and now electronically), it may be time for a little rest! Leg 1 in real life will be a challenge with lots of jungle trekking. It will likely include several unpleasant experiences such as leeches and snakes, amongst all the fabulous happenings too. I’ll hopefully have seen the purple-faced langur monkey, the elusive leopard and maybe even an elephant. I also like to think I’ll be the owner of a Sri Lankan gem, personally hand-mined by me this time, from a Ratnapura mine. This is to replace the sapphire I bought back in 2013 which had been mined in Ratnapura but which I regrettably lost down a plug hole! This is what happened on my last gem mine experience.

With whoever has accepted the challenge to come with me (two confirmed for this leg to date), we may take a day’s rest in this Sri Lankan city of gems. From here we’ll decide the best time of day/night to climb the seven hour ascent up Adam’s Peak. We’ll join the trail from the town of Palabaddala which is said to be a tougher journey than from the other entrance points. However, from Palabaddala it’s quieter and will provide a real taste of Sri Lanka in the wild. Just in case we hadn’t had enough wildness in Leg 1 in the Sinharaja rainforest!

The Peak

Incase you’re not aware, Adam’s Peak, locally called Sri Pada which means sacred footprint, is an ancient pilgrimage route for people of many faiths. Each religion claims its own significance, but very peacefully so. For Muslims it bears the footprint of Adam, for Christians it’s St Thomas’, and for Buddhists it’s the Buddha’s.

The first known reference to the peak is in the 4^th Century AD where it is said that the Buddha climbed the mountain. Also, Marco Polo, the Italian merchant and explorer, recorded in his ‘The Marvels of the World’ c.1298 AD, the importance of Adam’s Peak as a sacred place of pilgrimage. So, Sri Pada is a magnificently historical mountain, and I can’t wait to climb it and be a part of its long personal history.

If things go to plan we should arrive just at the beginning of the pilgrimage season which runs from December to May. This means the trail all the way to the mountain top will be lit at night. This is supposed to be a spectacular sight. A pilgrim’s goal is to reach the peak in time for sunrise which means walking through the night. As the sun rises it castes an enigmatic triangular shadow of the peak that appears to hang in mid air right in front of it.

Towards Ella

We’ll be coming down the other side, a relatively short descent of around three hours, arriving at Delhousie village. It’ll then be on to Hatton to pick up the four hour train ride towards Ella. This sounds like the easy bit!

Ella is known for being endlessly picturesque, surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The Ella Gap provides views across the southern Sri Lankan plains. Around Ella there’s waterfalls, tea factories, and the famous nine arches bridge, and all in a relatively cool climate. There’s also the ‘nephew’ of Adam’s Peak called Little Adam’s Peak which should feel like a doddle after having climbed the real thing! Ella sounds like a cool conclusion to Leg 2 and a great place for a day or two’s rest.

Does this leg look more, or less, appealing than the Galle to Ratnapura Leg? Comfortable footwear for hiking will be a must and we’ll need to get in a few hill walks during the weeks and months prior to taking on The Peak! Would love to hear your comments below!

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Next up: planning for Leg 3 – from Ella to Kandy via Nuwara Eliya – approximately 140km