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Explore Taiwan

11 day small group tour

Tantalising food, lush views, tranquil temples and sweet black tea!

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.

Your tour highlights

Discover Taiwan’s food culture by collecting clams in Wangong, sipping black tea at a plantation and cooking farm-fresh spring onion pancakes in Yilan.

Hike through lush mountain foothills to a 12-tiered pagoda that overlooks Sun Moon Lake, and take a ride around the emerald green waters on a cycling adventure.

Enjoy a special visit to the Indigenous Atayal tribe and spend some time with their community to learn about their forest survival techniques and costumes, then enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal that showcases tradition and Indigenous flavours.

Explore stalls pilled with dried fruits, herbs and medicines on Dihua Street – considered one of the oldest streets in Taiwan.

Ride the Forest Railway train through Alishan’s tropical and subtropical forest, then hike the Sacred Forest Trail to get closer to the old, resident Cypress trees.

Tour itinerary

Day
1
Taipei

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.

Day
2
Taipei

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.

Day
3
Yilan

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.

Day
4
Yilan

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.

Day
5
Sun Moon Lake

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.

Day
6
Sun Moon Lake

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.

Day
7
Chiayi

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.

Day
8
Alishan / Chiayi

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.

Day
9
Taichung

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.

Day
10
Taipei

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.

Day
11
Taipei

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.

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Tour pricing:

from $4,579

per person twin/double share*

To secure your place now:

Phone: 03 364 3400 or 0800 747 737
Email: [email protected]

Contact Us for details

Tour Inclusions:

Meals

  • 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Transport

  • Private Bus, Metro, Public Bus, Bike

Accommodation

  • Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights)

Activities:

  • Taipei – Dihua Street walk
  • Taipei – Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
  • Yilan – Spring onion farm & cooking demostration
  • Taipei – National Palace Museum
  • Yilan – Indigenous Atayal tribe half day visit
  • Yilan – Morning market visit & Peanut roll icecream making
  • Sun Moon Lake – Ci’en Pagoda Trail walk
  • Sun Moon Lake – Bike Ride
  • Puli – Chung Tai Chan Monastery
  • Puli – Hugosum Tea Farm
  • Alishan – Forest railway
  • Alishan – Sacred Forest Trail hike
  • Lukang – Longshan Temple
  • Fangyuan – Clam picking

Not included:

Conditions:

We use mainly private transport between destinations on this trip to enable us to pack as many highlights as we can 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.
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Our trip was fabulous!! Every aspect was extremely well organised and so easy. GAdventures and our tour guide, Tam, had a well planned and great itinerary so while we got to see some amazing sights, it was still really well paced and relaxing. The timing for everything that you and the GAdventures tour organised for us was perfect. We had no glitches at all and would highly recommend all of the options to others. Thanks so much for all of your efforts for us; they were much appreciated. Hopefully we can arrange another wonderful trip with you again in the not too distant future.
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Indonesia, Jane & Richard
Our trip was outstanding, our guide was great and we had a whole lot of optional extras that we took the opportunity to enjoy. Everything was seamless and well organised, we had a fantastic group that was just 11 people through Vietnam and 1 extra joined us through Cambodia. I couldn't speak highly enough of G Adventures and their staff. It was a truly memorable experience and I would certainly recommend. Many thanks for all your help and yes we are slowly readjusting to the freezing weather here!
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