Magic Island of Taiwan Cycling Tour
About this tour
Referred to by the Portuguese as the “Ilha Formosa” (Beautiful Island), Taiwan has preserved its wild beauty to this day. The east coast is a true cycling paradise with perfect roads and beautiful nature. We take in the highest pass in East Asia (3,275 masl), admire the unique Taroko Gorge, and enjoy the view of the Pacific in Kenting. The modern metropolis of Taipei, along with the 101 Tower, offers diverse cultural and culinary discoveries.
Road bike tour through the Island of the Bicycle.
12 days | 11 nights | 8 stages from 35 to 154 km | Total *650 – 734 km | *6700 – 9.800 m ascent
*Optional sections of routes can be done by bus
Tour Package: 139,000 THB
Tour Package incl. Single Supplement: 174,000 THB
A limited number of rental road bikes and e-bikes are available upon request.
STARTS IN Taipei
ARRIVE AT
Taiwan Taoyuan Intl Airport (TPE)
ENDS IN Taipei
DEPART FROM
Taiwan Taoyuan Intl Airport (TPE)
TOTAL CYCLING DISTANCE
734 KM
DISTANCE PER DAY
35 - 154 KM
Tour Highlights
- City Bike Tour with Taipei 101 Tower (508 m)
- North-South crossing of Taiwan
- Taroko Marble Stone Canyon
- Hehuan Shan Pass | 3,275 meters above sea level
- Scenic coastal road
- Kenting National Park | Sandy beaches and coral reefs
- High-Speed Train 300 km/h
Included
Not Included
Day 1 | Arrival in Taipei
D included
We start the tour with a night at a chic 4-star hotel in the center of Taipei. In the evening, we meet for a tour briefing before enjoying a typical Taiwanese dinner.
Day 2 | Taipei 101 Tower and City Bike Tour
B included
We make the most of the awesome “U-Bike” rental system to ride around the capital, before experiencing Taipei from one of the highest buildings in the world. From the Chang Kai Chek Memorial, we then head into the trendy cultural district of Ximending.
Day 3 | 1st stage: Taipei – Cilan
48 km | 750 m ascent | B/L/D included
After a 2-hour train ride, we reach the island’s central mountains. Once on the bikes, we ride past the mighty Mount Cilan and continue to enjoy a panoramic view of the mountain from our hotel.
Day 4 | 2nd stage: Cilan – Lishan
72 km | 2,470 m ascent | B/L/D included
Today’s ride winds up through bamboo and fern forests to the pass, with orchards growing on steep mountain slopes. We spend the night in the mountain village of Lishan, which sits at 1900 masl.
Day 5 | 3rd stage: Lishan – Sincheng
122 km | 1,940 m ascent | Optional sections by bus | B/L/D included
At 3275 masl, Hehuanshan Pass is the highest pass in East Asia. Experience the unique views of hundreds of peaks. After the climb, you can enjoy a 75 km descent through the Taroko gorge.
Day 6 | 4th stage: Sincheng – An Ton Hot Springs
130 km | 1,320 m ascent | B/L/D included
We spend the first part of the day riding along a coastal road, giving us stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. We then climb through a tropical forest to bring us to the East Rift Valley. Here, we can relax as we let our bodies sink into the thermal waters of the An Ton Hot Springs.
Day 7 | 5th stage: An Ton Hot Springs – Chishang
78 km | 670 m | | B/L included
Today, we cycle through the East Rift Valley, which lies between the Central Mountains and the Coastal Mountains. This valley runs parallel to the coast and is known for its green rice fields, waterfalls, and tea plantations.
Day 8 | 6th stage: Chishang – Taitung
95 km | 880 m ascent | B/L/D included
We ride back to the “Sunshine Coast” and back to the ocean. This area is home to the Formosan macaque monkey. We spend the night in the port city of Taitung, which was the first part of Taiwan to be inhabited by the natives.
Day 9 | 7th stage: Taitung – Kenting
154 km | 1,480 m ascent | B/L/D included
We glide through wild flora and tropical forests whilst enjoying the descent through the jungle-covered mountains to reach the east side of the Hengchung Peninsula. Here, the wind has created bizarre sand dunes.
Day 10 | 8th stage: Kenting loop – Short ride or rest day
35 km | 300 m ascent | B included
Kenting is the southernmost point of Taiwan. After a relaxing day on the sandy beach, with an optional shorter ride, we get to experience the vibrant night market and celebrate our journey at the beach bar.
Day 11 | Kenting – Kaohsiung – Taipei
B/D included
Sat in business class, we ride back to Taipei at 300 kph on the high-speed railway. In the evening, we enjoy a world-class dinner in our extravagant 5-star hotel.
Day 12 | Departure Day from Taipei City
B included
With unforgettable memories, we leave the “Ilha Formosa” (Beautiful Island), as named by the first Portuguese explorers.
All of our cycling tours will be arranged into small groups and guided by an experienced tour guide. Our bike tours are suitable for any enthusiastic cyclist in reasonable shape.
The group will determine the riding speed on any stage; faster riders may go ahead together, regrouping at selected refreshment stops with the others. During our tours it is mandatory to wear a helmet.
The Thai currency is the baht. ATM’s, which are abundant, are the easiest ways to get Thai baht. Have a supply of US dollars in cash on hand, just in case your card doesn’t work. Banks or the rarer private money changers offer the best foreign-exchange rates. Credit cards are accepted in big cities and resort hotels but you’ll need baht for family-run guesthouses or restaurants.
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.
All nationalities require a passport for entry into Thailand. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the duration of your stay in the country. If staying less than 30 days then a visa in advance is not required by European, North American, Australian and many other nationalities. You will need to show proof of an onward flight out of Thailand to be eligible for the visa on arrival. This is strictly enforced.
Thailand generally has a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. The North and Central region have a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. Northeast Thailand has a humid hot and dry weather alternatively with medium rain while the coastal areas of the east are humid and hot with intermittent rain. The South of Thailand has a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. There are three seasons: from March to June it is hot and dry, with temperatures between 27˚C/80 F and 40˚C/104 F, with night temperatures in the 20s. The rainy season is from July to October, but temperatures are slightly lower, because of the effect of the rain. During this time it will not rain continuously, but in sharp bursts, and the sun can come out quickly. The cooler season is from October to February, with average temperatures between 20˚C/68 F and 30˚C/86 F
Completion of Contract
A contract is being completed between you and Siam Bike Tours (SBT) by inscribing yourself. The terms of the business of SBT are the basis of this contract. The person inscribing will be held responsible for the liability of all person inscribed by him.
Services
Our services are being described within the present website. Any special requests or side agreements will only be part of the contract if confirmed unconditionally by SBT in written form.
Payment
Upon receiving SBT’s booking confirmation, you will have to make a down payment of 25% of the amount due. The rest has to be paid 6 weeks ahead of the starting date of your trip. If the payment has not been made on time, SBT may deny the booked services and claim processing fees.
Withdrawal by Traveller
The traveler’s withdrawal will take effect after a written withdrawal declaration has come in at SBT. The following cancellation fees will be charged:
- 90 days before starting the tour: Admin expenses (Bank fees, any costs caused by cancellation)
- 60 to 89 days before starting the tour: Deposit paid
- 45 to 59 days before starting the tour: 50% of tour price
- 15 to 44 days before starting the tour: 70% of tour price
- 0 to 14 days before starting the tour: 100% of tour price
Change of Reservation
There is no legal right to make changes with respect to the date of the journey and the destination after concluding the contract. If changes of reservation are possible and Siam Bike Tours agrees to them, the following cancellation fees will be charged. You have to alert us to this change in writing.
- 59 to 45 days before departure: THB 10,000
- 15 to 44 days before departure: THB 15,000
SBT reserves the right to change the catalog of services and prices/rates before your booking. If this is the case, SBT will duly inform you before the completion of the contract. Any increase in prices and rates may be necessary for the cost of transport or the hotel rates increase, or if the currency exchange rate is modified.
Minimum Number of Participants
All offered trips will take place at a minimum number of 4 participants. If this number is not reached, SBT may cancel the trip until 14 days before its starting date.
Cancellation
SBT is entitled to cancel the trip if by your acts or omissions you are creating a justifiable cause. In this case, SBT will refund the traveling price paid. You are starting a trip but cannot finish it. If due to any reason you abandon a trip ahead of time, no refund can be made.
Changes of Programme, Failure of Service
If during the trip a change of program has to be made (e.g. due to weather conditions) that affects a considerable part of the planned trip, SBT will refund the possible difference between the agreed travel price and this of the services adduced.
Force Majeure
Any events of force majeure such as riots, catastrophes, epidemics, etc. may cause SBT to cancel the trip. In such a case SBT will inform you as soon as possible.
Travel Cancellation Insurance
A travel cancellation insurance is not included in SBT’s tours. Such an insurance may be contracted with any travel insurance company.
Liability
SBT is liable within the limits of its obligation to exercise diligence for all specified services. The traveler takes part in the trip at his own risk. Particularly, the traveler is responsible for his state of health, his road behavior, the observance of the traffic regulations and all other local regulations regarding traffic. In no case, SBT may be held liable for any physical or material damages, that the traveler may suffer or cause by practicing cycling, even when riding in an SBT’s group or with a guide.
Court of Jurisdiction
The Court of Jurisdiction is in Thailand.