Florida Keys & the Everglades

DAY 1: WELCOME TO SOUTHERN FLORIDA!

Arrive in Fort Lauderdale for a welcome dinner and check in for a 2-night stay at the Riverside Hotel located on the iconic Las Olas Blvd. D

DAY 2: FORT LAUDERDALE

See the “Venice of America” with a guided city tour of Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy an afternoon sightseeing cruise aboard the Carrie B. and dinner at a local favorite. B, D

DAY 3: SHARK VALLEY

Get up close with America’s largest subtropical wilderness in Everglades National Park. Enjoy a relaxing tram ride through Shark Valley while spotting the American Alligator and numerous other species native to this expansive wetland. Make a visit to the Biscayne National Park visitor center for a ranger program before continuing to Homestead for a 2-night stay. B, L

DAY 4: FLAMINGO

Travel through the Everglades to the Flamingo area for a comfortable boat ride through the backcountry. Look for manatees, crocodiles, and exotic birds that all make their home along the saltwater coast. Visit the Anhinga Boardwalk for more closeups before returning to Homestead. B, L

DAY 5: KEY WEST

Enjoy the scenic drive along US-1 through the Florida Keys to its last stop—Key West. Tour the vacation mecca aboard a narrated trolley and enjoy free time to visit the museums and attractions that pique your interest. A local seafood dinner awaits along the harbor at Conch Republic Seafood before checking in for a 2-night stay. B, D

DAY 6: KEY WEST FREE DAY

Select your choice of island adventures. Take the Yankee Freedom ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park aboard an all-day tour to see historic Fort Jefferson with expert guides plus free time to enjoy the island. Or spend the day exploring Key West on your own. Optional attractions include the Hemingway Home & Museum, Shipwreck Museum, Little Truman Whitehouse, and much more! B

Option—Dry Tortugas Day Trip This all-day tour includes a 2-hour ferry ride aboard the Yankee Freedom, a guided tour of Fort Jefferson, and free time to explore the island. Lunch included. More information provided upon registration.

DAY 7: MARATHON KEY

After a relaxing morning in Key West, return along scenic US-1 to mainland Florida. Stop in Marathon Key at the Dolphin Research Center to learn about one of the ocean’s most amazing animals and how they are being protected. Enjoy a farewell dinner and overnight stay in Fort Lauderdale. B, D

DAY 8: RETURN HOME B

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Nights 1-2: Riverside Hotel, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Nights 3-4: Fairfield Inn, Homestead, FL
Nights 5-6: Hampton Inn, Key West, FL
Night 7: Springhill Suites Dania Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Departure Cities:

• St. Louis
• Kansas City
• Springfield, MO

Depart: April 14, 2027
Return: April 21, 2027

Price Per Person:

• Double: $3,459
• Triple/Quad: $3,149
• Single: $4,509

Includes roundtrip airfare from STL/MCI/SGF. Call for other gateway cities.

Mobility Note
Guests should be comfortable boarding open-air trams, sightseeing boats, ferries and trolleys. The Anhinga Trail is a mostly level boardwalk, but the optional Dry Tortugas excursion may include a two-hour ferry ride each way, gangways, uneven historic surfaces and stairs inside Fort Jefferson. At Shark Valley, the observation tower is optional and requires additional walking.

Average Temps
Fort Lauderdale and the Everglades: Daytime 82–85°F; Overnight 61–68°F
Key West: Daytime 82°F; Overnight 72°F

Packing Tips
Pack lightweight clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a refillable water bottle. Bring insect repellent and a lightweight long-sleeved layer for the Everglades. A compact rain jacket is also recommended. April falls at the end of the Everglades’ dry season, when insects are generally less abundant than during summer, but mosquitoes and biting flies may still be present.

Hotel Note
The Riverside Hotel opened in 1936 and combines historic Old Florida character with a prime location directly on Las Olas Boulevard. Restaurants, cafés, galleries and shops are located just outside the hotel, giving guests convenient opportunities to explore during free time.

Dry Tortugas Note
Guests selecting the optional Dry Tortugas excursion should prepare for approximately two hours aboard the ferry in each direction. Those prone to motion sickness may wish to discuss preventive options with a doctor or pharmacist before the tour. Services on the island are extremely limited, although restrooms and a fresh-water rinse are available aboard the ferry.

For those interested in snorkeling while visiting Dry Tortugas National Park, the Yankee Freedom provides snorkeling gear, free of charge. Bring a towel and swimsuit with you.

Notes on Highlights
April remains part of the Everglades’ dry season, when wildlife often gathers near remaining water sources and is easier to observe. The Shark Valley tram travels a flat, paved 15-mile loop through the “River of Grass,” allowing guests to reach areas of the park that cannot be accessed by private vehicles.

Everglades National Park was the first national park created specifically to protect biodiversity rather than a scenic geological feature. Its 1.5 million acres preserve freshwater wetlands, mangrove forests, coastal habitats and an extraordinary range of wildlife.

South Florida is one of the few places where American alligators and American crocodiles live in the same region. Alligators generally favor freshwater habitats, while crocodiles are more commonly found near the brackish and saltwater areas around Flamingo.

The Overseas Highway crosses 42 bridges as it connects the Florida Keys, with changing views of the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and small island communities throughout the drive.

Dry Tortugas National Park is approximately 99% water and can be reached only by boat or seaplane. Fort Jefferson is one of the largest masonry forts in the United States, constructed from millions of bricks on a remote island nearly 70 miles west of Key West.

The Dolphin Research Center is a nonprofit education and research facility rather than a traditional marine attraction. Its work includes animal care, behavioral research, rescue and public education focused on peaceful coexistence with marine mammals.

Time Zone
Eastern

Other General Information
Tour Communications: You will receive three key communications leading up to your tour:

• Get Ready: Your email confirmation and initial tour information, sent after you register.
• Get Set: An email with additional tour details, sent approximately two months before departure.
• Go: Your final trip documents, mailed via USPS approximately three to four weeks before departure. This packet will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags, and final departure information.

Travel Protection: Travel Protection is optional but highly recommended and may be purchased until the day before departure. Sunrise Tours offers plans through battleface. Additional information will be included with your Get Ready email and can also be found HERE.

Inclusions: Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes:

• A professional Sunrise Tour Director
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Local step-on guides, including gratuities
• International tour guide gratuities when specified for the individual tour
• Deluxe motorcoach transportation with an onboard restroom
• Admission to activities and events as indicated
• Airfare from designated airports
• Transportation to and from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*
• Luggage handling at hotels when available

Gratuities: We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver is $6 to $10 per person, per day of the tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers also appreciate gratuities for excellent service, with a suggested amount of $5 per person. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or distribute gratuity envelopes.

Refreshments: We are happy to provide refreshments on most motorcoach travel days. We also recommend bringing a refillable water bottle to help you stay hydrated throughout your tour.

Pickup Points: If fewer than four travelers request a particular pickup point, we may ask those guests to select another available pickup location. Travelers are also welcome to join a tour from a city that is not listed as a departure point. Please contact our friendly reservations team to discuss available arrangements. For departure cities not listed, airfare is typically $100 more than the published fare for domestic tours and $200 more for international tours.

TSA PreCheck and Airline Rewards Numbers: TSA PreCheck, Known Traveler Numbers, and airline rewards numbers must be provided to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure. Numbers received after this deadline may not be applied to your reservation.

Airline Seating: Preferred seating may not be available with group airfare. In some cases, seats are not assigned until travelers arrive at the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy-class seat but does not include advance seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available for an additional cost.

Motorcoach Capacity and Seating: To provide one of the most comfortable motorcoach experiences in the industry, Sunrise Tours generally limits motorcoaches to 80% capacity. This allows for a maximum of 44 passengers on a motorcoach designed to accommodate 55. Sunrise Tours reserves the right to amend this practice. Your Tour Director will rotate motorcoach seating each day of the tour. Payment of a single-occupancy fare does not guarantee two motorcoach seats, and you may be seated beside another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.

Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.