Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…

Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.

Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.

Reviews

Reviewed October 2014

Sri Lanka Experience by bike

Fantastic!
I concur with Rui, Steve and Irena of Oct 14, that this trip is indeed an amazing experience; the country is so lovely and it entirely lived up to expectations. Sri Lanka is so friendly and still seems to like us Brits which is novel! So many wonderful welcomes and hellos wherever we pedalled. The scenery beautiful, never a dull moment. And the group leader, Suresh, was I agree, incredible going above and beyond the call of duty both day and night; he obliged everyone’s merest whim, and ensured that all our needs were catered for. Bless him!

Most Inspirational Moment

Ah, the elephants at the orphanage were overwhelming...(but then I am an elephant addict). Yes, they do seem in need of a good meal, and it was heart-breaking to see that it is a bit like a zoo, but in fairness, the elephants in the wild on safari were just as skinny. I also liked the wonderful hotels and food, especially since the last fantastic place was trumped each night to come! I particularly liked the 50 mile uphill ride... the best burn-off I've had in a long time!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Smashing Suresh a lovely, affable person who aimed to please and worked hard to provide a top service.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yep. As a hardened world cycle tourist, I would say fervently, to avoid padded shorts in hot and sweaty climates. Grin and bear it without pads or you will end up with 'nappy rash' as many of my fellow travellers did. Merino wool undies and t-shirts are also the way ahead as in the monsoon showers they dry within the hour (you can wring them out at the breaks), and sponge dry with a small travel towel. Also, I ditched my socks which was far more pleasant for hot and sweaty/wet climates.

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Reviewed October 2014

Great cycling in the great country

One of the best cycling trips I ever done – good cycling and a fantastic way to see and experience this beautiful country at its best. Stunning tropical scenery and misty mountains, good roads, ancient cities and timeless temples, smiling and welcoming people, scores of wild elephants, tranquil beaches, flavourful local food, famous tea and of course great cycling – what more can you ask for?! The trip has so much packed into it that every day brings something new and unexpected and something which will astonish and leave you with unforgettable memories. Cycling can be challenging from time to time but never boring or tedious. Highly recommended for all cycling enthusiasts!

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention, every day brought a surprise. Climbing the soaring Rock of Sigirya, listening to the sacred chants at the ancient temples, cycling though paddy fields and quiet country roads amidst lush tropical scenery and birdsong, lunches in small local shops, challenging 2000 mt climb passing through tea plantations, getting close to wild elephants in the Uda Walawe national park, sunrise on the beach at the end of the trip - my list can go on and on. . And of course the exceptional local team that made it all possible - thank you guys

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh is an outstanding guide and a great person, who will go far beyond the call of duty to make sure you are enjoying your trip. His professionalism, organisational abilities, enthusiasm for his work, friendliness, profound knowledge and love for his country which he is doing his best to share with everyone - all these make the trip truly an exceptional experience. It is a privilege to have met somebody so dedicated to what he is doing and who treats you as a personal guest rather than a paying client.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book ASAP :-). On the practical side it would pay to do some hill training before you go, you will be grateful you did on some days. Be careful to drink lots and lots of water throughout the day as it can get quite hot - as the heat is humid it is sometimes not as easy as it may sound because you may not feel thirsty.

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Reviewed October 2014

backroads of sri lanka

This trip stands up there with one of the best i have done extremely well organised great people all locals always always had a smile on there face,Children appearing from nowhere just to say hello you wouldnt get that sort of welcome in this country!!!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Two many to mention although one highlight was a brutal 2000m climb upto nurawa eliya really hard work in very very hot conditions but it was so rewarding when we reached our hotel the counrty club what a place that was i celabrated with several bottles of the local brew called lion!!! Also enjoyed climbing up to lion rock,swimming,3 head massages and 1 full body massage. I was really impressed with the cycling road conditions and beleive it or not felt much safer cycling in sri lanka than i do here the uk! One thing that i will remember was a 10KM streach just before a lunch stop i though it would never end was really difficult as the road was still under constuction couldnt fell my wrists when i arrived and was pouring with sweat!!!!!really hot!!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh and his team did a fantasic job he deserves a medal always on hand night and day kept eveyone safe and although he had done the trip 47 times treated it as hs first very passionate about his country even went to the trouble to have a cake made for all of us after our brutal climb up to the country club at nurawa eliya.Also i though that it was a real nice when he gave us all a personalized map of sri lanka with a picture of myself in the middle which now hangs proudly in a frame on my wall.Thanks again suersh for making my holiday to sri lanka so memorable!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do plenty of training before going as this is a tough trip and it can be really hot and drink plenty of water

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Reviewed October 2014

Cycle the back Roads of Sri Lanka

This was my first cycling holiday and Exodus made it a fantastic experience, very well organised and what a fantastic island, the people are so friendly , the scenery out of this world and the roads although busy in some towns actually felt very safe as the other drivers are very courteous to a group of cyclists.
Great choice of food and the accommodation was far better than I expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

We had a small group of 10 and we soon became a great team, I think the highlight for most people was the 2000 metre climb, hard work but very rewarding.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh, what a gentleman, he will go out of his way to make sure everyone is having a good time and he on call 24/7 making sure everything is in place, he even insisted I used his personal mobile phone during the two weeks after mine stopped working on the 3rd day. Fantastic Leader and very good company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you train before hand as it is quite challenging on some days or will spend some time in the back up bus. This is the best way to see the real Sri Lanka.

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Frank Sherling

Reviewed September 2014

Superb guide through lovely country

A trip filled with great wildlife , culture and religion . And the best guide ever . I can not remember having a guide doing more to make sure everobody having a good time . He made his trip a travel through a country with great culture , nature and food . A great trip . And a great guide .

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was cycling through teplantations and up to Muwara Eliya . A good challenge and wonderful views . Also seeing how the locals always met you with a smile . Wonderful country .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh for president !! Best guide ever . He gave us all a fantastic trip . He is the best guide i have met through 20 years of traveling third way .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it before it gets to crowded by tourist , this trip takes you to places you wont see on a bus trip . But be fit for cycling , this is a cycling trip .

Reply from Exodus

We are very pleased that Frank thoroughly enjoyed so many aspects of the trip. Please remember that you can vote for your leader in our annual awards by following the link on our ‘About Us’ page: http://www.exodus.co.uk/leader-awards

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John Arthur

Reviewed September 2014

Trip in Sri Lanka on a non roadworthy cycle

The country & riding were great. The bikes were terrible . The mechanics knew little if anything about bike mainteanance. The accommodation was usually too far out of town to eat anywhere but at the hotel. Overall the food was poor

Most Inspirational Moment

Travelling down from the Tea plantations was fantastic - through fog & mist on to the flat coastal region

Thoughts on Group Leader

great knowledge of Sri Lanka but poor organisational skills

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure the bikes are at least roadworthy. Get the company to verify this before you pay any money.

Reply from Exodus

We were very sorry to learn that John was disappointed with certain aspects of his holiday, but we would like to thank him for his review. Since receiving John’s feedback we have been in touch with him on an individual basis, have made changes to the trip and have re-trained members of staff according to John’s feedback. We remain sorry that John did not enjoy his trip as much as we would have hoped but are confident that the tour will be well received going forward.

Megan Devenish – Trip Manager for cycling in Sri Lanka

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Karin Barter

Reviewed August 2014

Cycling the back roads of Sri Lanka

I’ve done a number of these cycling trips and this was way ‘up’ there compared with some of the others – all of which have been fabulous. It was fairly challenging in that it was hot and a number of roads were ‘under construction’. I almost didn’t go, being recently diagnosed with a condition but am so glad I still went ahead. It helped knowing that the van was behind, just in case.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were quite a number of these, from the beautiful and varied landscapes, the ridiculously friendly and polite people, seeing a leopard, the elephant orphanage and the food. I didn't do the hill climb in the end, due to the rheumatoid arthritis but took the local train up - that was also a fantastic trip being befriended by Sri Lankans and plied with endless gifts and food! Had a great group of travellers too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh and his team were beyond amazing. Suresh will go out of his way to help in any way he can, including adding in extras that aren't on the trip notes. Always smiling, always friendly, very knowledgeable and passionate about his country and the trip. He will always talk to everyone, getting to know you and making you feel that you matter.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is fairly challenging - mainly due to the roads and the heat (depending on when you go) but it is well doable for the averagely fit person. Take a padded seat and or shorts, good gloves to help with the vibrations on the bad roads and stay hydrated. Wet wipes are also good!

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Christopher Cano Suckling

Reviewed August 2014

Exodus Cycling Tour - Sri Lanka August 2014

The trip was brilliant; the mixture of cycling and cultural activities showed us the country from a whole other aspect, which many tourists probably don’t get to see. The trip was packed full of activities which fitted around the cycling very well. Integrating into a group was also really fun and we became a strong team after 2 weeks; lovely people. The highlight was our guide, Suresh, and the special efforts he made to make our trip memorable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably just cycling through the countryside and seeing the people; I loved it when the little Sri Lankan boys and girls came running out of their houses shouting 'hello!', 'bye!' and 'how are you?!'. Seeing the real people of the country was a plus; tea stops and wonderfully surreal cafes, excellent street food and off-the-beaten track hotels.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Flawless. Suresh made every effort in referents to our wants an needs. We had amazing food, which he made extra effort for (his cooking demonstration and the street food was a highlight), he excelled in his skills as a communicator and always tried to make us feel comfortable, both on and off the bike. He additionally made little extra efforts to make our trip that bit more special; he had us made personalised templated cards with our photo on, as a souvenir for the trip. He also made us a cake as a reward for our challenging hill ride, with our names on. On our penultimate day I asked if there was anywhere I could get a map because I wanted to note down the route we had taken, and on our last day he gave us all this very map with our route drawn on. What was really refreshing was his clear passion for both his job and country, and I'll never forget it. He would make the effort to explain everything to us whenever we had doubts. He was very kind, generous and friendly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do a little training beforehand, there were some challenging days. Apart from that, I would recommend this to anyone because as I said before it's an amazing and unique way to see a country; you really get to know the country.

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john odonnell

Reviewed August 2014

Backroads of Sri Lanka[cycle]

As I am getting older these sort of adventure trips are more important to me than one can imagine because the time will come soon where I will act my age.Having started the trip on a disastrous note where I fell very ill on the plane trip to Sri Lanka.Combination of a virus and my medication[inappropriate medication for the trip/climate]the big tip is check with your local doctor before embarking on said trip.I thus missed a couple of days cycling and wasnt as strong re cycling as usual.The trip went like clockwork from the beginning to the end and the group jelled really well .As luck would have it we had a doctor and a nurse within the group [lucky me]The trip staff were excellent and food was great and the country worth the effort to see The locals were tremendous and never saw a cross word to anyone anywhere,a serene country.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me not able to perform at my best the downhill rides were a chance to express myself and really fly as physical effort was far less.Chased relentlessly by a passenger bus for several kilometres,horn blaring desperatly looking for somewhere to bail safely was awesome and when finally achieved wondering where the hell I was but it was all good.The real inspiration when sick in the mountains and unable to ride for a couple of days was to watch the others fight up a huge mountain climb finishing in darkening weather and all elated at the achievement.I also felt a little left out and downcast but the group were so good and so helpful that was inspirational and touching.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding.Suresh and his team are easily by the length of the straight and I have done some ten or so adventure trips,some into very dangerous enviroments[isolated areas of the andes white water rafting for extended times 10 hours from help]The teams I travelled with then were good but Suresh and his staff were the best even though the enviroment was far safer.I wa sso impressed I left my cycling jersey[s],pedals, pedal spanner and cleated shoes for the team.The reason I saw them all discreetly show acts of kindness to local poor people Drivers and especially the bike mechanic were outstanding as well

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are older like me but still capable check suitability of any medication and attend your doctor to make any adjustment.A virus and inappropriate medication nearly cost me the trip.Never feel too old and stay within your limitations.Most importantly train correctly before hand and dont rely on natural ability.I also noticed several people elected to have their own room which I have never bothered to spend the extra.I as with this trip have always had a good room buddy.I really observed this situation on this trip and came to the conclusion that it is possibly a good thing as keys and coming and going ,packing the wrong gear etc etc isnt an issue.Exodus it may be an area to look at keeping the cost for single rooms close to share arrangements.I am guessing you would lose a few prospective clients who baulk at single supplement.

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Andrew smith

Reviewed August 2014

Cycling the Back roads of Sri Lanka

This was my first cycle tour and I am sure to look at doing others!!
So that’s a great start.
Exodus and the team on the ground performed well up to expectations.
I loved riding the back roads even the bumpy ones especially with the hundreds of smiles and waves from locals we received most days.
I didn’t like the various roads “under construction” which obviously is unavoidable but dusty and not much fun – a bit of an endurance test. It is not always possible to go on ” Back roads” so this happens.
I felt safe 99% of the time unless a red local bus was passing nearby they were worse than Tuk Tuks.
I loved the food and fruit – fantastic its best to like curries and vegetables.
I loved the achievement of our day climbing to Nurawa Eliya, really tough ,such variable climatic conditions but made it.
To finish that day at a retro Plantation owners hotel was really quirky.
Our support team and leader made us feel respected and encouraged and they were always ready to assist in any way – fantastic.
This is a trip with some tough days, but worth the struggle to have the food the landscape and the overall experience which was positive.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the top of the hill/mountain at Nurawa Eliya in the misty low light fog. However seeing the beautiful children and people of Sri lanka with such free spontaneous smiles was a memory to hold forever. And seeing the Leopards in the Yala Game park even if I was in drought conditions.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was a really positive happy respectful leader. He made us feel like each of us was important and was always ready to assist in any way. He lead as if he was a friend and teacher - a lovely man

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware it is hot and to have a large water bottle or a camel back -My preference as I drank a lot and still had to stop for occasional drinking coconut top ups!! The big day up hill needs to be prepared for with at least some endurance exercise before hand.

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