Plan your cycling year with Exodus
The great news is that cycling continues to go from strength to strength and is now the fastest growing activity for Exodus. Our latest 2011-12 Cycling brochure has proven incredibly popular and many trips are filling up quickly. Our new trips have been well received and we are already organising extra departures on some of them.
Many destinations have a long season but for others there are definite advantages of choosing one month over another. In this monthly planner we have recommended trips that are particularly suitable at that time of year. This should help steer you towards your next (or first!) cycling adventure.
Exodus cycling experts:
If you have any questions about our cycling holidays, contact one of our cycling experts by phone or email using the contact details below. Chances are you will find yourself speaking to Ian or Marcus - just two of the specialist cycling experts in our Sales team!
Cycling 2011 monthly links: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan 12
Our Recommended Cycling Holidays For This Year
| JANUARY | FEBRUARY |
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Uncover Cuba’s intriguing culture and history as you cycle through colonial towns, tobacco plantations and along the beautiful Caribbean coastline. In Havana, 1950s cars cruise past its monuments, cathedrals and palaces. Santiago is steeped in historically important events and has a lively nightlife of music and dance. Quieter rural areas provide an insight to a different side of Cuba including the jungle-clad Sierra Maestra Mountains. What better way to start the year?! 16 Days from: £1979 Now’s also a good time to cycle in:
| Cycle the Backroads of Sri Lanka - Road
Admire the tropical beauty of cool highlands, jungle parks and ancient Buddhist cities as you travel across this compact country by bike. Along the way you will get the chance to climb to the top of Sigiriya Rock, explore the cave temples at Dambulla and take a safari in Yala National Park – home to elephant, leopard and many colourful bird species. You’ll ride through tea and spice growing regions and also have time to relax on the beach. The British winter weather will be left far behind! 15 days from £1849 Now’s also a good time to cycle in:
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| MARCH | APRIL |
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Ride the Road to Damascus - Road Enjoy the cultural and scenic highlights of Syria as you follow a circular route from Damascus, the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. Evidence of the rise and fall of ancient civilisations is everywhere, from the dramatic ruins of Palmyra, the crusader castle of Krak des Chevallers and the mediaeval waterwheels of Hama. In modern day Syria, there is no better place to get a taste of local life than in the souks of Aleppo and Damascus. 9 days from £1399 Now’s also a good time to cycle in:
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Morocco’s Atlas Mountains provide an unrivalled off-road experience through a striking landscape of jagged mountains and gorges. Along the way you’ll pass through quiet Berber villages, palm-filled oases and cultivated valleys. 8 days from £1069 Now’s also a good time to cycle in:
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| MAY | JUNE |
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The wild beauty of the Cilento National Park is your constant companion throughout much of the week as you cycle along its border with the sea. Sleepy villages perch atop towering cliffs that plunge into the turquoise blue sea below. Stopping to explore the Greco-Roman city of Paestum, you continue to the stunning scenery of the Amalfi Coast, taking in views of Vesuvius along the way. Being Italy, you can expect delicious refreshments and meals wherever you dine. 8 days from £999 Now’s also a good time to cycle in:
| Aegean Coast & Lakes Ride - Road
8 days from £849 Now’s also a good time to cycle in:
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| JULY | AUGUST |
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Classic Cols of the Tour de France - Road
8 days from £899 Now’s also a good time to cycle in:
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8 days from £1049 Now’s also a good time to cycle in:
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| SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER |
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Lhasa to Kathmandu Ride - Road This is the ultimate cycling challenge! Adventurous cyclists will relish the opportunity to enjoy the majesty of the Tibetan and Nepalese Himalayan scenery from a bike. Riding both on and off road, often at altitude, you will travel through a landscape of brilliant skies, towering snow-capped peaks and rugged beauty. You’ll get great views of Everest’s north face and get to Base Camp itself. There’s acclimatisation time in Kathmandu to help ensure you can make the most of the steep ascents and exhilarating descents. 21 days from £2699 Now’s also a good time to cycle in:
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When was the last time you cycled past a giraffe, a flock of flamingos or a Masai Warrior? Cycling in the wilds of the Rift Valley area provides an incomparable array of landscapes and encounters with local people. Cycling mostly on dirt tracks, you will get a real feel for the African wilderness. In the safety of game viewing vehicles you will also go into the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater National Parks to view a wider array of animals including elephant and the big cats. Some of the cycling routes are quite challenging but the effort is well worth it. 15 days from £2419 Now’s also a good time to cycle in:
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| NOVEMBER | DECEMBER |
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Kerala & Tropical India - Road
Enjoy the lush, tropical beauty of southern India as you cycle along backroads and through small towns and villages. You’ll pass through tea plantations and have plenty of opportunities to interact with the local people. An optional ride to the top of Ooty Hill is the highlight for many, while an overnight trip on a houseboat in Kerala’s backwaters provides a great way to relax. Along the way you can refuel with the delicious Indian cuisine. 15 days from £1749 Now’s also a good time to cycle in:
| Cycle Indochina & Angkor - Road
16 days from £1929 Now’s also a good time to cycle in:
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| JANUARY 2012 | |
| Cycle Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama Central America's narrow isthmus lends itself perfectly to exploration on two wheels. Starting in the graceful colonial city of Granada and ending in bustling Panama City, our route takes us into Costa Rica's steamy cloud forests, alongside several active volcanoes and to the tropical island paradise of Bocas del Toro. Now’s also a good time to cycle in: |
EXODUS CYCLING EXPERTS | |
| Ian Langford Ian has pedalled his way around a diverse range of destinations including India, South Africa, Spain, Croatia, Burgundy and Cuba. He is aiming to work his way through the entire cycling brochure. He’s doing well and will soon be adding Sri Lanka to his cycling repertoire! Email Ian on: ilangford@exodus.co.uk
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EXODUS CYCLING EXPERT | |
| Marcus Nicholson A lapsed mountain biker, since joining Exodus, Marcus has rekindled his passion for pedalling. He has gone off road in Tuscany and independent in Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Later this year he is going to jump back in the saddle in Mongolia. Email Marcus on: mnicholson@exodus.co.uk |
And finally...
Perhaps there is a destination you’d love to explore on two wheels that we don’t currently feature? Well now is the time to speak up - we want to hear from you! Not only could you see your idea in a future brochure, but the people who submit the best 10 suggestions by 30 April 2011 (along with their name and address) will receive a £50 Exodus voucher redeemable against future bookings - this offer is now closed, but you could still try and come up with a suggestion! Please put 'Cycling Suggestion' in the subject line of your email.
Send Cycling Programme Manager Andy Ross your ideas: aross@exodus.co.uk
Terms & Conditions - Entries will be judged by Andy Ross and the best 10, as chosen by him, will receive a £50 Exodus voucher to the address provided. Only one voucher will be sent per person / per address (although you can make as many suggestions as you like). Entries must be for international cycling holidays only. All suggestions must be received by 30 April 2011. Offer open to UK residents aged 18 or over only and excludes Exodus employees or their immediate families. There is no cash alternative and no correspondence will be entered into.
















