Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Sharing a train train trip from Kandy (PERADENI JUNCTION) to NANU-OYA with what seemed like thousands of other like minded passengers but in particular with a family and friends on a annual pilgrimage to a hilltop temple. The generosity and kindness of our fellow passengers with their food and snacks together with the magnificant scenery made this an inspirational journey............

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader SURESH GAMIATH BANDRA was truly amazing as nothing was too much trouble.....  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes take this trip for a truly amazing experience before SRI LANKA is spoilt by hoards of holiday makers

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding along the mud roads between the villages and the paddy fields showed us a way of life so differnt to ours in the UK.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was excellent and attentive to all our needs. He was rightly proud of his country and keen for us to immerse ourselves in its culture, sample the local food, and learn of its history. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling downhill at high speed through surprisingly quiet back roads and tea planations. Spotting both a leopard and tusk elephant at Yala National park.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Suresh Gamlath is an absolute asset to the company. He was so good at his job. Very friendly, funny, always making sure everyone is happy. Our driver Upali and the support rider AK were fantastic too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dont wear white clothes. Wear old clothes on the safari drive and if you are a lady, a sports bra :) Buy a tub of Gatorade/sports powder to put in your water bottle during the day to top up electrolytes. Good suncreen that wont sting your eyes, insect repellent, lip-screen, some muesli bars, padded bike pants, jeresy with back pockets or a bum bag. Nice clothes to change into at night.

Most Inspirational Moment

Citadel Sigariya

Thoughts on Group Leader

very good

Advice for Potential Travellers

the cycle ride described as very challenging lives up to its name - it is a long day of climbing

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the best moments came after the longest days in the saddle. I loved the feeling of achievement after a long hill climb. The down hill runs afterwards were great fun too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was an absolute star. Knowledgeable, approachable, and a can do attitude were everything your could have wanted or expected from someone leading the tour. I'd add that the conduc of the three support staff who were on the trip we similarly noteworthy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It sounds an obvious thing to say but this is a trip for people who have  good fitness. If you dont, you wont enjoy it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the orphaned elephants,cycling to the Hill club, Yala NP

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, Sureesh could not do enough for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy the trip, but be prepared for cycling in very hot conditions.

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the 100km ride from Kandy to Nuwara Elia up a 2000m climb. As I’m not much of a cyclist it was much longer and steeper than I ever imagined. Also being about 10m away from a wild leopard when we went on the safari.  This apparently was a very unusual sight. Also, climbing to the top of Sigiriya Rock. This rewarded us with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was always very helpful and put our comfort and safety above everything else.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The quality of the hotels we stayed at varied greatly from lovely to rather poor. Also everything seemed to close at 10.30pm, even the bars/restaurants/hotels, so if you want to eat and drink go early or go hungry and thirsty. Not such a bad thing when there are many 6am starts.

Most Inspirational Moment

I have done a few cycling trips now and in Asia I am always amazed by the friendliness of the people and the children who all come out to see you and call out "Bye!!" I was also impressed by how clean Sri Lanka is. I loved the temples - we certainly saw a lot of them!  Also thoroughly enjoyed the visit to the Elephant Orphanage.  We just sat and watched them for a couple of hours playing in the river. Getting to the top of that Hill!!   Think of it in stages.  We had a stop every 20k so all I thought about was doing the next 20k and it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be.  If you have any hesitation just do it!  You can always get on the bus for a stage.At the end of the trip I went on an optional Whale watching trip.  This was excellent - we saw lots of whales and dolphins. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had Suresh.  Initially I was disappointed as I was expecting to have Peter lead our trip.  However Suresh could not do enough for us.  Suresh's love for his country (and temples) was very evident.  I believe this enriched our whole trip.  There is a lot to be said for having a guide who is a native of the country you are touring.  Suresh's laugh just put everyone in a good mood.  He also loved a good bargain and was always negotiating for us to get the best price. Upali was our driver - lovely man who could talk for Sri Lanka!  AJ was our front man - catch him if you can.  Then we had the gorgeous Chamara as our back man and mechanic.  Great team but AJ please slow down at the front .......

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take an umbrella!  No country is ever this green and verdant without plentiful rain!  Also a torch is useful. If you go to the elephant orphanage try and buy some bananas on your way.  You can get them there but you will want a lot.  Remember this is not a race.  Every trip will have people on it who wish to get to the destination as fast as they can but that doesn't mean we all have to.  We were always at our destination well ahead of schedule and I now wish I had stopped more, taken more photos and generally not rushed through everything.  This does tend to happen a lot on cycling holidays so stand your ground.  Tell the leader you would like more "regrouping" so that you can stop and take photos and generally enjoy the scenery. When you get the opportunity use the local transport - it really is an experience!  We got a bus back from Galle and a series of vendors trooped on and off the bus selling nuts, oranges and other wares.  The amount of people they manage to get on a bus!  Was pleased we were on it first and got seats.

Most Inspirational Moment

Eating street food from roadside vendors during each day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't bother with a la carte dinner options. Whilst the omnipresent buffet might become predictable it is by far the best food available.Watch out for predatory monkeys in Kandy!Bring wine and spirits unless you can cope with non-stop beer!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing how rural Sri Lankans live - they all seemed so happy despite often difficult conditions.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A big hearted Sri Lankan who worked tirelessly to make everyone on the trip happy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Consider the train ride if you don't think you want to complete the long uphill cycle.  It is an experience you will remember.  In Kandy, climb the hill (or get a tuk tuk)  to the Buddha temple on the hill.  The views over Kandy are worth the trip.