Into Shadow of the Dragon | Eid Journey Across Taiwan

Incense-veiled temples of exquisite carvings and colours from the age of dynasties and emperors, pale-blue mountain ranges reflected on alpine-still lakes, gorges of sheer rock winding their way past forested peaks, towering cliffs, and raging rivers, sacred spaces in high places among Buddhist monasteries. In the shadow of the dragon, tiny Taiwan makes for gigantic adventure!

DAY 1 // HELLO TAIWAN
Arrival, immigration procedure, check in to the hotel. Remainder of the day free at leisure.

DAY 2 // TAIPEI CITY TOUR
After breakfast, we’ll head out for the day on a tour Taipei city. Highlights include the impressive Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall; the National Palace Museum where – 5,000 years of Chinese imperial art and impressive jade collections are exhibited; the Martyrs’ Shrine of traditional architecture; the changing of the Honour Guards at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall; the Xingtian Temple and a photo stop at The Grand Hotel. And we’ll even manage to squeeze in a 2–3-hour afternoon hike to Mt. Elephant, before heading back to the hotel for dinner.

DAY 3 // TAIPEI – SUN MOON LAKE
Today we rise early and head towards the Sun Moon Lake, located in the middle of Taiwan, in the country’s central mountainous region at 762 masl. Here we will visit the famous Wenwu Temple, also known as the Literature-Warrior Temple, dedicated to Confucius as the Master of the Pen and to Kuan Ti as the Master of the Sword...

DAY 4 // SUN MOON LAKE – FO GUANG SHAN MONASTERY – KAOHSIUNG
Today we start with an early morning hike of around 3 hours to Mt. Mao-Lan, on the way walking through tea farms as we ascend to the peak for breath taking panoramic views over the Sun Moon Lake and Taiwan’s central mountains. We then leave the Sun Moon Lake region for the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastery – the most famous, and sacred, place in all Southern Taiwan. And as we tour this incredible place, we will learn more about Buddhism from the monks and nuns who live here. And that’s not all for today, because our destination is Kaohsiung – Taiwan’s second largest city – and home to the Love River and Liuhe Night Market. Tonight, we sleep in a hotel in Kaohsiung.

DAY 5 // KAOHSIUNG – KENTING – CHIHPEN HOT SPRINGS AT TAITUNG
Our day starts with a morning tour of Taiwan’s famous Kenting National Park, located at the country’s southern tip, and home to 37 miles of coral-rimmed shoreline. Here we take 2hrs forest walk before jumping in our vehicles to see the rest of what the park has to offer – which includes a lighthouse. We then leave the park headed for Taitung, our destination – Chihpen, where we will spend the night and indulge in the natural hot springs at our hotel.

DAY 6 // TAITUNG – EAST COAST NATIONAL SCENIC AREA – HUALIEN
After breakfast we set out on a tour of Taiwan’s East Coast National Scenic Area aka Taiwan's last unspoiled land, which stretches 170 kms down the east coast of the island. Weathering, erosion, and accumulation have produced a variety of interesting and intriguing landforms here. And we will stop to take a closer look at many of them at various spots including Xiaoyeliu, Sanxiantai and Shitiping before 2 hrs hiking to the Baxian Cave. Afterwards we head to Hualien for the night.

DAY 7 // HUALIEN – TAROKO GORGE – QINGSHUI CLIFF – TAIPEI
After breakfast we head to the Taroko National Park, home to the Taroko Gorge, which is an exceptionally beautiful, narrow ravine created by the Liwu River that has uniquely cut deep into the mountains of solid marble. Travelling along a road carved into sheer walls of rock winding its way past forested peaks and cliffs towering thousands of feet above it, while hundreds of feet below the river roars past gigantic marble boulders – can you just imagine that sight! We’ll stop at the Taroko Gorge Gateway, 2 hrs hike the Shakadang or Lushui trail, visit the Swallow Grotto, cross the Cihmu Bridge, and explore the Changchun Temple. And that’s all before heading back to Taipei, with a stop at Qingshui Cliff along the way!

DAY 8 // GOODBYE TAIWAN

Grade: Easy - available for beginners

Activities: daily hiking (up to 3 hrs), boating, cultural immersion.

Accommodation & meals: 4 star hotels, double sharing. Meals excluded.

Cost: AED 5680 excl. flights until APR 15th.

Flights: direct on Emirates APR 21, EK-366 + APR 28, EK-367.

Visa: EU, USA, Canada, AUS + NZ, visa on arrival; GCC - evisa. Rest of passports consulate visa. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Taiwan

See yah in Taiwan x

Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 050 4848238 / info@trekkup.com