Sigiriya Tours and Trips

We arrived in Columbo to rain to be met by our smiling guide for the trip who introduced himself as Suresh. From there on, everyday was different, due to the time of year the weather was a little chilly in the hills but improved greatly as we descended to the lower levels. Suresh was amazing and everyday, he showed us something different and made sure our holiday experience was amazing. Suresh's ability to spot wildlife on our cycling trips was unbelievable, almost as if he had planted the wildlife!!. I have taken some amazing photographs from the holiday and Suresh has provided us with his amazing photographs also. Suresh always seemed to go out of his way to make our holiday experience better and better, he is a star. The whole team was incredible, nothing was too much trouble and they were always looking out for our best interests, including keeping us safe. Best Exodus cycling trip yet, amazing wildlife, amazing Sri Lankan experiences, amazing leader, amazing team.

I'll try not to be too gushing about my praise of this but it was a truly excellent trip; at the end we felt like starting again. Exodus at its best, it's all about the bits in-between not the usual tourist sights, though you do see those. Most of the time you are staying in hotels used by other tour groups and you do feel sorry for them being shunted from temple to city to viewpoint in a coach, all looking bored. They do not pass through villages where locals wash themselves and their clothing in rivers or see the smiles which greeted us, gaudily clad aliens in Lyra. Thought the accommodation was the best I've ever had on one of these expeditions.

Children (and many adults) universally waved and hollered hellos as we pedaled past--one man giving a few of us a Tour-de-France running push when he saw us struggling up a hill. We had a jam-packed schedule of riding, hiking, visiting temples, photographing elephants on a safari, getting a cooking demonstration (and recipes!), going on an epic train ride, swimming in the Indian Ocean, visiting a tea plantation and processing plant, seeing coconut husks turned into rope; taking tea, stopping for fresh pineapple, eating delicious Sri Lankan curries....it was an amazing adventure with really lovely, fun, game people.

A very diverse bunch of people came together to experience the classic 'cultural triangle' and much more - but in a more in-depth way. Apart from the lovely people we encountered on our travels, the wildlife was one of my favourite aspects. My absolute favourite moment was when a monkey dropped from a tree onto our 'snacks' table and made off with one of the spicy biscuits (good choice!) - chaos/hilarity ensued! Some of the riding days were tough - I hadn't got as much training in as I had planned - but the back-up crew were always there to help! A few of the rides (particularly the big one) are on busy roads so would recommend a 'commuter mask' if your lungs are sensitive. The fumes from the buses can get a bit much. Although the people travelling on them, hanging out the doors and windows shouting encouragement, almost made up for it!

I found Sri Lanka to be an incredibly stunning country. We all felt we got to see so much of it whilst getting an authentic feel to the local way of life through seeing it on a saddle. The itinerary is very well designed, as well as all the cycling we got to climb Lions Rock in Sigiriya, visit spice gardens and ancient ruins in the lowlands, walk through botanical gardens in Kandy, see some of the most beautiful views in Ella and got to relax on the beach, swimming in the Indian Ocean after 9 days of cycling. Being a relatively inexperienced cyclist, I did find some of the cycles challenging yet incredibly rewarding. With the cycling, culture, wildlife, food, lovely accommodation and group you'll share the trip with, this was an incredible way to experience the best of Sri Lanka!

A wonderful two-week journal through a very beautiful country. At times the rides were strenuous. The accommodations and food were excellent. The Sri Lankan group leader, Suresh, is the absolute best.