Exodus Travels

When it comes to history, archeology and mythology, the Peloponnese is arguably the most interesting part of Greece. Our week of cycling is a journey through fascinating classical history and a superb variety of landscapes, from the azure blue of the sea to the green olive trees and vineyards of the heart of Greece. Starting and finishing in the buzzing city of Athens, the ride offers plenty of opportunities to discover some of Greece’s treasures, such as Poros Island or the beautiful town of Nafplio. Each day gives us the chance to sample excellent local food in various restaurants and tavernas and immerse ourselves in the Greek culture and lifestyle.

Highlights

• Cycle along idyllic coastlines
• Visit historic sights of ancient Greece
• Discover Athens and its archaeological treasures

95% tarmac, 5% dirt roads.

Encompassing the best of Morocco, this trip will take us past the foothills of Mt Toubkal, golden Kasbahs, impressive gorges and the long sandy beach of Essaouira. This spectacular route follows smooth tarmac roads and climbs over high mountain passes that reward you with spectacular vistas of the High Atlas Mountains. A real highlight is riding through Paradise Valley, close to Imouzzer, where a palm-filled valley leads to a high pass with views down to the ocean below. After all the riding we will receive a warm welcome from a range of great hotels including a traditional riad.

Highlights

• Ride from the Atlas Mountains to the coast
• Conquer challenging climbs and exciting descents
• Explore Marrakech and Essaouira

90% tarmac, 10% unsurfaced roads.

Active volcanoes tower over rice paddies and coffee plantations. Jungles fringe tropical beaches on the edge of coral-rich waters. Village and temples dot the landscape where age-old traditions are still followed today. This is the backdrop through which we cycle up to craters and down to fishing villages, along asphalt roads and rainforest trails. On two wheels we explore some of the quieter parts of the islands of Bali and Java uncovering a patchwork of sights, sounds and smells.

Highlights

• Cycle through rice paddies, jungles and plantations
• Ride up and down volcanoes and through villages
• Discover the islands of Bali and Java

90% tarmac, 10% dirt tracks with support vehicle.

Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world, offers a cycling adventure like no other. We journey on largely quiet roads through a landscape of dramatic highland plains, unique rock formations and natural swimming pools. We pause to visit the lush chain of rainforest in the Ranomafana National Park with deep canyons and huge waterfalls. Apart from its natural treasures the nation is also rich in culture and the many ethnic groups with fascinating traditions contribute to the melting-pot that is Madagascar. Our cycling is rewarded by a day to relax on the idyllic white sand beach of Ifaty on the coast, scattered with palms and protected by an offshore coral reef.

Highlights

• Lush agricultural land of the north with paddy fields and fruit orchards
• Ambositra, the arts and crafts capital of Madagascar
• Isalo National Park, with its amazing rock formations, and natural swimming holes
• Dense rainforest and cascading falls of Ranomafana National Park
• White sand beaches of the fisherman’s village of Ifaty
• Cycling through vilages

Mostly surfaced roads, a few rough sections

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.

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.

Mongolia remains a mysterious presence in the heart of Central Asia, a traditional country where visitors are still an unusual sight. Nomads wander the grasslands, setting up their white gers (tents) where the pasture is lush for their horses. On our bikes, we follow good trails across wide, open steppe, into expansive mountain scenery and through larch and pine forests. Camping wild under the wide skies adds an adventurous edge to what is certainly one of our most intrepid cycle tours.

Highlights

• Variety of landscapes as we cycle through open steppe and larch and pine forests
• A visit to Erden Zuu Monastery and Genghis Khan's ancient capital
• Wild camping and overnight at hot springs

Low altitude; 100% good quality dirt tracks.

Sicily is not only the biggest island in the Mediterranean but also one of the most fascinating. Its incredibly diverse heritage of civilizations including the Phoenecians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spanish have all left their mark. On this exciting cycling tour we explore the south-eastern part of the island, pedalling through the Baroque gems of Ragusa, Modica, Noto, as well as other locations that provided the setting for the well known and long running television series Inspector Montalbano, before ending in Syracuse, the ancient Greek capital. Along the route we enjoy landscapes of farmlands, deep gorges and dramatic coastal scenery. No trip to Sicily is complete without sampling some of the finest regional delights considered amongst the best examples of Italian cuisine.

Highlights

• Ride the UNESCO Noto Valley
• Visit the Baroque towns of Modica and Noto
• Ride through picturesque countryside and quaint villages
• Sample superb regional cuisine

90% tarmac and some short sections of gravel; quiet rural undulating roads.

Take in the variety of Costa Rica by bike, pedalling past rainforest, volcanoes and stunning sections of coastline. From San Jose we cycle south with vast Pacific views to the right and dense forest to the left. Crossing the 3400m Cerro de la Muerte pass into the Orosi Valley we ride past coffee plantations and volcanoes to arrive on the fertile Caribbean plains where banana plantations take over the landscape. We take a break from the saddle to explore the wildlife-rich rivers and waterways of Tortuguero before travelling to La Fortuna, a lovely spot located at the foot of Arenal Volcano.

Highlights Cycle along the stunning coastal highway with incredible Pacific views and beaches Ride through ever-changing tropical scenery, alongside coffee farms, volcanoes, banana plantations and rainforest Hike in Manuel Antonio National Park Explore the waterways of Tortuguero National Park in search of wildlife

97% tarmac, 3% unpaved tracks. Routes mainly follow quiet roads.

This epic expertly led premium cycling adventure covers three South East Asian countries with divergent histories and subtly different cultures. From the energetic streets of Bangkok, to the tranquillity of shimmering paddy fields, to the magnificence of Angkor’s temples and the alluring Phnom Penh. We experience a piece of everything that these remarkable countries have to offer whilst staying in premium accommodation, including a 3 night stay at Siem Reap’s Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa.

Heading into Vietnam we enter the Mekong Delta, a spectacular patchwork of rice paddies and waterways before our journey ends in Saigon, where the frenetic pace and vibrant street life contrasts starkly with the rural areas we have cycled through, leaving a lasting impression and memories!

Highlights

• Three nights at the intimate Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa – the perfect base to explore Angkor
• Two full days to explore Cambodia's incredible Angkor Wat by bike
• Enjoy sundowners and spectacular views from our accommodation rooftop bars in Siem Reap & Phnom Penh
• Cycle through 3 countries from Bangkok to Saigon experiencing a taste sentation of mouth-watering cuisine along the way; many meals included
• Stay overnight in the peaceful Mekong Delta at the charming Mekong Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa; relax in lush tropical gardens & enjoy an early morning kayak on the Mekong as the sun rises

Generally good tarmac in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, with some easy dirt roads in Thailand and Vietnam. Traffic levels higher near the larger towns, so you should be comfortable riding occasionally in traffic