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A Complex World Requires Clear Insights

TAIWAN UNFILTERED

Exclusive Taiwan trips for business and thought leaders seeking ground truth on China Risk.

This tiny island could be the stage of the biggest showdown of the 21st century. Amidst all the chatter and speculation, we believe there is no substitute for seeing it for yourself.

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Expedition Summary

8 Nights

You’re busy. Everything you need and nothing you don’t.

$25K

No corners cut.

2:1 ratio

Small client-to-expert ratio for highest quality learnings.

EXPEDITION DATES

Fall 2025

November 6-14, 2025

  • 6 of 12 seats remaining

Dates TBC

  • Please inquire if interested

Spring 2026

We’re not a tour company.

We’re field-based, forward deployed executive education.

Our customers face the harsh reality of our times — China’s next moves on the global chessboard could pose existential threats to their domain and these risks are too significant to ignore.

The world is not standing still. It’s time to see for yourself.

GUIDED BY EXPERTS

Our Method

Each expedition is led by four experts:

Military Fellow

Retired US Military Flag Officer with 25+ years experience and strategic leadership in the Asia Pacific Theater.

Academic Fellow

Scholars, researchers, and authors with deep knowledge of China-Taiwan relations and the future of US diplomacy in the region.

Expedition Leader

US SOF Veteran tasked with the overall planning and execution of the expedition. There to ensure all backend coordination for a seamless client journey.

Local Taiwan Guide

Local guides who understand the complex cultural layers of the island and the dignity of its wonderful people.

Strategic Places, Insightful People

We specialize in access to the unique and nuanced insights you care about.

*These lists are not exhaustive and subject to similar substitutions as we get closer to trip dates.
**Identities withheld to protect the privacy and security of Taiwanese Nationals.

Threat Focused

We explore the places that others won’t.

  • Walk the Red Beaches - locations that ROCs military leaders have identified as most likely to be targeted as PLA amphibious landing sites.

  • Visit Hsinchu, better known as Taiwan’s “Silicon Valley” including a tour of the TSMC Museum.

  • Explore civil defense infrastructure including air raid shelters and emergency planning hubs.

Elite Network

Unique people bring unique perspectives

  • Local Perspective: We’ll break bread with our trusted local network including: American Expats living in Taiwan, Taiwanese tech startups, NGOs focused on civil defense, and local business leaders.

  • Distinctive Community: Our clients join a community with valuable insights from diverse industries.

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Taipei (Arrival Day)

    Highlights:

    • Guests arrive throughout the day, greeted by our logistics team at the airport.

    • Evening welcome dinner at the Mandarin Oriental’s flagship restaurant, setting the stage for the week ahead.

  • Day 2: Hualien (The Eastern Fortress)

    Highlights:

    • Morning Briefing kicks off the day with strategic insights on Taiwan's eastern region.

    • The scenic drive showcases Taiwan’s rugged cliffs, highlighting the natural defensive advantage of the island’s eastern side.

    • Afternoon Workshop 1 anchors the group’s baseline understanding of Taiwan/PRC relations.

  • Day 3: Transition to the West Side

    Highlights:

    • Morning Briefing

    • Morning activities include light hikes and visits to cultural sites around Hualien.

    • After lunch, we take the scenic train ride to Kaohsiung. Enjoy curated conversations en route about Taiwan’s strategic west coast.

    • Dinner includes insights from a veteran expat journalist.

  • Day 4: Kaohsiung (Taiwan’s Strategic Port)

    Highlights:

    • Morning Briefing

    • Morning tour of Kaohsiung Port and its pivotal role in Taiwan’s economic and defensive positioning.

    • Lunch features a candid talk with a retired ROC military officer about Taiwan’s preparedness.

    • We’ll explore an air raid bunker, where we’ll delve into Taiwan’s civil defense strategy and how these structures were designed to protect civilians during past and future conflicts - a sobering reminder of the island’s preparation for potential threats and its historical resilience.

    • Free evening to explore Kaohsiung’s vibrant city life.

  • Day 5: Tainan (Historic Capital and Cultural Cradle)

    Highlights:

    • Morning Briefing

    • Morning tour of Fort Zeelandia and its critical role in Taiwan’s colonial history and modern identity.

    • Survey of Taiwan’s western “Red Beaches,” where our fellows discuss vulnerabilities to a PRC landing.

    • Lunch in the bustling streets of Anping Old Town, savoring local specialties like shrimp rolls and oyster omelets.

    • Late afternoon high-speed train to Taichung

    • Evening family dinner with a local business leader who shares insights on Taiwan’s industrial growth and challenges.

  • Day 6: Kinmen (Battlefield Island)

    Highlights:

    • Morning briefing and flight to Kinmen, just 5 miles from mainland China.

    • Tour of Zhaishan Tunnel, an underground military base once crucial to Taiwan’s defense.

    • Visit to the Guningtou Battlefield, where Taiwan’s forces repelled the PLA in 1949.

    • Explore Juguang Tower, a monument symbolizing Kinmen’s resilience, and enjoy panoramic views of the strait.

    • Evening flight back to Taichung.

  • Day 7: Hsinchu (Taiwan’s Silicon Valley)

    Highlights:

    • Morning briefing and drive to Hsinchu, home of Taiwan’s tech revolution.

    • Guided tour of Hsinchu Science Park, often called the "Silicon Valley of Taiwan," with exclusive insights into Taiwan’s semiconductor industry.

    • Visit the TSMC Museum of Innovation, showcasing the groundbreaking advancements of the world’s leading chipmaker.

    • Engage with a local tech startup to discuss Taiwan’s role in the global tech ecosystem and its strategies for resilience.

    • Late afternoon drive to Taipei.

    • Family dinner at a top-rated restaurant in Taipei with a former KMT political representative.

  • Day 8: Taipei (Political, Cultural, and Economic Heart)

    Highlights:

    • Morning tour of Taipei’s landmarks, starting with the National Palace Museum, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese art and artifacts.

    • A walk through Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, reflecting on Taiwan’s political history.

    • Lunch at Din Tai Fung, famed for its world-class dumplings.

    • Afternoon meeting with the founder of an NGO focused on bolstering Taiwan’s Civil Defense capabilities. 

    • Evening exploration of the Raohe Night Market, experiencing the vibrant street food scene.

  • Day 9: Departure Day

    Highlights:

    • Smooth transportation to Taoyuan International Airport.

    • Farewell from the team with personalized follow-up materials to help participants synthesize their insights post-tour.

STRESS-FREE TRAVEL

What’s Included?

We handle everything from the moment you touch down in Taipei. Expedition price includes:

  • All accommodations (All 4+star hotels)

  • All meals & drinks

  • All entry fees or event tickets 

  • All in-country transportation from the minute you land in Taipei until you depart.

  • The only thing we don't cover is your international flight to/from Taiwan. That said, we’re here to help you book the right flight and provide guidance on airline options specific to your needs.

All Hotels 4-Star and Above

Balanced Schedules Built for Busy Leaders.

We understand that your life back home doesn’t stop moving just because you’re not there.

We structure our days to keep you in the loop while still enjoying the moment. Each day includes:

  • A designated 90 min block with wi-fi access to catch up with the team, clean out the inbox (or simply take a nap!)

  • Time to keep your workout routine. All hotels equipped with high quality fitness rooms.

  • We start each day with the morning briefing from our expert fellows and expedition leader so you know what’s ahead and how it translates to the strategic insights you’re looking for.

FAQs

  • No, the information discussed is all unclassified and open source. While all of our retired US military Fellows once held Top Secret clearances, they do not discuss or divulge topics that are not available to the general public. If you or anyone on your team has a TS clearance and need more specifics for your company’s security officer please enquire directly and we’ll work through that process with you.

  • We understand, life happens. Here’s our refund/cancellation policy: 

    • Final expedition payment is due 10 weeks before the trip (or upon acceptance if applying within the 10 week window). 

    • Cancellations 

      • > 60 days prior = full refund

      • 15-59 days = 50% refund OR full value voucher for future expedition date) 

      • < 15 days = full value voucher for future expedition date

  • 100%. Taiwan is a thriving democracy with crime rates much lower than the US. International tourists are a welcomed part of the country’s economy. 

    That said, we are sensitive to the dynamic state of global affairs and continuously monitor global and regional developments to adapt our plans if necessary. While we aim to provide an immersive and thought-provoking experience, we adhere to strict safety protocols and work closely with trusted local partners to ensure secure travel and accommodations. Our itinerary avoids off-limits or restricted areas, focusing instead on providing valuable insights through visits to unique locations and expert-led discussions. 

    If you have specific concerns, please feel free to contact us directly for detailed information on safety measures related to your trip

  • Great to hear, we’re excited to meet you! We’re currently designing two expeditions for Spring 2026 (JAN-APR). Taiwan gets too hot during the summer months so our expeditions typically don’t span JUN-SEP. If you’re interested in attending a Spring ‘26 cohort please apply now and check the “Spring 2026” for your desired date and in the comment box let us know which month you prefer (JAN-APR). This will put you on our early wait list and we’ll notify you as soon as trip dates are solidified.  If you’re a business and want to discuss a private company trip please annotate that in your comments.

  • Interviews are currently underway for our Fall Academic and Military Fellows. We plan to publicly announce our Fall 2025 cohort and their bios on our website by June.

    While we intend to keep to the macro itinerary as described, the exact day-to-day details are subject to change even up to the day of the event as partner schedules change.

    That said, we provide clients with a monthly update as we get closer to the expedition that lays out more refined daily itineraries and known changes to the base plan.