Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I suppose like everyone completing the cycle to Newara Eliya! Epic cycle made even more challenging with the torrential rain!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have done about 10 Exodus cycling trips and I have to say that Suresh has been the best! His organization skills, attention to detail and great sense of humour meant that we felt totally spoiled and supported on this trip! I certainly would not have completed the climb to Nuwara Eliya without him as he stayed with myself and another person for the last 10 K or so. I had total faith in him to get us there safely! He helped everyone at the end of the trip and I was glad to stay at the hotel in Colombo longer as opposed to spending a whole day at the airport. Thanks for helping me with that Suresh! I must also mention Saranga, Anitha and Upali. I probably saw more of Saranga and he was the back cyclist and I spent a lot of time at the back! His quiet presence was reassuring and he took the bike off me and parked it regularly when I got off. When you saw Upali directing u to the left or right it usually meant that the cycling was finished!! Whew! Anitha was a gentle giant who always filled our water bottles before we even asked! He was so lovely and kind!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Where to start? Eh don’t expect to lose weight! The food was fab! We seemed to be always eating! Train for distance and hills for this trip. I had done some training but could done more. Bring less clothes as you have an opportunity to have washing done.

Most Inspirational Moment

The grinding climb up to Nuwara Eliya through a torrential downpour and thunderstorm, with night falling before we reached the summit, then the hair raising descent in the dark, and arriving at the warm haven of the Hill Club. Unforgettable and possibly outrageous, but none of us would have stopped and taken the bus!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh is simply the best tour guide I have ever encountered, period. Commanding yet courteous, informative and inspirational, ensuring that we were all looked after and assisting the group bonding. After the end of the tour, he even helped out one of the group make her boat transfer to the Maldives after an oversight by the agents neglecting to ensure that her ticket had been validated by the resort- above and beyond expectation....

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do ensure good sun protection. Electrolyte tablets for rehydration. We didn't take the usual lycra padded shorts, but used MTB short equivalents with sheep skin saddle savers, and had less problems with butt soreness than most in the group. Make sure that you are hill climbing fit- we had 4 full days of fairly strenuous cycling back to back. Consider taking bike lights- would have been grateful for my "twinklies" on the final ride in the dark to Nuwara Eliya.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably as for most other people completing the days cycle to Nuwara Eliya felt a great achievement.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was a fantastic trip leader, well organised, patient, funny and always willing to go the extra mile for people. The rest of the team working with him also deserve a mention - they were always professional, hard working and happy to help with anything. I was really impressed with them all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is with making the effort to get fit for this trip. I did spinning classes 3 or 4 times a week for 6 or 7 weeks before I went and that made a huge difference to my overall enjoyment of the trip as I was able to keep up with ththe cycling. And don’t think you will lose weight on this trip. Despite the cycling the food is fabulous and never ending...

Most Inspirational Moment

Personalized attention from Exodus staff

Thoughts on Group Leader

Best yet

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't consider travelling with Exodus if it cancels Cuba tours for political reasons - as is rumoured

Most Inspirational Moment

Personalized attention from Exodus staff

Thoughts on Group Leader

Best yet

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't consider travelling with Exodus if it cancels Cuba tours for political reasons - as is rumoured

Most Inspirational Moment

The local children running out to shout hello as we cycled past. Seeing elephants in the wild was pretty magical too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

It was no surprise to find out that Suresh is one of Exodus's top cycle leaders. Nothing was too much trouble for Suresh including tracking down clothes that people had left at hotels or cafes along the way! He was funny, sociable, totally in control of all aspects of the trip and I felt safe in his care. I should add that the whole team were great and always had a smile of their faces whilst looking after us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You can't underestimate how tough the heat can be. Get as fit as you can before coming on this holiday and you will get more out of it. The tuk tuks and local buses are bonkers and you need eyes in the back of your head sometimes! Cycling through busy towns was only a very small part of the cycling but I would recommend that you feel confident cycling in heavy traffic.

Most Inspirational Moment

Achieving the climb to the Hill station

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent Well organised Always professional and extremely helpful Funny Charismatic Inspirational Great integrity Thoughtful and kind

Most Inspirational Moment

Achieving the climb to the Hill station

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent Well organised Always professional and extremely helpful Funny Charismatic Inspirational Great integrity Thoughtful and kind

Most Inspirational Moment

It feels fantastic to complete 'The 2000m Climb' - it really is life saving cake!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide (suresh) was excellent. There was nothing he wouldn't/couldn't do. His attention to detail was fantastic. He watched everything, so much so that he was sorting issues before we even knew they were issues. He was always around when you needed him and regularly checked in with everyone on the tour to make sure we were OK and having a good time. I also must comment on the support team. Upali (bus driver), Suranga (second guide cycling) and Amitah (van driver) were always ready for us when we got to the bikes each morning. They were always smiling and even filled our water bottles! Nothing was too much trouble for them and, together with Suresh, they made an excellent team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Probably no harm to take a travel sickness tablet before you set out on the safari in Yala. It was a bumpy ride (which added to the experience). Also for women, I recommend wearing a sports bra - again, it was a bumpy ride! :)

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to 'The Hill Club' after an epic climb and with our fellow cyclists savouring that first (that day) Lion Beer!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Several years ago we we had our first cycling holiday in Vietnam and had the pleasure of being guided by 'Yan The Man' (subsequently guide of the year) on a fantastic holiday which we did not think could ever be bettered. However this year found us on our 5th cycle holiday with Exodus and Suresh and his excellent team ensured this one was the best yet! Big of frame, enthusiasm and fun Suresh was a total pleasure to be with. His love of his country and intimate knowledge of it's geography, wildlife and history ensured that he was able to give context and description for all we experienced. It was clear he was well respected in the way others interacted with him, whether hotel staff, householders or total strangers he happened upon. He was well able to gently 'crack the whip' when required and we very much knew that although it was our holiday Suresh's instructions were always for a reason, primarily our well being, safety and comfort. It was clear that Suresh cared for his guests and he was constantly checking how things were from meals, accommodation through to cycle stages and throughout put us all very much at ease knowing that there was nothing our guide would not do for us or could not fix. There are so many fond memories of Suresh; from his buffet exhortion of "Maximum Damage!" from the CD disc he gave to us all of photographs he had taken through the holiday of us and other sights, to arranging taxis once we had taken our leave of him, but the highlight was Suresh appearing at the meal table with a cake to celebrate our wedding anniversary along with framed photograph. Suresh has been conducting this tour for many years but it is the mark of the man that he has clearly never lost the the delight and 'buzz' from leading, sharing and giving.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take isotonic tabs for your water bottle together with a spare water bottle