Meet your Chinese-speaking driver-guide at 9am (accommodation booked by you the previous night / or meet directly at the airport if you arrive in Taiwan this morning). Today, head north of Taipei, with Beitou and Yangmingshan National Park on the agenda.

Yangmingshan is Taiwan’s third largest national park. It boasts natural landscapes that change color with the seasons: fields of flowers in spring, snow-capped mountains in winter.

During your visit to the park, you will have the opportunity to visit places where traces of volcanic activity can be found, as well as the plains and hills of Qingtiangang and the flower fields of Zhuzihu. A hike will take you to the summit of the park’s highest mountain, the Seven Star Mountain (Qixingshan, 1120m).

Then head to Beitou, a district of Taipei located in a valley carved by a river that is the source of the region’s hot springs, and which are its main attractions. You can relax for 1 hour in a public bath (in your underwear!). Possibility of private or shared baths in a resort (in this case, at your expense – Around 20 EUR per person). Return to Taipei. Night at the Just Sleep Ximending 3*+ (or similar), ideally located in the lively district of the city.

We’ll leave the capital and head to the Jiufen area on Taiwan’s northeast coast. Teapot Mountain is an essential hike not to be missed during your stay in the region! It’s renowned for its unusual rock formations, striking coastal views, and impressive ridges. You’ll explore other hidden gems nearby and understand why these trails deserve a place on your Jiufen itinerary. Finally, we’ll continue to Jiufen, a former mining town clinging to the mountainside, whose atmosphere inspired the famous manga “Spirited Away.” It’s a veritable open-air market, where you can sample a multitude of specialties from all regions of Taiwan. Spend the night at Jiufen Guesthouse (or similar), a small, simple place.

Today, we head to Sheipa National Park. The drive takes about 2.5 hours, followed by a hike along the Qingquan Trail. Located on the way to Mount Dabajian, Qingquan is famous for its hot springs. The area boasts 400-meter-long suspension bridges spanning the Shangping River, the oldest and best-preserved in Wufeng County. Qingquan is also a popular tourist destination for its waterfalls and indigenous cultural sites. Overnight at Xueba Guanwu Villa (or similar).

Today, one of the island’s most beautiful trails awaits you, a fairly long but moderately challenging one: the Sheipa Zhenshan Trail. Allow 4-7 hours of walking time, depending on your ability. The Zhenshan Trail, in the Guanwu Forest Recreation Area, is a hidden gem offering peaceful mountain views. While Guanwu is renowned as the gateway to Dabajianshan and the Sacred Ridge, the Zhenshan section offers a gentler alternative, ideal for casual explorers. From the observation deck, hikers can admire breathtaking panoramas of the Snow Mountain range. Overnight at Xueba Guanwu Villa (or similar).

This morning we are on the Dalu Forest East Road Trail, a 21 km trail near Tai’an, Miaoli.

Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 8 hours to complete. This is a popular camping and hiking spot in Taiwan. You’ll inevitably encounter other hikers, but you can also enjoy some solitude during the quieter hours of the day. Overnight at Xueba Guanwu Villa (or similar).

This morning, we’ll take a short walk before heading to Alishan. Allow 1.5 hours for the hike along the Kuaishan Big Tree Trail. The trail winds along the northern slope of Huishan Mountain. You’ll have beautiful views of the Wuzhi and Egongji Mountains. The central section of the trail was reconstructed from an ancient timber transport route. Five-thousand-year-old red cypress trees belonging to the giant tree group stand in the heart of the forest. The path is surrounded by tall trees and lush vegetation. Then, we’ll head to the Alishan massif, which we’ll reach after a 4.5-hour drive.

Check into Our House (or similar), a stunning guesthouse set amidst the tea gardens.

Breakfast, and then we’re off to explore Alishan National Park. The Alishan Tashan Trail involves approximately 5 hours of walking. The trailhead is located near the magnificent Jiemei Lake. We’ll walk through a cypress forest to the summit of Mount Tashan, where you’ll have magnificent views of the Alishan Mountains, the peaks of Mount Jade, and the ridge of the Central Mountain Range in the distance. Overnight at Our House (or similar), overlooking the Sea of ​​Clouds.

Today, enjoy a well-deserved break, with some optional walks between mountains and tea fields. Close to your hotel are the Cherry Trail, the Eryanping Trail, and the Mist Trail. Overnight at Our House (or similar).

Breakfast, then head to Mount Yushan (Jade Mountain), a 1.5-hour drive away. The Yushan massif is known as the ridge of Taiwan. It is shaped like a dragon at rest. We will begin the hike at the Tataka starting point, following the Yushan Qianfeng trail. The Yushan mountain range is composed of eleven peaks: the main peak, the frontal peak, the east peak, the west peak, the south peak, the north peak, the north-north peak, Mount Lu, Mount Xiaonan East, Mount Xiaonan, and Mount Nanyu. Their arrangement forms a double cross, with Mount Jade (Yushan) in the center.

With the exception of the North-North Peak and Mount Xiaonan, they are all ranked among Taiwan’s 100 peaks. The main peak of Mount Jade is particularly coveted by local and international hiking enthusiasts. In total, the trail is 61 kilometers long and climbs up to 4,000 meters above sea level! We will hike part of it, spending the night in a hut at Paiyun Lodge (dormitory accommodation / equipment provided).

We wake up early in the morning in the midst of nature. We have breakfast and continue our hike through Mount Jade to reach its summit. We will cross Mount Linzhi, Mount Lulin, and Mount Lulin Front Peak. In the afternoon, it will be time to descend to pick up our vehicle. We return to Alishan. Overnight at Our House (or similar).

Last day in Alishan with the Tefuye Historical Trail! The ancient Tefuye Trail was originally a hunting trail opened by the indigenous Tsou people. Under Japanese rule, the Shuishan Railway was built for the transportation of timber. Many traces of these trails are still visible today.

The first part of the trail is gentler and lined with numerous Japanese cedar trees. The second part is steeper and passes through a virgin deciduous forest where the landscape changes with the seasons. The flora and fauna are rich here, making it an ideal place for birdwatching. In the afternoon, transfer by car (approximately a 4-hour drive) to your hotel in Shanlinxi, Nantou County. Check in and spend the night at the M Village Hotel (or similar).

This morning, we set off on the Jinganshushan trail for a 6-hour hike. Jin Gan Shu Mountain, also known as “Bengbitou Mountain,” is located on the ridge at the junction of Xinyi Township and Zhushan City in Nantou County. It ranks second among the “Four Pearls of Xitou” and is also the most popular mountain among the four pearls. It is the first peak in the Alishan mountain range. Most of the trails are lined with tall, dense fir forests. The perfect site for a forest immersion! The highlight of this route is crossing the Forget-Me-Not Forest. Return to the hotel, overnight at the M Village Hotel (or similar).

Today, we’ll tackle the Phoenix Mountain Trail, a hike that will last about 7 hours. The mountain gets its name from its shape, resembling a phoenix spreading its wings. Clouds and mist are often present, creating a mystical and relaxing atmosphere. In the center of the island, Phoenix Mountain, along with Luqu, Jinganshu, and Zhangkonglun Mountains, are known as the “Four Pearls of Xitou.” The ridge is composed of several peaks, undulating in a jagged shape. At the end of the day, return to the vehicle and drive to Sun Moon Lake. Check into your hotel, the 3-star LeaLea Hotel (or similar).

Breakfast and departure for the upper reaches of the lake to join the Shuishe Trail. The elevation gain on this hike can reach 1,300 meters, making it a challenging experience. Upon reaching the summit, hikers can admire Sun Moon Lake and the Central Mountain Range. You will walk through bamboo forests, lowland deciduous forests, and mixed coniferous and mid-altitude deciduous forests. The wildlife here is very rich (birds, insects, and other animals), making this trail a prime observation point. In the afternoon, we return to the vehicle for approximately a 4-hour drive back to Taipei. We arrive late in the capital. Check-in and overnight at the Just Sleep Ximending 3*+ Hotel (or similar). Overnight stay and breakfast tomorrow morning.

End of our services. We wish you a pleasant end to your stay in Taiwan!