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Leave winter’s blast behind, grab your binoculars, swimsuit, and yoga mats then head to Central Florida for a week of serious birding, playful paddles, and sunrise yoga.
Each day includes a short passenger-van drive to one of many aquatic habitats — swamps, bayous, estuaries, rivers, and springs. The main activity is paddling, but we also take time to kayak, hike, swim, and snorkel.
The pace throughout is relaxed enough for plenty of birding, sightseeing, nature walks, and just sitting back and reflecting. Enjoy a different paddling experience every day and return each night to the comfort of your cabin, where the trip leaders prepare all your meals.
Day 1 — 1pm Airport pick up at Orlando International, then a short shuttle to our lodge Once everyone arrives and gets settled in, the guides will go over introductions and the week’s agenda. After our first dinner together, we can walk down to the river in search of night creatures.
Day 2 — Today finds us at Blue Springs State Park, home to Florida’s wintering manatee. We will paddle the crystal clear spring run and the nearby creeks teaming with wildlife. Lunch will be picnic style, riverside. Our afternoon will be spent snorkeling the spring run, hiking single track trails, or in search of birds.
Day 3 — We are off to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. In our opinion this is the greatest place in Florida for birding and wildlife viewing. There is so much, it just seems too easy. We will be feet away from rosette spoonbills, glossy ibis, reddish egrets, wood storks, bald eagle, and countless species of ducks.
In the evening we will make our way to River Breeze Park known for its amazing sunsets and dolphins. We will kayak through the mangroves then make our way to a nearby island to enjoy the sunset and dinner by a bonfire on the beach under the stars (option of yoga of course).
Day 4 —Our paddle today runs right through our property, the Econlockhatchee! We take our time paddling only downstream for the entire 8.5-mile tour, giving you ample time to experience more of the river and her beautiful unfolding landscapes. The tightly winding, narrow river offers excitement at every bend in anticipation of what we’ll see around the corner.
On most bends in the river, a large white sand beach forms on the inside turn. We make use of these beaches for swims, yoga, leg stretching, and a picnic lunch.
In the early evening we will travel to Orlando Wetlands Park. Easy hiking and HEAPS of bird life! On past tours we have encountered bobcat and black bear sharing our trail.
Day 5 —Silver River! We launch from Silver Springs State Park where the Tarzan movies were filmed. Silver Springs is the Real Florida, untouched, and beautiful!! This is a leisurely float down the beautiful Silver River. We see lots of wildlife including the world famous wild monkeys and manatees!!
Day 6 —:Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive- During this drive, you will find over 362 different bird species, wild alligators, otters, bobcats, snakes and many other species of wildlife. Option of Orlando Wetlands hike or Lukas Nursery to visit their butterfly and bird conservatory! A one-of-a-kind experience, where one can mingle among the most beautiful “flying flowers”, cheerfully chirping exotic finches, and Chinese button quail. Even experience the chance to feed butterflies from your fingertips.
Day 7- Early morning hike on the Florida Trail, sunrise yoga, followed by a hearty breakfast. We will get everyone to the airport at 1pm so book flights for after 4pm. Guests wanting to hang out a bit are welcome too.
Meals, lodging, kayaks, paddling gear, permits, all ground van support, yoga classes, and two local Adventures in Florida guides. We also have canoes and paddle boards for those interested.
Easy paddling each day with lots of breaks for relaxing, swimming, and stretching.