IMPORTANT: READ THIS FIRST

GET READY FOR THE MOUNTAINS

AU is proud to announce our GRFM training programme launch with the declaration of Phase 3 and restriction easing.

This programme became possible with PM Lee's announcement on 14 December, allowing us to prepare for climbs in Taiwan.
With everything that we experienced in 2020, the time for training is now. If you wait to start until you know you can travel, the outcome might not meet your expectations!

Although any exercise is better than nothing, local walks don't necessarily contribute to hiking fitness. Walking 5km on city blocks is not the same as a 3km hike up to a summit! The AU GRFM training programmes are a specially designed circuit designed to reinvigorate your body and mind for upcoming adventures.

As part of your investment, AU provides trip-specific, individualised feedback to help you get ready for the moment when travel returns.

The current GRFM training programme structure offers twice-weekly sessions. AU provides a weekday morning and a weeknight option to select, with occasional weekend opportunities when scheduling allows.

All training RSVPs are announced in a specially created Whatsapp chat. You can join for a $200 deposit today, with 100% of those funds used to offset a future trip fee. There is no expiry date on this benefit until you claim it.

GRFM participants also receive priority placement and service when it is safe to travel internationally once again. If you like to focus on fitness and prepare for your next travel adventure in a supervised  environment now that restrictions are easing, this opportunity is for you! It is a chance to feel like normalcy is returning while preparing your body and mind for future opportunities.

Please take a moment to review the list of upcoming trips and contact Simon for more info or to register today!

D8N Grand Hike of Taipei Skyline
壯遊台北天際線 穿越古今台北城

​If you want to experience a stunning hike that unlocks all of the mystery and magic of Taiwan, then the Grand Hike of Taipei Skyline is the perfect opportunity to plan an exploration adventure. 

This 9-day, 8-night journey offers the first grand hike around Northern Taiwan that will take you on a route which traverses all of the ridges which surround Taipei City. This newly-marked route covers 92 kilometers, integrating 130+ trails that will guide you along ancient walking paths, city streets, and mountain vistas.

The total hiking distance in this itinerary is 90km.

Collect photos taken with the following characters: 
“台、北、東、西、南、北、大、縱、走、壯、遊、趣. "

If you have always wanted to challenge yourself with long-distance hiking in the past, then this experience in Taiwan is the perfect introduction. All of the trails are maintained in excellent condition, providing everyone at any skill level an opportunity to start exploring.

The only prerequisites are that you can handle a distance of up to 20km in one day, and then not have an existing injury to your ankle, knee, leg, or back.

You will get to view Teapot Mountain, explore Stegosaurus Ridge, and find local temples or experience the local markets as a way to get to know the local culture more intimately.

Taiwan offers a grand adventure that will be a fantastic experience every step of the way. From the shining cityscapes in the distance to the beautiful ridges and climbing opportunities that await, don’t miss this opportunity to try one of the newest long-distance hiking opportunities on this side of the world.

Incredible vistas are waiting to be discovered. Come join us to experience the magic!

Highlights

5 days of Taipei Grand Trail hiking, approximately 75km in total

• Taipei Grand Trail (台北大縱走) activity by Geotechnical Engineering Office of Taipei City Government

• newly marked route that goes across all the ridges surrounding Taipei City
• The route integrates 135 existing trails and includes ridges, ancient trails, walking paths, mountain trails, and city streets, with the difference between the highest elevation and the lowest elevation being 1,120 meters.
• Take photos at 12 designated locations with the 12 words in each location
• 台、北、東、西、南、北、大、縱、走、壯、遊、趣.

2 days of Golden Ridge Trail and Northeast Coastal trail, appox. 15km.

• Teapot Mountain Trail – Stegosaurus Ridges Trail

One of the amazing spectacular hiking trail located at the North Coast of Taiwan.
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The Itinerary

DAY ONE

• Afternoon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan
• Coach pick-up and transfer to hotel
• Rest and relax.

Accommodation: Qiantan (劍潭)

DAY TWO
1st section of Taipei Grand Trail (台北大縱走)
Starting point: Mt. Zhongyi Trail (忠義山步道)
Ending point: Anbu carpark (鞍部停車場)

Est. walking/hiking duration and distance: 9 to 10 hours, 14km to 15km
Accommodation: Hot spring hotel (金山溫泉)

DAY THREE
2nd section of Taipei Grand Trail (台北大縱走)
Starting point: Xiaoyoukeng trailhead (小油坑登山口)
Ending point: Fenggueikou (風櫃口)
​
Est. walking/hiking duration and distance: 8 to 9 hours, 14km to 15km
Accommodation: Bishan Camping Park (碧山露營區)

DAY FOUR
3rd section of Taipei Grand Trail (台北大縱走)
Starting point: Fenggueikou (風櫃口)
Ending point: Jiantan MRT station (捷運劍潭站)

Est. walking/hiking duration and distance: 8 to 9 hours, 18km to 20km
Dinner is free and easy at Shilin Night Market (at own expense)
Accommodation: Qiantan (劍潭)  ​

DAY FIVE
4th section of Taipei Grand Trail (台北大縱走)
Starting point: Bishan Temple (碧山巖)
Ending point: Lingguang MRT Station (捷運麟光站)
​
Est. walking/hiking duration and distance: 9 to 10 hours, 13km to 14km
Accommodation: Muzha area (木柵)

DAY SIX
5th / Final section of Taipei Grand Trail (台北大縱走)
Starting point: Zhinan Temple Trail (指南宮步道)
Ending point: Trailhead near National Chengchi University (政大登山口)

Est. walking/hiking duration and distance: 6 to 7 hours, 9km to 10km
Dinner is free and easy at night market (at own expense)
Accommodation: Keelung area

DAY SEVEN
Exploring and challenge Stegosaurus ridge (劍龍稜) to Teapot Mountain (茶壺山) Trans hike via Banping Mountain (半平山).
Starting point: Trailhead of Stegosaurus ridge (劍龍稜登山口)
Ending point: Qitang Old Street (祈堂老街)

Est. walking/hiking duration and distance: 8 to 9 hours, 8km to 9km
Celebration feast at night after completion of 100km in 6 days!
Accommodation: Qitang Guesthouse (祈堂民宿)

DAY EIGHT

• Explore one of the beautiful coastal hike along the northeastern coast and the lighthouse at the North-east coast of Taiwan.
• Lunch at the fishing port
• Continue to explore North-East coast of Taiwan where special rock formation along the coastal.
  ​

Est. walking/hiking duration and distance: 3 to 4 hours, 5km approx.
Dinner is free and easy Taipei city (at own expense)
Accommodation: Taipei City

DAY NINE

• Free and easy after morning breakfast
• Est. 10:45am: Check-out hotel and Coach pick-up to Taoyuan International Airport

Note:

1. The daily estimated walking/hiking duration and distance is subjected to change according to actual route/trail conditions based on a moderate speed pace.
2. Daily lunch for D2 to D7 are to be prepared by your own, you can get some energy bars, fruits, snacks, rice roll, biscuits and etc from the convenience shop nearby the day before.
3. For D2 to D7, we will try to have lunch break between 12pm to 2pm (subject to actual day walking/hiking pace condition).
4. During the hiking days, you only need to carry your day bag. The Coach will transfer our luggage to the next accommodation l

THE Grand Hike of Taipei Skyline

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​LAND COST 
$1300 SGD 

Pre-requisite:

• Suitable for any level of hikers with decent fitness level, able to hike/walk long distance between 15km to 20km in one day.
• Does not have any back, leg, ankle or knee injury.

 
Including:

1. Transportation from D1 to D9
2. Experienced Taiwanese trek leader
3. All entrance and permits for the park/summits
4. Accommodation (hotel/guesthouse/camping w/ sleeping bag) from D1 to D8
5. Meals

• Breakfast from D2 to D9
• Lunch for D8
• Dinner for D1, D2, D3, D5 and D7

 
Excluding:

• Breakfast for D1
• Lunch for D1 to D7
• Dinner for D4, D6 and D8
• Travel insurance
• International and/or domestic air fare
• All other meals that not mentioned above
• All other admission/activity/performance fee that not mentioned above
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses
• Laundry
• Visa entry if required
• Anything else not mentioned in the “Including” list.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT DETAILS (GET READY FOR THE MOUNTAINS PROGRAMME)

Step 1- Deposit of $200SGD via ATM/Bank transfer to ADVENTURES UNLIMITED, DBS CURRENT A/C - 0039351950 or PAYNOW TO UEN CODE 201600903H

Step 2: Whatapp proof of payment receipt to Tel: +65 8231 4009 (JANE)
(IMPORTANT: PLEASE INDICATE "GET READY FOR GRAND TAIPEI")

Step 3 Receipt for payment will be issued and you will be added into a dedicated Whatsapp chat for this trip.

FAQ / Refund Policy

• The GRFM does not comes with any expiry dates. 100% of this payment will be used to offset the balance of the trip, when it happens
  
  
• This deposit can be used to offset the balance of ANY trips organised to TAIWAN. 
  
  
• Will AU only start the trip when there is no need for quarantine for entering Taiwan?
  Yes, we will only commence the trip when there is a travel bubble arrangement between both countries.
  
  
• Is it transferable to another hike in another country? What if the situation changes, eg outbreak and travelling to Taiwan is suddenly not feasible?
  We can make it transferrable to a trip in another country if there are official announcements made regarding any adverse news about traveling to Taiwan. Your deposit on GFRM is not refundable because you would have given the opportunities to participate in our specially designed training sessions and trip briefings. However, always note that the deposit does not come with an expiry date. 
  
  
• How are you going to manage the risk of a sudden change in policies? For example if travel bubble is announced and travel dates are fixed, but the travel bubble is suddenly cancelled.
  There could be a chance that this might happen, given the recent example with the Singapore-HK travel bubble. We want our participants to be prepared for this worst case scenario that this trip might be cancelled. Participants might have to seek for refund / postponement with the airline or their insurance company. However, your deposit with us will not be affected. We will just postpone it to a future date. In the case of cancellation on the part of AU, your deposits will be refunded.
  
  
• I would like to go but I can only take leave next year onwards, if I sign up now, do I get to join the training now?
  Yes, you still can. However, it will be better to sign up for the GRFM training if you are more firm on your leaves. The training will get more intensified closer to departure dates. You wouldn't want to lose the momentum.
  
  
• I’ve already booked some trips which are on hold, are you going to start the training for those trips?
  We are paying attention to the situation and will start the GRFM training for those countries once we feel that a travel bubble is likely to be formed between Singapore and that country.

 

• I still have some deposit with AU for a intended travel to another country. Can I transfer the deposit to GRFM Taiwan?
  Yes, you can.
  
  
• Will I definitely get a slot for the GFRM training, now that there are restrictions imposed on numbers on gathering?
  The slots for GFRM are based on first come first served basis at the moment. However, we have several event hosts and helpers to help facilitate the training during the sessions and on different days of the week. Participant's adherence to their RSVP is appreciated so that they won't deny others of a spot.
  
  
• Once the date of this trip is confirmed and you have indicated to us in any form of writing, of your confirmed attendance, your deposit will be transferred to the Trip Event and subjected to the terms and condition regarding the any cancellation in future.
  ​
• This does not constitutes an automatic spot into the actual Trip Event. It will be subjected to availability and if the maximum size of the group are met. If this happens, you can still transfer your deposit to another Taiwan trip or wait for a similar event like this to be organised. ​

Others:

1. This event is organised by Adventures Unlimited (TA02844), a licensed travel agent registered with the Singapore Tourism Board.

2. Insurance
From 15 July 2015, a travel agent is required to inform and ask attending participants if it is their wish to purchase travel insurance that includes coverage for business insolvency of travel agencies when:

–  they are buying a leisure travel product/package; or
– their travel product/package costs at least S$1,000 (including GST) per person; or
– they are paying a deposit or payment of at least S$500 per person.

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