Most Inspirational Moment
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Thoughts on Group Leader
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Advice for Potential Travellers
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Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Cycling in a monsoon in Sri Lanka
I did the trip in November and overall it was very good. The leader, Suresh, and his local crew are outstanding in every way. Suresh has all the skills to be a fantastic guide and the team did everything possible to make sure we had a good holiday.
I enjoyed the mix of cycling and seeing cultural sights. I gained a good understanding of the country and appreciated seeing the many World Heritage sights and breathtakingly beautiful Buddha images, especially the reclining Buddha at Polunnaruwa. The cycling was challenging but satisfying and the food was delicious.
Unfortunately we experienced 14 days of rain and some days it was pretty constant and heavy. Some local people I talked with said this was normal for November and others said it was unusual. I brought clothing expecting hot and humid weather with some rain and this turned out to be a mistake. I suggest wearing all lycra or quick dry clothing. My cotton shorts and tops were constantly wet, heavy, and filthy and were not able to dry out overnight.
This was my first trip with Exodus and I would definitely book with them again.
Cycling Sri Lanka
Well organised cycle tour around the none tourist areas of Sri Lanka. Unfortunately we had poor weather for 14 days and this could easily have been a wash out. However, the trip was rescued by our guide Suresh and his team, who still made the holiday enjoyable despite the conditions.
Most Inspirational Moment
Most of the evening activities organised by Suresh were inspirational.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh and his team were excellent from start to finish. Everything was well planned and organised.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't take your best cycling clothes as I ended up binning several tops due to them being ruined by mud.
Fantastic activity holiday!
I really enjoyed the trip and though I was apprehensive about the level of cycling prior to leaving, the guides were fantastic and had planned everything out. They were always on hand and I enjoyed the variety of the cycling/terrain as well as the varied landscapes we were cycling through. Sri Lanka is a beautiful place and I thoroughly recommend it.
Most Inspirational Moment
There are a few moments that were fantastic, but mostly it was the opportunity to be able to be cycling through communities and being able to call Aybowan (the traditional greeting) to people as we rode past. Cycling also enabled us to go to local refreshment stops along our journey and I loved being a part of the culture while we were there. One of my favourite parts was going up to Sigiria Rock and seeing the breath taking views over the lush green trees beneath us.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader, Suresh was fantastic! Such a friendly person and never tired of asking our questions about Sri Lanka's history and culture. He was endlessly patient and very supportive. He also has a cheeky sense of humour so we had lots of laughs along the way. He was also very thoughtful and seemed to consider everything along the way.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Because I went on this trip with my partner you should be under no illusions that you'll spend lots of time together as you spend most of the time as a group (apart from when you are cycling along all at your own pace) so something to be aware of depending on what holiday you're after. Other advice is to have a bag that you can easily pack and unpack as many of the places you stay in you are only in for one night. Also, the holiday has a very packed schedule so expect early starts (sometimes 6am!). Other advice is to not use a padded bike seat and padded shorts, one or the other suffices!
Sri Lanka Experience by bike
Fantastic!
I concur with Rui, Steve and Irena of Oct 14, that this trip is indeed an amazing experience; the country is so lovely and it entirely lived up to expectations. Sri Lanka is so friendly and still seems to like us Brits which is novel! So many wonderful welcomes and hellos wherever we pedalled. The scenery beautiful, never a dull moment. And the group leader, Suresh, was I agree, incredible going above and beyond the call of duty both day and night; he obliged everyone’s merest whim, and ensured that all our needs were catered for. Bless him!
Most Inspirational Moment
Ah, the elephants at the orphanage were overwhelming...(but then I am an elephant addict). Yes, they do seem in need of a good meal, and it was heart-breaking to see that it is a bit like a zoo, but in fairness, the elephants in the wild on safari were just as skinny. I also liked the wonderful hotels and food, especially since the last fantastic place was trumped each night to come! I particularly liked the 50 mile uphill ride... the best burn-off I've had in a long time!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Smashing Suresh a lovely, affable person who aimed to please and worked hard to provide a top service.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yep. As a hardened world cycle tourist, I would say fervently, to avoid padded shorts in hot and sweaty climates. Grin and bear it without pads or you will end up with 'nappy rash' as many of my fellow travellers did. Merino wool undies and t-shirts are also the way ahead as in the monsoon showers they dry within the hour (you can wring them out at the breaks), and sponge dry with a small travel towel. Also, I ditched my socks which was far more pleasant for hot and sweaty/wet climates.
Great cycling in the great country
One of the best cycling trips I ever done – good cycling and a fantastic way to see and experience this beautiful country at its best. Stunning tropical scenery and misty mountains, good roads, ancient cities and timeless temples, smiling and welcoming people, scores of wild elephants, tranquil beaches, flavourful local food, famous tea and of course great cycling – what more can you ask for?! The trip has so much packed into it that every day brings something new and unexpected and something which will astonish and leave you with unforgettable memories. Cycling can be challenging from time to time but never boring or tedious. Highly recommended for all cycling enthusiasts!
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many to mention, every day brought a surprise. Climbing the soaring Rock of Sigirya, listening to the sacred chants at the ancient temples, cycling though paddy fields and quiet country roads amidst lush tropical scenery and birdsong, lunches in small local shops, challenging 2000 mt climb passing through tea plantations, getting close to wild elephants in the Uda Walawe national park, sunrise on the beach at the end of the trip - my list can go on and on. . And of course the exceptional local team that made it all possible - thank you guys
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh is an outstanding guide and a great person, who will go far beyond the call of duty to make sure you are enjoying your trip. His professionalism, organisational abilities, enthusiasm for his work, friendliness, profound knowledge and love for his country which he is doing his best to share with everyone - all these make the trip truly an exceptional experience. It is a privilege to have met somebody so dedicated to what he is doing and who treats you as a personal guest rather than a paying client.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book ASAP :-). On the practical side it would pay to do some hill training before you go, you will be grateful you did on some days. Be careful to drink lots and lots of water throughout the day as it can get quite hot - as the heat is humid it is sometimes not as easy as it may sound because you may not feel thirsty.
backroads of sri lanka
This trip stands up there with one of the best i have done extremely well organised great people all locals always always had a smile on there face,Children appearing from nowhere just to say hello you wouldnt get that sort of welcome in this country!!!!!
Most Inspirational Moment
Two many to mention although one highlight was a brutal 2000m climb upto nurawa eliya really hard work in very very hot conditions but it was so rewarding when we reached our hotel the counrty club what a place that was i celabrated with several bottles of the local brew called lion!!! Also enjoyed climbing up to lion rock,swimming,3 head massages and 1 full body massage. I was really impressed with the cycling road conditions and beleive it or not felt much safer cycling in sri lanka than i do here the uk! One thing that i will remember was a 10KM streach just before a lunch stop i though it would never end was really difficult as the road was still under constuction couldnt fell my wrists when i arrived and was pouring with sweat!!!!!really hot!!!!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh and his team did a fantasic job he deserves a medal always on hand night and day kept eveyone safe and although he had done the trip 47 times treated it as hs first very passionate about his country even went to the trouble to have a cake made for all of us after our brutal climb up to the country club at nurawa eliya.Also i though that it was a real nice when he gave us all a personalized map of sri lanka with a picture of myself in the middle which now hangs proudly in a frame on my wall.Thanks again suersh for making my holiday to sri lanka so memorable!!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do plenty of training before going as this is a tough trip and it can be really hot and drink plenty of water
Cycle the back Roads of Sri Lanka
This was my first cycling holiday and Exodus made it a fantastic experience, very well organised and what a fantastic island, the people are so friendly , the scenery out of this world and the roads although busy in some towns actually felt very safe as the other drivers are very courteous to a group of cyclists.
Great choice of food and the accommodation was far better than I expected.
Most Inspirational Moment
We had a small group of 10 and we soon became a great team, I think the highlight for most people was the 2000 metre climb, hard work but very rewarding.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh, what a gentleman, he will go out of his way to make sure everyone is having a good time and he on call 24/7 making sure everything is in place, he even insisted I used his personal mobile phone during the two weeks after mine stopped working on the 3rd day. Fantastic Leader and very good company.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you train before hand as it is quite challenging on some days or will spend some time in the back up bus. This is the best way to see the real Sri Lanka.
Superb guide through lovely country
A trip filled with great wildlife , culture and religion . And the best guide ever . I can not remember having a guide doing more to make sure everobody having a good time . He made his trip a travel through a country with great culture , nature and food . A great trip . And a great guide .
Most Inspirational Moment
For me it was cycling through teplantations and up to Muwara Eliya . A good challenge and wonderful views . Also seeing how the locals always met you with a smile . Wonderful country .
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh for president !! Best guide ever . He gave us all a fantastic trip . He is the best guide i have met through 20 years of traveling third way .
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do it before it gets to crowded by tourist , this trip takes you to places you wont see on a bus trip . But be fit for cycling , this is a cycling trip .
Reply from Exodus
We are very pleased that Frank thoroughly enjoyed so many aspects of the trip. Please remember that you can vote for your leader in our annual awards by following the link on our ‘About Us’ page: http://www.exodus.co.uk/leader-awards
Trip in Sri Lanka on a non roadworthy cycle
The country & riding were great. The bikes were terrible . The mechanics knew little if anything about bike mainteanance. The accommodation was usually too far out of town to eat anywhere but at the hotel. Overall the food was poor
Most Inspirational Moment
Travelling down from the Tea plantations was fantastic - through fog & mist on to the flat coastal region
Thoughts on Group Leader
great knowledge of Sri Lanka but poor organisational skills
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure the bikes are at least roadworthy. Get the company to verify this before you pay any money.
Reply from Exodus
We were very sorry to learn that John was disappointed with certain aspects of his holiday, but we would like to thank him for his review. Since receiving John’s feedback we have been in touch with him on an individual basis, have made changes to the trip and have re-trained members of staff according to John’s feedback. We remain sorry that John did not enjoy his trip as much as we would have hoped but are confident that the tour will be well received going forward.
Megan Devenish – Trip Manager for cycling in Sri Lanka
Cycling the back roads of Sri Lanka
I’ve done a number of these cycling trips and this was way ‘up’ there compared with some of the others – all of which have been fabulous. It was fairly challenging in that it was hot and a number of roads were ‘under construction’. I almost didn’t go, being recently diagnosed with a condition but am so glad I still went ahead. It helped knowing that the van was behind, just in case.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were quite a number of these, from the beautiful and varied landscapes, the ridiculously friendly and polite people, seeing a leopard, the elephant orphanage and the food. I didn't do the hill climb in the end, due to the rheumatoid arthritis but took the local train up - that was also a fantastic trip being befriended by Sri Lankans and plied with endless gifts and food! Had a great group of travellers too!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh and his team were beyond amazing. Suresh will go out of his way to help in any way he can, including adding in extras that aren't on the trip notes. Always smiling, always friendly, very knowledgeable and passionate about his country and the trip. He will always talk to everyone, getting to know you and making you feel that you matter.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is fairly challenging - mainly due to the roads and the heat (depending on when you go) but it is well doable for the averagely fit person. Take a padded seat and or shorts, good gloves to help with the vibrations on the bad roads and stay hydrated. Wet wipes are also good!