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