Presentation of the “Taiwan Essentials (9 days)” tour.
This personalized, customized tour can be tailored to your needs and the desired duration of your trip. We have chosen not to include the capital, Taipei, in this program to accommodate travelers who also want to maintain a degree of freedom and better control over their budget. We therefore only accompany you on the touring portion.
Of course, organizing your stay in Taipei is also possible if you wish – please contact us.
Daily program: Taiwan Essentials
Day 1: Taipei - Lukang - Sun Moon Lake
Meet your English-speaking (or French-speaking, depending on your budget) driver-guide at your hotel reception at 8:00 a.m. (accommodation in Taipei booked by you / Location to be reconfirmed). We will leave the capital, heading south towards Sun Moon Lake, via the coastal road. We will make a stop in Lukang. Lukang has the most beautiful temples in Taiwan, such as those of Longshan and Matsu, the goddess of the sea feared and respected by sailors from China and Taiwan. Its temples offer unique architecture, unmatched on the island, and are clearly worth a visit. The streets of the old town are pleasant to explore on foot. The points of interest are generally surrounded by traditional pedestrian streets with many shops and small restaurants where you can enjoy seafood and other steamed buns filled with vegetables and/or meat (lunch at your own expense). Continue to Nantou. Group cruise on the lake, then a short bike tour (45 minutes round trip). Overnight at Sun Moon Lake, at the 3*+ LeaLea Hotel (or similar).
Day 2: Sun Moon Lake – Alishan / Fenchichu (B)
Breakfast, visit the Wenwu Taoist Temple, before heading to Alishan, a county renowned for its forest landscapes, its century-old train, and its tea. Pass through the village of Fenchichu, its old streets and stalls; this is where you’ll find the most famous (and also the best) bento on the island, which you can try for lunch (at your own expense)! You’ll board the Alishan train, one of the last three high-altitude trains in the world. Tea tasting. Overnight at Our House (or similar), surrounded by tea gardens, with a 360° view of the valley and the sea of clouds.
Day 3: Alishan – Tainan (B)
This morning, breakfast, and to start the day off right, a short hike in the forest among thousand-year-old cypress trees. Then head to the unmissable ancient capital of Taiwan, for a historical, cultural and culinary discovery of the island. You will visit some major sites, but above all, take the time to lose yourself in the maze of dead ends and alleys that give Tainan’s city center an undeniable old-world charm. Here, take the time to live, savor a tea in a vintage cafe while observing picturesque street scenes. This afternoon we will attend the Taiwan Drum Concert, a traditional and historical art of Chinese culture. Free dinner and overnight at the FX Hotel 3* (or similar). We strongly recommend venturing into one of the alleys dedicated to street food or to one of the famous night markets in an incredible local atmosphere of scents, flavors and bustle, where you can improvise some snacks in this city renowned for its culinary specialties. Your guide will be able to advise you.
Day 4 : Tainan (B)
Breakfast, then we will take you through the ancient alleys of Tainan, and to discover the Koxinga Temple, the Confucius Temple, Fort Provintia or Fort Anping, before finishing with a little shopping in the unmissable Hayashi Department Store with its art deco facade dating from 1932 during the Japanese colonial era. It is the oldest shopping center in Taiwan. End of the day free to spend time at your own pace and enjoy the picturesque atmosphere that emanates from Tainan. Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the FX Hotel 3* (or similar).
Day 5 : Tainan - Kaohsiung (B)
Breakfast, then head to Kaohsiung. Kaohsiung is the large port city in the south of the island. Discover the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan: Fo Guan Shan Monastery (closed on Tuesdays). There you will find a giant golden statue of Buddha, 120 meters high. You will continue your visit to Lotus Lake, with its profusion of temples and pavilions bordering the lake. On the southern shore of the pond are the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, two twin towers built on 7 floors. If the weather permits, you can visit the Art Pier Center, a former warehouse district with outdoor sculptures, shops, cafes and galleries offering temporary exhibitions (admission at your own expense), all in a local atmosphere that can be very pleasant in the evening!
Then you will end your day with a walk along the Love River which runs through the center of Kaohsiung city, with its green spaces and places of relaxation appreciated by lovers at sunset, in a very romantic atmosphere. Free dinner and night at the Wo Hotel 3* (or similar).
Day 6 : Kaohsiung - Kenting - Cap Maobitou - Taitung (B)
Breakfast, then head to the east coast of Taiwan. You’ll reach the Taitung region. You’ll follow the southern shores and pass through Kenting National Park, famous for Cape Maobitou, which is one of the southernmost points on the island of Taiwan. Continue to Longpan National Park and its lighthouse at the southern tip of Taiwan. Arrive in Taitung at the end of the day. Dinner on your own and check in outside the city at the 3-star Hoya Resort Hotel (or similar). Your hotel has natural hot springs with baths, for a relaxing evening (access may be payable locally)!
Day 7: Taitung, between sea and mountains – Mr Brown – Hualien (B)
Breakfast, and departure to explore Taitung and its surrounding region. You can hike in the hills above the city, with beautiful views of the sea, such as those offered by the Dawu Sea View Trail, or the Liyu Mountain Trail with its centuries-old banyan trees. Drive to the north of the region along its spectacular coastal road bordering the Dulan National Forest. Stop at the Xiaoyehliu site, where picturesque sandstone rock formations plunge into the sea. Pass by Dongshan Mr. Brown Avenue, a site crisscrossed by country roads winding through lush, green rice paddies popular with walkers and cyclists. Drive to Hualien for your overnight stay. Late arrival.
Overnight at the Park City Hotel 3* (or similar).
Day 8: Hualien - Taroko National Park - Taipei (B)
Breakfast, and a 40-minute drive will take us to the Taroko Natural Park, where you can walk along the trails of the Swallow Cave and Shakadang, among others. A rejuvenating day in nature at the end of your stay! In the late afternoon, we will return to Taipei via the Yilan region and the cliff road, which offers breathtaking views. If night has not yet fallen, we will stop at the Qingshui Lookout overlooking the China Sea. Arrival in Taipei (accommodation in Taipei booked by you / location to be reconfirmed).
Day 9: Taipei – Shifen – Yehliu – Jiufen – Taipei (B)
Breakfast, and we’ll set off to discover the gems of the island’s northeast coast. We’ll certainly start with the Shifen Waterfalls; it’s the widest and most spectacular waterfall on the entire island! We’ll then paint our wishes on a Chinese lantern that we’ll launch from the rails of the old town. Free lunch in the fishing village of Guihou, before heading to the Yehliu Geological Park, with its impressive rock formations created by erosion and other natural forces. Among the rocks, the Queen’s Head is one of the most famous! But beyond this very touristy spot, take the time to wander further onto the peninsula. Venture to the highest point and its magnificent view of the ocean and cliffs.
We will end this day with a visit to Jiufen, a former mining town perched on the mountainside, whose atmosphere inspired the famous manga “Spirited Away.” Today it is a veritable open-air market. Return to Taipei. Check into your hotel (accommodation in Taipei booked by you / Location to be reconfirmed). End of the services of your English-speaking (or French-speaking) guide-driver.
End of our services. Our teams wish you a pleasant end to your stay in Taipei!
