Thoughts on Group Leader
Ruwan was fabulous - so attentive to everyone's needs and a lovely person too!
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
utterly brilliant trip!
Sri Lanka on a bike – was outstanding. This was our 5th trip and it certainly was one of the best so far- the country is beautiful, the people so friendly and the cuisine was delicious. The trip was made even better by the outstanding tour leader – Ruwan was so organised, considerate and knowledgeable about so many aspects – his country, religion, wildlife, plants, demographics -we can thoroughly recommend this trip.
Holiday of a lifetime
Sri Lanka is a Beautiful island and what better way to see it than on a bike. The cycling varies with some days very challenging and others easy. Our guide Suresh was fantastic. I cannot rate him high enough and his team could not do enough for us. Suresh guides the whole group through the ten days keeping us safe and ensuring every one us gets the most we can from the holiday keeping us entertained with his great sense of humour. The hotels are varied depending on where you are at the time but you always feel exodus has booked you into the best available for the area with some being excellent. The meals provided are excellent and the group always ate together in the evening which was always fun. This was my first group tour and I loved every minute of it. I can’t wait to book my next.
Most Inspirational Moment
Climbing 2000 metres in a day
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh was inspirational. Nothing was too much trouble for him. At one point I dropped all my credit cards at night walking back to the hotel. He came back into town with me to search and we found them lying in the road . I was very lucky! Suresh did things like that for everyone taking everything in his stride with good humour and kindness.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do this trip you won't regret it
Maximum Respect and thanks!👍
I am just back from the first of these trips post lockdown- it was wonderful and I would highly recommend it. For me the trip was a good balance between cycling and sight seeing and I can’t quite believe how much we packed in (food and activity!) thanks to the brilliant organisation and planning of Suresh and his lovely team. I have been on several Exodus trips over the years and have always been impressed with the standard of guiding but Suresh exceeded all my expectations. Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, was too much trouble, and it really was like Suresh had ears everywhere and if something was wanted or needed it would magically appear, from ice-creams to Dosas, new bikes to Arak and blankets in the bar! Suranga was on alert for all our cycling needs with problems fixed in a jiffy and water and snacks flowing with ever memorable smiles from Sangeeth and Sangey. Suresh organised all our meals and showcased Sri Lankan cuisine to us by special orders at the hotel or taking us to lovely local places where we got to taste a great variety of local dishes and met local people. I am not sure we quite met his expectations of “maximum damage” at the buffets but we tried hard! My waistline certainly feels like we did! This is a really nice trip, a good combination of cycle time and other time but made all the better by an outstanding guide who knows the tour like the back of his hand and uses that knowledge to greatly enhance the experience for his guests and the lovely Sri Lankan people.
Most Inspirational Moment
The whole trip was inspiring. The beautiful countryside, the lovely people and the hard work of those working in the travel industry there with their determination to make everything work again after such a long break and the hardship they have endured without the tourists. Everyone getting up the big hill and having lunch part way up on the beautiful terrace overlooking the tea plantations.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh was brilliant. I feel I might be disappointed on my next trip as I have probably experienced the best! There is really nothing more we could have asked him for.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yes go. Support the Sri Lankan people. They are very COVID aware - better than the UK, and are ready to welcome you with their warm smiles and hospitality.
Cycling and curry
A wonderful holiday with wonderful people! Our exceptional hosts Ruwan and team lead us on an amazing journey, exploring the countryside, the wildlife and introducing us to their culture and way of life. I was very much looking forward to my first trip to Sri Lanka and I loved it. Cycling through the countryside, paddy fields teaming with bird life, being greeted with big smiles and high fives from the locals was a real pleasure. I really enjoyed the hilly days, some are challenging then the lion beer, curry and rice at the end of the day are perfect.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling down hill after cycling uphill
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ruwan was very knowledgeable and very proud of Sri Lanka, I felt privileged to have him as my guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Give it plenty in 2020.....go for it
Cycling and curry
A wonderful holiday with wonderful people! Our exceptional hosts Ruwan and team lead us on an amazing journey, exploring the countryside, the wildlife and introducing us to their culture and way of life. I was very much looking forward to my first trip to Sri Lanka and I loved it. Cycling through the countryside, paddy fields teaming with bird life, being greeted with big smiles and high fives from the locals was a real pleasure. I really enjoyed the hilly days, some are challenging then the lion beer, curry and rice at the end of the day are perfect.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling down hill after cycling uphill
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ruwan was very knowledgeable and very proud of Sri Lanka, I felt privileged to have him as my guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Give it plenty in 2020.....go for it
Great trip!
A well organised trip with lots of variety to keep everyone interested.
Most Inspirational Moment
Finally seeing a leopard!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent.... intuitive to everyone’s needs, can resolve any problem that arises, works tirelessly to make sure everyone’s happy, all with patience and a great sense of humour. Nothing is too much trouble. The support team were also excellent, going about their jobs efficiently & discretely.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack very little.... there are several laundry opportunities, I needed needed half of what I took. Train hard for the hills. Drink lots. Don’t expect to lose any weight.
Superb trip
This trip was so much more than expected. Our guide, Suresh, and his team were superb, seamlessly organising every aspect of our trip – snacks, luggage into hotels, tyre changes and even a shelter to get changed under when the rain became too torrential to cycle in! His knowledge and love for his country and the extra events he organised (e.g. dinner ‘al fresco’) combined with his great sense of humour made this a trip we will never forget – definitely an amazing way to experience the scenery and local life of this beautiful country. Other than one hotel, where we had no running water (this could have been due to the torrential rain), a mattress on a concrete slab and insects galore, the majority of hotels were good and some were very good. The cycling for me (a regular but non club cyclist) was tough in places but generally manageable other than the long uphill ride to Nuwara Eliya where I managed to cycle to the lunch stop. My advice to anyone in the same situation would be to take the train – it would give you the advantage of having the afternoon in the hotel and time to see the surrounding area, rather than travelling in the support vehicle. All in all, an experience not to be missed!
Most Inspirational Moment
Riding through the rural villages and seeing a leopard at Yala NP. Completing most of the tour on bikes rather than sitting in a car or bus. Eating ‘al fresco’ at two hotels.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Superb!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack light.
“The best tour so far”
A really enjoyable trip with a charismatic tour leader, and superb scenery, wildlife and food. The support team were great, always trying their best to look after you, and the driver had nerves of steel negotiating the chaotic traffic. Sri Lanka has emerged from some dark times, and is once again a terrific place to visit, with great variety and vibrancy and a lovely, friendly vibe. Plenty of smiles and high-fives as you ride through the landscape, shouts of “Bye!” Following you down the road.
Most Inspirational Moment
Fantastic, often unexpected, wildlife encounters! Seeing how elated my wife was after becoming Queen of the mountain at Nuwara Eliya ! (Good battery life!)
Thoughts on Group Leader
Top man! Suresh was a great guide, knowledgeable and organised to a fault, forever considering the needs and preferences of the individuals in the group. For example, knowing I was keen to get in the waves, he arranged an early morning tuk-tuk so I could fit in a surf prior to a late departure-a real bonus! He has tweaked and finessed the itinerary over the years, and has established a wide network of contacts to create authentic and unique experiences for the clients. No spoilers here, just enjoy the value added!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don’t expect to lose any weight on this trip, despite the activity-the food is amazing! There are LOTS of dogs alongside and on the road, most of whom are docile, but some really don’t like cyclists. We were chased on a few occasions , and I would have felt happier if i’d had a rabies vaccination before the trip.
Sri Lanka cycling
Excellent holiday in a wonderful country – fun cycling with a lovely group of people, great food, amazing scenery and wildlife, and lots of local life to observe and enjoy.
Most Inspirational Moment
Everyday was full of mini adventures - making it to the top of Sirigiya, elephants on the way to Polunnaruwa, the Spice Gardens massage(!), cycling through the towns, making it up the hill Nuwara, whale watching, tea with the locals, greetings from the local children, cooking demonstrations, monkeys ....to mention a few.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh, Suranga and the crew are excellent. We were all extremely well looked after but in a very relaxed manner.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The cycling is generally along the quiet back roads but their are a few sections which are along busier roads and towns.....keep your wits about you and go for it! Stating the obvious...Sri Lanka is hot and humid! Drink lots of water (followed by Lion beer!). There's opportunities to do laundry etc, so no need to bring lots of cycling kit. Enjoy - Sri Lanka is fab.
Happy memories of Sri Lanka
This was a wonderful trip with great cycling, eating, sight-seeing and so much more. We got a great insight into the local history, culture and economy. The group got on well and enjoyed the wit and humour of its members, but the tone was set by the leader, Suresh, who informed us and amused us in equal measure.
Most Inspirational Moment
Completing the hill climb on day 7. Also the whale watching was spectacular.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader did an excellent job of rolling out the programme each day and delivering it in a confident and relaxed manner. He took time to make sure everyone was happy.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring cycling gloves that you can get on and off easily when your hands are hot and sweaty. Have a good level of fitness so that you can enjoy the cycling