Explore Taiwan
Explore Taiwan
Explore Taiwan
11 Days Starting and ending in Taipei
Visiting: Taipei, Hualien, Yilan, Sun Moon Lake, Taichung
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CJSA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Physical rating:
Medium, Medium
Age range:
15-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
From:
$3305
$2809 (USD)
Operator discount: -$496
-15%
Tour Overview
Discover a glittering coastline, lush green landscapes and tranquil temples on this 11-day adventure through tantalising Taiwan. Squeeze between food stalls and medicine pedlars in narrow alleyways, get behind-the-scenes glimpses (and a hands-on experience) in local industries and taste some of the most innovative dishes in Asia, from oyster omelettes to taro balls. Then, travel to the misty mountains and rugged coastal forests that have captured the attention of so many international powers throughout history and learn why Taiwan earned the nickname ‘the beautiful island’.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Taipei
Location: Taipei
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to Taipei! Your adventure begins in the densely populated and beautifully located capital of Taiwan. You can arrive at any time today, as there are no activities planned until a welcome meeting at 6 pm. With the formalities out of the way, head out for an optional dinner with your fellow group members this evening. If you arrive with time to spare, perhaps visit the hot springs at Yangmingshan National Park.
Day 2: Taipei
Location: Taipei
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Explore Taipei this morning by foot and by the excellent metro system. With your local leader, you’ll stroll through Dihua Street – the oldest street in Taipei – to get a sense of the city’s merchant past and to see how young entrepreneurs are revitalising the area. You’ll pass by traditional Fujian-style Qing Dynasty homes, Baroque and modernist architecture from the Japanese colonial occupation, and 100-year-old businesses still in operation, alongside modern cafes and craft shops – representing the different phases of Taipei’s history. Continue to the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall – an impressive dedication to the former president of the Republic of China. Then, you’ll have free time for the rest of the day and night. Maybe head to the Shilin Night Market for dinner tonight.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Hualien
Location: Hualien
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Visit the National Palace Museum – home to the world’s largest collection of Chinese art. After, leave Taipei behind and head to Hualien – best known for it’s natural surroundings, including the rift valley plain and a rocky seashore that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. On the way, stop in at Qixingtan for a stroll along the promenade and some fresh ocean air. Continue to Hualien and when you arrive, head out for an orientation walk. Tonight, you’ll explore the night markets on a street food crawl with your group, trying some local specialties like coffin bread (fluffy French toast with fillings), exploding chicken rolls, spring onion pancakes and oyster omelettes. Hualien has the largest Indigenous population in Taiwan, so you can also find traditional specialties like bamboo rice, wild boar, and flying fish.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Hualien
Location: Hualien
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Visit the Qingshui Cliff today – a long stretch of coast that drops almost vertically into the sea. After taking in the view, continue your journey to Taroko National Park (named after the epic Taroko Gorge). Witness the natural beauty, winding turquoise river and high cliffs of the gorge and then set out along the Shakadang Trail, which follows an aqua stream to a Truku village. Entry to the village isn’t permitted, but if you’re lucky, you might see the small market outside, which sells Indigenous foods and handicrafts. After a two-hour hike, you’ll have the chance to explore one of the park’s other trails. Your leader can advise on which one is right for you, depending on energy levels and desires. Later, return to Hualien and enjoy free time to relax, or maybe grab a foot reflexology massage to truly unwind after a tiring day.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Yilan
Location: Yilan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Today, you’ll make your way to Yilan, stopping at Leshui along the way. Here, visit the Indigenous Atayal tribe – only 2.5% of the Taiwanese population are identified as Indigenous, and the Atayal people are one of the 16 main groups. Soak up the rare opportunity to connect with their community and learn about the cultural significance of their tribal costume and face tattoos. Try your hand at making the local bamboo rice and then enjoy the fruits of your labour as part of the hearty, home-cooked lunch with the locals. Using local ingredients, you’ll be treated to a showcase of delicious Indigenous flavours. Then head into the forest with a local who will demonstrate their traditional hunting and trap-setting tricks. Say goodbye to your gracious hosts and carry on to Yilan, where your evening is free.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Yilan
Location: Yilan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Visit a spring onion farm this morning to see how one of Taiwan’s favourite ingredients is grown. Pop on a pair of gum boots and get grubby in the fields, trying your hand at produce picking. Then, learn how to cook the spring onions in the beloved snack of Taiwanese pancakes. Enjoy the product of your success and then kick back with a free afternoon. You might like to head to a local hot spring and indulge in a relaxing soak (or stay close to home and choose to try out the hotel’s hot spring instead). Tonight, maybe ask your trip leader where the best spot for a local feed is and head out with your fellow travellers.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Sun Moon Lake
Location: Sun Moon Lake
Accommodation: Guest house
Meals Included: breaksfast
Take a private bus to Sun Moon Lake this morning – one of the most iconic destinations in Taiwan. On the way, visit the Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Puli. Though it was built just 20 years ago, the unique combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles makes it an impressive sight. Here, you’ll take a guided tour with one of the resident nuns or a guide and learn the secrets and history of the monastery. Continue to Sun Moon Lake, arriving in the afternoon. This is the only natural lake in Taiwan and is named for the shapes that its outline forms. This is a gorgeous destination, so make sure you’ve got your camera handy! Tonight, return to Puli and relax in your guesthouse for the night.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Sun Moon Lake
Location: Sun Moon Lake
Accommodation: Guest House
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, hop in a private vehicle headed for the Hugosum Tea Farm. Here, you’ll gain an insight into the production of Taiwan’s beloved black tea and have the opportunity to roll your own leaves, which will then be dried and packaged so you can take a taste of Taiwan home with you. Then head back to Sun Moon Lake and walk through the forested foothills of the mountains around Sun Moon Lake, along the Ci'en Pagoda Trail. At the trail's end, you can climb to the top of the 46-m-high pagoda and take in the sweeping views. Keep the active energy going on a cycling adventure along some scenic paths on the lake’s shores. The evening is yours to spend.
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Taichung
Location: Taichung
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today, head to the flat and fertile land of Changhua County, sometimes known as the ‘breadbasket’ of Taiwan. Visit Longshan Temple and explore the beautiful gardens on site. Continue to the fishing village of Fangyuan, where you’ll have the chance to go clam picking and discover water birds, fiddler crabs and mudskippers. There will also be the chance to sample local seafood like clams, crabs and oysters. In the afternoon, travel to Taichung and enjoy an free evening.
Included Activities:
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Day 10: Taipei
Location: Taipei
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Before returning to Taipei, stop at the Rainbow Village and learn the story behind the incredible murals that cover every inch of the town. If you’re lucky, you may just catch the artist Huang Yung-Fu (who is 96 years old, and counting!) sitting outside his house and enjoying some sunshine. Return to Taipei, arriving around midday. Your afternoon and evening are free to explore the city at your leisure. Maybe meet back up with your leader and group for an optional dinner or visit the Taipei 101 Observation Deck for a magnificent view over the city at night.
Included Activities:
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Day 11: Taipei
Location: Taipei
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. No activities are planned for the day, and you're free to leave the hotel any time after checkout. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.
What's Included
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Taichung - Rainbow Village
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Taipei - Dihua Street walk
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Taipei - Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
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Hualien - Night Market
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Taipei - Sweet Potato Mama Urban Adventure
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Taroko Gorge - scenic hike
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Hualien - Qingshui Cliff
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Yilan - Spring onion farm & cooking demostration
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Hualien - Danong Dafu Forest Park
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Yilan - Whisky distillery
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Accommodation
- OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
- TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS
- Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on a different Intrepid trip than your own.
- CHECK-IN TIME
- Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
- PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
- If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
Transport
- Private Bus , Metro , Public Bus , Bike
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
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, except Day 7&8, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No
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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.
There are a number of opportunities for hiking and cycling on this trip. While these are not strenuous, they do require a good overall level of fitness. -
Are international flights included in this tour?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
2024 Sep
2024 Oct
2024 Nov
2024 Dec
2024 Feb
2025 Mar
2025 Apr
2025 May
2025 Jun
2025 Sep
2025 Oct
2025 Nov
2025 Dec
2025
Thursday - Sunday
Jun 13, 2024 - Jun 23, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Jun 27, 2024 - Jul 07, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Sep 12, 2024 - Sep 22, 2024Saturday - Tuesday
Sep 14, 2024 - Sep 24, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Sep 19, 2024 - Sep 29, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Sep 26, 2024 - Oct 06, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Oct 03, 2024 - Oct 13, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Oct 17, 2024 - Oct 27, 2024Saturday - Tuesday
Oct 19, 2024 - Oct 29, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Oct 24, 2024 - Nov 03, 2024Saturday - Tuesday
Oct 26, 2024 - Nov 05, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Oct 31, 2024 - Nov 10, 2024Monday - Thursday
Nov 04, 2024 - Nov 14, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Nov 07, 2024 - Nov 17, 2024Monday - Thursday
Nov 11, 2024 - Nov 21, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Nov 14, 2024 - Nov 24, 2024Monday - Thursday
Nov 18, 2024 - Nov 28, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Nov 21, 2024 - Dec 01, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Nov 28, 2024 - Dec 08, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Dec 12, 2024 - Dec 22, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Feb 06, 2025 - Feb 16, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Mar 06, 2025 - Mar 16, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Mar 13, 2025 - Mar 23, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Mar 20, 2025 - Mar 30, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Apr 10, 2025 - Apr 20, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Apr 17, 2025 - Apr 27, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Apr 24, 2025 - May 04, 2025Thursday - Sunday
May 01, 2025 - May 11, 2025Thursday - Sunday
May 15, 2025 - May 25, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Jun 12, 2025 - Jun 22, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Jun 26, 2025 - Jul 06, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Sep 04, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Sep 11, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Sep 18, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Sep 25, 2025 - Oct 05, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Oct 16, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Oct 23, 2025 - Nov 02, 2025Saturday - Tuesday
Oct 25, 2025 - Nov 04, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Oct 30, 2025 - Nov 09, 2025Saturday - Tuesday
Nov 01, 2025 - Nov 11, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Nov 06, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Nov 13, 2025 - Nov 23, 2025Saturday - Tuesday
Nov 15, 2025 - Nov 25, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Nov 20, 2025 - Nov 30, 2025Saturday - Tuesday
Nov 22, 2025 - Dec 02, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Nov 27, 2025 - Dec 07, 2025Thursday - Sunday
Dec 11, 2025 - Dec 21, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details. -
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