Explore Taiwan

11 Days | Tantalising food, lush views, tranquil temples and sweet black tea

4 out of 5 based on 11 reviews submitted.
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NZD $4,212
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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’.

Trip overview

Map of Explore Taiwan including Taiwan, Republic Of China
Start
Taipei, Taiwan
Finish
Taipei, Taiwan
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Taiwan
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
CJSA
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

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.
  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?
  • 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. Between Taipei, Hualien and Yilan we use local trains.
  • Due to geography and road infrastructure we need to return to Taipei on Day 6 of our itinerary before exploring the west coast.
  • There are a number of opportunities for hiking, cycling and kayaking on this trip. While these are not strenuous, they do require a good overall level of fitness.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Explore Taiwan including Taiwan, Republic Of China

Inclusions

Meals

10 breakfasts, 2 lunches

Transport

Private Bus, Metro, Public Bus, Bike, Boat, Train

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights)

Activities
  • Taipei - Dihua Street walk
  • Taipei - Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
  • Taipei - Street Food Night Market tour
  • Hualien - Night Market Street Food Crawl
  • Hualien - Amis aboriginal tribe visit
  • Hualien - Qingshui Cliff
  • Taroko Gorge - scenic hike
  • Yilan - Spring onion farm & cooking demostration
  • Yilan - Whisky distillery
  • Jiufen - Old Town walk
  • Yilan - National Center of Traditional Art & Indigo Dyeing Workshop
  • 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 - Clam picking
  • Taipei - National Palace Museum
  • Taichung - Rainbow Village

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4 out of 5 based on 11 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Krista · Traveled November 2023
Taiwan is amazing, definitely more SE Asia vibes than I thought. I went in November and it was HOT! The food is really yum, alot more bread/wheat options than I thought there would be (I'm gluten intolerant). The activities planned provided a range of different interests for people, visiting the Indigenous village was a highlight. I would say that most people don't speak English in cities outside of Taipei, so it was hard to really wander off on your own, confidently. The whiskey tour didn't have a guide so we weren't able to really immerse ourselves in the experience, which was a bit disappointing, same with the boat tour, it was all in mandarin, so we didn't get to learn about Turtle Island to the extent I would have liked. I would highly recommend getting an e-sim while you are travelling, so you can google translate signs and be self sufficient, as it's hard for one Tour Guide to translate all the menus/food stalls for everyone.
Review submitted 16 Nov 2023

Aileen · Traveled November 2023
A great way to see the highlights of Taiwan with lots of activity e.g. hiking, cycling, kayaking and cooking. Be prepared to be getting in and out of the bus often to walk and participate in activities. The food can be challenging and this is not a tour for picky eaters, meals are pre-ordered family style by the tour guide and you don't choose your own food.
Review submitted 16 Nov 2023

Suzel · Traveled October 2023
Since this was my first trip to Taiwan, I was looking forward to experience what the country had to offer and was disappointed. The itinerary was inaccurate for certain events and a tour guide should have been used for english speaking group that can speak and understand English
Review submitted 14 Nov 2023

Matthew · Traveled October 2023
Excellent introduction to a fascinating country. Taiwan is easy to get around, has great food, and friendly people. I highly recommend a visit!
Review submitted 26 Oct 2023

Suzanne · Traveled September 2023
Taiwan is an amazing location with great street food, remarkable geography, amazing culture, a mixed history with many influ6... French (superb pastries) Japanese, Chinese and indigenous tribes. The people are friendly, proud and always willing to help.
Review submitted 08 Oct 2023
Explore Taiwan
From
NZD $4,212