Itinerary
- Day 1
Flight to Taiwan
Your trip to Taiwan starts with a flight heading out to the island.
- Day 2
Taipei
After you arrive, the hotel staff will have your room ready for you. Get settled in and freshen up, then head out to see Taipei's main sights. You'll walk through Lungshan Temple, which has been around for about 300 years, and check out the Taipei 101 skyscraper. From there, you can visit 228 Memorial Park, the Presidential Palace, and Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. It's a good way to get familiar with the city on your first day.
- Meals
- Breakfast (First Asian breakfast)
Included Activities
- Visit Lungshan Temple
- Visit Taipei 101 skyscraper
- Visit 228 Memorial Park
- Visit Presidential Palace
- Visit Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
Landmarks Lungshan Temple Taipei 101 228 Memorial Park Presidential Palace Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall 
- Day 3
Taipei
This morning you'll check out the Palace Museum which holds the world's largest collection of Chinese artworks spanning 8000 years. Then you'll make your way to Yangmingshan National Park where you can explore the volcanic Xiaoyoukeng area with its fumaroles and hike up to Mt. Qixing at 1120m, the highest peak near the city, before heading back to Taipei.
Included Activities
- Visit Palace Museum
- Visit Yangmingshan National Park
- Explore Xiaoyoukeng volcanic area
- Hike to Mt. Qixing
Landmarks Palace Museum Yangmingshan National Park Xiaoyoukeng volcanic area Mt. Qixing - Day 4
Taipei to Yilan
You'll drive along the scenic north-east coastal routes and tackle the Caoling Historical Trail, a route that once connected the west and east coasts. Along the way there's plenty of opportunity to stop for photos and short walks. From there you'll continue to Yilan for an evening soak in the hot springs and overnight stay.
Included Activities
- Hike Caoling Historical Trail
- Scenic coastal drive and photography stops
Optional Activities
- Hot spring dip in the evening
Landmarks Caoling Historical Trail - Day 5
Yilan
Near Yilan you'll hike through terrain with mountain views and well-marked trails leading toward the Holy Mother Lodge shrine. Later in the day you can relax at the hot springs before heading back to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Hike near Yilan to Holy Mother Lodge shrine
Optional Activities
- Evening hot springs
Landmarks Holy Mother Lodge 
- Day 6
Yilan to Wuling
Drive to Wuling where you'll set out on a four-hour hike featuring views, waterfalls, and bridges along the route. If conditions allow, you might catch views of Taoshan and Snow Mountain during the hike before settling at your hotel for the night.
Included Activities
- Hike with waterfalls and bridges views
Landmarks Taoshan Snow Mountain - Day 7
Wuling - Cingjing
This day focuses on hiking and mountain views. Start with a hike up Mount Shimen to see the Liwu River and the mountains around it. Then head to the eastern summit of Hehuan Mountain. After that, travel to Cingjing, a mountain town that locals call the Little Switzerland of Taiwan because of its wide pastures and high-altitude scenery. If you have energy left in the evening, there's an option for a shorter hike near where you're staying.
Included Activities
- Hike to Mount Shimen summit
- Hike to eastern summit of Hehuan Mountain
- Travel to Cingjing
Optional Activities
- Short evening hike near accommodation
Landmarks Mount Shimen Liwu River Hehuan Mountain Cingjing - Day 8
Cingjing - Hehuan Mountain
Early in the morning, drive up to the Hehuan Mountains, which sit above 3,000 meters elevation. You'll hike to the north summit at 3,275 meters and then to the main summit at 3,417 meters. Plan for about 5 to 6 hours of walking time total. The altitude here is quite high, so take your time and bring plenty of water.
Included Activities
- Hike to north summit of Hehuan Mountains (3,275 m)
- Hike to main summit of Hehuan Mountains (3,417 m)
Landmarks Hehuan Mountains 
- Day 9
Cingjing to Sun Moon Lake
The drive takes you to Sun Moon Lake where you'll visit the Chung Tai Chan Monastery, the region's largest Buddhist monastery. By afternoon you'll have time to recover from the recent hikes with a suggested walk around the lakeshore if you're up for it.
Included Activities
- Visit Chung Tai Chan Monastery
Optional Activities
- Walk along Sun Moon Lake
Landmarks Chung Tai Chan Monastery Sun Moon Lake - Day 10
Sun Moon Lake
You'll spend the morning touring around the lake, visiting Wen Wu Temple, Tzu En Pagoda, and Hsuanzhuang Temple. You might spot wedding couples here since the lakeshore is a favorite spot for Taiwanese couples to get married. The rest of the afternoon is yours to do as you like.
Included Activities
- Visit Wen Wu Temple
- Visit Tzu En Pagoda
- Visit Hsuanzhuang Temple
Landmarks Wen Wu Temple Tzu En Pagoda Hsuanzhuang Temple - Day 11
Sun Moon Lake to Yushan National Park
Drive to the Tataka Saddle starting point and begin your hike through Yushan National Park. You'll climb three peaks on relatively easy paths: Mt. Lin-Jhih, Mt. Lulin, and Mt. Lulin Front Peak, with good views of the surrounding ranges and famous Jade Mountain. You'll sleep in a shared room at a mountain hut overnight.
Included Activities
- Hike through Yushan National Park
Landmarks Tataka Saddle Yushan National Park Mt. Lin-Jhih Mt. Lulin Mt. Lulin Front Peak Jade Mountain - Day 12
Yushan National Park - Alishan
Travel to Alishan and hike to a summit in the Alishan Mountains at 2,663 meters for wide views of Jade Mountain, then hike down to the quiet village of Alishan. However, if conditions allow, you may have the chance to attempt Taiwan's highest peak instead. That option involves starting early morning and hiking to Jade Mountain at 3,952 meters, then descending to head to Alishan afterward. Weather will determine which route is possible. Keep an eye out for free-living macaques if you're in the right area.
Included Activities
- Hike to Alishan Mountains summit (2,663 m) with panoramic views of Jade Mountain
- Hike back to Alishan village
Optional Activities
- Ascent of Jade Mountain (3,952 m) - alternative itinerary if weather permits (approximately 2-hour hike to summit, approximately 10-hour total walking time)
Landmarks Yushan National Park Alishan Mountains Jade Mountain Alishan 
- Day 13
Alishan to Taipei
Early morning takes you onto the Alishan narrow-gauge railway climbing to over 2200m to catch the sunrise. Afterward you'll walk through the Alishan forest filled with impressive trees over 2000 years old. Then it's a drive back to Taipei for your overnight stay.
Included Activities
- Alishan narrow-gauge railway ride to sunrise viewpoint
- Walk through Alishan forest
Landmarks Alishan forest 
- Day 14
Taipei
Drive south to the Galaxy Cave, climb up to check out the temple and small waterfall inside. Next you'll hike to Maokong, the main tea-growing area near Taipei, stroll through tea fields, and grab lunch with tea tasting at one of the local restaurants before heading back to Taipei for your final night.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch and tea tasting in a picturesque restaurant in the tea fields)
Included Activities
- Visit Galaxy Cave
- Hike to Maokong
- Lunch in tea area
- Tea tasting
Landmarks Galaxy Cave Maokong - Day 15
Departure from Taipei
The day is free to rest or do your own exploring around Taipei. Later in the evening you'll head to the airport for your return flight to Germany.
- Day 16
Arrival in Germany
You arrive back in Germany after your trip.
