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Cross-Mountain Spine - 8D / 7N / 555km / 8400m
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Tour Overview
At 555km and 8400 meters of elevation, this is a tour for those wishing to truly test themselves on two wheels!
Carefully crafted from years of experience, this 5-stage route highlights why Taiwan is fast becoming Asia's top cycling destination. Expect challenging climbs, quiet roads, flowing descents, and stops at hot spring. Feast on a variety of cuisines, from Hakka and Han to Aboriginal. This unforgettable cycling adventure ends with a glass of champagne on the white sand beaches of Kenting Highlights of the Tour:
- Ride from Taipei to the southern tip along the ‘spine’ of Taiwan
- Cycle up the famed Taiwan KOM Challenge route
- A day off to enjoy the beauty of Sun Moon Lake
- Experience Aboriginal culture and delicious cuisine
- Visit some of Taiwan’s best known temples
- Incredible 50km+ descents, amongst the longest in the world
- Finish your trip with a couple of days at Taiwan’s premier beach town
This tour is fully supported with a dedicated support van for supplies, experienced cycling guides, and daily route files tailored to your pace. You’ll stay in comfortable accommodations, enjoy delicious meals, and have all the support needed for an epic ride.
This is the mountain ride you’ll write home about. Taiwan is one of the most mountainous countries on Earth and guests will get up close and personal with these silent giants. Riding the island of Taiwan from top to bottom through some of the most spectacular scenery, while visiting top attractions Taiwan has to offer is the bucket-list experiennce!
2027 Tour Dates:
- May 16-23, 2027
- Note: Select the specific date on the drop-down calendar option listed on the right side of this page
This tour is fully supported with a dedicated van for supplies, experienced cycling guides, and daily route files tailored to your pace. You’ll stay in comfortable accommodations, enjoy delicious meals, and have all the support needed for an epic ride.
This tour is suitable for riders with advanced cycling experience as it features longer distances and significant elevation gains. Don’t sweat it though, we have van support and some optional route extensions for those wishing to ease off or push it a bit harder each day!
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Taipei to Yilan (109km / 2211m)
Riding from southern Taipei, we quickly reach the countryside. The morning has steady climbs, while the afternoon levels out along a jade river winding along a deep gorge. Passing through Chatianshan Nature Reserve; today features little traffic and lots of views. Though challenging in parts, the steady ascent and a final descent towards Yilan make it worthwhile. Optional soak in wild hot springs anyone?.
Day 2: Yilan - Lishan (75km / 2633m)
Today features a ride up the last 3/4 of the Taiwan KOM Challenge 2024 route. A beautiful and iconic cycling route, but a massive climb. It's an incredible day in the saddle. You'll pass through Shei-Pa National Park and even have a chance to see the endemic, land-locked Salmon in the park. Take your time and enjoy the views along a road that is quiet and remote. We will arrive at Lishan in the afternoon, check in and enjoy a well-earned celebratory meal.
Day 3: Lishan - Sun Moon Lake (110km / 2080m)
The climbing starts almost straight the hotel, as we take on the last kilometres of the Taiwan KOM Challenge. Today’s summit, Wuling (3275m) is the island’s highest passable point. From here. we follow a 50km descent - and it’s as exhilarating as it sounds! To wrape things up, we head to Sun Moon Lake, one of Taiwan’s most iconic destinations and the largest lake in the country. We'll cruise the pedestrian-friendly market of Ita Thao Village for dinner
🗝️ Pro Tip: Steady pacing is critical here to conserve energy for the climbs ahead. Easy does it on the descent, which many find more exhausting than the ascent the day before.
Day 4: Sun Moon Lake (Rest Day)
Today is a well-deserved rest day, with a chance for guests to relax at the hotel, visit some of the cultural sites including pagodas, temples or enjoy a unique tea-tasting experience. A day full of experiences will be scheduled, but the choice is all yours!
Option 1: A Restful Day Off the Bike
Explore Sun Moon Lake at your own pace:
→ Ride the Cable Car for stunning views of the surrounding area.
→ Jump on the local ferry to check all the sites around the lake.
→ Explore the local Ita Thao Village and local shops and market
Option 2: A Relaxed Scenic Ride – 30km with 500m Elevation
For those who prefer a light ride, the route around the lake is recognized as one of the most scenic bicycle routes on Earth. Good way to stretch the legs and see the sites. Highly recommended and good way to get a lay of the land.
Day 5: Sun Moon Lake - Alishan (128km / 2699m)
Another challenging day in the saddle awaits as we climb towards Jade Mountain! The Tatajia Ascent is renowned for it's views and the effort required to complete. Good thing we scheduled a day off the previous day. This is a stunning climb day with breathtaking views, terraced tea fields and rice paddies - all in heart of Taiwan's Central Mountains! You'll ride through Yushan National Park and down into Alishan Township at the end of the day, which sits high on the central plateau in Taiwan’s famous tea country.
Day 6: Alishan - Qishan (126km / 1570m)
Today we move off the Central Mountain Range and down towards the plains of the southwest. A morning of descents takes us past the Tsengwen Reservoir, before finishing at Qishan Old Street, a busy market renowned for its street vendors, Hakka culture & historic buildings with baroque-style facades. We'll wrap the day with some stunning Hakka Cuisine!
Day 7: Qishan - Kenting (122km / 456m)
Today is the final ride day. We head through the southern countryside with a stop at Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, one of the wonders of Taiwan’s rich buddhist culture. We’ll continue along to a coastal road and finally into the tropical resort town of Kenting, an area famed for its stunning beaches and crystal blue seas. We'll ride right to the southern tip of Taiwan and then head to the beach to celebrate the end of this wonderful ride! Off to town and the night market for dinner!
Day 8: Kenting - Taipei (Transfer Day)
After a leisurely morning, breakfast and a final swim in the ocean, the group will pack up and transfer to Lukang Old Street in Taiwan’s agricultural heartland before arriving back to Taipei in private transportation for the end of the tour.
Cost Description
Price Includes
✅ 8 days of support van with supplies and basic bike‑repair service
✅ 7 nights’ accommodation (B&Bs, 3‑4‑star hotels)
✅ Bilingual cycling guide (D1-D8)
✅ 14 meals
✅ Daily custom GPX route files
✅ Admission fees & activities listed in the itinerary
✅ Daily liability insurance
✅ All taxes and ground agency support
Price Excludes
❌ Domestic or international flights
❌ Airport transfers (available on request)
❌ Bicycles or equipment (available on request)
❌ Additional travel insurance (recommended)
❌ Alcoholic beverages and any meals not listed in the itinerary
❌ Personal expenses
❌ Tips and gratuities (at guest discretion)
Cancellation Policy
| Cancellation Request Date | Cancel Fee |
|---|---|
| 41day before | 5% |
| 31day before | 10% |
| 2day before | 30% |
| On the tour date | 80% |
⚠️ CANCELLATION POLICY:
- 95% refund when the cancellation notice arrives 41 days before the scheduled day of departure.
- 90% refund when the cancellation notice arrives 31 days to 40 days before the scheduled day of departure.
- 70% refund when the cancellation notice arrives 2 days to 30 days before the scheduled day of departure.
- 20% refund when the cancellation notice arrives one day before the scheduled day of departure.
- No refund when the cancellation notice arrives after the scheduled day of departure.
Do you have any other questions? Please send us an email to [email protected]
Notice
⚠️ PICK-UP / DROP-OFF LOCATIONS: Our pick-up location will be Taipei Main Station or guests' preferred accommodation pick up. The departure time will generally be 07:00. This arrival time allows for guests to travel from Taipei or elsewhere on the High-Speed Rail Network day 1. Our drop-off location for this tour will be Taipei Main Station or guests' accommodation.
⚠️GUIDE: In addition to providing an amazing cycling experience, our bicycle guides have the responsibility for guest safety and well-being. Our guides will monitor the group's fitness levels and health throughout the tour. In the event of poor weather or if any guests are struggling from poor fitness or adverse conditions, they reserve the right to alter the tour itinerary and/or request that the guest board the support vehicle. We thank you for your understanding as we believe guests' safety is of the utmost importance.
⚠️ GROUP SIZE: The Cross-Mountain Spine Bicycle Tour can be booked for groups between 1-6 guests. The minimum number of passengers is 5. If we are unable to secure this amount, we reserve the right to cancel this trip. Notification that the trip will be cancelled at minimum 1 month prior to the departure date. If you have a team of more than 6, please contact us directly at [email protected].
⚠️ TOUR AVAILABILITY: The Cross-Mountain Spine Bicycle Tour must be booked at least 1-month prior to the stated departure date.
⚠️ SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $23,000/guest. All selected accommodation will offer guests double occupancy with separate beds for guests, unless a Queen/double bed is requested. Note: For larger groups (6 pax +) the accommodation may slightly change due to accommodation capacity.
⚠️ BIKE RENTALS: Bike Rentals can be arranged for guests and will include bike lights, locks and helmet. Rentals are based on the availaiblity at the time of booking. Please enquire early if bike rentals are desired. Options include: Drop-Handlebar Road Bikes (e.g. Argon 18 (rim brakes) or BMC Teammachine SLR Five (Disc Brake), Flat Handlebar City Bike - Masi Doppio (rim brakes) or E-bike - Giant Fast SR E+ (rim brakes).
