Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the top in Nuwara Eliya after the tremendous climb ...
Thoughts on Group Leader
Peter, the best you can get ...
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just do it, every kilometer you cycle is worth it
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA
One of my best trips ever, the group was absolutely great, the group leader absolutely fabulous and the cycling is just absolutely great. Sri Lanka itself is a great place to be with various landscapes, one more beautiful then the other, people are so friendly and being back here in Europe, i miss the smiles and i miss the Hellos and Byes of the kids, the waving hands … food yeah food … i just loved it .. rice and curry, pol roti, coconut sambal .. just wonderful .all in all …. MARVELLOUS
CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA
I can’t think of a better way to explore Sri Lanka than by bike. This trip takes you through paddy fields, tea plantations, national parks and along the coast – every day was so different.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many inspirational moments. Watching the elephants from the Elephant Orphanage in the river at Pinnawala, arriving at the The Hill Club in Nuwara Eliya after the gruelling hill climb from Kandy, the tour of the tea factory were all highlights of the trip.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Peter is an exceptional leader and worked so hard to make sure our trip was great. Along with his team, he made sure all the bikes were ready and servicedand food stops were organised. His extensive local knowledge helped give the group confidence to try local food and he was happy to answer our questions about Sri Lankan life. Suresh showed the group around the historical sites and temples. His English was patchy and he was quite hard to understand at times, but he was always kind and attentive to our needs and requests.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We had terrible rain early on in the holiday so a small umbrella would have been really useful. The bikes didn't have mudguards and the mud on the road got everywhere which was impossible to get out of clothes. The standard of accommodation was varied so don't expect 5 star rooms and hot water every night.
CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA
A perfect way to experience the joys of Sri Lanka, book it you will not be disappointed.
Most Inspirational Moment
Where to begin.Elephant sanctury visit.Whale watchingThe hill climb day, especially lunch by the waterfall, followed by staying at the Hill Club hotel.Experience of the street food, the Pooja, the impromto stop at the school and the interaction with the tennis balls, playing cricket, playing catch etcAll the cycling, (even when wetter than I thought possible), and meeting all the lovely Sri Lankan people
Thoughts on Group Leader
Peter - Absolute star, always available for help and advice, and really aimed to show us all Sri Lanka had to offer. Not permenantly sharing his knowledge, but did know the answer to anything, (from what I saw), he was asked, ie we may not all like to know the name of every single bird or flower we see, (too much info), but ask Peter and he will know.Suresh - A lovely lovely man, permenantly smiling, with our clear love for his country. Suresh had a very good knowledge of all the sights he took us to, and he loved his Sri Lankan map. The only thing that lets Suresh down is his grasp of the English language, in my opinion it may be too early to let him lead the trip. In my experience, people from this part of the world are far more adept at learning another language than I and many other Brits would be, so, all being well, Suresh will quickly brush up on his English skills, and end up as good a leader as Peter.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Anyone who normally cycles at home with "clip in's", take your pedals and invest in some SPD sandals, I bought the Keen make, brilliant.Take a small lightweight umbrella.
CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA
I came home feeling I had had a holiday – warm sunshine, nice food, having fun and an ‘easy’ country to have been in.
Most Inspirational Moment
For me the best day was the big climb up to Nurawa Eliya (day 8 ex London). A huge variety of scenery and a decent physical challenge with 2000 m of ascent. Fortunately, the steep hills aren't long and the long hill isn't steep.What goes up must come down. There are also some epic descents - really exciting when round the bend the tarmac road surface disappears into gravel!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Everything worked, it all held together, Pieter made time to talk to all of us and generally took the load (and the lead in some of the wilder exploits). All that could be expected.Cycling in Sri Lanka is what he does as a day job, so he knows the country thoroughly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go for it! But note it is more than a 'moderate' ride overall with a couple of long days and it's hot. Confidence in traffic is necessary too - the faster ones of us got to overtake most other sorts of traffic at some time. Sri Lankan traffic is slower than British traffic, and more used to slow vehicles.
CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA
Good cycling, good weather and good food. An excellent trip, well run and well worth doing.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many good moments rather than one particular, from seeing another welcome stop for drinks and very tasty nibbles, the amazing old sites, the elephants and the way the kilometres rolled by.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Unflappable, well organised and able to handle the varied demands of a large group without a fuss,
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take your own saddle or a gel saddle cover as there are a lot of miles covered if you are not used to it.
CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA
lovely trip in a lovely country
Most Inspirational Moment
completing the big climb
Thoughts on Group Leader
Peter was good
Advice for Potential Travellers
Insect repelant
CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA
Excellent trip. Well-paced, great routes, wonderful scenery and delicious food!!!
Most Inspirational Moment
Loved the long ride and climb to the top of Sri Lanka. A challenging but rewarding day.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Well-organised and friendly. Good leader who was willing to cater for all abilities within the group, providing challenge for those wanting it, and leaving others to their own riding preference. Peter was always happy to talk about the country and its culture, which he is clearly passionate about. Peter mixed well with all members of the group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be fit enough to enjoy the mileage and ascents!!!!!
CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA
Beautiful way to travel thorough this amazing country. Amazing diversity of people and places and great to get off the beaten track.
Most Inspirational Moment
Finally getting to the top of the hardest climb I've ever done aminst beautiful tea plantations and sunset.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Pleasant but limited English. Was unaware of my dietry requirements (gluten free because of coeliacs disease) despite Exodus being informed months ahead of schedule and checking again before departure. Didn't have enough English to understand this. Very ridgid in his plans and overbearing at times. Expected guests to buy his water and snacks etc.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you're coeliac take your own food! You need to be reasonably fit to enjoy this.
CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA
A though but very nice bike tour. With all the major highlights of Sri Lanka.
Most Inspirational Moment
The wildlife and the scenery are a definite highlight for me
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader has been living in Sri Lanka for the past 20 years. Most of this time he has been doing bike tours in Sri Lanka and India. This really shows in all the little details, every thing is nicely planned. But not to strict to be confining. Surpises are dealt with swift and decisive actions.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do some training before you leave. There are some real though climbs, but they are totally worth the effort. During this trip you will ride atleast 700-800 km and climb and desent atleast 7000m!
CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA
A great experience cycling through varied (and undulating) scenery, wildlife and visiting historic sites. Good back-up and support meant all we had to do each day was cycle.
Most Inspirational Moment
The blue whale watching trip off the south coast stood out.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Peter was enthusiastic and well organised, ensuring each day ran smoothly. The phrases "there will be undulations" and "let's try a new shortcut" essentially both meant severe hill climbing. But he led a good team that ensured we didn't get lost and always had snacks and drinks when they were most needed.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Some of the days are tough; with the heat and road surfaces they require a good level of fitness.