9-Nights Taiwan: Natural & Cultural Riches - Luxury Small Group Journeys from $12,995

Abercrombie & Kent

OFFER ID 1557194

Taiwan: Natural & Cultural Riches
Discover the rugged natural beauty and rich cultural history of the island nation of Taiwan, as you venture from the Qing Dynasty-era temples of Taipei to the lush forests, narrow gorges and alpine peaks of Taroko National Park, learn the intricacies of harvesting tea and meet an expert who explains Taiwan’s pivotal place in world politics.

9 nights from $12,995 per person

Itinerary

Abercrombie & Kent: Taiwan: Natural & Cultural Riches

DAY 1 Taipei, Taiwan

Arrive in Taipei, where you are met and transferred to yourhotel.

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei

Meals:

DAY 2 Taipei

Explore the city, starting at the National Palace Museum, viewing artifacts that span eight centuries. Visit the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine, and then stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed to Longshan Temple, dedicated to the Bodhisattva Guanyin, and enter the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial before a guided walk of Dihua Street, dotted with tea and tailor shops. This evening at your hotel, attend a welcome dinner highlighted by a talk on regional geopolitics by a local professor.

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 Yilan

Journey to Yilan County on Taiwan’s scenic northeast coast. Visit the local Kavalan whiskey distillery and taste a dram ortwo, and then partake in a hands-on Chef’s Table experience,learning the art of making Yilan’s famous scallion cakes, adelicious national tradition. After lunch at a local restaurant,journey to Taroko National Park, taking in coastallandscapes of rugged beauty en route. On arrival,check in to your hotel, where you dine tonight.

Silks Place Taroko

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 Taroko National Park

Explore Taroko National Park, home to the soaring, marble-walled Taroko Gorge, where you drive and walk amid magnificent vistas that evoke the images found in Chinese scroll work. Continue to Swallow Grotto, hiking to elegant shrines and glittering waterfalls, and experiencing an almost ethereal ambience. Enjoy lunch before visiting the visually stunning Tunnel of Nine Turns.

Silks Place Taroko

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5 Sun Moon Lake

Set out early for Sun Moon Lake, crossing the island’stowering central mountain range. Ascend through cloud andpine forests to Hehuanshan, savoring breathtaking alpineviews. Continue to Sun Moon Lake, set in a lush valley.After lunch at a local restaurant, check in to your hotel.This evening, enjoy a Scenic Sundowner, basking in thesurrounding grandeur.

The Lalu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 Sun Moon Lake

Explore the Sun Moon Lake area, ancestral home of theindigenous Thao people. Visit Wenwu Temple, and thenride a cable car up to an observation tower to marvel at thescenic panoramas. Next, view this beautiful setting by privateboat. Back on shore, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Ita Thao Cultural Village and gain insight into Thao culturaltraditions.

The Lalu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7 Tainan

After a relaxing morning, visit a tea plantation for lessons in planting tea, picking leaves and processing them, and sip a freshly made cup of this organic treasure. After lunch at a local restaurant, set out for Tainan, a historic city established by the Dutch East India Company as a lucrative hub for trade. Noted for its many temples, Tainan also offers a diverse culinary culture complete with bustling food markets. Tonight, discover this thriving scene on a guided visit to the city’s vibrant night market.

Shangri-La Far Eastern, Tainan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8 Tainan

Today, begin at the Anping Fort, a site central to historic events from the Qing Dynasty to World War II. Walk nearby streets, viewing time-worn stalls and shops, and admiring the architecture. Visit exquisitely preserved Shennong Street before time at your leisure for lunch. Tonight, dine at your hotel.

Shangri-La Far Eastern, Tainan

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 Taipei

Board a bullet train and ride like a local to Taipei, arriving in time for lunch. Explore the dazzling Taipei 101, the world’s tallest “green structure.” Also visit Huashan 1914 Creative Park, once a sake winery and today a dynamic cultural venue. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner.

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 Taipei

Transfer to the airport for your departing flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Featured Destinations

Sun Moon Lake

A favorite of Chiang Kai-shek, Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan, a man-made lake 50 mi/80 km southeast of Taichung, sits 2,500 ft/760 m above sea level near the center of Taiwan.

Though it's beautiful, don't go to Sun Moon Lake for peace and quiet: It's by far the Republic's most popular tourist destination (especially for honeymooners and wealthy Taiwanese who built lavish vacation homes there). At times, such as Chinese New Year, it is more crowded than attractions in Taipei.

You'll enjoy the drive to Sun Moon Lake. The spectacular jungle scenery on the way there gives new meaning to the word lush.

A disastrous earthquake struck the area during the early hours of 21 September 1999. More than 2,000 people lost their lives, many buildings were destroyed and the lake actually changed shape because of the tremendous forces. The shrine in the center of the lake sank by 5 ft/2 m.

Everything is back to normal, however. The buildings have been replaced by stronger structures (able to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake), and the damage to surrounding temples was repaired. The island in the center of the lake is now surrounded by pontoons.

Though the lake can be seen as a day-trip from Taichung, plan to overnight so you can begin your day with an early-morning stroll along the shoreline road. Expensive but worth the indulgence are the rooms at Chiang Kai-shek's former country retreat, now an upscale boutique-hotel. The lake is surrounded by pagodas and temples, including Huang-Tsang Temple and the Wen Wu Temple. Wen Wu is particularly nice—it has ornate architecture and unimpeded views of the lake.

Tours of the lake are by motorboat and usually include stops at an aboriginal village. This tour is quite commercialized, but if dressing up in traditional clothes and taking photos is your thing, you'll enjoy it, and it is free. There is a hard sell later on for the local produce. If you're staying at Sun Moon Lake, you can take day trips to Taichung or to the ancient city of Tainan.

Taroko National Park

Tainan

Taipei

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

03/07/2025 - 03/16/2025

from $12,995 per person

10/17/2025 - 10/26/2025

from $12,995 per person

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $12,995 per person

Length

9 Nights

Air City

Call for airfares from your city.

Vacation Rating

Luxury
The finest hotels in the world, luxury lodging is characterized by luxury accommodations, impeccable service and the highest standards of comfort and pampering. Luxury hotels and resorts are often found in the most desirable locations. Building from the amenities and guest services offered at a deluxe hotel or resort, the luxury establishment usually puts on the finishing touches - fresh flowers around the hotel and original works of art throughout. Hotel restaurants often employ world renowned chefs to create delectable dishes and a unique dining experience. Attention to detail and personalized service are the hallmarks of luxury hotels and resorts.

Remarks

Prices are per person, double occupancy and include internal air where applicable. Holiday surcharge may apply. Departure dates, prices and availability may change at any time. Some restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1557194

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Allara Travel

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