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Excursion Mid-voyage land adventure: ceylon tea trails & yala national park experience tour at Colombo

Cruise line: Silversea
Difficulty:

Indulge your senses in 5-star luxury amidst the uniquely diverse flora and fauna of Sri Lanka during this unforgettable, three-night journey to the mesmerising 'Teardrop of India'. Following a sightseeing tour of Colombo, a seaplane flight whisks you away to the exclusive Ceylon Tea Trails Resort, Sri Lanka's first Relais & Châteaux resort and the world's first tea bungalow resort. Here, savour a taste of traditional daily life on a working tea estate. Stroll the Ceylon Tea Trails to observe the picking of tea leaves and buds, and traditional tea-making process. Enjoy a private tea tasting session and cooking demonstration, high-tea, and optional relaxing and active activities set against a breath-taking backdrop of mountains, lakes, rolling green hills, and waterfalls. Next, fly to Tissamaharana and spectacular Yala National Park, renowned for its abundant wildlife, mammal, and bird species. Early-morning and evening game-drives enable up-close and personal encounters with its ubiquitous leopards, along with elephants, deer, buffaloes, crocodiles, and more. Your exclusive Sri Lankan experience concludes with a flight to Trincomalee and transfer to the ship.

 

FULL DESCRIPTION

(03MIDCMB-M) Ceylon Tea Trails and Yala National Park Experience

Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights

Departs from: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Re-join ship: Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

Reserve: At least 90 days prior to sailing

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This Silver Shore Mid-Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.

 

Payment-in-full is due within 120 days prior to sailing. Booking made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea. Onboard Spending Credit may not be applied to the purchase of this programme.

 

All Land Adventure fares are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 90 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.

VISA INFORMATION:

Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for Sri Lanka. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising. Please ensure to secure a Sri Lanka Tourist Visa, not a Transit Visa, at www.eta.gov.lk .

 

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee; however, Euros, British Pounds, and US Dollars are well-accepted by most vendors. Local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels (there is no shopping stop planned during the program).

 

Indulge your senses in 5-star luxury amidst the uniquely diverse flora and fauna of Sri Lanka during this unforgettable, three-night journey to the mesmerising 'Teardrop of India'.

 

DAY ONE - Saturday, February 17, 2024 - Colombo/Castlereagh

 

Disembark the ship, meet your guide, and depart for a sightseeing tour of Colombo

After disembarking the ship, meet your guide for a scenic sightseeing tour of Colombo. The capital and major port of Sri Lanka, this fascinating city links the past with the present. Its tangible history is a unique mix of relics of Portuguese, Dutch, and English settlement, blended with Indian influences.

Visit the celebrated Gangaramaya Temple and historic Galle Face Green

Your first stop is at the bustling Gangaramaya Temple, the nicest and most intimate of all Colombo's Buddhist temples. Following your visit, re-board your coach and drive past the Old Parliament Building and Galle Face Green. Here, high society once strolled, to see and be seen by those who mattered, against the backdrop of the neo-classical facades of the Colombo Club and Galle Face Hotel. The hotel is still there, as it has been since 1864, enjoying the oceanfront view and still laying claim to its position as the first hotel in Asia. No longer the height of chic, it does retain its Old World charm and is a pleasant place to stop.

Transfer to the Colombo Airport for your scheduled flight to Castlereagh  

Next, transfer to the Colombo Airport for check-in and your scheduled, approximately 30-minute morning-chartered seaplane flight, departing at approximately 10:45 a.m. and arriving at the Castlereagh Reservoir at approximately 11:15 a.m.

 

Transfer to the Ceylon Tea Trails Resort for check-in and lunch

Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to the nearby Ceylon Tea Trails Resort. Here, in the cooler highlands, English and Scottish planters created a little bit of England in Ceylon's 'up-country' and founded the island's tea plantations. Today, their legacy can be seen in meticulously managed tea gardens whilst their planters' genteel lifestyle is relived at the luxurious Ceylon Tea Trails Resort, the first Relais & Châteaux resort in Sri Lanka and the world's first tea bungalow resort.

 

About the Ceylon Tea Trails Resort

Built between 1890 and 1939 along Castlereagh Lake and set amidst rolling green hills, the plantation bungalows are furnished with authentic period pieces. With butler service and gourmet meals surrounded by the pristine countryside and unchanged rhythms of a tea estate, a bygone era is yours to discover at the Ceylon Tea Trails Resort.

 

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure

After check-in and lunch, the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

 

Trekking, biking, or kayaking against a backdrop of mountains, lakes, winding roads, and waterfalls

More active-minded guests of the Ceylon Tea Trails Resort can enjoy trekking, biking, or kayaking against the breath-taking backdrop of mountains, lakes, winding roads, and waterfalls.

 

Dinner is at the resort.

 

Overnight accommodations in a Garden Suite (Sumerville Bungalow) at the Ceylon Tea Trails Resort - Castlereagh

 

Please note: Upon arrival at the port of Colombo, guests are required to submit their baggage to be transferred by road and delivered to the hotel by 4 p.m.

 

DAY TWO - Sunday, February 18, 2024 - Castlereagh

 

After breakfast at the resort, meet your guide and begin your immersive Tea Trails experience

After an English or Sri Lankan breakfast of your choice at the hotel, meet your guide and embark on an essential Tea Trails experience highlighting the wonders of Camellia Sinensis (the botanical name for tea).

 

Take a guided stroll along the trail of the tea-planters of Old Ceylon

A resident tea planter provides you with a first-hand introduction to the age-old tea-making process. Begin with a guided stroll along the trail of the planters of Old Ceylon, as they trekked through the dense jungle looking for the best slopes on which to plant tea.

 

Observe the picking of tea leaves and buds, and traditional tea-making process

Observe the tea pluckers pick two leaves and a bud with deft hands, then visit the factory where the all-important transformation from leaves to 'ready' black tea occurs. The machinery used is of traditional British design, some 100 years old. The process is a very artisanal one and remains unchanged a century later.

 

Walk through tea gardens, patches of forests and jungles, and past streams and mini-waterfalls

Explore these stunning surroundings further with a scenic walk through beautifully manicured tea gardens, tranquil patches of forest and jungle, and past streams and mini-waterfalls. Walking is a delightful way of experiencing these breath-taking landscapes, lush and exotic flora, abundant birdlife, and the sweet rhythm of life in a tea garden.

Enjoy lunch at the resort

Following your walking tour, proceed for lunch at the resort.

 

Attend an exclusive cooking demonstration, and learn how to prepare Sri Lankan specialities

For those with a keen culinary interest, a Sri Lankan culinary experience has been arranged especially for you. A chef demonstrates the preparation of some of Sri Lanka's favourite comfort foods. Along the way, learn the basics of Sri Lankan cooking, from a wide array of spices and ingredients to recipes and techniques.

Relax with traditional English afternoon tea served on the bungalow lawn

Perhaps you would like to explore a few other legacies of the English, their love for gardens and the traditional English afternoon tea, an intrinsic part of plantation life and a revered ritual. Aromatic tea, dainty cucumber sandwiches, scones, fresh cream, and strawberry jam are served on the bungalow lawn by immaculate, sarong-clad 'apoos'.

 

Dinner is at the resort.

 

Overnight accommodations in a Garden Suite (Sumerville Bungalow) at the Ceylon Tea Trails Resort - Castlereagh

  

DAY THREE - Monday, February 19, 2024 - Castlereagh/Yala National Park

 

Breakfast, check-out, and transfer to the Castlereagh Reservoir for your flight to Tissamaharana

After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, meet your guide and transfer to the Castlereagh Reservoir for check-in and your scheduled, approximately 30-minute morning-chartered seaplane flight, departing at approximately 9:15 a.m. and arriving at Tissamaharana at approximately 9:45 a.m.

 

Transfer to your hotel for check-in and lunch

Upon arrival at Tissamaharana, meet your guide and depart for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the Wild Coast Tented Lodge for check-in and lunch.

After lunch, meet your guide and depart for an afternoon game drive at Yala National Park

After lunch, meet your guide and depart for an approximately three-and-a half hour afternoon game drive at Yala National Park. The second-largest national park in Sri Lanka, Yala National Park is renowned for its leopards and plethora of wildlife species, including elephants, spotted deer, sambur, wild buffaloes, sloth bears, mongoose, and crocodiles, amongst numerous others. The wealth and diversity of bird species here is every bit as staggering as the mammal population; over 130 different species have been identified, including six endemic species.

Look for abundant leopard, wildlife, mammal, and bird species

Upon arrival at the park, leave your coach, board an open-air, 4X4 Jeep, and begin your approximately three-hour morning game drive. Along the way, get up-close and personal with a wide array of diverse and plentiful wildlife species whilst traversing the beautiful natural landscape of Sri Lanka's foremost national park. Although Yala is home to a wide array of different wildlife, mammal, and bird species, it is the leopards that make this park such a popular destination. Seeing these magnificent animals in the wild is a truly fantastic and unforgettable experience. Yala is amongst the best locations to observe these elusive felines, as they slide like shadows across the undergrowth or perch across the branch of a tree.

Explore diverse habitats, including forests, swamps, grasslands, lagoons, and vegetation

The many diverse habitats at Yala National Park range from forest to swamp, and grassland to brackish lagoons. The topography here supports a great variety of animals, making this an exciting area to explore and providing a unique experience to park visitors. In addition, the often-low-density vegetation provides ideal conditions for safaris, as it allows a clear and unobstructed view of the wildlife. Following your game drive, return to the lodge to freshen-up before dinner.

Dinner is at the lodge.

Overnight accommodations in a Cocoon Suite at the Wild Coast Tented Lodge - Yala National Park

Please note: Before breakfast, guests are required to place their bags outside their rooms.

DAY FOUR - Tuesday, February 20, 2024 - Yala National Park/Trincomalee

After an early-morning wake-up call, depart for a second game drive at Yala National Park

After an early-morning wake-up call, depart for a second game drive at Yala National Park. Your early departure enables you to maximize your wildlife-viewing experience. Along the way, a packed breakfast is served in the jungle. Following your game drive, return to the lodge to freshen-up and enjoy a morning at leisure.

After lunch and check-out, transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to Trincomalee

After lunch and check-out, meet your guide and depart for the approximately one-hour drive to Tissamaharana Airport for check-in and your scheduled, approximately 55-minute afternoon-chartered seaplane flight, departing at approximately 3:35 p.m. and arriving at Trincomalee at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Transfer to the pier and ship

Upon arrival at Trincomalee Airport, meet your guide for the short transfer to the port of Trincomalee. Upon arrival at the pier, embark the ship.

Please note: Before lunch, guests are required to place their bags outside their rooms.

Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking for approximately 2.8 miles (about 4.5 kilometres), at times over uneven, cobblestone, rocky, sandy, bumpy, dusty, and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and Jeep and board/de-board the seaplanes, and many steps at the sites visited; lifts are available at the hotels only. This tour is recommended for active guests in good physical condition. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with neck/back problems, guests with heart/respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with limited mobility and who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sneakers, and bring sun protection, sunglasses with a strap, insect repellent, a light, weatherproof jacket, raingear, umbrella, small backpack for land visits (for cameras, bottled water, etc.), camera, plastic bag to keep your camera or photographic equipment dry, medications, binoculars, and US Dollars, Euros, British Pounds, local currency, or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Please dress conservatively when going ashore. Proper attire is required to enter religious sites; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. As a rule, women should not wear anything remotely revealing (mini-skirts, shorts, capris, beachwear, and sleeveless or low-cut tops), and men should always wear shirts and trousers in public. Proper attire is required to enter religious sites; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. Hats and shoes must be removed prior to entering the temples; bring an extra pair of thick socks for comfort, as the pavement may be very hot. Female guests must cover their heads and shoulders to enter religious sites; please bring a scarf from the ship. Guests must carry their passports and ship's ID at all times. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Serving alcohol is prohibited in Sri Lanka on full moon days and certain religious holidays; alcohol will not be served on excursions on those days.

Each 4X4 Jeep utilised on the game drives is basic, open-air, opens from the sides, and seats five-six guests. The Jeeps are not covered, and guests are therefore exposed to the elements. This tour is recommended for active guests in good physical condition. The ride may be rough at times, and guests will experience bumpy, jerking motions. Guests must remain inside the Jeep at all times during the game drives. Due to very few trackers being available in Yala National Park, they will be subject to availability. One guide is assigned to six jeeps. Rangers are locals who speak very basic English and won't be able to ride in each Jeep, but your guide provides commentary during stops. Matches, lighters, cigarettes, and flash photography are all strictly prohibited inside the park. For personal consumption, it is recommended to avoid carrying any food items with a strong smell. Feeding the animals is strictly forbidden. Guests are not permitted to use cellular phones during the game drives. Guests are not permitted to speak loudly or stand up on the game drive vehicles, as this disturbs the animals.

Infrastructure in Sri Lanka is basic, and local conditions may be challenging; therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique and somewhat remote destinations. The cost of providing a tour programme in Sri Lanka is proportionately more expensive than in neighbouring nations. Unfortunately, this is reflected in the prices of the tours, and we thank you for your understanding. Vehicles, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. Guides in Sri Lanka have a strong accent. Leave all valuables on board. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. The tour sequence, timings, and itinerary may vary. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

 

There is a weight restriction on seaplane flights; guests weighing more than 242 pounds (about 110 kilograms) cannot participate on this tour, and the total passenger weight cannot exceed 1,455 pounds (about 660 kilograms). Each guest is permitted only one piece of hand baggage weighing a maximum of 11 pounds (about five kilograms). On the first day, luggage arrives in the evening due to travel time from Colombo. On the thirdf and fourth days, luggage needs to be placed outside of guests' rooms, before breakfast, in order to be transferred to Wild Coast Tented Lodge and  Trincomalee prior to the ship's sailing. Individual weight of guests, and the baggage weight, are required by the charter flight operator 72 hours in advance, along with complete passport details. Luggage is transferred separately, by road.

  

Programme Includes:

·Two-night stay in a Garden Suite or Sumerville Bungalow at the Ceylon Tea Trails - Castlereagh

·One-night stay in a Cocoon Suite at the Wild Coast Tented Lodge - Yala National Park

·Chartered seaplane flights: Colombo/Castlereagh, Castlereagh/Tissamaharana, and Tissamaharana/Trincomalee

·Three breakfasts (including a jungle breakfast), four lunches, two high teas, and three dinners, with drinks included

·Gangaramaya Temple and Galle Face Green visits - Colombo

·Optional guided scenic walk, hiking, mountain-biking, and kayaking - Castlereagh

·Exclusive tea tasting experience - Castlereagh

·Guided stroll through tea gardens, patches of forests and jungles, and past streams and mini-waterfalls

·Tea plantation and factory visit - Castlereagh

·Traditional tea making - CastelrCastlereagh eagh

·Local cuisine cooking demonstration - Castlereagh

·Traditional English high tea served on the bungalow lawns - Castlereagh

·Early-morning and late-afternoon game drives - Yala National Park

·All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

  

Not Included:

Sri Lankan visa, any meals and drinks not specified above, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance and other personal items.