Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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208 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Reviewed August 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka is a stunning country and cycling along the backroads is a great way to see it and experience all there is to offer. Every day is different with a constantly changing landscape to keep you interested as you pedal along. It’s wonderful to get away from the busy roads and towns and onto the quiet backroads where children rush out of their homes to wave and call "Hi, Bye!" as you pass by. The people we met along the way were amongst the friendliest I’ve met anywhere.

Most Inspirational Moment

With each day bringing along new places to see and new experiences it's very difficult to choose any one most inspirational moment, but here are a few occasions which I really enjoyed:- Climbing the rock fortress at Sigiriya...when you first arrive and look up, you begin to wonder why would I climb up there when I've still several kms of cycling to go? But it really is worth the climb and is not at all as daunting as it might seem. The view from the top is spectacular.The cave temples in Dambulla are amazing, it's really worth starting at the furtherest away cave and working back as cave 2 is really superb. The monkeys will also keep you entertained!Kandy is really interesting.Making it up the long tough hill climb to Nurawa Eliya! A really tough day's cycling! But worth it when you make it!Festival in Kataragama Temple (we were lucky to time our visit with the festival).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh is a fantastic guide. He couldn't have done any more to make our visit to Sri Lanka any better. Every need was catered for and he went out of his way to ensure that everyone was having a good time. We were very fortunate to have a fantastic group who really gelled together well and Suresh was always on hand to answer questions and fill us in on interesting facts and stories...though he could do with a few new elephant jokes! We also had a great support team, Dasun who rode along with us, Upali, the bus driver and Chamara who had the difficult job of following along behind the group. Together they make a great team!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're thinking of this trip to Sri Lanka, go ahead and book it. Do get some cycling practice in as cycling in the heat can be quite demanding and some of the days are quite challenging. But as with other Exodus cycling trips I've been on you can do as much or as little cycling as you choose.

Reviewed June 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

A truly amazing holiday, book yourself a place now! This was my first group trip, and I couldn’t recommend the experience highly enough. Sri Lanka is a stunning country, with a very friendly people. The itinerary was well balanced, with a bit of something for all tastes. Beautiful landscapes, history and culture, tasty food, wildlife as well as seeing the daily life of the Sri Lankans and much more besides. All this with some exhilarating riding, great challenges and even better company.

Most Inspirational Moment

It might not be an original choice, but cycling all the way to the top on the hardest day. I'm not an experienced cyclist at all, and before the holiday started I thought I'd be on the train for sure. Then I thought I would have a go, but expected to have to bus it at least a bit. Getting to the top unassisted was a very proud moment for me, and I'd advise anyone going on this trip to give it a go, the scenery is breath-taking, the sense of achievement is great and on the way up our final tea stop gave us the best cuppa I've had in my life!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was an amazing leader. This was my first group holiday, and when I go on another the leader will have a lot to live up to after Suresh and the gang. He worked flat out to make it an amazing holiday for everyone. He also went above and beyond the call of duty to help me out when I lost some stuff. The tour was well planned and went of without a hitch! He was also clearly very knowledgeable about his country, being somewhat interested in history and culture I asked him a lot of questions, he didn’t even hesitate once in answering. As well as being an efficient and effective tour leader he's just a really nice guy, and genuinely interested in getting to know the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take both a gel seat for your bike and padded shorts. Some of Sri Lanka's roads are a bit bumpy, and you will be happy with your investment! Take some high factor sun cream and make sure you use it frequently, it’s a powerful sun in Sri Lanka, and you can forget it when cycling ( especially when going downhill) It can be a bit tough at times, if you have a bit of a gap between booking and your trip I’d suggest you do a bit of training. That said it’s not a race, but the fitter you are the less time you will spend on the bus, and the more time you’ll be enjoying Sri Lanka by bike. We had brought some snacks with us, but I wouldn't bother as we were so well provided for, and I had most of them left at the end of the trip. We got fed at a lot of the tea stops, and you will not go hungry at main meals either. Make sure you do maximum damage at buffets as the curry is delicious. If you go to visit the temple of the Tooth on your free day in Kandy, remember to wear trousers ( or at least long shorts past the knee), it completely slipped our mind ( though we had been made aware of it to be fair) and we ended up in some rather lovely flowery sarongs. Sri Lankan airlines is fairly basic when it comes to the inflight entertainment, so take a book or mp3 with you for that. The hardest part of the hard day was before lunch, so push through!

Reviewed April 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

If you’re wondering whether you should go on this holiday I would say (if you have a good level of fitness) stop thinking about it and book it – it will be one of the best (if not THE best) holiday you have ever been on! With Suresh and his team looking after you, you can experience this beautiful country the best way possible – on a bike (or in the van if you fancy)

Most Inspirational Moment

I found the people of Sri Lanka the most inspiring part of this holiday. From the small children who are clearly so excited to see you riding through their village, to the people encouraging you along the way, to the kindness and friendliness of all the people we met where we stayed I would say the Sri Lankans really made this holiday for me. By far the friendliest people of all the countries I've been too. Considering such a violent recent history I found it a very humbling experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh and his team were - quite simpy - fantastic. None of the group had to think for the whole time we were there. You woke up, ate, went outside and your bike was all ready and waiting for you. Food and water were just around the corner. Between them they made sure we were all cared for during the cycling from the moment we left to our arrival at the next hotel. At every junction someone would be there directing you and stopping the traffic if necessary. They also arranged regular breaks - often ready waiting with drinks, biscuits and fruit. If you're worried about the logistics of a cycling holiday - don't be - they couldn't make it easier.I've been on a few group holidays now and Suresh is definitely the best leader of all those holidays. His love for his country is very clear and that was fantastic to see as we went to different places. He was also very good at making sure people were aware of what the cycle was going to be like - i.e. the state of the roads (generally very good), sections that would be difficult, the heat of the day - and most importantly what the hotel pool would be like at the end! His patience as 16 people each asked the same question time and time again was admirable...

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're wondering whether you can do the cycling my advice would be - if you're of a good fitness level and you can take the heat then you will be fine. I haven't cycled much since I was a teenager so more than fifteen years ago and I managed to complete all the cycling on this holiday - even up to Nuwara Eliya. I go to the gym about 3 times a week so I am quite fit despite the lack of cycling experience. But it's definitely not a holiday where you can just wing it. The heat gets to you (often 35C), the distances are long, and the country is hilly. Different people find different things difficult but I would say the hardest part for me was (some of) the roads which were quite rough in places (but on the whole were excellent). And the van is always there to pick you up if you need a break. On a practical level I would say - take more cycling gear than you think necessary and lots of handwash. Invest in a good gel seat and shorts with very good padding. You do get sore but as long as you have the gear you'll be fine. I didn't have as much as I could've taken but it was fine but if I was to do this holiday again I would make sure I had more changes of clothing for cycling as the heat means you sweat a lot. I would also make sure that what you take is 'very active' wear. Take factor 50 and don't do what I did and buy cycling gloves with holes on the back of the hand - that part of your body will burn (badly)

Reviewed April 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

A fascinating, beautiful, inspiring and perspiring! cycle tour. The tour is thoughtfully planned, the hotels are great, providing a variety of scenery and terrain,with excellent and comforting support when needed. Not a moment wasted yet wonderfully paced so that relaxation and fun are an essential part as well as being part of the joyous "cycle train"!

Most Inspirational Moment

The cycling! Whether cycling through nature reserves, around an old palace ruins site, on the levee of a reservoir, above the lush palm tree laden rainforests, by paddy fields, by tea plantations and spice trees, whether on small roads or pathways or through towns, whether zooming down winding mountainous roads GO!GO!GO! or pushing hard up hills the other side, and all the time with the wonderful Sri Lankan people waving and children smiling shouting their greetings. Every single day contained many moments of inspiration as well as moments of perspiration.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh is a great credit to Exodus. We did not have to worry about a thing, just enjoy the rich variety of wonderful experiences. He organised and managed every aspect of our tour in an efficent and unfussy way and always with a big heart, a huge smile and a hilarious giggle! As well as our tour leader I feel honoured to call Suresh my friend. The support team of Uppali, Kussun and Shameron were superb and always there to support us, nourish us,water us and pick us up if the going got too hot.

Advice for Potential Travellers

YOU MUST DO THIS TRIP WITH EXODUS AND SURESH! Ensure that you are fit and prepared to cycle 4-7 hours a day. Make sure you have some pocketable energy foods, a gel saddle, padded shorts, gloves and a cycle helmet. I had a ski helmet which was fine for the UK but far too hot for comfort in the warmth of Sri Lanka. Drink lots of water. Enjoy the scenery and people and make sure you look around you. Most of all, just go with the flow, make sure you get to know everybody, and have lots of fun. Its probably better to do this trip before March / April as it warms up by 5-6 degrees more by then.

Reviewed April 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

Are great way to experience the country and its people. The food was awesome, i think i ate my own body weight in in delicious Sri Lankan curries. Many of my Sri Lankan friends back home have said i’ve seen more of their country than they have. Some days the cycling was tough but you dont feel rushed to get there and you can take your time. If it ever gets too much you can jump on the bus for a while.

Most Inspirational Moment

cycling through beautiful scenery villages and small towns where the children run up to wave as you cycle pastwhenevery a Sri Lankan person asked you where you had come from or where you were cycling to they would always lose it laughing, they all thought we were mad to be cycling!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh is amazing, friendly, so helpful and even when you know he has been asked the same question about a billion times stills answers it like it was the first time. Suresh had so much knowledge about his country and its history. A trip to Sri Lanka would not have been as great without him. He also has the most wonderful giggle!

Advice for Potential Travellers

bring padded shorts/seat it will be your best friend and suncream that is sweat/water resistant and has a high SPF

Reviewed April 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

Fun, educational, inspiring and beautiful.

Most Inspirational Moment

1. Reaching the top of the hill in the tea plantation because I never ever thought I would be capable of doing anything like that. 2. The naughty monkeys, perhaps not inspirational but certainly frightening because they were so human. I never thought I'd get that close to nature!3. The people. Suresh and the support team were fantastic and were open to our questions. Everyone would wave as we cycled past and some even thought we were racing! We may have looked the part but that was as afar as it went.4. The moments of quiet contemplation at Lion Rock or at the cave monastery when looking at Buddha.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I thought Suresh was the best tour leader I have ever had! He couldn't do enough for us. Our welfare was always at the top of his agenda. I think it was him that really made the trip for me. He was highly organised and had us organised but you didn't feel like you were being organised at all! I could just relax and enjoy the holiday knowing that everything was in hand. He was good because he was friendly, personable, responsible and fun. He was also very patient with us as many people would ask the same questions as they wouldn't always listen. He taught us a lot about the history, the people and even the wildlife of the country. If every tour leader was like him I would book all my holidays with Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

theonly thing I would advise is that if you are keen to cycle the full distance, whcih I fully recommend, then do make sure you are quite fit. I would class this a little more than moderately challenging if the individual is not accustomed to regular exercise.

Reviewed March 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

We found the friendliest people and beautiful scenery on every backroad of Sri Lanka. Enough Km’s to work up an appetite for the fragrant Sri Lankan cuisine and a wonderfully relaxed and flexible itinerary guided by our fearless leader Suresh! Cooler and safer on your deadly-treadly!

Most Inspirational Moment

Whilst fixing flat tyres at a drinks break in a tiny little town on a road to nowhere, one guy in the exodus group started kicking a softdrink bottle around with some school kids in the middle of the road - lots of laughs and fun for everyone. Just proves you don't need much to have a bit of fun!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great. Knowledgable, friendly, relaxed, flexible, thoughtful, accomodating.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't hesitate to visit Sri Lanka.

Reviewed March 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

A challenging adventure in an amazing country with a great group of travelling companions which surpassed all my expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of the mountain at Nuwara Eliya after 10 hours on the road and a climb up tp 2000 m. (And I thought I might do the easy option and take the train!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant - Suresh was an exceptional leader. He couldn't have tried harder to ensure everyone was happy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't hesitate - book the trip now. The country is beautiful and the people exceptionally friendly and welcoming. You will not be disappointed. But this is no gentle, Sunday-afternoon bike ride - it is serious stuff and you need to be pretty fit to complete the 700 km in 10 days. (The support vehicle is always there if you really need it, but you really don't want to miss any of the amazing routes we cycled through.)

Reviewed February 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

An excellent holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Descending the big hill and riding through Kandy university. It was such a contrast to the busy traffic outside the campus.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh did an excellent job. He worked hard to make every moment memorable and his attention to detail was admirable. I recommend him highly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went in January which is the coolest time of the year however I struggled with the heat at times. I suggest you bring Gatorade powder or similar to replace body salts etc.

Reviewed February 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

This is a great trip. Cycling is varied, accommodate overall very good. A lovely country to see by bike.

Most Inspirational Moment

Several great moments inlcuding the tea plantations, whale watching, the elephant orphanage but mostly simply cycling through so many interesting places. Only one slight negative was the Spice Gardens - ok if you don't a fairly full on sales pitch.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Surresh was our group leader. He was very knowledgeable, friendly and very helpful. He couldn't do enough for the group and would do his best to sort out any request - no matter how unusual. We all loved him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some challenging days cycling with the hills so the fitter you are the more you'll enjoy it (and the less time you'll spend in the support van!)

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