10 days Fully Inclusive Classic Group Tour
From the lively streets of Taipei to the calm waters of Sun Moon Lake and the misty peaks of Alishan, this is a journey through Taiwan at its most scenic and soulful. Along the way, you'll travel like a local, from the buzz of a commuter train to the sleek speed of the high-speed rail, and step back in time aboard two of the island's most charming historic lines. Blending iconic sights with unforgettable rail experiences, Taiwan by Rail is a fresh and memorable way to explore this fascinating island.
Our Taiwan by Rail tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Explore the buzzing streets and hidden gems of vibrant Taipei
Ride the Pingxi Line, a scenic railway winding through waterfalls, forests, and charming old towns including Jiufen.
Embark on a peaceful cruise across Sun Moon Lake
Uncover the secrets of Taiwan’s high-mountain tea production
Journey through misty mountains and lush forest on Asia's highest narrow-gauge railway. Originally built for logging, this iconic train now offers a scenic ride past tea fields, waterfalls, and remote hillside villages. Travelling in March offers the chance to experience the magic of Alishan as its cherry blossoms burst into bloom.
Discover how Alishan's cool, misty mountain climate creates the perfect conditions for growing some of Taiwan's finest coffee. Visit the Yuyupas Indigenous Culture Park to learn about traditional farming methods and cultural heritage of the Tsou people, and enjoy a tasting of freshly brewed local coffee.
Experience Sun Moon Lake after dark with your guide, sampling local Taiwanese desserts such as soft mochi, egg cakes, and refreshing green tea ice cream. Enjoy the relaxed evening atmosphere as you take in the peaceful lakeside views and discover the flavours of the region.
Fly overnight to Taipei, Taiwan's buzzing capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture. This evening meet with your National Escort and fellow travellers to enjoy dinner at a nearby, local restaurant.
Today you will explore Taipei, starting with a visit to the National Palace Museum, home to thousands of artifacts and artworks including many from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Then explore the Chiang Kai-shek (CKS) Memorial Hall, a grand monument dedicated to the former leader. Later, take the high-speed elevator to the observation deck on the 89th floor of Taipei 101 for a birds-eye view of the city.
Travel to Ruifang for a day tour along the scenic Pingxi Line, a historic eight-mile railway once used for coal transport. Today, it winds through mountain cliffs, streams, waterfalls, and old mining towns. Stop to explore along the way, including Pingxi Old Street, Shifen Waterfall, and Shifen Old Street, where you’ll witness the beautiful tradition of locals releasing sky lanterns with their wishes. End the day in Jiufen, a picturesque town of lantern-lit lanes, teahouses, and sweeping ocean views, then return to Taipei.
This morning take a train to the picturesque Sun Moon Lake, a designated National Scenic Area. Explore the imposing Wenwu Temple, perched on the lake’s shore with beautiful views. Head out onto the lake itself on a cruise and relax into panoramas of forested shores, turquoise blue waters and the mountains beyond. After dinner, wander to the local night market for a sweet treat to end the day.
Take a final glimpse at Sun Moon Lake’s beauty before heading to the Bantaoyao Craft Park. A former pottery factory, here you’ll discover the history of traditional Taiwanese ceramics, learning about the craftsmanship that made this site a cornerstone of the region. Continue to Yuyupas, a cultural park where you can discover more about the indigenous Tsou Tribe. Take part in a tea and coffee tasting, sampling leaves and beans grown and handpicked in Alishan’s lush mountain farms.
Rise early this morning for spectacular dawn views (weather permitting). Then explore the beautiful Alishan Forest Recreation Area with a ride on the Forest Train – the highest narrow-gauge railway in Asia – as it winds through scenic mountain forests. Continue your sightseeing on foot around Alishan stopping at natural sights such as the Sister Pond, Brother Tree and Three Generation Tree.
The morning begins in Fenqihu, a mountain village of old merchant lanes and railway nostalgia. From here, take the high-speed train north to Taipei, the island’s green interior blurring past at 300km per hour. The 18thcentury Longshan Temple offers a quietly moving final encounter with Taiwan’s spiritual life, then sit down for a farewell dinner.
Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.
All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected
We have a selection of dedicated departures for solo travellers. These departures feature a maximum group size of 18 and exclusive benefits including a single room throughout your tour and a cocktail on arrival at your destination. Travellers from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne also receive a complimentary Australian airport lounge pass for use prior to departure.
While all our tours feature carefully selected hotels, our Upgraded Departures provide an extra level of comfort with deluxe range accommodation. Stay in relaxed 5-star city hotels, unique properties, and overnight cruises, each chosen to deliver an elevated experience. Below are examples of the upgraded accommodation you can expect on this itinerary.
Extend your holiday or break up your journey with one of our extensions and stopovers. Choose from city breaks or some beach time, or spend more time in your chosen destination.
Meeting new people and exploring new places with guests is what i love most. Every group is different, which makes every tour exciting. As a knowledgeable and experienced guide, I look forward to sharing all i know about the great Taiwan.
I have used Wendy Wu before and always find their National Escorts helpful and so attentive.Barbara
For almost 7 years, I have been guiding visitors through our wonderful country of Taiwan. With so much to see, I welcome you to Taiwan with experiences waiting ahead.
As always, very helpful and informative staff, nothing is too much trouble for them.Ms Irene
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All of our tours offer a single room supplement, which means you’ll have a room to yourself throughout your chosen tour. Continue the check-out process for the applicable supplement.
On most tours, you can choose our 'Happy to Share' option, which may enable you to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance.
If you are booking on a Dedicated Solo departure, a single room is already included in the price and there are no additional single supplements to pay.
With our flight inclusive option, we'll do the planning for you and meet you on arrival.
We include airport pickup upon arrival at your destination and drop off at the end of your tour (on the scheduled tour arrival and departure days) and when booking pre or post tour accommodation with us.
We partner with established and reputable airlines for your international flights.
We can assist with upgrading your seat to premium or business class for an additional cost.
Our team will work with you to choose your ideal routing and if we make changes to your tour itinerary that impact flights, we’ll rebook them for you.
Our On-Tour Support Team is available to provide advice about how to handle flight changes.