Asia - Three Countries and Three Summits 11 Days

What's Included?

• Hotel in Seoul: Hotel Skypark Hotel in Jeju: Pacific (4 Star) Hotel in Taipei: Cosmos Hotel Taipei (2 nights) Hotel on Yushan Trek: PaiYun Lodge
• Hotel in Kota Kinabalu: The Jesselton Hotel (2 nights)
• Hotel on Kinabalu Trek: Laban Rata
• Roundtrip Flight from Seoul to Jeju
• Flight from Seoul to Taipei
• Flight from Taipei to Kota Kinabalu
• Transport in private vehicle or taxi
• Airport Transfers and Pickup
• All meals and drinks (alcohol excluded)
• Day Trips
• Professional Guide
• Permits for National Park

Climb the highest peaks in Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia. Get a firsthand look at the booming megacities of Seoul and Taipei and relax in the laid back city of Kota Kinabalu. Trek to the top of Mt Kinabalu (4095m/13435ft) the tallest mountain in Malaysia and in all of South-East Asia. Enjoy an incredible sunrise from the summit. Spend 2 days hiking through largest tract of remaining wilderness in Taiwan to reach Mount Yushan (3,952m/12966ft) the tallest in the country. Experience Taipei 101 the worlds tallest building and the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall an iconic landmark of Taipei given its historical significance and imposing architecture. Climb Mount Halla (1,950m/6398ft) the tallest peak in Korea and spend a day touring Seoul and experiencing the sites of the city. Mount Halla is located on the island of Jeju a popular island for beach vacations and this giant shield volcano literally dominates the island.

Day 1 - Seoul

We will pick you up from the airport and take you to the centrally located Hotel Skypark. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or enjoying the city.

Day 2 - Seoul to Jeju

We spend the morning and afternoon touring Seoul. Choose between viewing Seoul from its tallest building Yook-Sam (The "63" Building), learning about Korean culture at the National Museum of Korea or visiting Dongdaemun Gate a great street market. Late afternoon we make our way to Gimpo the domestic airport to take the one hour flight to Jeju. We overnight in the Pacific Hotel in Jeju.

Day 3 - Jeju (Mount Halla)

We get an early morning start and head to the Seongpanak Trailhead. This 9.2 km long trail takes us to the top of the mountain. The first several hours are spent walking through tall stands of Japanese Oak, Cedars and Korean Fir before we reach Azalea shelter (Jindallabat). Passing the shelter open grasslands with great surrounding views of the island are encountered. We reach the sometimes crowded summit in the early afternoon before returning to spend the night at Jeju. We overnight in the Pacific Hotel in Jeju.

Day 4 - Jeju to Taipei

We return to Seoul to catch an international connection to Taipei. We stay at the centrally located Cosmos Hotel in Taipei and can spend the rest of the day relaxing or if time permits make a trip to the Shihlin Night Market.

Day 5 - Taipei to Yushan (Start of trek)

We spend the morning touring Taipei. If time permits we will visit both Taipei 101 the worlds tallest building and the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall an iconic landmark of Taipei given its hisotrical significance and imposing architecture. We leave early in the early afternoon for the 5 hour drive by private taxi to the mountain village of DongPu where we spend the night and near where we will start the trek the next day.

Day 6 - Yushan Trek

We get an early morning start and head to the start of the Yushan Trek. The trek starts at an elevation of 2400m and its approximately 8km to the PaiYun Lodge at 3400m where we will spend the night. The path includes almost 80 bridges, stairs and steep climbs so adequate condition is a must.

Day 7 - Yushan Trek - to Taipei

We start our ascent to the summit at 3:00am from PaiYun Lodge. Bring a flashlight for trekking in the dark and be prepared for temperatures near freezing. We reach the summit by 6:00 am for great views and the sunrise before we head back down and take the drive back to Taipei to spend the night at the Cosmos Hotel.

Day 8 - Taipei to Kota Kinabalu

We leave in the morning to take a direct flight to Kota Kinabalu. Spend the afternoon shopping at nearby Center Point Mall or along the open markets where hawkers sell a variety of goods along the waterfront. Don’t miss out on the local favorite Bak kut teh a soup whose name translates as “Meat Bone Tea” and is usually eaten with rice or noodles. We stay in the Jesselton Hotel.

Day 9 - Kota Kinabalu to Laban Rata

We will pick you up early from your hotel to drive the 90km to Kinabalu Park HQ (1866m/6122ft). Here you will join with your porter and begin your trek from the park headquarters and head up the trail to Laban Rata (3,270m) where you will have dinner and spend the night. The food is good at Laban Rata and this Mountain Lodge is equipped with with running water, electricity, indoor showers and toilets.

Day 10 - Trek Laban Rata to Summit to Kota Kinabalu

We start at 3:00am after a quick breakfast for the trek to the summit. The trail climbs steeply and then delights as you look across the beautiful peaks, the slick granite slopes and the rays of the sun light up the jungle below. The early morning is spent on the summit taking pictures and enjoying the views before you return to park headquarters where our car and driver are waiting to take you back to the Jesselton Hotel in Kota Kinabalu.

Day 11 - Depart Kota Kinabalu

Morning will be comparatively free. Closer to your time of flight, you will be transferred to the airport in time to board a return flight. Otherwise you can extend your trip to visit Jungles, Hot Springs or to search for Orangutans and Pitcher Plants.

Exclusions

• Drinks and Snacks