Taiwan packs an unusual amount of variety into a fairly small island, and nine days is enough to actually feel that shift as you move through it. You'll start in Taipei, working through the city's temples, night markets, and its most photographed skyline view, before heading up the coast to see rock formations that look almost unreal and releasing a sky lantern of your own. From there, the trip turns inland and south — Sun Moon Lake, the misty forests of Alishan, and finally the museums and pagodas of Kaohsiung — before a high-speed rail ride brings you back to Taipei for departure.
This is a private tour, so it's just you (or your group of 2, 4, or 6) with your own vehicle and an English-speaking driver-guide the whole way — no joining up with strangers, no fixed group schedule. Hotels run 4-star or 5-star throughout, all on a twin-sharing basis, and if you're travelling with Indian food preferences in mind, that's genuinely built into how this operator runs things — more on that below.
- Taipei 101 Observatory — panoramic views from one of the tallest buildings on earth
- Yehliu Geopark — coastal rock formations, including the famous Queen's Head
- Shifen Old Street — release your own sky lantern, a tradition that's uniquely Taiwanese
- National Palace Museum — one of the largest collections of Chinese imperial artifacts anywhere in the world
- Sun Moon Lake — Taiwan's largest alpine lake, complete with a private boat ride and cable car views
- Alishan National Scenic Area — ancient cypress forest, a scenic mountain railway, and a genuine sea of clouds if the timing's right
- Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum & Dragon/Tiger Pagodas — two of southern Taiwan's most striking cultural landmarks
- Indian and vegetarian/Jain meals arranged throughout — this operator works directly with Indian restaurants across Taiwan, so food isn't something you have to worry about
Day 1Arrival in Taipei
Taipei+
Arrival in Taipei
Land at Taoyuan International Airport, where you'll be met and greeted by your local guide before transferring to your Taipei hotel. Check in, take a breather after the flight — there's nothing scheduled today beyond settling in. Overnight: Taipei (Hilton Taipei Sinban or similar) Lunch and dinner at your own expense
Day 2Taipei City Tour
Taipei+
Taipei City Tour
After breakfast, the city tour kicks off with two of Taipei's best-known cultural landmarks — Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Longshan Temple. From there, head up to Taipei 101 and its observatory deck, where the view genuinely earns its reputation. The morning continues to the National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine, and the day winds down with some free time to shop at Ximending. Overnight: Taipei Lunch and dinner at your own expense
Day 3Northern Coast Tour
Taipei+
Northern Coast Tour
Today's about Taiwan's northern coastline, starting with Yehliu Geopark — the rock formations here, especially the Queen's Head, are one of those things you have to see to really believe. Next is Shifen Old Street, where releasing a sky lantern with your own written wish is very much part of the experience. From there, the National Palace Museum offers a deep dive into one of the world's most significant collections of Chinese imperial artifacts. The evening's left free at Shilin Night Market — street food, shopping, and people-watching, all in one place. Overnight: Taipei Lunch and dinner at your own expense
Day 4Taipei → Taichung → Sun Moon Lake
Sun Moon Lake+
Taipei → Taichung → Sun Moon Lake
Breakfast, then a drive down to Taichung to visit Chung-she Flower Garden and its seasonal blooms. From there, it's on to Sun Moon Lake, arguably Taiwan's most iconic natural landmark, where a private boat tour takes you past Lalu Island. You'll check into the Fleur de Chine Hotel, a hot spring resort right on the lake — a nice change of pace after a few busy city days. Overnight: Sun Moon Lake (Fleur de Chine Hotel) Lunch and dinner at your own expense
Day 5Sun Moon Lake → Chiayi
Chiayi+
Sun Moon Lake → Chiayi
More lake time this morning — Wenwu Temple, dedicated to Confucius and the martial god Guan Gong, sits right above the water with some genuinely nice views. Then it's the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village and a ropeway cable car ride over the lake and surrounding mountains. In the afternoon, stop by the Antique Assam Tea Farm for a look at how Taiwan's well-known Assam tea is grown and processed, plus a tasting, before continuing on to Chiayi for the night. Overnight: Chiayi (Holiday Inn Express or similar) Lunch and dinner at your own expense
Day 6Alishan Day Tour
Alishan National Forest Recreation Area+
Alishan Day Tour
A full day dedicated to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area — the Alishan Forest Railway is the centerpiece here, winding through some seriously beautiful forest scenery. You'll walk a few of the scenic trails, breathe in a lot of fresh mountain air, and visit Yuyupas Cultural Park to learn about the Tsou indigenous people and their traditions. Return to Chiayi in the afternoon. Overnight: Chiayi Lunch and dinner at your own expense
Day 7Chiayi → Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung+
Chiayi → Kaohsiung
Breakfast, then head down to Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second-largest city. The Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is one of the country's most significant Buddhist cultural sites, and well worth the visit on its own. From there, Lotus Pond and its Dragon and Tiger Pagodas make for one of southern Taiwan's most recognizable images. Round out the day at Pier-2 Art Center, a converted warehouse district turned into a lively space of galleries, art installations, and creative studios. Overnight: Kaohsiung (Marriott or similar, 5-star category) Lunch and dinner at your own expense
Day 8Kaohsiung → Taipei
Taipei+
Kaohsiung → Taipei
After breakfast, board the Taiwan High-Speed Rail back to Taipei — about two hours, with luggage handled for you. The rest of the day is yours at Gloria Outlets, Taiwan's largest outlet mall, with roughly four hours set aside if you're in the mood for some serious shopping. Check back into your Taipei hotel for the night. Overnight: Taipei Lunch and dinner at your own expense
Day 9Departure
Taipei+
Departure
Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Taipei International Airport — and that's the trip. Nine days, three very different sides of Taiwan, and (hopefully) a phone full of photos you'll be sorting through for weeks.
What is included in the tour
- 8 Nights accommodation in well-appointed hotels on a twin-sharing basis.
- Daily breakfast at the hotel.
- Round-trip airport transfers (Airport – Hotel – Airport).
- 9-day private sightseeing tour in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
- Services of an English-speaking driver-guide throughout the tour.
- Daily vehicle usage for up to 10 hours as per the itinerary.
- 2 bottles of mineral water per person per day.
- Entrance fees to all attractions and sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary.
- Driver gratuities.
- One-way High-Speed Rail (HSR) ticket from Kaohsiung to Taoyuan.
- Transfer from Taoyuan Railway Station to Taoyuan International Airport for departure.
- All applicable taxes and service charges (unless otherwise specified).
- ket, Kaohsiung to Taoyuan, plus transfer to Taoyuan International Airport for departure
What is NOT included in the tour
- International and domestic airfare.
- Taiwan visa charges (if applicable).
- Travel insurance.
- Lunches, dinners, and beverages unless specifically mentioned.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, shopping, mini-bar, room service, and tips to hotel staff.
- Overtime charges for vehicle usage beyond 10 hours (USD 50 per hour).
- Optional tours, activities, and sightseeing not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels (subject to availability and additional charges).
- Expenses arising due to flight delays, cancellations, natural calamities, strikes, or any unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.
- Any item or service not specifically mentioned under Inclusions.
- Indian food is genuinely easy here. This operator works closely with a number of authentic Indian restaurants across Taipei, and pure vegetarian or Jain meals can be arranged without much fuss — a detail that tends to matter more than people expect once they're actually on the road.
- Vehicle: a private 9-seater van, comfortable enough for small groups, with a driver-guide who's done this route more times than he can probably count.
- Rooms are twin-sharing by default — let your agent know in advance if you need a different configuration.
