Cycle The Backroads of Sri Lanka

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 47 reviews.

Annabel Struthers

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

Written December 2011
I can't think of a better way to explore Sri Lanka than by bike. This trip takes you through paddy fields, tea plantations, national parks and along the coast - every day was so different.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were many inspirational moments. Watching the elephants from the Elephant Orphanage in the river at Pinnawala, arriving at the The Hill Club in Nuwara Eliya after the gruelling hill climb from Kandy, the tour of the tea factory were all highlights of the trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Peter is an exceptional leader and worked so hard to make sure our trip was great. Along with his team, he made sure all the bikes were ready and servicedand food stops were organised. His extensive local knowledge helped give the group confidence to try local food and he was happy to answer our questions about Sri Lankan life. Suresh showed the group around the historical sites and temples. His English was patchy and he was quite hard to understand at times, but he was always kind and attentive to our needs and requests.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We had terrible rain early on in the holiday so a small umbrella would have been really useful. The bikes didn't have mudguards and the mud on the road got everywhere which was impossible to get out of clothes.
The standard of accommodation was varied so don't expect 5 star rooms and hot water every night.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
We were a diverse bunch, but we all had a positive outlook and shared a love for adventure. As with all trips, it's the people in the group that makes a holiday really special.
Rosita Haas

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

Written December 2011
One of my best trips ever, the group was absolutely great, the group leader absolutely fabulous and the cycling is just absolutely great. Sri Lanka itself is a great place to be with various landscapes, one more beautiful then the other, people are so friendly and being back here in Europe, i miss the smiles and i miss the Hellos and Byes of the kids, the waving hands ... food yeah food ... i just loved it .. rice and curry, pol roti, coconut sambal .. just wonderful .all in all .... MARVELLOUS
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the top in Nuwara Eliya after the tremendous climb ...
What did you think of your group leader?
Peter, the best you can get ...
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Just do it, every kilometer you cycle is worth it
Is there anything else you would like to add?
so nothing but nothing to complain about ... and don't forget to have an EGB ..... best gingerbeer in the world ...
Naomi Johnson

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

Written December 2011
This trip was a fantastic mix of road and off road - just a little bumpier... not technically difficult - riding. The experience was made all the better by the local staff knowledge and love of Sri Lanka.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I loved the challenging bike day. Yep - it was a climb but at a steady pace and aided with chocolate cake (best of the trip!) half way up the hill it was a fantastic day and sense of achievement. That mixed with the daily shouts of "good morning" and waves and excitement when passing through... the backroads ...as the trip notes made for a brilliant trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Peter was an old hand at our trip and this came through in his knowledge and love of Sri Lanka and of routes and experience in bringing the group together. While taking more of a back seat the local guides were also encouraging, hard working and great working with the group.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take techical t-shirts... SL is very humid.... I'm never sure how folks do these trips in T-shirts that don't dry out!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Enjoy!
Alastair Roots

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

Written December 2011
We were so lucky! The best group ever! Excellent weather, beautiful countryside, beautiful people, great food!Fantastic cycling. Some challenging days followed by the reward of long down hills! Best trip so far.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the Sri Lankan people (including an army convoy) waving and cheering us on!
Seeing Leopards (three), elephants, crocodiles and lots more on safari. Whales(six) and about a thousand dolphins!
What did you think of your group leader?
Peter and the whole team were great.
Peters knowledge of the country, animals etc is amazing. Saresh and his map!
The speed of AK!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Try and get some cycling in before hand as there are a couple of days of challenging climbs.
The food service in the hotel in Kandy was rubbish (2 hours and no food). Go to the pub at the bottom of the driveway. The beer is also cheaper.
If you do the day of the big climb when there is a full moon make sure you buy any beer etc the day before as it can't be sold on full moon. We had tea!
In the Hill Club don't order sparkling water. It will cost more than your meal!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
There have been some complaints on this forum about the hotel at the beach. Our accomodation was fine but the staff were unfriendly and don't try the breakfast unless you enjoy cold scrambled eggs and bacon!
I would recommend to Exodus that they try out Peters sister'n'laws place up on the red cliffs. Stunning location.
Jennifer Gascoigne

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

Written December 2011
A great holiday, great cycling (tough enough to keep it challenging, but not too tough we couldn't enjoy a few beers in the evening) in a beautiful and interesting country - possibly with the 'best group ever'?!
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting to the top of the 2000m summit at the end of a gruelling day. We were exceptionally well supported - so everyone who wanted to made it!
Also the close up leopard viewing on safari.
What did you think of your group leader?
Great. Very well organised, good knowledge of biking and Sri Lanka and supported by an excellent team.... Shame about his dancing in Colombo though ;o)
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
A trip worth recommending.
Advice would be to remember your mosquito net - they're not too agressive, but some of the hotels didn't have nets and I wished I'd thought to take mine.
Paul Mansfield

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

Written December 2011
Cycling is a great way to see Sri Lanka - cycling through the small villages we always got a friendly welcome. Beautiful scenery also.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing one of the less experienced cyclists tough it out on the hardest day - cycling about 12 hours and a fair portion uphill. She got in at 7:30pm and was just determined to make it to the finish line.
What did you think of your group leader?
A Sri Lankan fellow doing his first solo tour - he did very well and was really kind hearted. Liked him alot.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It really is very hard to get cycling gear in Sri Lanka - even if you can find it, most stock stops at 'Asian' medium size which is kinda small.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Much nicer way to see a country than bus travel. Sri Lanka is suited to this also - small enough to see some of the highlights, roads not too busy.
Ian Coggin

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

Written November 2011
Good cycling, good weather and good food. An excellent trip, well run and well worth doing.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were many good moments rather than one particular, from seeing another welcome stop for drinks and very tasty nibbles, the amazing old sites, the elephants and the way the kilometres rolled by.
What did you think of your group leader?
Unflappable, well organised and able to handle the varied demands of a large group without a fuss,
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take your own saddle or a gel saddle cover as there are a lot of miles covered if you are not used to it.