New Tour

Taiwan Explorer by Bike

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Price from
US$ 3,500
Duration
10 Days / 9 Nights
Distance
445 km
Tour Code
TWN-TEB
Next departure
08-Dec-2024
Number of Cycling Days7
Average Distance Per Day: 64
0
150 Km
Average Climbing Per Day: 329
0
2,250 m
Total Cycling Distance445 kilometres
Bike HireHybrid: US$ 350
Single SupplementUS$ 550
Client Rating (based on 4 reviews)

About this Cycle Tour

Taiwan is a cycling paradise. Between coast-hugging highways that offer breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean, undulating country roads dissecting lush valleys, and extreme ascents/thrilling descents winding around majestic mountain ranges, Taiwan has something for riders at all levels. If you are looking for casual riding combined with a diverse and immersive experience on this fascinating island nation, then SpiceRoads invites you to experience our brand new “Taiwan Explorer by Bike”. This tour has been specifically designed to strike the perfect balance between leisurely riding along scenic roads and intimately exploring the landscapes, cultures, and cuisines that span the south and east coasts of Taiwan.

The journey begins in the city of Kaohsiung, where we will zip down the so-called “tail of Taiwan” to reach the scenic coastline and white sand beaches of Kenting. We then traverse across the southern mountains and through Indigenous villages before rolling down to the east coast to be greeted by sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean. The next couple of days will be filled with epic stretches along the coast, stopping in maritime towns and villages steeped in history, filling our bellies with local delicacies, exploring forested areas, and lounging in hot springs! Once we reach the town of Chenggong, we’ll trade the blue ocean vistas for visuals of emerald green as we enter the Rift Valley, a simply stunning area of meandering rivers, rice paddies, quiet country roads and quaint local villages. The Rift Valley will be our cycling playground for the final days of riding before we cap off the adventure with an off-saddle exploration of Taroko Gorge, the world’s deepest marble gorge and probably Taiwan’s most impressive geological formation. This is the perfect way to end our adventure on a truly high note (literally!) before we say our goodbyes the following morning and you head up to Taipei by train.

This tour is sure to leave you with lasting impressions of Taiwan, still an underappreciated and much less visited destination compared with other East Asian countries! Let us show you what makes this cycling paradise such a gem to explore.

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Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s “Harbor Capital”, where we meet for a trip briefing and welcome dinner.

Day 2

Our inaugural cycling day involves a jaunt to Taiwan’s southernmost point and then skirting along the fabulous Kenting National Park coastline to reach the white sand Baisha Beach. We overnight at a hotel near the ocean.

Day 3

From Kenting we cross the southern part of the central mountains riding through wonderful Indigenous villages. We ascend to 480 metres before rolling down to the east coast with sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean. We’ll spend the night at a small village on the coast.

Day 4

Continuing up the east coast our next port of call is Zhiben. Today is a short but scenic ride of 40 km which will give us time after lunch to roam around the Zhiben National Forest Recreational Area and avail ourselves to a soak in the hot springs for which the area is famous!

Day 5

Today is our last day along the coast before we move inland. We cycle through a string of coastal towns before arriving in Chenggong where we’ll visit a lighthouse perched on an off-shore island.

Day 6

Today we trade blue ocean vistas for visuals of emerald green as we enter the Rift Valley of Taitung. We traverse a mountain pass and spend the night at another hot spring hotel.

Day 7

Today is all about the gorgeous Rift Valley, considered by many Taiwanese as the most beautiful part of the country. We cycle on an undulating route that hugs the foothills and takes us through numerous Indigenous villages while offering unparalleled views of the central mountain peaks.

Day 8

Get ready for the final ride of the trip! We follow the Rift Valley to its northernmost point where we find ourselves back on the coast. This is also the gateway to the incredible Taroko National Park, home to Taiwan’s most awe-inspiring geological formations.

Day 9

Our last day is off the saddle as we explore the natural wonders of Taroko Gorge, the world’s deepest marble gorge. While we won’t be biking, we’ll certainly still be active as we explore the gorge's most impressive sites, such as the Swallow Grotto Cave, Baiyang Water Curtain Cave, and Tunnel of 9 Turns.

Day 10

This morning we will drop you off at the Hualien train station for a return to Taipei. We can also arrange for a vehicle transfer if you prefer.

Elevation Profiles

Day 2 - Kaohsiung - Kenting Ride 75km. +347m / -341m.
Day 2 - Kaohsiung - Kenting Ride 75km. +347m / -341m.

Reviews

Extremely well organized with an impressive attention to detail. Tour guides and bicycle quality outstanding.

Barry HowellMarch 2024

Very knowledgeable guides, great accommodations, great support staff, lovely combination of cultural and scenic experiences

Trudy MerrittMarch 2024

Fabulous way to see the country by biking, visiting sites and having a guide that was a "Foodie" to introduce us to the local food. Wonderful and exciting experience make lifetime memories.

Donna BoyceMarch 2024

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Taiwan Explorer by Bike
Tour CodeTWN-TEB
10Days
9Nights
DestinationsTaiwan
Tour MeetsKaohsiung
Tour EndsHualien
Fly in toKaohsiung International Airport (KHH)
Fly out ofTaiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
Group Size4-12 riders
Minimum Age12 (on scheduled departures)

Activity Profile

7Cycling days
445kmTotal cycling distance
64kmAvg distance / day
329mAvg climbing / day

Pricing

PriceUS$ 3,500
Bike Hire (Hybrid)US$ 350
Single SupplementUS$ 550

What's Included

  • SpiceRoads jersey
  • Water bottle
  • Support vehicle
  • Guide(s)
  • Meals (as indicated)
  • Accommodation
  • Snacks and drinks

What's Excluded

  • International flights
  • Domestic flights
  • Airport pick up
  • Airport drop off
  • Visa fees
  • Alcohol
  • Tips

Departures

08 December - 17 December 2024
02 March - 11 March 2025
06 April - 15 April 2025
07 December - 16 December 2025

Trip Profile

This tour covers 445 km over 7 days of riding along a spectacular cross section of Taiwan's diverse geography. We ride past charming villages and coastal towns, pedal along rice paddies and quiet country roads, and traverse mountain passes.

The trip is fully supported, and your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of cold drinks, ice, and fresh fruit.

Suitability: The route has been designed with manageable distances and terrain, and can be done by anyone with a reasonable fitness level. The tour is fully supported, and the bus is always close at hand for those that find the riding too difficult.

Biking Conditions: Taiwan has some of the world's most bike friendly roads. The roads are smooth tarmac in excellent condition but some smaller roads in the mountain areas outside the city may be a bit rough and steep in places.

Day 1 Arrive in Kaohsiung

Welcome to Taiwan! Today you will arrive in Kaohsiung, the country's second biggest city and nicknamed the “Harbor Capital '' due to its primal role as a hub for maritime trade. Depending on your arrival time feel free to explore on your own or relax at the hotel. In the afternoon we will meet for a bike fitting and trip briefing before enjoying a delicious Taiwanese welcome dinner.

Kindness Hotel
Dinner

Day 2 Kaohsiung - Kenting

Let the adventure begin! This morning we will transfer from Kaohsiung to Pingtung (around 1.5 hours) to reach the starting point of our inaugural cycling day. The ride begins with a jaunt along flat roads down “Taiwan’s Tail”, towards the island's southernmost point where we’ll find the impressive Eluanbi Lighthouse. From there, we skirt along the scenic coastline of Kenting National Park. Our final destination is Baisha Beach where we can reward our cycling efforts with a dip in the ocean! This is one of Taiwan’s most beautiful beaches, but don’t take our word for it; just watch the hit movie “Life of Pi” which used this area as the location for many of the beach scenes. After some beach time and checking into our hotel nearby we will regroup for dinner and stroll through Kenting’s buzzing street night market.

Kenting White Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 75km
+347m
-341m

Day 3 Kenting to Dawu

Today we travel coast to coast from Kenting to Dawu, along the way traversing the southern part of Taiwan’s mountainous spine, rolling past Indigenous villages and surrounded by incredible vistas. Beginning from Kenting we embark on a two-wheeled crossing of Taiwan's tail. The majority of the way will be along scenic road No. 199, one of the most gorgeous stretches of tarmac in the country! As we meander across the terrain we will pass through several Indigenous villages and our guide will explain some of the history and culture of Taiwan’s diverse ethnic groups. While the ride today will involve several ascents, as we begin to approach the east coast we’ll be rewarded with a gradual descent complemented by sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean. We’ll spend the night at a small coastal village in Dawu Township.

Oriental Cloud B&B
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 75km
+735m
-733m

Day 4 Dawu to Zhiben

We start the day with a gentle 40 km ride further up the east coast, rejoicing in continuous vistas of the endless Pacific Ocean as we pedal forth. Our port of call today is Zhiben, famous for its hot springs. We arrive in time for lunch and in the afternoon we’ll take time to roam around the Zhiben National Forest Recreational Area. Here we’ll find not only hot springs but an abundance of natural scenery of waterfalls, banyan trees and tropical forests. Tonight’s accommodation will be a treat as you’ll have the option to soothe your muscles with hot spring baths and spa treatments directly at the hotel.

Hoya Hot Spring Hotel & Spa
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 40km
+354m
-292m

Day 5 Zhiben to Chenggong

Today is our last day along the coast before we move inland. Departing from Zhiben, we cycle through a string of coastal towns and fishing villages before arriving in Chenggong. Here we will visit Samxianthai, a small off-shore island accessible by a beautifully arched bridge, and relish in spectacular views back onto the coast from atop the lighthouse. Chenggong is well known by the Taiwanese for its incredible seafood and we’ll be sure to sample some local delicacies at dinner here this evening.

Sanxian Tai Hairy Crab Guest House
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 60km
+348m
-376m

Day 6 Chenggong to Antong

Today we trade blue ocean vistas for visuals of emerald green as we enter the Rift Valley of Taitung. In the morning we depart from Chenggong and embark on the second mountain range crossing of the trip, transitioning from coast to inland river valley. It is well worth the effort as we’ll be greeted by a lush landscape of meandering rivers, rice paddies, quiet country roads and quaint local villages. This is the incredible Rift Valley of Taitung and it will be our cycling paradise for the next few days. Tonight we will stay at another hot spring resort southwest of Yuli, one of the 5 hot springs established during the Japanese colonial period from 1895 – 1945. We’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and don’t be shy to go for a therapeutic soak in the hot spring!

An-Tong Hot Spring Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 30km
+794m
-664m

Day 7 Antong to Guangfu

This morning we say goodbye to our hot spring hotel and spend the day cycling through the Rift Valley. Nestled between the central and coastal mountains this is the most fertile part of the island - in fact, the Rift Valley is referred to as Taiwan’s “rice basket” epitomized by a seemingly endless sea of rice paddy fields along the valley floor. If you ask around, many Taiwanese consider this to be the most beautiful part of the country and we’re sure you’ll probably agree with that! We cycle on an undulating route that hugs the foothills and takes us through numerous Indigenous villages. There is almost no traffic and you can enjoy views of the coastal mountains on your right and the towering peaks of the famous Central Mountains on your left. Taiwan has 270 peaks which are over 3,000 m in elevation and looking at this range as we ride north is a joy. We spend the night at a cozy guesthouse in the rural township of Guangfu. If the sky is clear at night be sure to do some star gazing!

Sapientia Guest House
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 50km
+408m
-439m

Day 8 Guangfu to Taroko Gorge

Get ready for the final ride of the trip! We follow the Rift Valley to its northernmost point at the mouth of the Liwu River, where we find ourselves back on the coast facing the vast Pacific Ocean. This is also the gateway to the incredible Taroko National Park, home to Taiwan’s most awe-inspiring geological formations which will be our adventure playground the following day. Departing from Guangfu we’ll cycle leisurely on meandering country roads before ascending another mountain crossing which will carry us down back to the coast. We’ll cruise through Hualien City and, as we approach the Liwu River Delta, we'll get our first glimpse of the marble cliffs of Taroko Gorge. We spend the remainder of the day at leisure near the coast as we save our exploration of the Gorge for the following day!

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 70km
+229m
-315m

Day 9 Taroko Gorge

Our last day is off the saddle as we explore the natural wonders of Taroko Gorge, the world’s deepest marble gorge. While we won’t be biking, we’ll certainly still be active as we explore the gorge's most impressive sites, such as the Swallow Grotto Cave, Baiyang Water Curtain Cave, and Tunnel of 9 Turns. We'll be hiking to these locations, covering distances of 2 - 4 km. From various vantage points the views are simply stunning - you’ll see the bright blue water of the river raging through the canyon and marble-walled mountains and peaks partially blanketed by lush vegetation.

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Departure

After breakfast and our goodbyes, we will drop you off at the Hualien train station for your return to Taipei and onward journey. We can also arrange for a vehicle transfer if you prefer.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.

Nuts & Bolts

Bikes

Because some people can't imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you can hire bikes locally for the price listed in the tour pricing section.

If you bring your own bike, its best to have a Hybrid in good mechanical order.

We also have E-Bikes available for hire, but they are limited in number & size - please send an email to us to check on availability.

Bike Repairs

Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.

Safety

Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

Guides

You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.

The Nitty Gritty

Passports and Visas

Visa requirements for Taiwan vary depending on your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and the duration of your stay. Many nationalities, including citizens of many Western countries, are eligible for visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival for short stays (usually up to 90 days). See here for the full list of visa-exempt countries. If the passport you hold is not on this list, please review the information on this website and get in touch with the embassy/consulate nearest to you if you require assistance. All nationalities require a passport for entry into Taiwan. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the duration of your stay.

Health

We recommend that you visit a travel medical doctor and ask about the following vaccinations: typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. A certificate for yellow fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days.

Weather

The Tropic of Cancer runs straight through the middle of Taiwan resulting in a subtropical climate. Summers can be hot, humid and wet, although rainfall is often limited to short showers. Typhoon season hits in late summer to mid-autumn and tends to strike the east coast particularly hard. Winter temperatures are mild and the only snowfall is on mountain peaks.

The annual average temperature of the northern part is around 21.7C (71F) while it is around 24.1C (75F) in the southern part. The coldest months are from January to March with the lowest temperature to about 10C (50F). The average temperature of the rest of the year is around 25C (77F).

Rain is always a possibility in Taiwan so please come prepared with waterproof jacket and pants. As we also cycle to high altitudes where the weather can be cooler and change quickly it is best to have layers available.

Taiwan is also prone to earthquakes as it sits on the colliding Eurasian and Philippine plates. These grinding plates are also responsible for the beautiful mountains and amazing hot springs that make the trip to Taiwan truly worthwhile. Most of these quakes are small earth tremors.

Food

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Most meals are local and feature noodles, rice, and soups. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Drink

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring drinks while you are riding are included in the tour price. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere but is NOT included in the price.

Solo Travelers

SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars, perhaps US$20 a day, for incidentals.

Money

Taiwan’s currency is the New Taiwanese Dollar (NT). ATMs, which are abundant, are the easiest way to get NT. With more than 4,000 7-Elevens across the country, there are ATMs on the international Plus or Cirrus network and have English-language options. Have a supply of US dollars in cash on hand, just in case your card doesn’t work. Credit cards are accepted in big cities and resort hotels but you’ll need cash for family-run guesthouses or restaurants.

General booking info

If this is the tour for you here's what you need to do to confirm your place:

FLEXIBLE BOOKING CONDITIONS

Booking a SpiceRoads cycling adventure is easy and we try to do everything possible to make sure you have full flexibility and peace of mind. We do not require a deposit to hold your place on a tour and once full payment has been made your money is protected in our client account and you have the flexibility to cancel or change your booking if needed.

CONFIRMING YOUR BOOKING

Just complete our online booking form or send your booking details offline (email or post), and we will confirm your participation. No deposit is needed to confirm your place on a SpiceRoads tour.

You are advised to read our Booking Conditions in full before you make your payment and should you require further clarifications of any of the conditions below, please email us or call our office.

TRIP STATUS

There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If the trip status is ‘Limited’ will mean we have only a small number of spaces available for booking. If you are unsure about the trip status, please email us or call our office.

BOOKING ONLINE

From the tour page, click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. For the next steps, you'll need to know the names of the people travelling. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height (for bike hire), or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). Our system will contact you from time to time to fill in the missing information, as it will be required before departure. However, if the trip that you are booking offers a child discount, you will have to fill out the date of birth of each rider (so we can calculate the appropriate discount).

If you are having any problems please send us an email, or give us a call (+66 026 3295) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.

BOOKING OFFLINE

Just call us or send an email indicating which trip you want to join and we will happily send you a list of questions and process your booking for you.

DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS

We do not require a deposit or full payment to book a place for you on a tour.

The balance of the tour’s cost (final invoice) will need to be paid 60 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.

In the case where a booking is made when there are less than 60 days until the tour departure date, the tour’s cost should be paid in full within 72 hours of receiving an invoice from SpiceRoads. Payment can be made by credit card using our online payment gateway or by bank transfer. When making payment online you will need to confirm that you have read these booking conditions during the "checkout" process, which equates to agreeing to the terms of services and stipulations as indicated in this document.

In all cases, tour fees need to be paid “in full” before participation in a tour. No person(s) will be allowed to join a tour without fully settling their invoice and receiving a confirmation number from SpiceRoads.

The exception can be made for last-minute miscellaneous fees that can be paid locally (visas, additional local hotel bookings, etc.) can be settled on the day of arrival.

FULL FLEXIBILITY FOR TOUR CANCELATIONS

If the tour is cancelled or postponed by SpiceRoads because we didn't make the trip numbers and the tour can’t run, we will make a full cash refund (by bank transfer or on your credit card).

If the tour is cancelled for any other reason, including due to Covid related travel restrictions, we will give you a full credit (with no deductions for admin or any other small-print item) to use on any SpiceRoads tour with no time limit. (Exceptions being flights, special permits and other non-refundable items and these will be advised when booking the trip).

Before paying for your tour, you can cancel your booking with no charge and up until 40 days before departure, you can change your booking to another travel date or move your booking onto another SpiceRoads tour with no charges.

If you need to cancel after you have made full payment, please see our cancellation policy.

Loyalty Riders Club

For those who have been on several long tours with us, we reward customer loyalty by offering repeat customers a special discount off the tour price (excludes single supplement and bike rental). If this is your fourth scheduled tour or more you will receive a 5% discount. If this is your eighth scheduled tour or more we will extend a 10% discount. The discount will be reflected in your online booking, but please contact us if any questions. Loyalty discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Note: Only tours of 7 days or more will be applicable for a loyalty discount.

International Flights

International flights, to and from the start and finish points are not included in the tour price. Once your tour is Guaranteed to Depart you can book your flight. Please contact us for advice before arranging flights for the best arrival and departure times. We would only cancel a trip for an extreme circumstance, but in that case, where we cancel your trip, we cannot be liable for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made. Please claim any losses from your travel insurance that you acquired when you booked your holiday.

Newsletter

Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from SpiceRoads, be sure to subscribe.

The information in this document is given in good faith, and covers the average range of conditions likely to be found on this trip. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, however, we will always do our best to adhere to this original itinerary

Contact Us

45 (Sub Soi Pannee) Soi Pridi Banomyong 26
Sukhumvit Soi 71 Klongtan Nua, Wattana
Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Tel: +66 (0) 2 026 3295
Email: info@spiceroads.com
Website: www.spiceroads.com