Tantalising food, lush views, tranquil temples and sweet black tea
Breathtaking coastline, lush green landscapes and tranquil temples are only the beginning on this 11-day adventure through tantalising Taiwan. Squeeze between food stalls and medicine pedlars in narrow alleyways. Get behind-the-scenes glimpses (and hands-on experience) in local industries. Taste some of the most innovative dishes in Asia, from oyster omelettes to taro balls. Perhaps best of all? Discover the misty mountains and rugged coastal forests that have captured the attention of so many powers throughout history and earned Taiwan the name ‘the beautiful island’.
Why you’ll love this trip
- Discover Taiwan’s food culture by collecting oysters in Wangong, sipping black tea at a plantation, cooking farm-fresh spring onion pancakes and touring the island’s only whisky distillery.
- Hike through lush mountain foothills to a 12-tiered pagoda that overlooks Sun Moon Lake, and later kayak on its serene waters.
- Spend time slinging Taiwan’s favourite root vegetable with Taipei’s ‘Sweet Potato Mamas’, local women supporting their families one spud at a time.
- Wonder at Taroko Gorge, then follow the aquamarine river along Shakadang Trail on a hike past marbled cliffs and immense boulders.
- Explore the stalls pilled with dried fruits, herbs and medicines housed in a mixture of modern and historic buildings on Dihua Street.
Itinerary
Day 1: Taipei
Day 2: Taipei
Day 3: Hualien
Day 4: Hualien
Day 5: Yilan
Day 6: Turtle Island – Jiufen – Taipei
Day 7: Sun Moon Lake
Day 8: Puli – Sun Moon Lake
Day 9: Fangyuan – Taichung
Day 10: Taipei
Day 11: Taipei
Inclusions
Meals
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches
Transport
Private Bus, Metro, Public bus, bike, Boat, Train
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights)
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
Images cutesy of Intrepid Group
INT – CJSA