Explore Taiwan

Huan ying! Welcome to Taipei. Your adventure begins in the densely populated and beautifully located 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 with your fellow group members this evening.

Explore Taipei this morning on foot and metro system. With your local leader, you’ll stroll through Dihua Street – the oldest street in Taipei – to get a sense of the city’s merchant past and to see how young entrepreneurs are revitalising the area. You’ll pass by traditional Fujian-style Qing Dynasty homes, Baroque and modernist architecture from the Japanese occupation, and 100-year-old businesses still in operation, alongside modern cafes and craft shops – representing the different phases of Taipei’s history. Continue to the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall – an impressive dedication to the former president of the Republic of China. Then, you’ll have free time for the rest of the day and night. Maybe head to the Shilin Night Market for dinner tonight.

This morning, take a private transfer from Taipei to Yilan, visiting the National Palace Museum along the way – home to the world’s largest collection of Chinese art. Then, you’ll visit a spring onion farm to see how one of Taiwan’s favourite ingredients is grown. Pop on a pair of gum boots and get grubby in the fields, trying your hand at produce picking. Then, learn how to cook the spring onions in the beloved snack of Taiwanese pancakes. Arrive at your hotel in Yilan in the late afternoon and with your free evening, maybe relax or wander around at your own pace.

This morning, visit the Indigenous Atayal tribe – only 2.5% of the Taiwanese population are identified as Indigenous, and the Atayal people are one of the 16 main groups. Soak up the rare opportunity to connect with their community and learn about the cultural significance of their tribal costume and face tattoos. Try your hand at making the local bamboo rice and then enjoy the fruits of your labour as part of the hearty, home-cooked lunch with the locals. Using local ingredients, you’ll be treated to a showcase of delicious Indigenous flavours. Then head into the forest with a local who will demonstrate their traditional hunting and trap-setting tricks. Say goodbye to your gracious hosts and return to Yilan, where your evening is free.

Today, you’ll visit a morning market to learn about the fresh ingredients used in local cooking and check out how to make your own peanut roll ice cream from a local! Head to Sun Moon Lake afterwards – one of the most iconic destinations in Taiwan. This alpine lake lies in the foothills of the Central Mountain Range and is surrounded by forested peaks and foot trails. This is the only natural lake in Taiwan and is named for the shapes that its outline forms. You’ll stay at a guesthouse Puli, surrounded by lush, green gardens. You have a free evening to take a walk or relax and watch the sunset over the peaks.

Walk through the forested foothills of the mountains around Sun Moon Lake, along the Ci'en Pagoda Trail. At the trail's end, you can climb to the top of the 46-m-high pagoda and take in the sweeping views. Keep the active energy going on a cycling adventure along some scenic paths on the lake’s shores. The evening is yours to spend how you wish.

After breakfast, hop in a private vehicle headed for the Hugosum Tea Farm. Here, you’ll gain an insight into the production of Taiwan’s beloved black tea and have the opportunity to roll your own leaves, which will then be dried and packaged so you can take a taste of Taiwan home with you. Then, visit the Chung Tai Chan Monastery. Though it was built just 20 years ago, the unique combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles makes it an impressive sight. Here, you’ll take a guided tour with one of the resident nuns or a guide and learn the secrets and history of the monastery. After, head to Chiayi in a private vehicle where you’ll have a free evening.

Along with Sun Moon Lake and Taroko Gorge, Alishan is one of the most scenic areas in Taiwan and this morning, you’ll head to Alishan National Scenic Area to see it for yourself. Enjoy a train ride through the dense forest on the old Forest Railway, passing tropical forest, subtropical forest and temperate forest along the way. After your train ride, take a 2-hour hike on the Sacred Forest Trail 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.

Today, head to the flat and fertile land of Changhua County, sometimes known as the ‘breadbasket’ of Taiwan. Visit Longshan Temple and explore the beautiful gardens on site. Continue to the fishing village of Fangyuan, where you’ll have the chance to go clam picking and discover water birds, fiddler crabs and mudskippers. There will also be the chance to sample local seafood like clams, crabs and oysters. In the afternoon, travel to Taichung for a free evening.

Return to Taipei, arriving around midday. Your afternoon and evening are free to explore the city 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 over the city at night.

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. No activities are planned for the day, and you're free to leave the hotel any time after checkout. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.