Exodus Travels

Transylvania is one of the most emotive place names. Much of the focus is on Bram Stoker’s creation and the bloodthirsty Prince Vlad III or Vlad the Impaler, upon whom he was loosely based. However, the region offers a fascinating mix of cultural influences, from the Saxons to the raiding Tatars and Ottomans. The natural diversity and beauty of the region is also key to capturing the imagination as castles and churches are framed by the imposing Carpathian and Faguras Mountains. The best seat from which to view all this is that of a bicycle, allowing us to soak up the tranquillity and majesty of the landscape at a pace that means we can enjoy the hidden stories and places along the way.

We finish with time in Bucharest, once the seat of communist power but still with enough left to remind visitors why it was once known as ‘the Paris of the East’.

Highlights

• Cycle through ancient villages and isolated landscapes
• Visit UNESCO citadels and fortified churches
• Experience mediaeval Transylvania and modern Bucharest

80% tarmac roads, 20% hard pack dirt paths. Scenic route, some climbs to be expected.

Few landscapes in Europe match the beauty of the jagged limestone Dolomites. The route starts with incredible views of Trentino's dramatic mountains, cycling on relatively easy roads and tracks along the Adige River. On reaching the northern shore of Lake Garda, the views of one of the most famous Italian lakes is unforgettable. A ferry cruise on the lake gives us the opportunity to take in these wonderful vistas before continuing the ride through the beautiful cities of Verona, Padova and finally the canals and waterways of Venice.

Highlights

• Cycle through memorable Dolomite scenery
• Relax on the picturesque shores of Lake Garda
• Discover the fascinating cities of Verona, Padova and Venice

95% tarmac roads, 5% gravel tracks.

This trip takes us on a journey through a part of the world that resembles no other. Starting in the popular town of San Pedro de Atacama and finishing in 'Salta la Linda', this trip takes us through many roads in which you will see very little traffic and no other cyclists. This 'once in a lifetime' journey includes cycling through salt flats, ravines, a serpentine-like road through a rainforest and in the driest desert in the world.

Highlights

• Cycle through a desert, salt flats, ravines and a rainforest
• Two South American Countries
• Excursions to salt flats and the Tatio geysers

67% tarmac, 33% unpaved tracks. Routes mainly follow quiet roads.

Although a compact island, Sri Lanka is incredibly diverse. Exploring on two wheels is the best way to see this rural country and to experience the way of life of its friendly people. We travel from ancient cities and the fortress at Sigiriya to the hill country towns of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, where the cooler temperatures and lush scenery make for a relaxing ride. In the south we visit Yala National Park, where we go in search of leopard, before ending the trip on the beaches of the beautiful south coast. Most of the route is a continuous ride, and transfers are kept to a minimum.

In many regions of Sri Lanka the bicycle is the most common form of transport, so travelling by bike yourself is a great way to mix with the people and to gain access to their world. This trip covers a substantial part of the island, taking in as much as possible of the scenic and cultural variety that Sri Lanka has to offer. The combination of visits to the ancient cities, great rides through the beautiful hill country, the varied wildlife, and a chance to relax on one of the many wonderful beaches, will certainly give you a taste for serendipity.

Highlights

• The magnificent cave temple at Dambulla
• Climb the rock fortress at Sigiriya for breathtaking views
• Explore the old ruined city of Polonnaruwa
• The fascinating town of Kandy
• Ride through tea estates to Nuwara Eliya
• Search for leopard in Yala National Park

95% tarmac, 5% unsurfaced road. Routes mostly follow quiet back roads, with frequent climbs.

Some say that visiting Albania is as close as you'll get to travelling back in time. It wasn't until the collapse of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania in 1991 that the world got its first glimpse of the country within. Huge snow-capped mountains, inviting beaches, pretty rural villages, a genuine subsistence culture and an exceptionally friendly welcome is what you will find here. We cycle through the very best of Europe's beautiful unknown, beginning our tour on the border of Macedonia, biking towards the ancient town of Gjirokastra passing soaring peaks and lush green valleys. From here we begin our descent to the Albanian Riviera passing the UNESCO site of Butrint and Llogara National Park, before relaxing by the sea at our hotel in Vlorë.

Highlights

• Immerse yourself in a previously isolated country
• Cycle from mountain plateaux to the Albanian Riviera
• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrint

100% tarmac, where some sections are in poor condition.

This ten-day cycling trip guides you around some of Vietnam’s celebrated locations, including the well-known centres of Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An. You’ll kayak around the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay and row through the sublime scenery of Trang An. But you’ll get away from the tourist trails too, with the chance to cycle through rural Vietnam and its picturesque rice terraces and verdant landscape. And for good measure, you’ll return home knowing how to rustle up a fragrant Vietnamese meal.

Highlights

• Discover lesser-explored corners of Hanoi and Hoi An and venture to the more remote locations of Ninh Binh and Trang An
• Roll up your sleeves for hands-on experiences, including learning to cook
• A carefully curated blend of cycling, activities, tours and downtime

The Kingdom of Jordan is the perfect place to combine a cycling tour with some of the best sites in the Middle East. This bicycle trip takes us through olive groves and hilltop villages in the north, while further south we head along desert roads where the communities are sparse and nomadic and the landscape vast and spectacular. If the cycling alone isn’t enough to entice you, perhaps the Unesco-badged Petra, a night under the stars in the Wadi Rum desert, or a float in the Dead Sea will tempt you to visit this fascinating country.

Highlights

• Cycle through spectacular desert scenery
• Visit the Unesco-listed site of Petra
• Camp under the stars in Wadi Rum

95 percent quiet paved roads, five percent gravel and sandy roads. Mainly flat with some steep climbs and hot temperatures.

Namibia is a vast country with wide open spaces and endless skies. Sand dunes gradually turn into granite hills, whilst rocky outcrops give way to vast plains where elephants, giraffes and lions roam. Travelling through the wilderness by bike is undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience the varied landscape of this desert nation and there is also the unique experience of cycling over sand dunes on a modified ‘fat’ bike.

Discover the country’s highlights and hidden secrets on two wheels, watch the sun rise over the tallest sand dunes in the world and experience game drives in one of southern Africa’s best game reserves, Etosha National Park.

Highlights

• Cycling through the wilderness - vast plains, rocky outcrops and endless skies
• Safari drives in Etosha National Park
• Exploring sand dunes on a modified ‘fat’ bike
• Waterberg National Park’s red sandstone table mountain
• Discover the highest sand dunes in the world

90% off road/gravel roads, 10% tarmac roads. Some gentle hills and mostly along quiet roads.

The Tuscan landscape is one of the most evocative and romantic in Europe with cypress trees lining the roads, olive groves, vineyards, ancient hill-top towns and, of course, classic Renaissance cities. Our group cycling tour is carefully planned to take in the best of Tuscany without feeling rushed: part of the joy of the Italian lifestyle is sitting and watching the world go by with a glass of wine in your hand! During the week we ride through diverse areas of Tuscany, such as the hills of Chianti and the beautiful countryside around Montepulciano. Riding north, we discover a wonderfully scenic region that's home to some of Tuscany's best towns and villages. We then enjoy Siena's magnificent Campo before biking past the towers of San Gimignano and onto our final destination in Florence. Following country roads wherever possible, we mix point-to-point and circular rides to make a perfect cycle tour of this region.

Highlights

• Explore the cultural cities of Siena and Florence
• Enjoy famous Tuscan cuisine and wine
• Visit some of Tuscany's most beautiful hilltop towns
• Ride along the scenic country roads of classic Tuscany

95% tarmac, 5% easy gravel roads.

In the deep south of Italy, nestled between the Adriatic and Ionian seas, lie the captivating regions of Puglia and Basilicata. This itinerary explores the best cultural and natural treasures here. Matera’s fascinating Sassi houses and the Unesco ‘trulli’ houses of Alberobello set the scene for the journey to come. After passing through idyllic countryside and Ostuni, known as the White City, the route veers towards Gallipoli and the dramatic Ionian coastline. While riding across the Salento Peninsula, we embrace the laid-back Italian lifestyle and explore a landscape of olive groves, limestone cliffs, crystal waters and baroque towns.

Highlights

• Ride from the stunning Unesco town of Matera
• Enjoy gentle cycling through olive groves and past conical trulli houses
• Sample fine seafood and wine from the Salento coast
• Stay in accommodation bursting with character

99 percent paved roads and some short sections of gravel. Quiet rural undulating roads.