5-Day Classic Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake & Alishan (Private

Our tour begins with a drive down the stunning east coast, where towering cliffs meet the ocean, before turning inland to spend a full day in geologically stunning Taroko National Park. Best known for being the home of the visually stunning Taroko Gorge, the park is also a treasure trove of rivers and waterfalls, cliffs and trails, tunnels, and temples. We'll hike, sightsee, and explore the gorge, perhaps even seeing some of the local monkeys who call the area home, before retiring for the night at the hotel. Pick-up from your accommodation in Taipei Pass by Qingshui Cliff on the famous Suhua Highway coastal road, towering over 1,000 meters above the Pacific Ocean Head into Taroko Gorge, including visits to the Eternal Spring Shrine and the Swallow Grotto Hike the Baiyang Trail to the Baiyang Waterfall and through the Water Curtain Tunnel

After breakfast in the hotel, we'll head higher still, across the island's mountainous spine. While the drive is long, we'll take many breaks for sightseeing, photography, and soaking in panoramic views. We'll stop to touch the trunk of the Bilu sacred tree, said to date back to biblical times. After reaching the top, we'll descend into the valley, reaching magical Sun Moon Lake, the island's largest and most pristine body of water. Breakfast at hotel Cross the Central Mountain Range on the Central Cross-Island Highway and enjoy the wondrous high-mountain scenery Visit the Bilu Sacred Tree, a Formosan Chinese fir over 3,200 years old Drive to the highest point of Taiwan's highways - Wuling (3,275 meters above sea level) Arrive at Sun Moon Lake

Yesterday was about travel, so today is about staying put and exploring Sun Moon Lake to the fullest. We'll travel across the lake on a pleasure boat, hike through a magnificent grove of climbing bamboo, and visit the serene Xuanguang temple, a major pilgrimage site for followers of the Buddhist faith. We'll have great meals, and do a cycling trip around the lake (listed as one of the top ten cycling routes in the world by CNN Travel) before heading back to our lake-view hotel. Breakfast at hotel Bicycle ride along the lake Tour of Wenwu Temple Leisure boat ride from Ita Thao Wharf Hike to Xuanguang temple