Reviews

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many ! Bustling city of Hanoi, serenity and beauty of Halong Bay, cycle ride through Hoi An to the beach, War Museum at Ho Chi Minh City, exploring the local markets and Chi Chi tunnels.Every day was something different and we did a host of different activities... boat rides, cycle rides, bus rides, kayaking, caving, sightseeing, shopping, eating out, sunbathing on a beach, swimming in the sea and even a water park !! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tommy was the best guide we have EVER had !! He was knowledgable & interesting , warm and approachable.He interacted well with the "young people" by being amusing and even setting small quizes to make it a bit more interesting !Can't praise him highly enough !! 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just DO IT !!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Some amazing scenery and always the best when we got to the top of a climb!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had a brilliant group leader. liz was out 1st thing in the morning sorting our bikes out - sooo many punctures and was always there to support punctures/broken chains as we went along.  She knows her stuff!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would say make  sure you have some level of fitness, otherwise you wont really enjoy the trip.  The scenery is spectacular,  which when going up steep climbs you need to remember to look at!  There are a few technical tracks, but you can just get off and walk or just get in one of the vehicles.  Its definitely worth it, as there is full support all the time, great food and good bikes - if you are thinking of taking your bike, I wouldnt!  The bikes provided were great and it meant they had all the wear and tear - my bike had 7 punctures, the group had over 50 and we had a couple of broken chains and gears went - if you have your own bike, you have to sort all of this!

Most Inspirational Moment

Messing about in the snow.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good technical skills combined with enthusiasm for the landscape and an ability to share it. A rare combination.

Most Inspirational Moment

The fact that after about 5 days of rain forest walking in grey weather we reached the tree line just as the clouds cleared and we were suddenly in the middle of exactly the type blue sky and mountain scenery that we had imagined before we set out.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was excellent and continuously re-arranged our routes and stops to account for the changing weather conditions without any fuss or mistakes. He also joined in our group and made sure that we received the best treatment in all the tea houses.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you either go with an experienced travel company or work out your own contingency plans for when the weather doesn't do what it should.

Most Inspirational Moment

I have lots of great memories ranging from cycling in rush hour traffic in Delhi which was akin to cycling round the north circular but somehow safer (The Indians seem to be less agressive than us Brits), to following a scooter round Udaipur with 16 of us in a conga type of Peleton to hoping to find one of five Tigers in 400+ sq miles of National park at 6am!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both the leader and his deputy were great. They have a lot to cope with. 16 clients all wanting varying degrees of looking after and following the Trip Notes. The other 3 team members were excellent also - bus driver. bike mechanic and the guy who did everyting else.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is a cycling holiday - the more used to cycling the more you'll enjoy it but if you are a cycling nut and want to get your head down, think twice. For safety reasons you'll only get about 90mins at a time without an enforced stop. Given the heat and things to see/photograph it shouldn't be a problem (or go and cycle the Alpine passess)! We were a mixed group and fairly typical I would think and we all seemed to cope.There is also lots of sightseeing - more than I expected (and in my case more than I needed). But it is well organised and virtually always with an expert, English speaking guide.There are some longish bus transfers and forewarned is forearmed. Check the actual distances (and allow for heavy city traffic) between the overnight stops to calculate. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top, but also see the people who struggled (the altitude effected everyone differently) get to the top too. Hearing the stories and lives of the staff on the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptional. It's rare I say that, but really I was (as were the others in my group) astounded by just how good these guys were.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Listen to the guides. Drink LOTs of water - don't be shy ladies, it's the best way to acclimatise. Each as much as you can. Talk to the people, they want to practice their English and have fascinating stories. Don't scrimp on warm socks and gloves for summit night. Try and remember to be 'present' in your trip, especially when you get to the top. This is an amazing experience. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking on Horton Plains to Worlds End and the train ride down the mountain. Simply wow!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb! Roshan was so professional from the outset. Sharing his abundance of knowledge and his country with such enthusiasm. No request was beyond his capability.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear insect repellant.

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip was very varied covering the main cultural, historical and landscape highlights of this beautiful country.  My particular favourtites were a cycle trip through local villages culminating in a fabulous lunch cooked by locals and served al fresco on large palm leaves, yummy!  Another highlight was a wonderful walk on Horton Plains followed by a great train ride down a 6000ft descent; fabulous scenery.  The trip to the elephant orphange was another highlight; around 50 elephants withing touching distance parading down to bathe in the river was a sight to behold.  Two days of relaxing on the beach at the end of the trip was perfectly placed and the perfect opportunity to get my longed for camera shots of the local fisherman suspended on poles in the sea collecting their catch of the day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was very knowledgable and experienced; this being his 171st exodus trip!  He had honed his skills at providing a good combination of knowledge/guidance with enough opportunities for personal day dreaming, contemplation and reflection as we rolled along on our journey.  Admiration for his ability to stay so fresh and enthusiastic after 171 trips :-)  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Best to change most of your money at the airport as they give the best rates.  Deet 50% keeps the mosies away - only got two bites the whole trip!