Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You're heading to Taiwan to kick off your Asia adventure. This is where everything begins, so get ready to experience something different from what you know.
- Days 2 - 3
Taipei
After landing in Taipei, you'll check into your hotel and then head out to see the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and National Theater. Wander through the streets, grab dinner somewhere local. Next morning hits different - the National Palace Museum holds an incredible collection of Chinese artifacts. Take the elevator up to the 89th floor of Taipei 101 for city views, then walk through Longshan Temple to take in the Buddhist atmosphere. By evening, the snake market gives you plenty of food options to try.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
- Explore National Theater
- Visit National Palace Museum
- Taipei 101 - 89th floor observation deck
- Visit Buddhist Longshan Temple
- Explore snake market
Optional Activities
- Early hotel check-in (may incur additional costs)
Landmarks/POIs Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall National Theater National Palace Museum Taipei 101 Longshan Temple Snake Market - Days 4 - 5
Taroko Gorge
A train ride takes you through mountains and alongside the coast toward Taroko Gorge. The marble walls, waterfalls, and suspension bridges here create something really special. You'll spend two days on trails through smaller gorges, staying at a family-run guesthouse right on the gorge's edge. Dinners are cozy and intimate, giving you time to process what you've seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner (Cozy dinner), Dinner (Cozy dinner)
Included Activities
- Hiking in Taroko Gorge and side gorges
- View marble walls and waterfalls
- Cross suspension bridges
Landmarks/POIs Taroko Gorge - Days 6 - 7
Cycling Tour and Kenting
Your bike tour starts on a paved route between Hualien and Guangfu, cycling past churches, temples, rice fields, and pineapple plantations (about 60 km total). A support bus carries your luggage and meets you along the way. After that first day, you'll relax at a hot spring resort. The next morning, you cycle over mountain passes with sea views on the other side, then the bus transports you to Kenting in the southern tip, arriving at your guesthouse by evening (roughly 50 km of riding that day).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cycle tour stage 1: Hualien to Guangfu area (approximately 60 km)
- Relax at Hot Spring Resort
- Cycle tour stage 2: Mountain range to east coast (approximately 50 km)
- Bus transfer with luggage support
Optional Activities
- Complete second cycling stage by bus instead of cycling
Landmarks/POIs Hot Spring Resort - Days 8 - 9
Kenting National Park and Tainan
Nanrenshan National Park is where you look for monkeys, birds, and butterflies throughout the tropical landscape. The Lake of the Southern People offers great views, and sandy beaches are nearby too. After returning to your guesthouse, your afternoon is free or you can ask your guide about snorkeling, diving, biking, or walks in Kenting. Later, you head to Tainan, arriving by evening for a 2-night stay with dinner as a group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Nanrenshan National Park
- View Lake of the Southern People
- Visit sandy beaches
- Dinner in Tainan
Optional Activities
- Practice snorkeling
- Practice diving
- Hire a bike in Kenting
- Walk in Kenting National Park
- Enjoy Asian sundowner with fresh seafood dinner
Landmarks/POIs Nanrenshan National Park Lake of the Southern People Kenting National Park - Day 10
Tainan
You've got a full day in Tainan with its Mediterranean character. Check out the Temple of Confucius and Temple of the Queen of Heaven, then explore Chikan Tower where the Dutch once held power. Wander the streets on your own or with your guide. When evening hits, hunt through the night market for local foods and snacks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Temple of Confucius
- Visit Temple of the Queen of Heaven
- Visit Chikan Tower
- Explore night market
Optional Activities
- Individual street exploration
- Guided discovery tour with tour guide
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Confucius Temple of the Queen of Heaven Chikan Tower - Days 11 - 12
Alishan
The Alishan mountains call, and your guesthouse sits right on a tea plantation. After a welcome hot drink, you'll walk through tea mountains and bamboo forests nearby. A tea factory visit teaches you how different tea types are processed and made. By sunset, you're watching from the guesthouse. Early the next morning, you head to Mount Alishan to catch the sunrise. Hiking routes with your guide include the Giant Tree Trail with cypress trees thousands of years old and well-maintained gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore tea mountains and bamboo forests
- Visit tea factory with informative stop on tea processing
- Watch sunset at guesthouse
- Mount Alishan sunrise viewing
- Hike in Alishan mountain region
- Giant Tree Trail (popular option)
Optional Activities
- Choose alternative hiking routes in Alishan region
Landmarks/POIs Mount Alishan Giant Tree Trail - Days 13 - 14
Sun Moon Lake and Shitoushan
You'll stop at Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan's largest inland lake, before driving to Miaoli and Shitoushan. The mountain has numerous Buddhist and Daoist temples scattered across it, with the oldest from 1892 and small meditation caves along forest paths. Your guesthouse is in a monastery complex where you get a 2-bed room and vegetarian dinner. The next afternoon, you leave for Taipei airport with stops along the way, then fly home carrying memories from these two weeks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Vegetarian dinner)
Included Activities
- Stop at Sun Moon Lake
- Visit Buddhist and Daoist temples at Shitoushan
- Explore meditation caves
- Explore monastery surroundings
Optional Activities
- Individual exploration of Shitoushan area
- Group exploration with guide
Landmarks/POIs Sun Moon Lake Shitoushan - Day 15
Return Home
You're heading home after your Taiwan adventure, bringing back impressions and memories from your time on the island.
