Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka

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.

I’ve been on many Exodus trips and this ranks as one of the very best!

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.

2 weeks of breath taking scenery, superb quiet back roads , being guided round by a superb team , left wanting for nothing, Excellent

Brilliant mix of activity, history, wildlife, religion and culture.

This is a great holiday to see some key attractions of Sri Lanka and enjoy cycling through the landscapes and small villages.

This trip was on the whole a very balanced experience. There was plenty of cycling combined with a wide range of cultural activities and enough free time to explore on one's own. Hotels were all very comfortable. The people were welcoming and friendly and we came away with an impression of a country with plenty to offer. However, to call this trips "back roads" cycling is rather generous. There were plenty of days where cycling was in high traffic conditions and inhaling diesel fumes and pollution was rather unpleasant. Some of the roads were bumpy and dangerous.The cycling on the country roads was delightful. The support team was always on hand to make sure every aspect of the trip went smoothly.

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!

This trip is utterly amazing on every level and most importantly, it provides an immersive experience in the very best Sri Lanka has to offer.

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.

The best way to fully experience a beautiful diverse country

This was the best way to experience the country of Sri Lanka. The back roads on a bike gave access to the most amazing wildlife, natural beauty and glimpse into the culture and way of life. The cycling was challenging at times due to the heat, humidity and one day of tough climbing. The hotels and food were of a high standard and nothing was too much trouble for our support team.

Eine wundervolle Reise durch Sri Lanka! Die atemberaubende Landschaft, die freundlichen Menschen und die wunderbare srilankische Küche haben diese Reise zu etwas ganz Besonderem gemacht. Ich kann die Tour in Sri Lanka sehr empfehlen! What a wonderful journey! this cycling trip in Sri Lanka was truly an unforgettable experience. The beautiful green landscapes, picturesque villages, very friendly locals and the excellent food made every moment of the journey special. Cycling through the tea plantations in the hill country was a highlight, as well as exploring the ancient ruins and riding along rice fields and tea or banana plantations. the Ayurveda massages, offered at the hotels, were great as well.

This was a great trip. We had a lovely group of people who got on very well and a great team from Exodus well led by Suresh.

Back roads of Sri Lanka and more

The best holiday we have ever had. Seeing all the numerous cultural sights, and enjoying all aspects of Sri Lankan life.

Probably our best ever holiday - beautiful country, welcoming people, interesting and varied cycle routes, lots of bird and wildlife sightings, lush colourful countryside, interesting visits and tours, delicious food, excellent hotels plus our brilliant leader, Ruwan, and his kind, thoughtful and hard-working team

From the initial enquiry and booking process through to the trip itself the whole experience was easy, efficient and generally in line with the high standard I have experienced on my two previous Exodus trips. The hotels and eating places were generally of a good standard, clean and comfortable. Our guide/trip leader went above and beyond to ensure the trip went to plan and all arrangements worked as expected. He made sure we all had the best possible experience and was enthusiastic and keen to show us the best of his country. He dealt calmly and efficiently with any unforeseen events, kept us safe and was always available to help and support us all with anything we needed. The four support staff were also excellent, always smiling and ensured we never wanted for anything, including bike support, water and snacks at every stop. A slight black mark was that several of the ebikes seemed quite old and a bit unreliable and a few broke down a few times which made extra work for the leader and bike support guys, who were already working incredibly hard. They dealt with the problems well though and it didn't really detract from the overall experience due to their efforts. I would highly recommend this trip (but if you intend to rely on an ebike be prepared for a few issues).

Fantastic trip start to finish. Excellent leader and good group.

Cycling through a unique meze of colourful chaos and quiet country roads with a great mix of people all wanting a good time, with delicious food thrown in, by far the best way to see Sri Lanka! It’s an exciting country and Suresh brought it to life for us, providing great commentary, and passing on his knowledge on the way. I learned so much about the country in the best possible way! He cleverly orchestrated the tour giving information and leaving enough time the group to bond, also important .

A wonderful , full on trip with a mixture of culture and cycling, spent with a lovely group of people

Very varied 2 weeks cycling lush backroads through rice fields , visiting temples and tea plantations , afternoon safari and swimming in the Indian Ocean . Beautiful country , great food and lovely people

Excellent trip, great guide (Ruwan) and back-up team

The trip was great, but some of the roads are very busy with scary traffic which sometimes feels quite aggressive. Most evening meals were at hotel buffets, as the hotels used were a way outside towns. The food quality was good, but it got a bit repetitive. There was a lot more riding on unpaved rough roads than the trip notes says.

Highly recommend this tour, so many different highlights to mention them all but cycling the backroads through the rice fields, seeing the wonderful wildlife, felt like i was on the set of Madagascar on several occasions, even saw wild elephants. The tour guide, Suresh, and his team are great. Making sure everyone is well looked after, with regular breaks with great snacks, sampling some of the local dishes..the pancake with dessicated coconut being one highlight. 😋 The food was great, suresh organising some great lunch stops and also an evening meal demonstration from one of the local chefs was great, so good to get some curry tips and it tasted delicious.. This cycling tour is a great way to see the country, especially with suresh providing great commentary, good insights and passing on his knowledge and passion for his country.

Our group had a fantastic 2 weeks cycling through the back roads (and a couple of busy roads) of Sri Lanka. There scenic views of course come with some hills and harder days but the bus was always available for those in need of a rest. Food was varied and safe (no real GI issues despite consuming salads and ice) and excellent especially if you love curry and usually consisted of a varied buffet at each meal which often included western options as well. I can’t eat gluten and there was no problem with options on this trip. Vegetarians also seemed to be well catered for. We saw endless monkeys, lizards, birds, fruit bats and much more and explored temples, coastlines, went in safari in search of leopards and elephants and stopped frequently for tea and local snacks. You’ll never go hungry on an exodus trip and this was no exception! While Sri Lanka has had some tough times in recent years, don’t let that out you off. The locals are friendly, the areas visited felt safe and Ruwan our guide was exceptional in his knowledge and leadership

I highly recommend this trip. The cycling routes were superb, only a couple of days on main routes. Stunning vistas and a wonderful experience in a very unspoilt country of rural beauty. Standard of hotels was very high. The food was delicious. Buffets in all hotels for breakfast but one and likewise for dinner so a very wide range available. People very friendly. Our guide Ruwan was delightful and very knowledgeable. The other activities besides the cycling were also great. Really enjoyed the safari and whale watching. There can be heavy rain in the afternoons so waterproofs essential....

Absolutely wonderful trip. The country offers so much in the way of beautiful scenery and wildlife and so much better to be able to see it at your own pace on a bicycle. The standard of our accommodation was well above what we were expecting and the choice of food was exceptional - there was a great mix of both Sri Lankan and western food available most days, often via an an all-you-can-eat buffet. The entire trip was made so enjoyable because of the exceptional organisation and knowledge of our group leader Suresh helped by a great local support team.

We have done many Exodus cycling trips and this one was up there with the best, if not THE best. There are 4 different things we enjoy about these trips, and these vary depending on where we are - 1.The cycling 2.The country we are visiting 3.The food 4.The group of people you are with. Sri Lanka ticked all 4 boxes, The cycling was varied with easier days, and one extremely challenging day, but the scenery was spectacular with lush green vegetation, beautiful waterfalls and tea plantations up in the hills, temples and local villages. The food is to die for, simply delicious (as long as you like a bit of spice). Finally we were lucky enough to have a fantastic group of people, we had so much fun. The Sri Lankan people could not have been more welcoming, warm and friendly. I thought the accommodation was of a particularly high standard on this trip, lovely hotels, mostly with pools.

Our cycling trip in Sri Lanka far exceeded our already high expectations. From the incredible cycling (mixture of tough and relaxing), to the delicious food (most amazing local curries), to the lovely fellow guests and staff, to excellent accommodation, to varied and enjoyable non-cycling activites...it had it all! One of the main factors for the success of the trip was Suresh, the trip leader, who managed the itinerary superbly and added so many enjoyable local-flavoured extras.

Cycling Back Roads of Sri Lanka, outstanding experience. The scenery is stunning, as you move from the irrigated rice fields of the lower elevations to the tea plantations in higher elevations and pristine beaches at the coast. Plenty of wildlife, including many different bird species, water buffalo, crocodiles, wild elephants and a leopard. The cycling was a good pace, with some hills to keep us challenged, especially the 18km climb to Nuwara Eliya. Plenty of opportunities to experience Sri Lankan style cuisine and culture of the country. The Exodus Trip Notes describe the tour accurately.

Cycling is the perfect way to see this country - you get a much better sense of the physical beauty, the diversity of landscapes and culture of the country when cycling through the villages and meeting people, than with other forms of travel. There were loads of interesting visits and activities - there wasn't much downtime but it was great to visit the temples, walk up hills, learn to cook Sri Lankan food, take a safari. The itinerary packs a lot into the fortnight - the rolling rural areas, the hill station/tea plantations, elephants, beach, and heritage sites like Galle. It might be a bit fast- paced for some people but personally I loved waking up each day knowing that there would be new and exciting experiences. I'm not a regular cyclist and as the trip rating says it was quite challenging at times with a lot of hills. If you haven't done this sort of trip before you do need a good level of fitness and to be prepared to play catch-up with the more experienced cyclists in the group, but it was well worth the effort.

Because some people worked very hard to make me feel like this! SURESH: our guide to heaven. Keep the fire in your eyes and in your heart Suresh! You inspired us all SURANGA: my guardian angel as I was riding up that mountain! I wouldn't have made it without you ! SAMAN: the man who kept us all hydrated and risked his life standing in the middle of busy roads to show as the way GAYAN : my 'light" in the dark! Driving with patience and a smile on your face behind my slow bike! DHARME: thank you for getting us there and back safe! Thank you for the hours of waiting for us . Thank for the smiles! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

We had the most fantastic cycling trip around Sri Lanka recently. Everything went to plan from the meet at the airport to the departure 2 weeks later. Each days cycling offered new experiences & sights - the scenery & wildlife was as varied and stunning as you could wish for. The hotels were of a very good quality & the food throughout the trip was both plentiful and of a high quality. We ate at some fantastic local restaurants which offered a real insight into the fantastic Sri Lankan cuisine. Our group gelled from Day 1 and this really helped make the trip memorable. The cycling was incredibly enjoyable and whilst stretching on a couple of days most reasonably fit people would easily cope with each days cycling. Our group leader Suresh was the most inspirational guide a group could wish for - extremely organised, very funny and used his extensive local knowledge to make the trip highly enjoyable. His support team were excellent providing back up bikes, food/water, transport & guidance - real unsung heroes. This was our first cycling holiday - would we recommend this trip - undoubtedly & we are planning our next one for 2024. The phrase Maximum Damage was used extensively by our excellent guide Suresh when we sat down to a buffet !

The trip was excellently led from start to finish, everyday an adventure and a challenge. Expectations exceeded. Would recommend. The group I was with were very inclusive. As a single male one is always aware of being able to fit in. A good mix

Very hard to find anything to fault in this action packed, well organised cycling tour of Sri Lanka. Suresh and his team were amazing. We honestly couldn’t have been looked after better, with every meal more incredible than the last and some fabulous hotels on the itinerary. A great mix with some challenging cycling, sightseeing, tea plantations and the Indian Ocean. Plus more than a few mojitos.

A brilliant trip in a land full of World heritage sites, stunning scenery and friendly smiling people. A great mix of cycling and sight seeing, with time for relaxation on the coast and some challenging cycling. The food was amazing, especially if you are a vegetarian, as the curries are made from fresh local spices and vegetables. The accommodation was well chosen and of a high standard. Our guide, Ruwan and his team were five star and the snacks they provided every day were delicious.

Had a fantastic time in Sri Lanka, Ruwan our tour leader and his team were beyond excellent, couldn't do enough for you and always with a smile. We were warmly welcomed everywhere we went; the food was lovely and the cycling fabulous. Although we had a couple of tough days everyone was able to go at their own pace and do as much as they felt they wanted to do. The trip was fully supported so when the cycling got too much you could always stop and get on the bus for a rest. The trip offers great variety from important cultural sights, wildlife, fabulous scenery, beaches and so much more.

We had an amazing time on this beautiful tour, it was incredibly varied visiting temples, tea plantations, a safari and swam in the Indian Ocean. The hotels ranged from good to fabulous, the food was great (the title of our review comes from the instructions of our tour leader in how to deal with a buffet - one must inflict maximum damage). The support team was excellent and worked really hard to ensure we had a great tour.

This was our first group trip and my partner's first bike touring holiday and it exceeded all our expectations! The trip was a fantastic exploration of Sri Lanka with so many places visited and sights seen. The wildlife was amazing - we saw eagles, fruit bats, peacocks, land and water monitors, mongoose, deer, tortoises, crocodile, elephants and the elusive leopard - what a treat that was! So many different birds. We also visited lots of interesting cultural and historical venues and our guide, Suresh, brought so much of this to life with his in-depth knowledge of the history, culture and wildlife of the country. The cycling was challenging and I was very glad that I had opted for the e-bike as this meant that I could enjoy the whole trip without the anxiety about whether I would be able to keep up with the group. Suresh really made the trip special for us with so many extra touches such as visiting local families, organising group meals and group games, ensuring that our luggage was always in our rooms on arrival and magically collected each morning! The group was fantastic and definitely made the whole experience even better - I hope we will keep in touch!

Sri Lanka is a wonderful country with fantastic scenery, history and people. Despite their recent problems everyone we met was so welcoming and helpful. Our guide Suresh was exceptional in all respects including organisation, local knowledge and attention to detail. He made our experience so enjoyable and informed

Fabulous cycling trip, filled with amazing activities.

I found the Wildlife of Sri Lanka amazing, everywhere we went, not just the in the game reserves. Generally cycling along, we found crocodiles, long Lizards, a variety of bird life, mischievous monkeys, etc. One day an elephant was on the road, just before we cycled through. I wasn't expecting so much nature outside of the reserves. Rowan, the trip leader, and the boys were amazing in every respect. You will be well looked after. Be ready for early starts and a quick departure to take advantage of the cooler mornings. The heat and sun when ascending, was challenging, but the bus and truck were always there if it got too much. I felt completely safe in Sri Lanka. Although there are lots of problems there regarding fuel and food, we did not experience any problems as tourists, so don't let the News put you off. They badly need tourism to return to pre-covid levels to support their economy.

What an amazing holiday! This best thing I have done in ages & up there with my best trips. I booked at the last minute as there was a cancellation due to COVID and was very apprehensive as to what lay ahead. Would I cope, what will the group be like etc. etc. I don’t cycle regularly and took the e-bike option and really glad that I did. Some days were hard, especially the uphill ascent to Nuwara Eliya and some days were undulating. Using the e-bike allowed me to enjoy my holiday and took away the angst of thinking whether I could do it. The holiday was great on so many levels: - Guide & trip support Suresh was our guide and what a beautiful person he is, kind, caring, thoughtful, funny, always going the extra mile to ensure everyone was happy and catered for… a true professional. I can not rate him highly enough; in many ways, he made the trip. Suresh was supported by a fantastic team - Suranga, Ruwan and crew. Suranga provided technical support, ensuring all the bikes were ok, he would even be checking them as we cycled. The guys worked so hard behind the scenes to make sure everything ran seamlessly. Making sure that we were fed, watered as we cycled from place to place. In the morning all the cycles were lined up, clean & checked ready to go. Trip The trip itself is fantastic, every day was filled with something different to do and see. Cycling is a wonderful way to see Sri Lanka especially cycling the back roads. It’s so vibrant and provides an assault on the senses… all the colours, smells, sounds, beautiful vistas, wildlife and people. The Sri Lankan people are so welcoming and friendly, children and adults waving as we cycled past…shouting ‘Hi’ ‘Bye’ Accommodation The accommodation overall was fantastic and even better than expected. I particularly liked the hotels in Sigiriya, Kandy and Ahangama. It was easy to cycle from one place to another…Suresh would check us in & our bags would be waiting for us in the rooms! When leaving we would just leave our bags outside the door and the bag fairies would sort everything. Food What can I say…yum, yum yum! So many gorgeous vegetable & meat curries, not forgetting the egg hopper. One must try when one is in Sri Lanka. Suresh took us to some fantastic places to eat. I really enjoyed the family meal where our food was cooked in banana leaves. One of the things I really enjoyed were the cycling tea stops. We visited small cafes, a Sri Lankan home. We were offered the most divine fresh fruit-mango and pineapple and lots of spicy snacks-I’ve forgotten the names. We had some great lunch stops too. Activities. These are all listed in the itinerary and were great and plentiful, I am amazed we packed so much in. Climbing Lion rock, climb in Eliya, visit to gem factory-shop, spice garden, safari-we saw the elusive leopard, tea factory, I skipped the whale-watching as I needed a relax! Group As well as Suresh the group really made the holiday for me. I wasn’t sure at first but as the days unfurled, we bonded. We had lots of fun and banter…what a lovely group! I hope we stay in touch. We even saw the infamous ‘yellow elephant’ Big thankyou to GI Jane & Captain Chris, the lovely Janine & Darren, Sue-‘Queen of the Mountains’, Lady Julia, Richard of Wales, Sir Roger, Peter the Great, St. Simon, Neil Young-the one & only, Jimmy Carter and Bob Hope. Personal Final note, I had a bad 2021, felt in a bit of a rut. It was a big step for me to book this trip but I’m so glad I did. It made me feel alive again…what more can I say! Thankyou Suresh and team, group and Sri Lanka xxx

This is a wonderful trip. The landscape is beautiful, nature everywhere, monkeys, birds, even elephants and crocodiles. Gentle people, interesting history. Cycling started with 2 easy days then the build up to the big hill after the rest day in Kandy. All those who started the hill finished it and were glad to have done so - but it is a long hard day. The second week has a visit to Yala safari park which was terrific and a day and a half on the beach - optional whale watching. The guide Suresh is the best leader I have come across by a distance. The way he organises everything brings us into the heart of the country and its people. Super efficient use of time at tea stops etc by his use of a group kitty. And supported by a greedily and very practiced team. And no bus time until the second week. We cycle from hotel to hotel. Hotels variable but fine. Food is good and plenty of it.

We have just returned from cycling the back roads of Sri Lanka with Exodus. Quite wonderful… a lot of miles across multiple landscapes on very good bikes staying in great accommodation, eating local food all managed & led by an exceptional guide. A joy every day with so much seen and experienced.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A well organised trip with lots of variety to keep everyone interested.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Great cycling holiday through a stunning country.

If you are having any doubt about booking this, think again. This is a trip of a lifetime and a truely amazing experiance. Cycling the backroads of Sri Lanka gives you a wonderful insight into the country.

Fantastic trip- beautiful country with lots to see, friendly people and great food

Absolutely loved this trip and would definitely recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a little bit of graft for a whole lot of fun!! First of all, we had a cracking bunch of lads looking after us and they played a major part in creating a very enjoyable experience. Suresh was our main man and he was faultless in coordinating everyone to be where we needed to be, when we needed to be there. So many times above and beyond his call of duty throughout the trip to ensure extra activities were expertly organised and helping several of us who stayed on after the trip with travel arrangements etc. Sri Lanka proved to be far more than I expected; - the culture, lush verdant landscapes, golden beaches, bird, reptile and animal life and of course the people. Suresh's huge enthusiasm for his homeland was evident in all aspects and he obviously made sure we were treated like royalty wherever we went. The cycling was tough, even 'brutal' in the heat and humidity but descents through beautiful valleys and riding the backroads through villages, fields and forests was a real pleasure, our team made sure we had plenty of fruit, snacks and drinks to keep us going. A major plus on this trip for me was the minimal bus transfers and cycling hotel to hotel

There are two exceptional things about this trip, Sri Lanka and our guide Suresh. Sri Lanka is full of interest, landscape, culture, food and wildlife. So cycling through the mainly quiet roads of this beautiful and engaging country was always going to be good. The amazing level of enthusiasm, competence and good humour shown by Suresh and the rest of the team made for a truly exceptional holiday

A wonderful way to see Sri Lanka. The route captured everything from wildlife to culture to coast. Our Guide and Team were all exceptional, we couldn't fault them. A fabulous experience coupled with the opportunity to meet a super group of people. A good blend of moderate and challenging . A little less traffic, fumes and "excitement" on one or two of the roads we could have done without...

This was simply the best cycle trip so far . Sri Lanka is as vibrant and colourful as I had hoped, and the cycling was amazing , but it is hilly so be prepared for some serious inclines in the saddle. It's not all back roads as per the title, but I felt safe throughout and it was great to see the hustle and bustle as well as the tranquility. The food was a journey in itself , and the standard of accommodation was far better than expected. One place is slightly ' below standard' , but the entertainment that night of our fantastic guide Suresh giving us a cookery demonstration more than made up for it. The trip is full on and busy but you will be entertained from the 6am wake up calls starts until you have your first well earned Lion beer every evening. Great company in my fellow cyclists, great support and the best ever guide in Suresh to make sure we made ' maximum damage' to cycling Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 .

Gosh where to start... we have been on 3 trips now with Exodus and each time l think the guide is good, but Suresh was a true Ambassador not only for Exodus but most importantly Sri Lanka. He was so proud of it, the people, its geography, wildlife, flora and fauna and of course its culture. That deep knowledge helps convey a strong level of confidence and insight whenever he was "guiding" or asked questions about Sri Lanka. So that's him in a nutshell but there is so more to talk about what he and the supporting team delivered during our 2 weeks. The team were excellent, they were well briefed understood exactly what was needed, nothing was ever too much trouble. Every morning the bikes were cleaned if dirty, chains were cleaned and oiled & of course checked to ensure our safety. Whenever we stopped the team would quickly remove our drinks bottles and refill to ensure we kept hydrated, it was after all hot! In addition to our guide we also had two other cyclists riding, both were excellent at either supporting riders at the back of the group or riding ahead at key junctions to point the way or many cases stop the traffic so we could just continue cycling. We also had 3 others in the support team who were equally as helpful and again just could not do enough for you. Nobody could fault the team. I would say the group had a mixed level of experience, but at no point did any of them ever indicate that they always felt riding with them. They were always very encouraging. Many of the roads were as the trip notes state were just back roads quiet and full of life - local people, children shouting hello or goodbye, animals and birds. Traffic and driving in Sri Lanka can at times be described as a little chaotic, but even when we had to ride on main roads (A roads) they were never that busy. Whilst cycling Suresh’s knowledge of his environment was second to none, he ensured that we never missed anything - he even ensured that we had the right "lucky" Jeep driver to ensure we saw a Leopard in Yala National Park. His “management” of us was very professional, courteous and exceptionally polite when asking for people’s attention, it is often difficult to get but he did through his knowledge, respect and of course good humour. His ability to laugh at himself is a great virtue! When it came to the day to day logistics of riding, no stone was ever left unturned. Suresh ensured we received 100% service from not only him and his team but also those who provided us with Sri Lankan hospitality. Whether it was a simple & basic tea house, 4* hotel, or a dinner on the beach the relationship he had created with them meant service was second to none. It was evident that if any of these were not delivered to his exacting standards then he would tirelessly secure somewhere better. All these establishments knew that. I could say more but where to stop my final example would be on our departure day from the group. We decided to stay an additional week near Galle, so we asked Suresh if he could book us train tickets, contact the HomeStay to see if we could hire bikes, etc. which he duly did. Come the day of our departure at 6am from the Hotel, Suresh organised a tuk tuk for all 3 of us to get to Colombo train station. He accompanied us on to the right platform and ensured we get on the train safely. Once we were on he then of course left us. We then saw him 10 minutes later back on the platform. He had sent some photos of us on the platform to the WhatsApp group but when asked did we have seats he then had to stop his journey back to the hotel and return to the station to take some photos of us in said seats as evidence. Why would you do that? Simple because he truly cared. We absolutely loved every minute of our holiday to Sri Lanka, the people, its culture, the birds, wildlife, history and geography. All of this was fully exposed because of the insight and passion that Suresh and his team had. They truly bought it to life, guides can make or break a holiday, they made it for all of us. We will have no hesitation in returning and recommending this trip to other cyclists. It was ACE!!!!

We have just returned from the most stunning 2 weeks in Sri Lanka. The trip is extremely well planned with interesting trips spaced between the cycling. The cycling is manageable - but be warned DAY 5! It is an extremely tough climb - and even the fittest amongst our fabulous group found it very tough. If you are lucky enough to have Wasantha as your leader, you will be spoilt. He is so knowledgeable, helpful and organised and nothing was too much trouble. Our group was very lively and he never got annoyed at having to repeat himself! We were blessed with perfect weather (be warned its v humid). Hotels mostly very good. Food is great and never ending. Many in our group had done quite a few Exodus cycling trips but voted this very highly.

This trip is fantastic! So well organised by the amazing guide, amazing wildlife and scenery and great cycling. Be prepared for the heat and the humidity, but the terrain is not too difficult. Accommodation was mostly very good or excellent, one not so good hotel. This is an experience to remember.

great cycling, diverse landscapes and a real flavour of the country. a well put together programme and full on with little time unoccupied. some challenging rides on generally good roads and plenty of time in the saddle. Good accommodation and food. don't expect much time to relax

Great cycling, fab food, wonderful people, stunning scenery! Oh and the best guide ever! Guaranteed!!

Wonderful journey through the varied landscape of this friendly country- through paddy fields and tea plantations, taking in historic temples and monuments, and pausing at local cafes for delicious local fare. Some epic climbs and descents, on excellent and well maintained bikes, with a fantastic support team and superb tour guide (Suresh). We felt that the trip gave us a good insight into the culture/scenery/history/flora/fauna of Sri Lanka, the accommodation was generally excellent, and where more basic it was characterful and adequate. Overall, this trip was an epic, and highly recommend it!

This was my first cycling tour with Exodus and it was absolutely excellent. Sri Lanka is a fascinating country with lots to see. The cycling was great - some of it was pretty tough - especially the day to Nuwara Eliya but doable for anyone with a good level of fitness. The scenery across the country was beautiful and the food was fabulous. The accommodation was generally of a very high standard. Two places were fairly basic but we only stayed in them for 1 night each so it was fine. This is a great trip and if you’re considering booking it you should - you won’t regret it!

Best Exodus tour yet

Best Exodus tour yet

Really interesting trip. It has a great balance with plenty of cycling but still having time to explore our destinations and some time to relax too. It's a beautiful country with friendly local people. The hotels were generally of a good standard and although 2 were not great, they certainly weren't awful. I appreciated that sometimes in getting from A to B you have to go through less developed areas. I enjoyed the food immensely, especially when we went to smaller restaurants away from the hotels.

Challenging cycling, interesting and varied, excellent guide

Challenging cycling, interesting and varied, excellent guide

I would highly recommend this tour of Sri Lanka. It was a fantastic way to see the real Sri Lanka and get to meet the local people and see how they live their lives. We NEVER went hungry! Excellent quality of food - at the hotel/lunch spots and at each tea stop. I will really miss those lemon puff biscuits :) There was a good level of diversity in the type of cycling we did. A good mix of flat roads (on main roads and dirt roads), plenty of hills (undulating and longer uphill climbs) and a couple of great long downhills back down the side of the mountain. I was not a distance cyclist before I went on this trip. I had a good base fitness (running/gym) and did about a months worth of training on a mountain bike before I went and I was able for it. A fantastic tour - do it!

So many experiences in a wonderful country with such a wonderful guide - DO IT - you will not be disappointed!

A great holiday with a good mix of cycling (some tough, and one day in particular-the climb to Nuwara Eliya, not for the faint hearted!) with culture, sightseeing and team bonding all thrown into the mix. But fear-not as if you don't fancy the climb then there's always the option of the train from the word go, or the ever-present bus or cycle van bringing up the rear if your just not sure and want to see how far you can get. And this is also the case on any ride on any day of course. We were lucky to have an excellent, award winning, guide but the standard generally is very high, not least because being a guide in Sri Lanka is one of the most sort after and hard to get jobs, with the result that they all take huge pride in their work. We thourougly enjoyed all aspects of the trip. Any minor issues were quickly dealt with. No major issues occurred because of the degree of organisation, planning, (by the company) and diligence on the part of our guide on the trip itself. Thoroughly recommended!

A fairly challenging cycle tour of Sri Lanka, taking in some of the culture, wild life and sites and sounds.

A fairly challenging cycle tour of Sri Lanka, taking in some of the culture, wild life and sites and sounds.

This was my first group ride and, as such, didn’t know what to expect. However, from arrival at the airport and meeting the group leader, it was obvious that this was going to be fun and a little challenging at times, mainly due to the heat and humidity. I have to say that the whole trip was very well planned out, with plenty of good cycling, fabulous sightseeing, food and drink sampling, with friendly locals along the way. Many happy memories, new friends and a longing for the next trip!

Fantastic! Sri Lanka is a hidden gem, a beautiful country and to explore it on 2 wheels you see it at it's best. I've enjoyed all our cycle trips with Exodus, but this one in particular benefits from door to door cycling and it's only the transfer from Colombo airport/return which you have to jump into the minibus.

Sri Lanka is a really beautiful country and there is no better way to see it than on a bike with a group of like minded people cycling alongside. This was a special holiday full of interesting and fascinating things to see. It offered a real mix of both challenging and easy enjoyable cycling. Our guide Suresh was nothing short of marvellous. His attention to detail combined with his sense of humour and his care to make sure we always had what we needed was exceptional. I have been on three Exodus holidays so far and this one must surely be the best so far....guaranteed!

An amazing experience with Exodus & Suresh as tour leader.

To see Sri Lanka on two wheels was just the most amazing experience for us. Cycling through tea plantations, rice paddies, local villages and wildlife sanctuaries. A stunning country with the friendliest of people. Being part of a group made the holiday like one big party with friendly banter from breakfast through to lights out in the evening. Early starts met with the usual groan but what a way to spend the day flying along the roads enjoying all the sights along the way. A well organised trip with an excellent leader in Suresh. Nothing is too much trouble. A must do for the those out there thinking about your next Exodus adventure.

This is a cycling trip for anyone of average cycling ability, or above, who also wishes to sample all the culture sights, sounds and tastes that beautiful Sri Lanka has to offer. Accommodation varies from simple guest houses to nice hotels, but it is as stated in the trip notes and perfectly adequate in all instances to refresh and rest after a fantastic day. The food is delicious, be it served in a street café or hotel buffet, and options for those who don't like their food too hot are always available.

A great trip that had everything including dramatic scenery, lush countryside, wonderful cycling, adventure in a safari park, beautiful beaches and of course lots of tea!

Highly recommend this trip as the best way to see Sri Lanka. Not only is it a most beautiful country that has such varied landscapes and sites to see each day, but you do it all by 2 wheels with very little overland journeys in a minibus. Its also a fantastic mix of cycling and sightseeing. What's more the local people are so friendly everywhere you go...could it be the friendliest island in the world?

A lovely trip to a lush green island. Cycling is generally good. Sites are all interesting and well worth seeing.

This was my 3rd trip with Exodus, and it was a really great experience. Sri Lanka is a wonderful country, very lush & green as it is a tropical country with lots of rain, so it is just green everywhere. The people are very humble & friendly, they speak English in most places, except in some really remote areas. The cycling itself was challenging, due to the heat factor, as it is quite a humid & hot most of the time. Overall, the trip exceeded my expectations, & I really enjoyed the cycling as that is what I was looking forward to.

This was one of the best trip I have done. Its a fabulous mix of cycling, culture and wildlife/flora and you get to stay in some lovely hotels and guest houses. Its pretty full-on - every day was packed out - and the cycling is challenging. Its hillier than I anticipated (or undulating inclines as our guide described them) and although we used back roads they are still very busy with traffic. Our group was small (8 people) and ranged from good club cyclists to occasional/recreational cyclists. We stayed together as a group most of the time and had numerous snack water breaks

We’ve done several moderate cycling trips with Exodus and I was working up to this one, as I loved the sound of the itinerary from first starting to research where we might like to travel. I’m glad I did some less challenging ones first, and I was definitely the weakest link on this trip in our group of fit and rapid (mostly) club cyclists. But I was (they said) never far behind, I completed every last inch of the trip and was extremely proud of myself for completing the Nuwara Eliya ascent, albeit slowly. All this was made possible by Suresh and his fabulous team and the support and encouragement of the group (especially the patient and long suffering Ken who stuck with me at the back and talked me up the hills). We loved Sri Lanka and the insight we gained from Suresh, and his determination to make sure we discovered his country to the fullest extent. He certainly deserves his title as Tour Guide of the Year. Guaranteed (his buzz word). The trip was well organised, we were lucky to be able to stay in some of the accommodation which we were told is not always possible. All in all a varied, enjoyable and very rewarding trip. What on earth do we do next to follow that ? Thank you Exodus. Thankyou Suresh.

We loved our trip to Sri Lanka and would not hesitate to recommend it. The itinerary is very well planned and there is a really good mix of cycling and sightseeing.  We visited temples, caves, a tea factory, a gem factory, a spice garden (complete with massage), several wildlife parks and walked up the famous Sigirya Rock as well as stopping at a number of very individual refreshment stops.  The accommodation was good throughout as was the food.

This was simply the best trip we have been on. We loved every element. Cycling through the back roads allows you to get under the skin of the country and the people - both were simply beautiful! It was a triumph of organisation and was superbly led.

Certainly one of the best cycle trips I've taken.....tropical spice island, friendly people, interesting history and whale watching, bird watching and National Park with elephants,leopards and more.

A great and very wet holiday with some truly memorable moments. Sri Lanka has many cultural and natural attractions which are well worth seeing - visiting them on a bike just added toit.Would recommend this trip without hesitation.

A fabulous 2 weeks cycling the backroads of beautiful Sri Lanka in excellent company and with a superb tour guide.

A trip I will remember for ever! Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and Suresh is an absolutely outstanding leader, who made sure we experienced the very best of it. The cycling can be challenging - plenty of hills and heat - but the distances and hills build up over the days so that your fitness increases to be able to manage each stage. The scenery, birds and animals are beautiful. I'd struggle to identify more than a robin in England, but by the end of the trip was able to tell the difference between a bee catcher and a kingfisher flying past. What really made it special for me was Suresh's attention to detail and the special experiences he arranged - street food in Kandy, stopping to buy fish from the market for dinner, the evening visit to a multi faith temple, and multiple tea stops in local places for tea, lentil cakes, fudge and other yummy snacks. Just don't expect to lose any weight on this trip - my Fitbit said I burned 4,351 calories on the climb to Nurwar Eliya but I'd say every single one of those was replaced with the maximum damage we did every night with the delicious food and Lion beers!

A fantastic mix of scenery, culture, history and wildlife all observed from the saddle against a backdrop of highland tea plantations and forest or lowland Paddy fields. All fuelled by delicious local food including curry and fresh pineapple, papaya and bananas - aided by bucket loads of tea and tasty snacks on the roadside! So much packed into a small country and a short holiday.

Just back from exhilarating trip. It's fun, it's tiring, it's varied. The cycling is challenging enough to give a real sense of achievement. Plenty of time for sight seeing and relaxing especially later on. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with very friendly people.

It was very well organized. I don't think we missed seeing anything. I defiantly would not recommend the safari excursion.

Holiday of a life-time

Great trip, moderate to challenging is about right for the cycling but there's always the helpful support and tech vehicles. A great way to see the small villages and daily life as you go past (often getting smiles and waves!).

What a country Amazing scenery, great food and the most polite gentle people you could meet. What a trip Great itinerary going to some great historical places and beautiful scenery.

I have just completed a cycling trip in Sri Lanka - it was fantastic!! Lots of variety and very informative. If you enjoy cycling, friendly hospitality, great food and a brilliant leader then I would highly recommend this trip.

The cycling in the first two thirds of this trip was fairly challenging, at least I found it so. Whether it was fear of unseen wild elephants or just a keen, fit group, I don't know but the pace was brisk and the effort needed to rejoin the peleton discouraged me from taking as many photos as I would have liked. On many days there were supplementary activities which provided plenty of photo opportunities, however. The food and accommodation was generally excellent. The sophistication of the hotels and lodges was variable but everywhere was welcoming and clean. Towards the end of the trip, there was no longer any pressure to reach destinations and the cycling became much more relaxed, giving a chance to chat and take photos. The roads were quieter too, with one morning in a bird sanctuary. Galle fort was very picturesque but full of a different sort of tourist to ourselves! Colombo was a mixture of elegant colonial buildings in the centre, now restored to create elegant shopping malls, and many miles of poor, rather depressing, 'suburbs'. Strange, to my eyes at least, that the extra income in the city seems to bring about a reduction in the quality of life compared with the country.

This is a cycle trip to savour. As well as being a wonderful way of getting a real feel of the country, you also visit 3 of the 4 ancient capitals, eat some very good meals, especially street food and gain glimpses of the family, cultural and political life of this fascinating country. The cycling is mainly on quiet country roads. It's challenging at times but well worth the effort. The bikes are in excellent condition with semi-slick tyres which, along with a very good mechanic, make for easier road cycling.

This trip was a delight to the senses - being on a bike totally immersed in the sights, sounds, smells ... and of course tastes ... of this beautiful and fascinating country. On the trip we experienced the rich culture and history, the varied vegetation and cultivation, the strikingly colourful birdlife, local food and tea stops, quiet back roads (and a few exciting ones!) and of course the friendly people.

If you like cycling, culture and curry you will not find a better holiday on offer than this one. It has everything. Good cycling routes through spectacular scenery, many opportunities to learn about Sri Lankan culture, wall to wall wildlife and mouth watering food. There is so much more to it than initially meets the eye when viewing the trip notes.

Superbly varied trip, based around fairly tough cycling but also includes temples, beaches, wildlife and great chances to meet the locals. One or 2 of the hotels are quite basic, but the clue is in the title - you're out in the sticks so occasionally have to make do without some facilities. Saying that most hotels were excellent. The people were extremely welcoming, the food excellent and so overall it was a great value holiday. I will definitely go back

You can't have all that green without rain. But once you let yourself go and make peace with being entirely wet and muddy for days, there is a wonderful sense of freedom. You won't be cold (except for the summit day) and you will always have a clean warm room to regroup at the end of the day. I can't imagine a better way to see the variety of eco/cultural/historical systems than cycling through Sri Lanka. Suresh and his support team create an indulgent expereince where all details are taken care of and all you have to do is eat, ride, and enjoy the culture and views.

A great cycling trip through the beautiful scenery of some less touristed areas of Sri Lanka. We started the trip with a whole week of very wet weather which did impact on the enjoyment of visiting some of the main cultural sites on the itinerary in that first week - and cycling very wet roads on bikes with no mudguards also challenged my love of being on two wheels! However in adversity the group bonded fast and our leader Suresh worked overtime to make sure we could make the best of the hand the weather gods had dealt us. When the rain finally stopped we were treated to some fantastic riding, scenic views and of course the warm smiles of the local population. A shame we didn't have the good weather from the outset but all told I was still happier to be visiting Sri Lanka on a bike than on a bus. And by riding it meant I'd worked up a good appetite for the amazing buffets...!

Well organised cycle tour around the none tourist areas of Sri Lanka. Unfortunately we had poor weather for 14 days and this could easily have been a wash out. However, the trip was rescued by our guide Suresh and his team, who still made the holiday enjoyable despite the conditions.

I really enjoyed the trip and though I was apprehensive about the level of cycling prior to leaving, the guides were fantastic and had planned everything out. They were always on hand and I enjoyed the variety of the cycling/terrain as well as the varied landscapes we were cycling through. Sri Lanka is a beautiful place and I thoroughly recommend it.