Most Inspirational Moment
The whole trip was a highlight!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ruwan Balasuriya was absolutely fantastic, well organised engaging and extremely knowledgeable.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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.
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Reviews
Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
Well organised, good and clear trip information, varied and interesting itinerary. Cycling distances were well thought out. The trip guide Ruwan Balasuriya was absolutely fantastic, well organised engaging and extremely knowledgeable. Him and his excellent support team made the trip very enjoyable and run smoothly. A really great and memorable experience.
Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
The website trip information represented the actual trip experience well. The local guide was excellent in safely guiding the cycle group through beautiful countryside whilst imparting much knowledge about local culture, history and wildlife along the way. He was responsive to queries and ensured everything ran smoothly, allowing maximum enjoyment for us all.
Most Inspirational Moment
Achieving 'the big hill climb' was a rewarding challenge. Beautiful cycling countryside with interesting wildlife, as well as the safari. Great hotels and food. Wonderful local guide.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Waji was an excellent leader. He gave a confident and professional service. He was very passionate about tourism in his country and giving us the best possible experience on our trip. Very personable with good communication skills, he shared a wealth of local knowledge; cultural, wildlife, historical with us in an interesting way. He ran the support team in a friendly manner and as a team of 5 they worked very well, always timely and efficient with looking after all of the customers. Along with his flexible approach and organisation skills he made our trip feel very relaxed.
Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
We have now been on 4 cycle trips with Exodus this one was definately the best of them. An amazing country and experienced trip leader.
Most Inspirational Moment
Wildlife encounters, cycling routes
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh was a very experienced leader. He was passionate about sharing his country and culture with visiting tourists
Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
It was. Very well paced, lots of cycling, lots of sightseeing and plenty of do time. I particularly enjoyed visiting local homes and businesses
Most Inspirational Moment
Tea plantations and our guide
Thoughts on Group Leader
Wajira was an exceptional tour leader. He went way above and beyond to ensure the safety and happiness of our group. He was very knowledgeable about all aspects of Sri Lankan history and wildlife. He was always smiling, nothing was too much trouble for him.
Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
The group leader Ruwan Balasuriya was excellent, and his team (Abey, Chatu, Pawan and Oshita) were also exemplary.
Most Inspirational Moment
The trip started well with a dramatic climb up to the top of Sigiriya fortress, but for me the days in the highlands surrounded by magnificent scenery were the best. The group had really gelled at this point and there was a great buzz after the successful completion of the ride to Nuwara Eliya. The stop at Buduruvagala was also very special, a magical place in the presence of the huge Buddha statue; we were the only people there in the peace and stillness which heightened the experience.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Exodus is lucky to have Ruwan. I have been on a number of Exodus trips, and am always impressed by the quality of the group leader, but Ruwan took things to another level. Fantastic local knowledge of history and nature, an ability to make what is obviously a tough role with loads of multi-tasking look effortless, as well as being a charming and fun companion.
Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
From start to finish, the trip felt thoughtfully curated rather than just ‘planned’. Routes flowed naturally through coastal roads, lush tea country, and quiet village back roads, giving a real sense of Sri Lanka’s contrasts in a relatively short time. There was a balance between time on the bike and cultural stops. Suresh chose routes that avoided the worst of the traffic and heat, favouring early starts, stops in small towns you’d never find on your own, favouring up-to-date routes. One day your riding past rice paddies and temples, the next you’re winding through ‘undulating’ tea plantations with cooler air and big views, constantly changing scenery, friendly faces at every tea stop and what incredibly tasting tea it was.
Suresh our guide set a clear standard of safety:maintained bikes, clear hand signals, calm, confident road positioning around buses, tuktuks, and the dogs. Hydration and breaks were planned at sensible pauses.
Suresh gave depth of local knowledge wherever we were and each stop became a mini-lesson in history, religion, food, wildlife: you never felt rushed away from a conversation with a local or from a viewpoint. His love for his country shone through as we too fell in love with their country.
Most Inspirational Moment
Long, flowing descents from the tea highlands, when the road tipped downwards through bends and switchbacks, tiny villages, fragrant smells of woodsmoke, lorries passing by full of vegetables like leeks and the countryside opened up.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I cannot recommend Suresh highly enough. He is skilled guide, a careful guardian on the road, and a wonderful ambassador for his country - the kind of person who turns a holiday into a lifelong memory.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take all old clothes to wear so to donate at the end of your trip.
Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
A fabulous trip from start to finish. This was our sixth Exodus trip and easily one of the best. Everything was exceptionally well organised, with great attention to detail throughout. The cycling was fantastic, with good-quality bikes, smooth road surfaces, and excellent routes through small villages and towns. Our guide, Ruwan, was outstanding — enthusiastic, deeply knowledgeable, and always able to guide all 16 of us calmly and seamlessly from place to place. Thanks to him, we truly felt immersed in Sri Lankan culture. His team — Oshitha, Pawan, Abey, and Chatu — looked after us incredibly well and consistently went above and beyond, from refilling our water bottles at every stop without us even needing to ask, to providing wet wipes at each snack stop. The accommodation was of a good standard throughout, and the food was varied and absolutely delicious. We went at the end of January which worked well weather wise – hot and dry.
Most Inspirational Moment
One of the real highlights was the group itself. we were very lucky to have such a cohesive group who got on extremely well, which really enhanced the whole experience. The wildlife and birdlife were incredible, and we saw so much thanks to Ruwan's eagle eye for spotting things along the way. Seeing a leopard was an absolute standout moment. Learning about Sri Lanka's history and culture was another highlight, with Ruwan bringing it all to life in an engaging and insightful way. The cycling was
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ruwan was exceptional. I cannot praise him highly enough. He and his team truly made the trip. He brought Sri Lanka's history, culture, and daily life to us in an engaging and insightful way, adding real depth to the experience. The cycling was expertly organised, with a mix of group rides and free riding that allowed everyone to cycle at their own pace while still keeping the group together, making it enjoyable for all abilities.
Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
Super trip, very well organised and well lead.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling country lanes away from main tourist areas and seeing wildlife in its natural habitat. Seeing wild elephants, crocodiles, monitor lizards, monkeys, exotic birds and other wildlife whilst cycling along back roads was truly special. Also, seeing and meeting the locals was a fabulous experience.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent leader, thoughtful, caring and professional. He met the varying needs of the group very well.
Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
Excellent route, lots of cycling and less transfer by bus. Guide and support crew were fantastic. The balance of the rides was great in terms of distance and difficulty. The planning of the routes and the environment they went through was well thought out. Couple of the hotels prevented a 10/10. What made the trip was Ruwan the guide. His knowledge, attention to detail and friendly helpful nature was exceptional. His support staff were also excellent and made the whole experience memorable.
Most Inspirational Moment
The guides and support staff made the trip memorable. The guides knowledge of history, culture, wildlife and environment enabled you to get a true understanding of Sri Lanka.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ruwan was exceptional. His organisation, knowledge, time keeping, friendliness, management skills were outstanding. He made the trip come to life and enabled us to immerse ourselves in the culture of the country.
Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
Good routes, hotels generally v good. Tour guide and support team were excellent. Tipping was a significant added cost to the trip cost
Most Inspirational Moment
Sigiriya, Eliya, and Ahangama. Best hotel was at Tissa. Whale watching was special
Thoughts on Group Leader
Diligent, sociable, knowledge, worked very hard, and under stress at times. Very effective and a joy to be with. Highly recommended.