Clearer months

January, February, and March are the months guides prefer for the Five Peaks, Kotaganga, and the drive to Meemure. Cloud still sits on the ridge some mornings, then lifts. Riverston and Mini World's End are worth an early start in these months because the view fills in after sunrise.

A second useful window falls around July and August. The southwest monsoon soaks the wet-zone slopes, while the eastern and northern rain-shadow side of the Knuckles can stay brighter. Corbett's Gap is the place you notice that split: dripping forest on one hand, drier grass slopes on the other.

Wet months

October through December brings the heaviest risk of afternoon storms, swollen streams, and leeches in the leaf litter. Treks still run, with a shorter day or a change of trailhead if a river is up. Cave camping at Duwili Ella is the first plan we move when the forecast is poor, because a wet cave night is miserable and a flooded approach can close the route.

Inter-monsoon weeks in April and May are changeable. Pack the same rain layer you would bring in November, even if the week in Kandy looks sunny.

How we decide on the morning

If lightning is on the ridge, we do not start the Five Peaks. Viewpoint days at Riverston and Pitawala can still go ahead in drizzle. We say so the evening before, not halfway up a rock step.