Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka

Customer Reviews

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  Nadim

  · April 29th, 2019
  Fantastic holiday, always felt safe and looked after, great local food, amazing people with great chemistry in the group, plenty to discover in this beautiful country.
  Trip date: April 2019
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  David

  · February 24th, 2019
  Overall worthwhile. Biking excellent with gtreat routes, mileage and support. Hotels varied in quality and could be improved. Food was good to excellent. Leader was excellent!
  Trip date: February 2019
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  BRENDA

  · October 9th, 2018
  Was a very well run tour.
  Trip date: September 2018
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  Sarah

  · April 2nd, 2017
  Sri Lanka - a country filled with friendly, optimistic people, a wonderful unique culture, and so many interesting historic sights that rival the amazing Angkor Wat (among others). Only a few years after the devastating Boxing Day tsunami and the end of the war, I can see that it is getting busier and busier with tourism. GET THERE SOON! Cycling through Sri Lanka was a fantastic way to see the country. As far as possible, the tour sticks to the back roads, so really gets into the heart of the countryside and avoids an overly touristy experience. The bikes provided are great, the hotels of a surprisingly high standard. I LOVED IT! I am not at all a cyclist but am reasonably fit. The cycling was challenging but manageable. Overcoming saddle-soreness was my biggest problem. I didn't ride the big hill day and instead caught to train, that was also a fabulous experience. You may read about Suresh, the tour leader on this tour....words cannot describe just what a fantastic tour leader he is. I've traveled far and wide on many tours. Suresh stands alone in being the most service-orientated, friendly and knowledgeable tour leader I have every met. He really goes out of his way to ensure that every single client is enjoying the trip as much as they can.
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  Trip date: February 2017
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  Joanne Locker

  · October 23rd, 2013
  Just returned from a fantastic trip around Sri Lanka. Exceeded expectations in every sense - the cycling, the people, the countryside, the food, the hotels, the organisations, the support - all amazing! Travelling around by bike was just the best way to see the country and all it has to offer - some beautiful scenery (much of it reached by climbing some serious hills!), very welcoming people and an interesting insight into how the country works and how people live. We were looked after exceptionally well from start to finish - I have no hesitation in highly recommending this trip!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?So many...but a particular highlight has to be reaching the top of the highest point in the country after a 2000m climb. Unfortunately we couldn't see much at the time due to the clouds and rain, but knew it was quite an achievement to have got there on a bike, especially in that weather! Luckily the sun was shining the next day so could see the full extent of the countryside and the heights we had scaled to reach it.Rest day in Kandy made a welcome change of tourist activity (lake, temple of the tooth relic), not to mention the safari (and tusker sighting!) and visits to ruins, temples, tea plantations and ancient stone carvings along the way.So much to see and do - and getting there everyday by bike was just great.Also a great group of fellow travellers, so was fun to share the adventure with a lovely bunch of people too - some good laughs along the way! What did you think of your group leader?Suresh was brilliant. So enthusiastic, happy, keen to ensure everyone was ok and willing to help - at all times! He was more than just a bike group leader, but rather a proper tour guide and trip supervisor all rolled into one. Made us feel most welcome in the country and was always going out of his way to make sure we saw everything Sri Lanka had to offer, experiencing the food/drink/culture to the full and continuously filling us in on the background and history of places we visited.  The rest of the team were fab too - supporting us whist cycling, looking after the bikes and driving our luggage between hotels.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?If you are looking for some varied bike riding, that is challenging at times but also rewards you with a real insight into life in Sri Lanka, then this could be the trip for you. The support vehicle and backup is always there in case of any problems or if you don't want to stay on the bike all day, plus the hotels are all of a pretty good standard so there is always a hot shower and sometimes even a pool to look forward to at the end of a day on the bike.A few tips - get a good quality gel saddle and be prepared for lots of rice & curry!Is there anything else you would like to add?Great trip, great experience, great memories and some great cycling (of course)...Great!
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  Trip date: October 2013
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  Esther Lozano

  · October 16th, 2013
  Best trip until now! Great country for riders, amazing people.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Often when children came to say "bye!" with that amazing smile as we passed by their houses. People is comunicative although you may not share languages. Also the riding was great, the landscape is green and paradisiac and you feel the calm that we lack in cities.What did you think of your group leader?He couldn't be better. Always taking care of us, he planned very well the tea stops every 20km and as we arrived he always took care that everyone has the drink they want and something to eat before having something himself... and also he had personal details, and a great celebration cake when we arrived to the top of the Nuwara Eliya hill!!Also the other staff was very good, we always had water in the van to take and sometimes fresh fruit at the stops.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Be fitted for the riding, as in summer it is really hot and humid. You can always jump to the van in front or the van behind, but you will savour the travel best from the bike, working out a bit before the travel is worth it!Don't be taken aback from having local food, is very interesting and you get used to spicy food. We had no problems with our bellies as far as I know.Is there anything else you would like to add?We were luky with the other travelers, they were great people!! :) And don't forget to take some clothes for cold weather for the hill country even in august!!!
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  Trip date: October 2013
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  Alan Carter

  · March 3rd, 2012
  See the real Sri Lanka as well as many of the key tourist sights. The back roads take you through villages and countryside that would be missed travelling any other way. There is one challenging long ride with a steep climb but a train option provides a cultural alternative. A surprising experience providing fantastic views of the hill country. Travel through the heart of Sri Lanka, from low land wild life parks to the more temperate tea hills.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Seeing how rural Sri Lankans live - they all seemed so happy despite often difficult conditions.What did you think of your group leader?A big hearted Sri Lankan who worked tirelessly to make everyone on the trip happy.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Consider the train ride if you don't think you want to complete the long uphill cycle.  It is an experience you will remember.  In Kandy, climb the hill (or get a tuk tuk)  to the Buddha temple on the hill.  The views over Kandy are worth the trip.Is there anything else you would like to add?If you are in a group of keen cyclists, make them slow down.  Sri Lanka offers such diverse and beautiful scenery it is a waste to rush through it.
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  Trip date: March 2012
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  Ronald Butchart

  · February 8th, 2012
  Sri Lanka was definitely my best cycling adventure so far, having done Cuba with Exodus last year and many self planned trips in France, Wales and Scotland throughout the years. Thr trip was generally well planned giving a fantastic variety of cycling in beautiful surroundings, a real insight into local culture and great food, without the need for daily transfers by bus.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The walk (climb really) up Sirigyra rock and the views. Making it through Day No 8 total ascent of 2100m. I was not sure I could do this beforehand.The architectural accomplishments of early Sri Lankan civilisation.Seeing the crocodiles moving a floating carcass around in one of the lakes on the game reserve.What did you think of your group leader?Suresh is a competent and conscientious guy. He also has a keen interest in local cuisine which ensured we had plenty of tasty snacks and black tea throughout our cycling days.   Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Take a sarong or buy one in Sri Lanka. It is the ideal evening garment to give those nether regions of the body a well deserved break from close confinement. I took too much clothing generally, however we were blessed with no rain for the fortnight.Is there anything else you would like to add?The trip was slightly marred by a couple of the hotels which were a bit sub-standard. I mentioned these by name in the other on-line review. I hope Exodus will work on finding alternatives. Most of the hotels were really good.The trip has caused a permanent change in my diet - no more milk in tea.
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  Trip date: February 2012
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  Louise Masson

  · January 19th, 2012
  This was a fantastic trip with a huge variety of scenery and challenges. As a reasonable cyclist however not a true fanatic I really enjoyed this holiday. Having been with Peter our guide in Kerala, I travelled again with 2 friends who also had a great time. Our group was good fun and supportive of each others abilities.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Lots of great days and whilst I chose to go on the train to Nuara Elia we enjoyed a fantastic experience with the locals. I was delighted to be there to welcome many of the group back from an amazing challenge.There are many other fab cycling days including the down hill day of supreb views from Ella, to make in time to watch the Rugby World Cup final over a few beers!! Chasing home from mad rainstorm, along the lakeside was also a great experience! Whale watching trip is also a must!! What did you think of your group leader?Peter and his team ( AK and Kasun) were excellent and extremely supportive.At no point do you need to ask for anything as we were always well catered for.Having been with Peter in Kerela, I would recommend any trip that he and his team guide, as we have had 2 very good experiences. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?You do need rain gear, though it was a lot of fun in the muddy back lanes!Is there anything else you would like to add?A great way to see Sri Lanka. The final hotel at the beach has still some way to go, to be the best way to end the trip.
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Valerie Parkinson

  · January 19th, 2012
  brilliant trip and on a bike is the best way to see Sri Lanka.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?the long ride up to Nuwarya Ellya - classic challenging day with the most wonderful hotel at the end of it.What did you think of your group leader?Peter and his team - Ekanaike, Upali and Suresh. Great team work. Peter knows Sri Lanka like the back of his hand. Always chose different route etc and places to eat and stop to suit the group and the weather (we had lots of rain). Bikes well looked after by the rest of the team.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?There was lots of rain in November but apart from not taking as many photos with blue sky it did not spoil the trip very much. Trekking sandals best to bike in due to the hat and wet. Make sure your saddle is comfy - bring your own and bring chamois cream for the sore bits. Take your time. There may be faster cyclists than you - this was my first bike trip and I was at the back but never felt it was too hard.Is there anything else you would like to add?Great little trip with lots to see and do. Chat to the locals - they are still surprised at seeing bike groups in Sri Lanka. Trip is mix of road and trails. I am a hobby cyclist and nothing was too difficult for me.
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  Trip date: January 2012