TAIWAN: The best of Ilha Formosa (15 days)
1st day: flight to Taipei
Meeting at the airport, departure to Taipei.
2nd day: flight to Taipei – Taipei
Arrival to Taipei. Meeting with the guide, transfer to city centre, traditional Taiwanese welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Taipei.
3rd day: Taipei – Penghu
Breakfast. We start our Taipei city tour with the visit to the National Palace Museum. This museum has the most valuable collection of Chinese art in the world. We drive to Taipei 101 – between 2004 and 2010 the highest building in our planet. We will take an elevator up to one of the highest floors to enjoy city panorama. Drive to Longshan temple – one of the finest examples of old architecture. Early dinner. In the evening transfer to the airport* and short domestic flight to city of Magong located on Penghu Archipelago, sometimes called The best kept secret of Asia. Transfer to the hotel, overnight in city of Magong on Penghu Archipelago.
4th day: Penghu – Wangan and Chimei
After early breakfast we will be transferred to the harbour and take a ferry to the small islands of Wangan and Chimei located on Penghu Archipelago. We visit Centre of Protection of Sea Turtles, Grove of Seven Beauties and another picturesque places on the islands. After arrival back to Magong we drive to Penghu Islands Aquarium where we will see many species of fishes living in the sea next to the archipelago. We visit to the two old Buddhist temples and small village called Erkan famous for beautiful traditional architecture. Short walk on the streets of Erkan. Drive back to Magong. Dinner, overnight in Magong.
5th day: Penghu – Taizhong – Sun Moon Lake
After breakfast we will make a pleasant short walk on the streets of Magong called the capital of the archipelago. We visit old temple of the Matsu goodness and transfer group to the airport for a flight to the city of Taizhong located in the central part of Taiwan main island. After arrival transfer by bus to Sun Moon Lake scenic Area, which is one of the most picturesque places in Taiwan. Dinner, overnight on the bank of Sun Moon Lake.
6th day: Sun Moon Lake – boat trip on the lake – Itashao and Jiu-zhu Taiwanese Aborigines Cultural Village
Breakfast. Boat trip on Sun Moon Lake, which is the biggest lake in Taiwan. We see small island called Lalu and visit Buddhist temple. Visit to the small village of Itashao inhabited by Thao tribe (one of the indigenous ethnic groups of Taiwan). After walk on the bank of Sun Moon Lake we will take cable car to the Jiuzhu Taiwanese Aborigines Cultural Village – unique living museum focused on preserving unique traditions of the indigenous people of Taiwan. Short music and dance show and visit to the traditional houses typical for different groups of Taiwanese Aborigines. Dinner in a typical Taiwan Aborigines restaurant. Overnight in hotel on the bank of Sun Moon Lake.
7th day: Sun Moon Lake – Alishan
Breakfast. Transfer to the area of Yushan – the highest mountain of Taiwan and East Asia (altitude: 3952 m above sea level). Admiring the scenic views we ride to a height of over 3,000 meters above sea level and then to small village of Alishan. Walk through the park, where you can admire the magnificent specimens of Taiwanese endemic cypress trees. Historic narrow-gauge train ride. Dinner, back to the hotel and overnight stay in Alishan.
8th day: Alishan – Tainan – Kaohsiung – Kenting National Park
Breakfast. We drive through the picturesque slopes of the tea plantations to the South. We reach the city of Tainan, the old capital of Taiwan. Visit to the Chihkan towers build by Dutch colonizers, 17th century temple dedicated to the god of war and magnificent Confucius temple. Drive south to Kaohsiung – one of the largest cities of the island and then to Kenting – the oldest national park on the island. Dinner and overnight in Kenting.
9th day: Kenting National Park
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour across Kenting National Park area: rainforest, the most beautiful beach in the area – a few hours of free time to relax on the beach, optional water sports (diving or snorkeling). Dinner at the restaurant on the beach. In the evening return to the hotel, visit the local night market. Overnight in Kenting.
10th day: Kenting National Park – Ludao (Green Island)
Breakfast. Drive to the east coast of Taiwan. We take a ferry to Ludao (Green Island). Ludao is entirely covered by tropical rainforest. The local attraction is the salt-water hot springs, one of only three in the world. The tour of the island: picturesque cliffs, rock formation called the Little Great Wall, rock of the Confucius, located in a cave temple Guanyin, interesting exhibition in the former prison were sent to the opponents of the regime of Taiwanese dictator Chiang Kai-shek were sent. The picturesque lighthouse (only from the outside). In the evening relax in the salt-water hot springs. Dinner. Overnight on Ludao (Green Island).
11th day: Ludao (Green Island) – Walami Trail – Hualien
Breakfast. Transfer by ferry and train to Yuli, about 4 hours tropical rain-forest mountain trekking on the beautiful Walami Trail. This trail is one of the most beautiful in whole island. Train ride to Hualien, dinner. Overnight in Hualien.
12th day: Hualien – Taroko National Park
Breakfast at the hotel. About 1 hour bus transfer to the Taroko National Park, considered to be the most beautiful place in Taiwan. The name Taroko means magnificent and beautiful in the language of Truku tribe inhabited this area. Half day tour in Taroko National Park. Dinner and overnight at the hotel owned by family of Taiwanese aborigines.
13th day: Taroko National Park
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day Taroko National Park tour. We will visit for example Tunnel of Nine Turns, Eternal Spring Shrine, Swallow Grotto, Tiansiang. Dinner and overnight in Taroko in a hotel owned by family of Taiwanese aborigines.
14th day: Taroko National Park – Taipei – Beitou hot springs
Breakfast. Transfer to Taipei. Visit to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, we will see the ceremonial changing of the guard in front of the statue of Chiang Kai-shek. Transfer to the mountain resort located in Beitou, fa-mous for its hot springs. A visit to the valley geothermal Dire and to the historic buildings and bath. Thermal baths and relax in the hot springs. Dinner, transfer to the airport*, departure to your destination.
15th day: Flight back
Arrival to your destination.
* You can stay in Taipei for few more days and visit more! The most in-teresting places, we may recommend you are:
– Wulai – small mountain village inhabited by Taiwanese Aborigines, with hot springs, cable car (1 day trip),
– Yeliu Geopark with fantastic rock formations of the rocks and Keelung night market famous for seafood (half day trip),
– Maokong gondola with tea plantations (half day trip),
– discover villages located on Pingxi rail line: Pinxi (especially during Lantern festival: in February or March), Ruifang (with Gold Museum and old mine) and Shifen with famous waterfalls (1 or 2 days trip),
– explore more parts of Taipei: discover unique food, shopping and culture!
People interested in Taiwanese Aborigines culture may also visit Lanyu (Orchid Island) – an island next to Ludao (Green Island). If you would like to add Lanyu to your schedule you need at least 2 days.
PRICE INCLUDES:
* travel by chartered or public bus, minivan or taxi, trains, all transfers,
* domestic flight tickets in Taiwan: Taipei – Magong and Magong – Taizhong,
* Accommodation in a tourist class hotels in a double/twin rooms (with an attached bathroom),
* 2 meals per a day: breakfast and dinner,
* Professional English and Mandarin Chinese speaking guide in Taiwan (also another languages speaking guides are available on your request).
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
* International flight to / from Taipei,
* Entrance tickets: approx. 100 USD.
This is only sample of our offer. Any detail such as duration of the trip, standard of the accommodation and meal plan might be changed according to your preference. We will prepare a tailor made offer for you!