Explore Taiwan
Explore Taiwan
$3480
Tour Overview
Discover a glittering coastline, lush landscapes and tranquil temples on this 11-day adventure through Taiwan. Be tempted by night market food stalls and welcomed into Indigenous tribes, visit tea farms and learn the tricks of local cuisine by collecting clams and cooking farm fresh onion pancakes. Travel to the misty mountains and serene lakes that have captured the attention of many international powers throughout history and learn why Taiwan earned the nickname ‘the beautiful island’. With a hike through mountainous foothills, a train ride through old growth forest and a local leader by your side to teach you about culture, land and people – this adventure will leave you curious and wanting more. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Taipei
Location: Taipei
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Huan ying! Welcome to Taipei. Your adventure begins in the bustling capital of Taiwan with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe visit the hot springs at Yangmingshan National Park. After the meeting, head out for an optional dinner to get to know your local leader and fellow travellers.
Day 2: Taipei
Location: Taipei
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, explore Taipei with your local leader. Get a sense of the city’s merchant past on Dihua Street – the oldest street in Taipei – and see how young entrepreneurs are revitalising the area. With traditional medicine shops, Fujian-style Qing Dynasty homes and Baroque architecture standing alongside modern cafes and art studios, it represents the many chapters in Taipei’s rich history. Continue to the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall – an impressive dedication to the former president of the Republic of China. The rest of the day is yours to explore. Maybe head to the Shilin Night Market for dinner tonight to try fried fish meatballs, oyster omelette or the infamous stinky tofu.Included Activities:-Taipei - Dihua Street walk-Taipei - Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
Day 3: Yilan
Location: Yilan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning, take a private transfer to Yilan, stopping off at the National Palace Museum which houses the world’s largest collection of Chinese art. Then, visit a spring onion farm where you'll pop on a pair of gum boots and get grubby in the fields! Pick your own produce before learning how to cook one of Taiwan’s most beloved snacks: crispy spring onion pancakes. Arrive at your hotel in Yilan in the late afternoon, where you’ll have free time to relax or explore at your own pace.Included Activities:-Yilan - Spring onion farm & cooking demostration-Taipei - National Palace Museum
Day 4: Yilan
Location: Yilan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
This morning, visit the Indigenous Atayal tribe – Indigenous people make up just 2.5% of the Taiwanese population, and the Atayal people are one of the 16 main groups. This is a rare opportunity to connect with the community and learn about the cultural significance of their tribal costume and face tattoos. Try your hand at making bamboo rice before sitting down with the locals to enjoy a hearty lunch that showcases Indigenous flavours. Then, head into the forest to learn about traditional hunting and trap-setting techniques. Say goodbye to your hospitable hosts and return to Yilan where you'll have a free evening to explore. Included Activities:-Yilan - Indigenous Atayal tribe half day visit
Day 5: Sun Moon Lake
Location: Sun Moon Lake
Accommodation Name: Guesthouse
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today, you’ll visit a morning market to learn about the fragrant ingredients used in Taiwanese cooking and how to make peanut roll ice cream. Then, head to Sun Moon Lake – one of the island’s most iconic destinations named after the shapes that its outline forms. This alpine lake – the only natural lake in Taiwan – lies in the foothills of the Central Mountain Range and is surrounded by forested peaks and hiking trails. Tonight, you’ll stay in Puli at a guesthouse surrounded by lush gardens. You have a free evening to take a walk, relax or watch the sunset over the peaks.Included Activities:-Yilan - Morning market visit & Peanut roll icecream making
Day 6: Sun Moon Lake
Location: Sun Moon Lake
Accommodation Name: Guesthouse
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, take a leisurely stroll along the Ci'en Pagoda Trail through the forested foothills around Sun Moon Lake. At the trail's end, you’ll arrive at the 46-m-tall Ci'en Pagoda, where you can climb to the top and take in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Then, keep the active energy going on a scenic cycling adventure along the lake’s shores. The evening is yours to spend how you wish.Included Activities:-Sun Moon Lake - Ci'en Pagoda Trail walk-Sun Moon Lake - Bike Ride
Day 7: Chiayi
Location: Chiayi City
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, take a private vehicle to Hugosum Tea Farm. Here, you’ll get an insight into the production of Taiwan’s beloved black tea and roll your own leaves, which will be dried and packaged to take a taste of Taiwan home with you. Then, visit the Chung Tai Chan Monastery – the unique combination of Chinese and Western architecture makes it an impressive sight. You’ll meet one of the resident nuns or a guide for a tour to explore the gardens and dive into the monastery's history. Afterwards, head to Chiayi in a private vehicle where you’ll have a free evening.Included Activities:-Puli - Chung Tai Chan Monastery-Puli - Hugosum Tea Farm
Day 8: Alishan/Chiayi
Location: Alishan Township
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning, head to Alishan National Scenic Area – along with Sun Moon Lake and Taroko Gorge, Alishan is one of the most dramatic parts of Taiwan. Climb aboard a train for a picturesque ride on the old Forest Railway, passing tropical, subtropical and temperate forests along the way. Then, hit the Sacred Forest Trail for a hike to get closer to the flora and fauna, including the giant Cypress trees that call this park home. Later, return to Chiayi for a free evening.Included Activities:-Alishan - Forest railway-Alishan - Sacred Forest Trail hike
Day 9: Taichung
Location: Taichung
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today, head to the flat and fertile land of Changhua County – sometimes known as the ‘breadbasket’ of Taiwan. Visit Longshan Temple, one of the oldest temples in Taiwan, before continuing to the fishing village of Fangyuan where you’ll try your hand at clam picking and see water birds, fiddler crabs and mudskippers. There'll also be an opportunity to sample fresh seafood like crabs and oysters. In the afternoon, travel to Taichung for a free evening.Included Activities:-Lukang - Longshan Temple-Fangyuan - Clam picking
Day 10: Taipei
Location: Taipei
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today, you’ll arrive back in Taipei around midday. The afternoon and evening are free to explore at your leisure. Maybe meet back up with your leader and group for an optional dinner or visit the Taipei 101 Observation Deck for a magnificent view of the city lit up at night.
Day 11: Taipei
Location: Taipei
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast. With no activities planned for the day, you're free to leave the hotel any time after checkout. If you want to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights) -
Meals
10 breakfasts, 1 lunches -
Taipei - Dihua Street walk
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Taipei - Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
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Yilan - Spring onion farm & cooking demostration
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Taipei - National Palace Museum
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Yilan - Indigenous Atayal tribe half day visit
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Yilan - Morning market visit & Peanut roll icecream making
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Sun Moon Lake - Ci'en Pagoda Trail walk
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Sun Moon Lake - Bike Ride
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Puli - Chung Tai Chan Monastery
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Puli - Hugosum Tea Farm
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Included Activities
- Taipei - Dihua Street walk
- Taipei - Sweet Potato Mama Urban Adventure
- Taipei - Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
- Hualien - Night Market
- Hualien - Danong Dafu Forest Park
- Hualien - Qingshui Cliff
- Taroko Gorge - scenic hike
- Yilan - Spring onion farm & cooking demostration
- Yilan - Whisky distillery
- Jiufen - Old Town walk
- Turtle Island - Boat tour
- Sun Moon Lake - Bike Ride
- Sun Moon Lake - Ci'en Pagoda Trail walk
- Puli - Hugosum Tea Farm
- Puli - Chung Tai Chan Monastery
- Sun Moon Lake - Kayaking
- Lukang - Longshan Temple
- Fangyuan - Oyster picking
- Taipei - National Palace Museum
- Taichung - Rainbow Village
Transport
- Private Bus , Metro , Public Bus , Bike
Accommodation
- OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
- TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS
- Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on a different Intrepid trip than your own.
- CHECK-IN TIME
- Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
- PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
- If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, except in Sun Moon Lake and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Mode of Transport
- Private Bus , Metro , Public Bus , Bike
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
We use mainly private transport between destinations on this trip to enable you to pack as many highlights as possible into each day. When in Taipei you can expect plenty of walking and to make use of the efficient metro system.
There are several opportunities for hiking and cycling on this trip. While these are not strenuous, they do require a good overall level of fitness.
This trip doesn’t spend a lot of time in Taipei. We highly recommend you spend extra time in this great city. Please consult your booking agent for booking extra accommodation here before or after the trip. ...more ...less -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this operator
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Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Explore Taiwan
11 Days Starting and ending in Taipei
Visiting: Taipei, Yilan, Sun Moon Lake, Chiayi City, Alishan Township, Taichung
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CJSA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Wildlife Tours