Alligators, Birds and Cypress.
Canoeing Tour
20 — 23 October, 2022
Start Location — South Florida. The exact location will be revealed to all participants after their final payment for the workshop.
Dates: October 20 — 23, 2022
Tuition: $ 1650 per participant (limit: 7 participants).
Instructor: Alex Mironyuk
Deposit: $ 450 (payments accepted for the remainder of the balance)
Tour Highlights
Explore my favorite home State — Florida like only locals know. You will see Florida with palm trees but ocean beaches. Warm and comfortable but with the lack of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. You will be literally in the middle of the most unusual, picturesque ecosystems in southern USA — cypress swamps, where old trees grow in the middle of the water, but without highways with heavy traffic, skyscrapers, and shopping malls. Tourists very seldom visit those places due to their remoteness, lodging problems, and so on. In addition, the weather is hot and humid most of the time.
But we’re going there during the most comfortable season when the temperature usually won’t go higher than 75°F and won’t go lower than 50°F.
These swamps are home to Florida’s infamous gators, hundreds of bird species. You definitely can see at least 20-30 different birds and at least 40-50 wild alligators along the shoreline and river banks in your own eyes. All-time, we will be in the middle of true Florida wilderness.
Believe it or not, there are hardly any mosquitoes at these swamps. However, I would still recommend that you have bug repellent with you.
Physical Difficulty: Moderate. This Workshop Involves some canoeing/kayaking at the cypress lakes and rivers.
Fitness Level: Like with any outdoor activity, a reasonable degree of fitness is ideal. We will not be engaging in any strenuous physical activity.
Airports: Fort Lauderdale or Miami, FL.
Transportation: included in the tour’s price
Lodging: the hotel is included in the tour’s price (2 people per room/bedroom). You can upgrade your stay to single occupancy for $295 (subject to availability).
Meals: are not included in the tour price. If you decide to stay in the camping than we can grill some food for ourselves.
Canoeing/kayaking: Your tour’s payment includes a two-person canoe so that you will ride it with another participant. You can upgrade it to a single ride (canoe or kayak) for an additional $220.
No level of kayaking experience is necessary for participants. Whether you are just beginning or are an experienced kayaker, I am happy to help you operate your Canoe (kayak).
Itinerary
Day 1. October 20, Thursday
Our group will meet at a car rental facility near Fort Lauderdale International Airport* at 1 PM, where we can meet everyone and get to know each other.
After a short introduction meeting, we will drive for about 2 hours to a wilderness where we will launch our canoe and begin our journey for the first time. This evening we are not going very far — we need to get used to sitting to the canoe, getting out from it, and feeling comfortable in the canoe on the water.
Night in hotel
* You can consider flying to Miami International Airport. In that case, I suggest you get the Tri-Rail Train from Airport and ride it to the Fort Lauderdale Station (40 minutes ride) — we can pick you up from there.
Day 2. October 21, Friday
That morning we will get to a shuttle van at about 9 AM to start the adventure on one of the most impressive Florida rivers with countless bald cypress along the river banks.
We will launch our canoes 8 miles upstream and start paddling down the river at a very relaxing pace to truly enjoy the unique beauty and try not to scare all wildlife around. Be prepared for alligator encounters at any moment — they are warming up next to the water in the warm Florida sun. We saw at least 50-60 alligators during 6 hours the last time we made this trip.
I can’t tell you how many different birds we will see there — the most proper estimate would be “a lot.” This wilderness is home to blue herons, white egrets, spoonbills, green herons, turkey vultures, ospreys, hawks, and many others.
Night in hotel
Day 3. October 22, Saturday
After breakfast, we again launch our canoes to the river. Today we won’t use any shuttles, and we start our journey by paddling downstream to explore that part of the river. We do not have any particular point that we have to reach. I’d say we will float downstream for about 3 hours and back upstream for about 4 hours.
Expect again to see some alligators and birds but less than yesterday because we will be in a less quiet part of the wilderness.
Night in hotel
Day 4. October 23, Sunday
After breakfast, we check out our rooms and go toward the Atlantic Ocean’s shore to paddle the St. Lucie River. This river won’t disappoint you. You will be delighted with the scenery, the wildlife, and the slight feeling.
The St. Lucie River is wild and gorgeous — You will be surrounded by a jungle and southern forest full of old live oaks thick with air-plants and Spanish moss.
We are likely to startle a great blue heron and see osprey swoop down to capture a fish. There are many manatee warning signs, so it is an excellent chance to spot these amazing creatures in the water. As all previous days, we expect to see various birds.
Today’s total trail length is about 7 miles, and half of the time, we will paddle against the little current, and it’s a leisurely paddle the whole way.
As soon as we come back to our cars and pull and load our canoe to a trailer, we will start going toward Fort Lauderdale International Airport, where our tour will be officially over. Remember that we can get to the airport after 6 PM, so you need to book your return flight after 7.30 PM.
Payment schedule and cancellation policy:
The total price for the trip is $ 1650
A deposit of $ 450 is due during sign-up to reserve a space for this trip.
Cancellation Policy — Your deposit is fully refundable for up to 60 days before the trip starts (August 20, 2022). If you decide to cancel your trip after that date, your deposit becomes non-refundable.
The final balance of $ 1200 is due by August 20, 2022. Full payment is due at this time, and there will be no refunds on the total amount owed if you cancel after the final price. However, if we find another client to fill your space, you will receive a full refund, minus your non-refundable deposit.
If we cancel this trip— you will get a full refund.
What is included:
- Transportation;
- Double occupancy room* in a hotel;
- Rent a canoe for two persons (so you will ride it with another participant) and help in their use. You can upgrade it to a single ride (canoe or kayak) for an additional $220.
- guidance to a beautiful variety of locations;
- An incredible, unforgettable experience, full of adventure with amazing people and loads of great photos!!!
* You can upgrade your lodging to single occupancy for $295 — send this inquiry before you book the workshop.
What is NOT included:
- Meals and snacks;
- Medical Insurance & Incidental Costs;
- Airfare to and from Florida;
- Travel passports, visas, and other travel documents;
- Alcoholic beverages.
Recommended Personal Gear:
- Rubber boots or water shoes — you might step into the water to get into a canoe or get out from it.
- Dry bag to care for your gear and lunch in the canoe
- Waterproof sleeve or case for your phone
- Rain jacket and rain pants
- Fleece jacket
- Extra warm clothing for possible cold weather conditions including long underwear, hats, and gloves
- sunglasses
- sunscreen
- anti-mosquito repellant
Questions? Please feel free to call me at (386) 627-1449 if you have any questions or message me.
A follow-up email with schedule details, recommended gear and a liability release will be sent to registered participants.
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