Start Trekking

For those of you who have been wanting to put on a pair of trekking boots to start trekking, this Start Trekking programme is FOR YOU! Our Start Trekking programme is, as much as for those who are new to trekking, as it is for those with some trekking experience and simply want to embark on a short duration scenic trek.

Training and Gear/High Altitude Health Knowledge Sessions

To help prepare for your first trekking adventure, we have included a training session and a gear/high altitude healthcare knowledge session prior to your trip. The training session will cover the basic trekking techniques on footwork, pacing, use of trekking poles, etc. The gear/high altitude healthcare knowledge session will introduce the layering system, footwear, hydration and high altitude health concerns such as Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS), etc. For each trek, a packing list is provided to all our participants. You can also refer to our Resource Centre page to pick up tips about the layering system and choose the right gear/equipment for your trek.

Start Trekking Destinations

We handpicked the treks for the Start Trekking programme. The treks selected are well suited for beginners with average to above-average levels of fitness. They are great picks to ease anyone into their first trekking adventure or for those who enjoy short duration treks.

These treks are entry-level and offer breathtaking scenery. The terrains are straightforward and well-trodden trekking routes. Each trek is accompanied by a trek leader to provide guidance to the team, has different levels of exposure to high altitude and weather elements (i.e. cold), offers short durations of 2-5 days of trekking, demands different fitness levels and provides different “comfort levels” in terms of accommodation during the trek (local hotel, homestay and tent, etc). The altitude ranges from as low as 1500m to 2000m to as high as above 3000m to 4000m.

Each trek is unique and offers different levels of challenges to a beginner’s level trek. It can be easy to above moderate. Depending on each person’s aptitude to coping with the conditions in the mountain and fitness level, there is something for everyone to pick a suitable trek and START TREKKING.

>> Tiger Leaping Gorge-Haba Village Trek with Jade Dragon Mountain

This trek includes the famous Ancient Tea Horse Trail/High Trail in Tiger Leaping Gorge and a day hike to a 3500m peak in Haba Village in Yunnan, China. Total number of trekking days is 3 days.

The highest point on the 2D/1N Ancient Tea Horse Trail/High Trail trek is below 3000m at 2650m at a viewing point. The trek takes around 6-7 hours to complete on day 1 and 3 hours on day 2. The day hike to the 3500m peak in Haba Village takes around 6 hours (round trip). The accommodations, all located at below 3000m, are comfortable guesthouses on the Ancient Tea Horse Trail/High Trail and homestay in Haba Village.

With a 2D/1N short trek of below 3000m and a day hike to a 3500m peak, this trek is ideal for those looking for a short duration trek, without having to go too high up into the mountains, sleep at below 3000m and does not have to give up basic creature comforts of nice warm meals, hot showers and flushing toilets.

>> Mt Hehuan Trek

Hehuanshan, 合 歡山, Mt Hehuan (also called Joy Mountain) at 3416m is one of the most accessible high altitude hiking trails in Taiwan. This trek covers the Mt Hehuan Main Peak (3417m), Mt Shimen (3237m), Mt Hehuan East Peak (3421m) and Mt Hehuan North Peak (3422m). The peaks are among the “Hundred Peaks” (百岳) identified by Taiwanese as great mountains of Taiwan. At the end of each day, we return to the hotel for overnight.

Covering four peaks above 3000m in just 2 days, this trek is for those who want to experience high altitude trekking to above 3000m, without having to sleep overnight in high elevation, and do not have to give up on basic creature comforts of nice warm meals, hot showers and flushing toilets.