Day 1

London/Hongkong/Taipei

Begin your unique holiday by making your own way to London Heathrow for an overnight flight to Taipei via Hongkong with Cathay Pacific Airways.

Day 2

Taipei

On arrival in Taiwan be transferred to the 4* Riviera Hotel for a two-night stay.

Day 3

Taipei

City sightseeing tour of Taiwan's prosperous capital. Admire the fabulous exhibits of Chinese art at the National Palace Museum, the private collection of the Emperors of China.  See the moving Martyrs' Shrine and the memorial to Chiang Kai Shek, the first ruler of Taiwan's Republic of China. Visit the dazzling Longshan Temple and the Taipei 101 for a photo-shoot. BL

Day 4

Taroko Gorge           

Stunning scenery awaits along the drive down the east coast of the island, the wide open sea and near-vertical cliffs on one side of the winding roads, the gushing Liwu River and mountains on the other. Arrive at theLeader Village Cottage House in Taroko for a two-night stay. The name Taroko means 'majestic and beautiful', and it’s also known as 'Marble Gorge'.  B

Day 5

Taroko Gorge           

Enjoy exploring Taroko Gorge National Park where a tribe of Atayal people, one of the many tribes of Taiwanese aborigines, still live amidst the forests and mountains, as do wild boar and the Formosan black bear. See the Eternal Spring Shrine and Swallow Caves, admire startling cliffs in the Tunnel of Nine Turns and cross the Bridge of Motherly Devotion.  BL

Day 6

Taitung

A beautiful drive along the East Coast, calling at the Bachi Scenic Lookout over the Pacific Ocean.  The Stone Steps, the Terrace of the Three Immortals, bizarre sandstone rock formations at Xiaoyeliu and a Bunun Trible Village en route to Taitung.  Stay overnight at the 5* Hotel Royal Chihpen.  B

Day 7

Kenting

Head to the southernmost point of Taiwan and the tropical Kenting National Park to stay two nights at the 4* Howard Beach Resort. Kenting National Park is a protected ecological area of over 33,000 hectares with a tropical climate. Enjoy the varied landscapes of coral reefs, sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, forests, limestone mountains, rivers and lakes where diverse wildlife flourish.  Visit Longluan Lake which is a popular spot for migratory birds in spring and autumn, and Maopitou, the 'cat's nose', a bizarrely eroded coral seashore at the very tip of Taiwan.   B L

Day 8

Kenting

Visit Eluanbi Lighthouse, built in 1883 by an Englishman in the teeth of fierce opposition from the local aboriginal people who mounted constant attacks during its construction – as a result it is one of the few fortified lighthouses in the world. For the rest of the day explore the park.  B

Day 9

Fokuangshan

Today drive through fertile farmland, via fields of sugar cane, tobacco, bananas and pineapples on the road to  Fokuangshan Monastery, the Buddha's Light Mountain. This is a modern monastery that follows humanistic Buddhism which unites all the main sects and aims to bring Buddhist principles into everyday life.  Stay overnight in the monastery's basic but comfortable guest house, Pilgrims' Lodge.    BD

Day 10

Alishan National Park         

You may like to join the early morning chanting, prayers, tai chi or meditation at the monastery this morning, before departing to Tainan to visit the 17^th century Dutch fortress and tower that was the hub of their short-lived occupation of the island. Continue to Alishan National Scenic Area where cypress trees cover the slopes of Mount Alishan and clouds wreathe the peak, to stay at the modest Alishan House Hotel.   BD

Day 11

Sun Moon Lake

Take a morning trail to admire the surroundings whose colors change every season from cherry blossom pink to autumn gold. Head inland to Taiwan's largest lake, Sun Moon Lake, one half of which is said to resemble the sun, the other a new moon. Stay two nights at the lakeside resort, the 4* Lea Lea Garden.  B

Day 12

Sun Moon Lake

Admire the ever-changing moods of the lake and its mountains on a gentle stroll, visiting a temple or pagoda along the way. Relax in the stylish surroundings of the Lea Lean Garden, enjoy a lake cruise and finish the day with sunset viewing. B L

Day 13

Taipei 

Head north to Taipei via Yingge village famous for its ceramics and art studios set along attractive old streets. Also call at Sanxia Old Street which boasts some fine architecture from the early 20^th century and a wonderful temple. Stay two nights at the Riviera Hotel Taipei.   BL

Day 14

Yehilu

Drive out to see the bizarre geological rock formations at Yehilu Geopark, a mile-long promontory eroded by the wind and waves into scores of honeycomb and mushroom-shaped rocks.  Also visit the quaint and scenically-located old town of Jiufen before returning to Taipei.   BL

Day 15

Taipei/Hongkong/London

Drive to airport for your flight to London Heathrow via Hongkong with Cathay Pacific Airways. B

Key:

B=Breakfast    L=Lunch    D=Dinner