Eight-Day Luxury Taiwan Tour for Four
Value: $34,400 (trip for four people, double-occupancy, airfare is not included)
Minimum Bid: $25,000
Availability: Valid for two years, from January 2024 – December 2025. Three months advance reservation is recommended
Note: If you do not plan to be at the live auction, and would like to place a proxy bid, please contact Diane Wortis at diane@mahaiwe.org or 413-644-9040 x123. Please also note that the trip is for four people. If you are a group of two or a single person and are interested in bidding on this trip (live or by proxy), please contact Diane to see if a group can be put together.
Description: Taiwan is a hidden gem of exquisite cuisine, extraordinary art, and stunning landscapes. This private Taiwan tour features customized private touring and some of our favorite experiences on the island nation, such as visiting the world-famous National Palace Museum to see the finest artworks from the Chinese imperial art collection, scenic touring and hiking among the spectacular marble canyons and waterfalls of Taroko Gorge, seeing age-old rituals and beautiful architecture at active Buddhist and Taoist temples, taking a private cruise on atmospheric Sun Moon Lake, browsing top boutiques and studios for high-quality ceramics and other Taiwanese crafts, sampling the delicate flavors of Taiwan’s highly regarded oolong teas, visiting a handmade paper factory, meeting Buddhist monks at local temples, exploring the volcanic landscapes of Yangmingshan National Park, and watching the sunrise.
Food is a major attraction of any visit to Taiwan. The itinerary includes top culinary experiences such as visits to lively night markets in Taipei to sample local street food dishes, private cooking lessons to learn to prepare Taiwanese and Chinese dishes, and reservations at top restaurants across the country, including Michelin-starred restaurants and local favorites such as Din Tai Fung, the Taiwanese dumpling empire.
On this wonderful private Taiwan tour, experience Taipei’s cultural and culinary highlights, the unique natural beauty of Taroko Gorge, and the diverse charms of Sun Moon Lake. This itinerary also features a wonderful train ride along the coast and an incredible scenic drive through the mountains.
Begin in Taipei, the fascinating capital of Taiwan. During flexible private touring with your own guide and driver, visit the renowned National Palace Museum, the repository of the imperial Chinese art collection, to see masterpieces of painting, porcelain, jade carving, calligraphy, and other arts. Visit the beautiful Longshan Temple and other Buddhist and Taoist temples that bustle with worshippers at all hours. At an atmospheric local tea house, sample Taiwan’s acclaimed tea, such as delicate mountain-grown oolong. Walk through the historic port district and along backstreets where shops inside century-old buildings offer Taiwanese specialties. Stop by the landmark Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial to learn about one of the founding fathers of modern Taiwan. Venture up Taipei 101— among the tallest buildings in the world—for panoramic views over the city and mountains. Also, enjoy browsing for Taiwanese crafts, such as high-quality ceramics and glassware, or exploring Songshan Cultural and Creative Park shops. One evening, visit the renowned Shilin night market, a vast indoor-outdoor emporium of tiny shops and food stalls offering Taiwanese delicacies.
Next, enjoy the scenic train ride to Hualien, followed by a private transfer into spectacular Taroko Gorge, a narrow canyon carved into marble mountains. Visit highlights such as Eternal Spring Shrine, Swallow Grotto, and the Shakadang River. If desired, enjoy hiking in the hills to see beautiful waterfalls and Buddhist temples. You will also have time to relax at the spa and other facilities at your Taroko Gorge resort.
Continue with your private guide and driver on the Central Cross-Island Highway through forested mountains and over breathtaking Wuling Pass (10,745 ft), the highest road pass in Taiwan, to Sun Moon Lake. Stay at one of the best resorts in Taiwan, with views of the beautiful lake and surrounding mountains. During flexible private touring in the region, enjoy options such as a private cruise on Sun Moon Lake, visits to local temples, a stop at a working tea plantation, a visit to a handmade paper factory, and a tour of the fascinating Chung Tai Chan Monastery, one of the most important religious sites in Taiwan. Other options include riding the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway over the mountains and visiting the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village.
Return to Taipei for flexible touring in the hot springs area of Beitou, scenic touring in Yangmingshan National Park, or last-minute shopping in Taipei. Upon request, your private tour guide can also arrange reservations at the finest restaurants in Taipei and tickets to performances of puppet theater, Chinese opera, and Cloud Gate Dance Theater.
Details and itinerary:
Hotels
- Taipei: Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
- Taroko Gorge: Silks Place Taroko
- Sun Moon Lake: The Lalu
- Taipei (Beitou): Villa 32
Plus:
- Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
- Preferred rooms in Taiwan’s premier luxury hotels and resorts
- Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from the travel specialists
- A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
- Around-the-clock support at each destination during your trip
- Luxury vehicles for private touring and transfers
- First-class train tickets and luggage transfers
- Highly personalized itinerary planning
- Restaurant reservations, shopping recommendations, tickets to cultural performances, and exclusive access to local activities and experts
Bid on this and other live auction items at the Mahaiwe Gala. There is also a paddle raise that you can participate in at the Gala or now!