- Taking the Sandagalathenna trail
Sri Lanka is an island paradise, and while we may be best known for our easy-to-access travel destinations with its natural beauty and wildlife, a lesser-known aspect of our island is our adventure travel destinations.
While there are many types of travellers, some enjoy the serene outdoors, opting to wade across beautiful natural terrain; there are many who are looking for a challenge. One such adventure experience that Sri Lanka has to offer is travelling up Sri Pada or Adam’s Peak during the off season.
Climbing Adam’s Peak is a mixed experience; it really does depend on how you choose to tackle the terrain. The weather and time of day really makes a big difference on what kind of experience you will be getting, too.
The official Sri Pada season begins in December and ends in April – the period with the best weather. However, it is commonly shared amongst adventure travellers that an off-season climb is extremely rewarding, considering the complete and utter isolation from civilisation and human contact until you reach the peak, which creates a euphoric atmosphere that is unlike anything else.
However, choosing to travel during the monsoon is incredibly dangerous, and the path can get extremely hazardous to pass during the monsoon months.
Sharing their unique experience, Nimesh Chaminda and Nadun Tennakoon regaled us with their story of climbing up Sri Pada during the monsoon. They shared how a group of 13 planned extensively to safely experience the wonders of the train but learned the important lesson of how Mother Nature is second to absolutely nothing, where she unleashes her wrath whenever she feels fit.
The group consisted of university friends who got together for this very purpose of conquering Sri Pada during its off season and they had the added element of getting to know each other along the way. Nimesh and Nadush shared that they planned the trip together and decided to take the lesser-taken path across Sandagalathenna in Rajamale.
“The journey starts from the Nallathanniya Road, through the Mulgama Junction. You must make it through the Murray Tea Estate and travel about 9 km through the thickest of forest to finally arrive at the beginning of our tail,” they said.
They shared that it was a spiritual experience as they chose to stay deeply connected with nature and offer respect and worship along the way, somewhat akin to a pilgrimage. They abstained from eating any meat and engaging in any activities that would be considered debauchery (i.e. they did not consume in alcohol and maintained a holy lifestyle to the point of their trip to show their respect to the trail).
The duo shared that all 13 of them, while facing some extreme challenges due to the incredibly harsh weather that befell them, managed to make it to the top. They provided that their shared experience strengthened their bond and it is likely that this would be a memory that will continue to bond them all for many years to come.
Finally, when they reached the peak, having gone through all the adversity of braving the weather – the cold, the rain – and having very minimal breaks to have a meal and rest, the reaching of the summit was an unparalleled experience that was incredibly rewarding. The duo encouraged any and all, if they wish to experience something that is truly unique, to give it a try. However, they cautioned travellers to do their research and make sure they’re at peak physical fitness or have the necessary support to complete the journey.
