5D/4N: Mountains Crossing
5 days and 4 nights to explore one of the most beautiful and famous landscapes of Taiwan.
Enjoy this tour with our licensed English-speaking guide and private van (max 8 seats).
⇒ From Taipei and Taichung, for other cities, meeting point will be in Chiayi train station.
⇒English-speaking licensed guide / driver.
說明 Introduction
Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park was established on November 28, 1986, it was established to protect the natural scenery, historic relics and wildlife, to conserve natural resources, and to facilitate scientific research and promote environmental education.
Sun Moon Lake
Divided by Lalu Island, the Sun Moon Lake scenic area got its name from the unique terrains that look like sun on one side and crescent moon on the other. Crowned as one of the Eight Wonders of Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake is also the most famous source of hydroelectric power; offering key tourist themes - “high mountain and lake”, “indigenous culture”, and ”nature and ecology,” the Sun Moon Lake Scenic Area attracts more than six million visitors each year.
Alishan Scenic Area
The Alishan National Scenic Area was established in July 2001 and is blessed with bountiful natural resources, such as sunrise views, a sea of clouds and old forests. For years, Alishan has been famous for its historical forest railway and indigenous tribes. Relax and immerse in its charm. We are sure you will be pleasantly surprised!
Qingjing Farm or Cingjing Farm
Cingjing Farm is a group of farms located at Ren'ai Town in Nantou County. It offers exquisite scenes all four seasons of the year, each with its own unique charatheristics. Famous for the sheep and the beautiful green meadow, Cingjing also offers eight main hiking routes:
► The Sakura Trail, 500 meters long, is the best to visit during February because of the blooming cherry trees.
► The Tea Garden Trail, 500 meters long, oversees the tea gardens.
► The Jade Lake Trail, 2300 meters long, with tea farms and lakes along the way is a relaxing hiking trail.
► The Mountain View Route, 500 meters long, begins from the cattle center where close up interaction with the animals is the greatest feature.
► The Willow Route, 750 meters long, is a trail which cuts through the woods, it is the best route for a walk in the forest.
► The Sunset Route, 1000 meters long, is the best location for sunset scenery.
► The Staircase Route, 1800 meters long, is literally a trail of stairs.
► The Marguerite Route, 600 meters lomg, is the most popular among all eight routes, with white Marguerite daises blooming along the trail, very exotic. Here you can fully savor the sweet tranquility of the high-mountain countryside.
Hualien
Splendid landscapes enrich the pure beauty of nature in Hualien.
In recent years, many agricultural areas have been transformed into tourist farms.
Indigenous ceremonies are being open to public, and farming and fishing villages are welcoming people to come experience their organic lifestyle.
Hualien has become more dynamic than ever and is sure to surprise you every time you visit.
Itinerary
The first day, you will have a meeting with your Chinese/English speaking guide/driver at the Chiayi train station. Afterwards, transfer to Alishan.
On the way to Alishan, stop in some beautiful viewpoints and at the Elephant Mountain National Scenic area to learn about tea culture and magnificent view. Your guide will also suggest some stops along the road; there are several train stations with small villages and old street markets as well as stunning plantations tea.
Lunch on the way (not included in the quotation). Your tour guide will suggest some places on the way.
Dinner free (not included).
Early in the morning, you will take the Alishan Mountain Railway to Zhushan Station and witness one of the famous sunrises. (Tickets not included, please pay for your guide)
With the guide you will then have a walk at the Alishan Forest Recreation Area and meet the thousands year old Taiwan cypress tree. (Those who cannot walk much can take the train back).
Back to the hotel and breakfast. After breakfast, transfer by private van to Sun Moon Lake, stop at several spots learning about the mountain culture in Taiwan.
Check in at the hotel and later take a boat ride to Xuanguang Temple or do cycling around the top ten cycling route chosen by CNN or take the Gondola to the top of the hill and enjoy the magnificent view. (No tickets are included, to be paid also for the guide, we will choose to do the activities according to the arrival time. Some of them will be done in the next morning).
Dinner free or Relish traditional indigenous cuisine at Ita Thao Village dinner ON REQUEST (not included).
After breakfast, time to visit Sun Moon Lake!
Take a boat ride to Ita Thao Wharf to Xuanguang Temple or cycling around one of the top ten cycling route in the world or take the Gondola to the top of the hill and enjoy the magnificent view.
Lunch in Sun Moon lake (not included).
In the afternoon transfer by private van to Cingjing.
Dinner in Cingjing (not included).
Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning (around 7am), meeting at the lobby with your guide/driver and transfer to Hualien. Crossing the Central Mountain Range on the Central Cross-Island highway and enjoy the wondrous high mountain scenery. Pass by the Bilu Sacred Tree and drive to the highest point of Taiwan's highway: Wuling, 3.275 meters above the sea level.
After breakfast, meeting with the Chinese/English speaking guide at the hotel.
Suggestion: Visit Taroko Gorge National Park: marble canyons, the eternal Spring Shrine and the Swallow Grotto trail till the Bayang Waterfall through the Water Curtain Tunnel (itinerary might change according to the weather).
In the afternoon back to Chiayi train station.
END OF SERVICES
注意事項 Notes
Optional for this tour: the Aboriginal Cooking Class in Hualien: Get to know special knowledge about the local, aboriginal culture, cook like an aborignal and afterwards enjoy your self prepared dishes!
Price includes:
► Accommodation: 4 nights stay at local 3-star or B&B with breakfast;
► Licensed English-speaking tour guide;
► Transportation: private van (max 8 persons) or private car (max 3 persons);
► Alishan Parking fees;
► Insurance
Extra fees to be paid in Alishan:
Alishan Entrance Fees per person : TWD 330 (no need to be paid for the guide/driver)
- Round trip Alishan trains tickets per person:
► Chushan Line: Single-Adult NT$150
► Shenmu Line: Single-Adult NT$100
► Zhaoping Line: Single-Adult NT$100
(Please note: Train ticket in Alishan need to be bought for the guide as well)
Sun Moon Lake activities:
► Renting bike from 150TWD
► Sun Moon lake Ropeway: TWD 300 per person
Optional activities in Sun Moon Lake: (not included in the quotation)
► Cycle round one of the best bike paths in the world: It is about 30 km with hills and will take 3-4 hours with stops at few of the attractions along the way. A local guide will follow you and show the paths.
► Cable car overlooking the lake: On a good day you can enjoy a stunning views of the lake with the trip taking about 7 minutes each way, however in peak times the wait can be hours;
► Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village;
► Boat tour (Shueishe, Ita Thao and Xuanguang Temple piers)
► Carton King, where everything from utensils to furniture are made from carton boxes.
► Visit Ita Thao: is the origin of Thao people; it is believed that their ancestors, originally from Alishan, chased a white deer to a faraway lake where they found an abundance of fish. They returned to their homeland, brought the whole tribe, and decided to settle down at Sun Moon Lake, as we call it today. Although tribal life is almost extinct now, a visit to Ita Thao allows you to experience the aboriginal culture and you get to taste delicious aboriginal food too.
► Antique Assam Tea Farm: Shuili Snake Kiln is the town where remains the eldest tradition of kiln-making. There is a biggest kiln work which is in the Guinness Book of Records by the size of 6.68 meters.
► Sky Lounge dinner at Fleur de Chine;
► Paragliding in PULI.
PLEASE NOTE:
► Tipping is generally not expected in Taiwan; however it is always appreciated to tip and shows your gratitude for a quality service.
► To confirm the reservation a deposit of 30% is required, final payment has to be done at least one week before the tour starts.
► Due to the very limited hotel choice inside the Alishan National Park, we suggest to book this tour as earlier as possible.
Interested in this tour or need more information?
Contact us via email:
✉ anna@northwest.com.tw
✉ taiwan.tour@northwest.com.tw
About Northwest:
Founded in 1986, Northwest is one of the major travel agencies in Taiwan. With its 30 years of experience and 2 offices in Taiwan, Northwest offers a professional and multilingual service to satisfy all the needs of our clients. Our network of specialists guarantee you to enjoy the incredible sense of hospitality that the island of Taiwan has to offer with a broad range of budgets.
