Looking for English-language tour of Taiwan

[eosin]

Our family (2 adults/2 elementary age kids) would like to do a 10-day tour of Taiwan. Someone I know mentioned Supera Tours (https://www.superatours.com/tour/787/).

Anyone have experience with Supera or other tour companies in Taiwan?

[Youndo]

I have been to Taiwan multiple times but not with a tour. Over the years I’ve been to most places at least once, although would hardly call myself a Taiwan expert. With that caveat, if I were to take friends there for their first trip, I would likely spend more time in Taipei, the capital. There’s so much to see, and eat; one full day doesn’t do it justice imho. Many other sites on the referenced tour can also be experienced in the Taipei area, such as hot springs and natural areas with aboriginal communities (Wulai).

The Taroko Gorge is a must see, good to see it on the itinerary. Personally, I would stay an extra day to do more hiking. And Tainan is worth it for the history as well as food.

As a non-Chinese speaker, I find Taiwan very easy to get around as the public transportation is very good and the people are extremely friendly and helpful. I find most know at least a little bit of English, the younger people knowing more perhaps. If you are even a bit adventurous, and have done your research, you should be able to navigate Taiwan on your own. It is a wonderful place to visit!

[eosin]

Thanks. I usually DIY our trips and undoubtedly it would be possible to do Taiwan on our own (we've travelled extensively). We've never done an organized tour before, but we figured we'd prefer the efficiency/ease of letting someone else take care of the logistics for a change.

[dandinsac]

On a business trip to Taipei, I took an English language day tour of the Taroka Gorge. (It was a long day.) We flew from Taipei to Hualein and then took a bus tour of the gorge and had lunch. The bus dropped us off at the train station for the ride back to Taipei. See this site that has options: https://www.nickkembel.com/taroko-gorge-taiwan/

While we were in Taipei, we mainly took the subway or taxis. Remember to grab an business card from the hotel as that was the easiest way for the taxi drivers to find the hotel. This was before Uber/Lyft, so it might be much easier now.

[eosin]

On a business trip to Taipei, I took an English language day tour of the Taroka Gorge. (It was a long day.) We flew from Taipei to Hualein and then took a bus tour of the gorge and had lunch. The bus dropped us off at the train station for the ride back to Taipei. See this site that has options: https://www.nickkembel.com/taroko-gorge-taiwan/

While we were in Taipei, we mainly took the subway or taxis. Remember to grab an business card from the hotel as that was the easiest way for the taxi drivers to find the hotel. This was before Uber/Lyft, so it might be much easier now.

Thanks, the business card tip is a good one. We will be sure to visit Taroko gorge.

[02nz]

Things in Taiwan are pretty efficient, and there's a decent level of English if you don't speak Chinese (certainly better than in the PRC, probably better than Japan as well). Why not make the DIY planning part of the fun of the trip? There's even research showing that a lot of the pleasure of a trip comes from the planning/anticipation.

In addition to Taipei and Taroko, I'd also recommend Tainan, a very different city in culture and feel from Taipei; and Lugang/Lukang, with nice traditional architecture.