Discover Taiwan

Huān yíng! Welcome to Taipei. Your journey begins in Taiwan’s vibrant capital with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, consider unwinding in the hot springs of Yangmingshan National Park. Afterward, you might join your local leader and fellow travellers for an optional dinner to get acquainted and kick off the adventure together.

• It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

After breakfast, set out to explore Taipei alongside your local leader. Step back in time on Dihua Street – the city’s oldest street – where Taipei’s trading heritage comes alive and a new generation of creatives is breathing fresh energy into the area. Wander past traditional medicine shops, Fujian-style Qing Dynasty houses and elegant Baroque facades, now standing side by side with trendy cafes and art spaces, reflecting the city’s layered history.
Continue to the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, a grand tribute to the former president of the Republic of China. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries – perhaps head to Shilin Night Market this evening and sample local favourites like fried fish meatballs, oyster omelette or the famously pungent stinky tofu.

This morning, travel by private transfer to Yilan, with a stop at the National Palace Museum – home to the world’s largest collection of Chinese art. Then, head to a local spring onion farm, where you’ll slip on gumboots and get hands-on in the fields. Harvest fresh ingredients before learning to prepare one of Taiwan’s favourite snacks: crispy spring onion pancakes. Arrive at your hotel in Yilan later in the afternoon, with free time to unwind or explore at your leisure.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

The National Palace Museum is closed on Mondays so the visit may be switched to Day 2 if this happens on your departure.

You may wish to use the hot spring facilities in the hotel in Yilan. In this case, please bring your own swimming suit and cap.

This morning, visit the Indigenous Atayal community – one of Taiwan’s 16 recognised Indigenous groups, representing a small but important part of the population. This is a unique chance to connect with locals and learn about the meaning behind their traditional clothing and symbolic face tattoos. Try making bamboo rice, then sit down together to enjoy a hearty lunch rich in Indigenous flavours. Later, head into the forest to discover traditional hunting and trap-setting techniques. After saying farewell to your welcoming hosts, return to Yilan for a free evening to explore at your own pace.

• Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Today begins with a visit to a local morning market, where you’ll discover the aromatic ingredients that define Taiwanese cuisine and learn how to make the popular peanut roll ice cream. Then, journey to Sun Moon Lake – one of Taiwan’s most iconic landmarks, named for the sun- and moon-like shapes of its shoreline. The island’s only natural lake sits high in the foothills of the Central Mountain Range, surrounded by lush forests and scenic hiking trails.

Tonight, stay in Puli at a charming guesthouse set among green gardens. The evening is yours to enjoy – take a peaceful walk, unwind, or catch the sunset over the surrounding peaks.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

After breakfast, set off on a relaxed walk along the Ci’en Pagoda Trail, winding through the forested foothills of Sun Moon Lake. At the end of the trail, reach the 46-metre-tall Ci’en Pagoda, where you can climb to the top for sweeping views over the lake and surrounding mountains. Then, keep the momentum going with a scenic cycling ride along the lakeshore. The evening is free for you to enjoy however you like.

After breakfast, travel by private vehicle to Hugosum Tea Farm. Here, gain insight into the art of Taiwan’s famous black tea production and try rolling your own leaves, which will be dried and packaged for you to take home.

Continue to the Chung Tai Chan Monastery, an impressive blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles. Meet a resident nun or local guide for a tour of the peaceful grounds and learn about the monastery’s history and philosophy. Afterwards, journey on to Chiayi, where you’ll have a free evening to relax or explore at your own pace.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

From November to March, you’ll make tea bags from dried tea, as no fresh tea leaves are available in the colder months

This morning, travel to Alishan National Scenic Area – one of Taiwan’s most breathtaking regions, alongside Sun Moon Lake and Taroko Gorge. Hop aboard the historic Forest Railway for a scenic journey through layers of tropical, subtropical and temperate forest. Then, set out on the Sacred Forest Trail, where you’ll hike among towering cypress trees and discover the rich flora and fauna of the park. Later, return to Chiayi and enjoy a free evening at your leisure.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Your hike will be approximately 2 hours

Today, journey to the flat, fertile plains of Changhua County – often called the “breadbasket” of Taiwan. Begin with a visit to Longshan Temple, one of the island’s oldest and most historic temples, before continuing to the coastal fishing village of Fangyuan. Here, try clam picking and spot local wildlife like water birds, fiddler crabs and mudskippers. You’ll also have the chance to taste fresh seafood, including crabs and oysters.
In the afternoon, travel on to Taichung, where the evening is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace.

Today’s total travel time will be around four hours.
In warm, dry weather, there may be an opportunity to stop in Lukang for a short walking tour of its historic streets. If conditions allow, you’ll also visit a local family who continue to make noodles by hand using traditional techniques – and you can even pick up a few packs to take home, made all the more special by seeing the effort behind them.

Please note that the timing of activities may vary depending on the tides. If oyster picking is scheduled for the morning, there won’t be enough time to visit the local family.

Today, return to Taipei, arriving around midday. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. You might reconnect with your leader and fellow travellers for an optional dinner, or head up to the Taipei 101 Observation Deck for stunning nighttime views over the city.

Your travel time today is approximately 3 hours.

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast. With no activities planned for the day, you're free to leave the hotel any time after checkout. If you want to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.