Taiwan Eco-Cultural Tour

Pickup at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. Arrive at hotel. After freshening up dine out in Taipei city (this may include a stroll in Yongkang Street, depending on the time remaining). Overnight in Taipei.

After breakfast, we head north for Yehliu Geopark, which is home to numerous world-renowned geological formations, such as the Queen’s Head, Sea Candles, and Ice cream Rock. Lunch will be served at nearby town - Jinshan Old Street, a marketplace since the Qing Dynasty. After lunch, another hour of ride brings us to Juming Museum. It is blended with the natural landscape. The enthralling works of the artist, Ju Ming, are exhibited both indoors and outdoors. Then, we will return to the hotel via Yangmingshan National Park. Overnight in Taipei.

We have our breakfast at the hotel, Today, we will take THSR (Taiwan High Speed Rail) to Chiayi. Pick up and drive to Alishan. Making a short stop at Chukou Visitor Center, where we can have a grasp of the ecology and culture of the Great Alishan region, we coast about 2 hours along the mountain scenic road to the entrance, which is about 2200 meters ASL (above sea level). After lunch, we will take a guided walk in the Giant Tree Plank Trail and witness the magnificent Xianglin Shenmu (literally translates to “divine tree”). We will come back to the hotel by taking the unique high mountain train to Alishan Station, where we take the  courtesy bus back to hotel. Have dinner at hotel. Overnight in Alishan.

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Getting up early morning (normally 2 hours before the sunrise), we take the Sunrise Viewing Train and get off at Zhushan Station (the top of Taiwan railway, 2451 meters elevated). Walking for 10 minutes to Xiaoliyuan Mountain sunrise viewing platform, we are able to view the wondrous sunrise over Mt. Jade. Xiaoliyuan Mountain viewing platform boasts its 360-degree panoramic view, making it a perfect spot for viewing not only sunrise, but also, if weather permits, the landscape of ridge mountain, including Jade Mountains (3998 M), Taiwan’s highest mountain, Alishan Range, and Tashan, the sacred mountain of the Tsou tribe. At Xiaoliyuan, we’ll have breakfast featuring Alishan’s select tea, a timely warmth for our hungry stomach. Afterwards, we hike down the trail to our hotel and check out, then ride about 1 hour to Dabang, a village of the Tsou tribe (indigenous people in Taiwan). We will savor the traditional Tsou-styled lunch at Dabang. In the afternoon, led by a local guide, we will visit two of the largest Tsou settlements, Dabang (tapangu) and Tefuye, and drop in their Kuba – Tsou’s tradition meeting location. Then we will leave for another Tsou village, Leye Village. Have dinner at a local hostel. Overnight in Leye.

After breakfast, led by a local guide, we can relish the tea farm scenery and have fun playing coffee DIY, in which we knuckle down to the procedure of roasting, grinding, and brewing, all with our own hands. After lunch in the village, we will be heading south to Hengchun, located in tropical Taiwan. Greeted by the rural scenery, we will stop by a few rest & service areas in the 4~5-hour ride on the highway. Staying in the hotel/hostels in Kenting, we are free to take a stroll on the beach, or down the Kenting Street for souvenirs. Have dinner at hotel. Overnight in Kenting.

After breakfast at the hotel/hostel, we head for Sheding Nature Park, which has long been dedicated to eco-tourism and is currently a focal conservation area for Formosan sika deer. With the guidance of our eco-tour specialist, we will be walking through the woods of Taiwan ebony, looking for traces left behind by the critically endangered species and speculate on the relics of the Paiwan settlements, one of Taiwan’s indigenous tribes. After lunch, we head for Kenting Forest Recreation Area, which features its uplifted coral reefs and karst caves. Following our eco-tour specialist, be ready to be surprised by the stalactites and stalagmites, and the diversity of tropical flora. They are sure to leave you a unique impression of the tropical ecology. Overnight in Kenting.

Things to be Followed: 

• An eco-tour is a responsible method of tourism. Please care about the earth, protect the environment and uphold the spirit of eco-tourism. Please minimize the use of disposable goods. No disposable consumables or bottled water will be provided.Please bring your own handkerchief, water bottle, reusable chopsticks, toiletries (towels, toothbrush and toothpaste), slippers, and reusable rain gear.
   
• Please wear outdoor clothing (long trousers) and shoes. Please bring your own medicines, health insurance card, identity card, sunglasses, changing clothes, sun hat (essential), torch light (essential), rain gear (essential),anti-mosquito gear, and motion sickness pills. You might also want to bring telescopes and cameras. For activities in the wild, please do not wear slippers or sandals. Smokers, please smoke in places where there are no other people or where there is less wind. Please bring your own cigarette box for cigarette ends and do not litter. Umbrellas are recommended for the rain and the sun while being well ventilated at the same time.
   
• The northeast monsoon wind is especially strong in winter.Wind-proof, warm clothing and hats are recommended.
   
• When going on a night tour, please do not use flash to take pictures of one animal more than five times for each tour group. Please do not grab the animal or the plant unless necessary.
   
• Our tours involve a lot of walking and they take a lot of energy. Please consider your own physical condition before signing up. Please also read the precautions for the tour. For special symptoms or needs, please inform the organizer before the tour to ensure your own safety in participating the tour.
   
• Please join the tour with respect and love for the nature. Follow the instruction of the tour guides and enjoy the tranquility of the mountain.

After breakfast at the hotel/hostel, and after check-out, we leave for Longluantan Natural Center for birding. Having been a stronghold of irrigation water and fishery, it is rich in biodiversity, and home to many local birds and winter visitors. Then we will head north and stop at Dunggang, one of Taiwan’s biggest fishing harbors, where we relish the seafood for lunch. We will then go to THSR Zuoying Station and transfer to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, thereby closing our 7-day odyssey.