Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
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E-bike Taiwan's East Coast
Trip Overview
Come join us on a once-in-a-lifetime exploration of Taiwan! This bike route takes you from Taipei in the north, all the way down to the southern tip of the island at Kenting. Ride through Taroko Gorge and down to the Pacific coast, before venturing into the stunning East Rift Valley. But that's just the beginning! You continue on quiet, well-maintained roads through the beautiful tropical countryside, passing through indigenous villages, dragonfruit plantations, and oh-so-many rice paddies. And of course, your journey will be accented with delicious local meals. Due to the long and hilly routes, e-bikes are included. But strong riders can request a hybrid.
Taiwan offers even more delights to discover during your week of exploration. Whether you're taking in the awe-inspiring power of the Pacific, relaxing in one of the island's rejuvenating hot springs, or indulging in a satisfying bowl of noodles, Taiwan is sure to stimulate all of your senses.
Stay in 5-star hotels, taste delicious local cuisine and have an english-speaking local Taiwanese leader join our Discovery Bicycle Tours leader to guide you on the trip of a lifetime … giving you a chance to bike like the locals do … and providing a window into Taiwan's culture, daily life and history. Don’t miss this amazing adventure!
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
Meet up early this morning in Taipei for introductions before a beautiful train ride along the dramatic east coast to breathtaking Taroko Gorge, which forges its way through the Central Mountain Range. Whether shrouded in mist or glowing in sunlight, this sheer marble gorge is a captivating sight. Then enjoy some lunch and take a short walk along one of the most dramatic sections of the gorge. From here you proceed to your comfortable overnight lodgings, situated on a high plateau overlooking the gorge. On arrival, check in and then have a bike fitting and take a short test ride.
This morning it’s an early start to give time to enjoy the exhilarating ride down through Taroko Gorge, (part of the famous King of the Mountain route!), stopping for a short but stunning hike along the aquamarine waters of Shakadang stream — a tributary of the main Liwu River. On pedaling out of the gorge, you emerge onto the Pacific Coast, and … avoiding the main highway … you ride narrow lanes lined with banana palms and temples, taking beachside rest stops on your way south. After lunch in Hualien and a visit to a traditional Taoist temple, leave the city areas overnight in the small fishing village of Yanliao, where you stay in a lovely B&B right on the ocean.
Today, leave the coast and head into the picturesque but little visited East Rift Valley, a land of lush green rice paddies and small indigenous communities. Stop for lunch at a community-run organic farm restaurant in an Amis village and have the chance to meet some of the friendly locals. In the afternoon, continue south through prime tropical fruit growing country to a lovely resort complete with forest walking trails, waterfalls and soothing hot springs.
This morning, your ride takes in the Saoba Monoliths (Taiwan’s version of Stonehenge) and the Tropic of Cancer Monument before stopping for a cup of tea amid the tea farms of Wuhe. Now officially in the tropics, you continue south through the ever-widening Rift Valley to your overnight stop, which features fabulous views. In the afternoon there’s the option for a hike into the foothills of the Central Mountain Range along the enchanting Walami Trail where sightings of monkeys, deer, Swinhoe’s pheasants and eagles are commonplace … and Formosan bears are occasionally spotted!
Pedal away from the Rift Valley, along a magical little road (often with more monkeys than cars), which cuts its way southeast through the low jungly hills of the Coastal Mountain Range. Reach the coast at one of its most impressive stretches, often compared with Hawaii. And after some tasty local baozi (steamed buns), it’s only a short hop south to the laid-back surf settlement of Dulan. As well as being a mecca for surfers, Dulan is also famous for a recent indigenous arts revival – which encompasses music, painting and sculpture – and which can be seen in the warehouse galleries around the focal point of the village, the old Sugar Factory. In the evening meet the group for a traditional indigenous meal overlooking the ocean.
This morning, rise early to enjoy a sunrise standup paddleboard (SUP) ride in Donghe River Gorge. Paddling the emerald green waters to a backdrop of giant white boulders and lush tropical forest makes for a magical start to the day. The rest of the day is free to relax on the beach, hike, surf, visit some of the local sights or just read a book and rest! In addition to Taiwanese and indigenous cuisine, Dulan has a host of Western-oriented cafés and restaurants serving food from around the globe, including authentic French, Indian and Vietnamese cuisine. Sometimes there is live music at the Sugar Factory on Saturday nights. Soak up Taiwanese life as you rest your legs!
Today you transfer by vehicle along the beautiful but busy coastal highway, making a short diversion inland to the Kinchen Valley to experience Taiwan’s stunning cherry blossoms (conditions permitting). Moving on to Dawu, you begin your epic final day’s ride with a long, gradual ascent into the hills of the Hengchun Peninsula, taking a brief rest stop at an ornate temple with great views before you reach the top. For those keen to preserve their legs for later in the day, there is also the option to skip this first hill section. From the top, you bear off the main east-west route and cycle a lovely little road through remote jungle dotted with the occasional indigenous village before bringing you back down to the coast. The coastal stretch here is one of Taiwan’s finest, with the road running right alongside the ocean, passing windswept beaches and abandoned military bases before once again ascending into the jungle. The last leg of the ride takes you all the way to the island’s southernmost point, from where it’s just a short ride to Kenting, Taiwan's tropical playground. In the evening, explore Kenting’s night market and head out for a final dinner to celebrate your incredible Taiwan ride.
Map
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
7 nights’ lodging, 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches; 6 dinners (you are on your own for 1 dinner in Dulan). Taiwan visa not included (and not required for U.S. and Canadian citizens for stays less than 90 days). Travel insurance is required by our partners. Your insurance must include comprehensive medical and emergency evacuation. All transfers during the tour in private, air-conditioned vehicles; train ticket (Taipei to Xincheng) and 1 transfer time from Kenting to Kaohsiung Airport at the end of the tour. We also include English-speaking leaders; vehicle support; snacks and water on biking days; detailed maps and itineraries. Plus, use of a bicycle, crossbar pouch, and helmet. Airfare is not included.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
7 nights’ lodging, 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches; 6 dinners (you are on your own for 1 dinner in Dulan). Taiwan visa not included (and not required for U.S. and Canadian citizens for stays less than 90 days). Travel insurance is required by our partners. Your insurance must include comprehensive medical and emergency evacuation. All transfers during the tour in private, air-conditioned vehicles; train ticket (Taipei to Xincheng) and 1 transfer time from Kenting to Kaohsiung Airport at the end of the tour. We also include English-speaking leaders; vehicle support; snacks and water on biking days; detailed maps and itineraries. Plus, use of a bicycle, crossbar pouch, and helmet. Airfare is not included.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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