For those flying, our guides will meet us at the Fort Myers airport at noon. You and your gear will be in will be transported in a passenger van(s). For anyone driving, I will provide directions to the accommodation in Everglades City, where we will be staying. This rustic, picturesque little fishing village will be our base for the week. After we meet and greet, a basic kayak orientation will be available. The first meal of the trip is dinner, and then we'll be off to sightsee and toast the sunset!

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Ivey House Everglades Adventures Hotel

We will launch our kayaks and cruise to the Turner River. Turner River is one of many rivers that transition the slow-moving, shallow river of grass in the Everglades to the mangrove islands on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. This narrow, twisting stream of clear water moves beneath the wiry, entwined limbs of low, overhead red mangroves forming a tunnel of green, waxy leaves arching completely across the waterway. Between the intermittent tunnels, the saw grass of the freshwater grass prairie that stretches southward from the shore of Lake Okeechobee slowly loses its battle to the salt-tolerant mangroves. Myriads of large birds hunt along the shores in the tall saw grass and fly overhead in large flocks. We'll stop by the infamous Smallwood Store (a museum of Everglades past) on Chokoloskee Island (this is the setting for the demise of Mr. Watson in Peter Matthiessen's book "Killing Mister Watson").

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Ivey House Everglades Adventures Hotel

After breakfast, our van will transport us to our drop point on Halfway Creek. Following the tide, we paddle this beautiful creek. It is considered one of the prettiest in the 10,000 Islands. Large buttonwood trees filled with bromeliads and the occasional orchid can be seen at the upper end.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Ivey House Everglades Adventures Hotel

We'll move north and launch into Goodland Bay. Goodland is just south of the well-known Marco Island and is the direct gateway to the 10,000 Islands. We'll ride the tide out to Coon Key for a picnic-style lunch. There will be time to explore and photograph the neighboring keys, Tripod and Brush. Keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins and expect spectacular scenery birds feasting everywhere.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Ivey House Everglades Adventures Hotel

Today we will take the twisting mangrove-lined Blackwater River to Mud Bay. Mud bays and flats may look barren, but in reality, they are teeming with life. The mudflats attract all manner of hungry inhabitants. Old homestead locations like Old Grove and Grocery Place are of historical interest. This river trail meanders through almost 5,000 acres of the mangrove wilderness preserve.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Ivey House Everglades Adventures Hotel

After breakfast, we will pack lunches and put on our wet shoes. Our guide will take us into the Big Cypress Preserve, which includes areas touted to be North America’s tropical rainforest. We will walk part of the Fire Prairie Trail, which (conditions permitting) will include for those with a suitable sense of adventure a walk into the swamp. The swamp walk will be a “wow” experience that you will never forget in a unique and enchanting place, home to over 40 species of epiphytic orchids (including the infamous Ghost Orchid).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This is the last morning of our Everglades Adventure. Breakfast is the last meal included. Lunch that day is on your own. This would be a great opportunity to hike or explore this sleepy little fishing village. Then it's time to say goodbye to this remarkable wilderness. Our guides will transport those flying home to the Fort Myers airport. Plan your flights out after 4:00pm.

Meals: Breakfast