Essential Korea

Welcome to Seoul! As fellow travellers are arriving throughout the day, there are no planned activities until a group meeting at 6 pm. Check into the hotel and enjoy the city.

After the welcome meeting, join your CEO for an orientation walk down Cheonggyecheon Stream to learn about Seoul while walking past small waterfalls and nearly two dozen overhead bridges. Then, enjoy the dense grid of streets found in the bustling neighbourhood of Myeongdong which is packed with people at all hours of the day looking to enjoy some of the best shopping, street food, and nightlife in all of Korea.



Opt for a group dinner to end your first night!

ACTIVITY: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO who will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. You'll be taken through Cheonggyecheon Stream which is an 8.4 kilometre (5.2 mile) waterway and public space that runs through the heart of downtown Seoul. Myeongdong is another popular spot you'll hit on your orientation walk. This exciting district features street food carts, major shopping malls, and entertainment.

ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Sit back and relax on a private bus and enjoy a tour of the bustling metropolis where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples and street markets. Visit Gyengbokgung Palace, the National Folklore Museum, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong alley.

After exploring the city, opt to see a show, explore a local museum, or hit the pavement and eat your way through street markets trying local fares such as bibimbap, soondae, and kimchi.

ACTIVITY: Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty built in 1395. The palace has been destroyed many times over, but more than 50 per cent of the buildings are still standing or are restored. The complex is also home to the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum.

ACTIVITY: Explore the narrow and hidden alleys of one of the most memorable places in Seoul. Now filled with antique shops, galleries, tea houses and traditional restaurants, this area once housed the royal studio for painters during the Joseon Dynasty.

ACTIVITY: Located within the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung Palace, learn about the history and traditions of the Korean people during the Joseon era.

ACTIVITY: Be transported back 600 years into Seoul's past while walking through Bukchon Hanok Village, which boasts the largest cluster of privately owned traditional Korean wooden homes (hanok) in Seoul. Keep an eye out for the half-dozen or so alleys that have beautifully restored architectural features like small courtyards, decorative outer walls, and dark tiled roofs.

ACTIVITY: Enjoy a bus tour of the bustling capital of South Korea. Visit different areas of the city including Gyengbokgung Palace, National Folklore Museum, Jogyesa Temple, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong alley.

FREE TIME: Head out and explore.

After breakfast, board a high speed bullet train for a relaxing morning ride through the countryside to Gyeongiu. Once the group arrives to this old capital city for 1,000 years, they will experience an overnight stay in a local temple. During the stay the group will learn about temple etiquette, watch a monk martial arts performance, experience the daily prayer ritual and a temple style dinner.

Stay in rooms called Ondol. These rooms are very traditional, heated to be cozy and comfortable, with beds made up directly on the floor. The rooms here are multi-share, divided up by male and female rooms. Enjoy a traditional dinner and breakfast during the stay.



Have the opportunity to learn about temple etiquette, experience the daily drum and bell ritual and take an easy hike up to the only stone cave temple in Korea for morning meditation.

TRANSPORT: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

ACTIVITY: Stay in rooms called Ondol, which are very traditional and heated to be cozy and comfortable with beds made up directly on the floor. The rooms here are multi-share, divided up by male and female rooms. Enjoy a traditional dinner and breakfast during the stay.

Enjoy a peaceful morning meditation, martial arts practice, and drum and bell ritual before exploring in Gyeongiu. On the city tour visit to the UNESCO site of Bulguksa Temple located on the slopes of Mount Toham and admire the national treasures there, such as Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo, and two gilt-bronze statues of Buddha. Afterwards, experience the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and the surrounding Royal Tombs.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Visit sights around Gyeongju on an included tour. See the UNESCO site Bulguksa Temple, a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and encompasses seven National treasures of South Korea.

ACTIVITY: Nestled in the heart of Gyeongju, the capital of the former Silla Kingdom, Cheomseongdae may not appear to be a monumental landmark. But this observatory tower that dates back to the seventh century is actually the oldest existing astronomical observatory in all of East Asia. Cheomseongdae was used for observing the stars in order to forecast the weather in the ancient scientific hub of Gyeongju.

ACTIVITY: The Daereungwon Tomb complex in Gyeongju holds 23 tombs that are found inside of large mounds. The complex is beautiful with its rolling mounds and gardens, but the real treat can be found inside the tombs, the most famous being Cheonmachong and Hwangnamdaechong. Each tomb holds thousands of relics that gives us a window into the Silla Dynasty and its royal family. The contents of these tombs are over 1,500 years old and a great treasure to anyone who enjoys Korean history and artistic beauty.

Travel by bus to Busan. Along the way enjoy a day trip to Yangdong Folk Village, a 500-year-old UNESCO site located in Gyeongju National Park, to get a feel for life during the early Joseon Dynasty. Afterwards, continue on to the picturesque 14th century seaside temple hidden in the rocks - Haedong Yonggungsa. After exploring the temple, check in to your hotel and get your bearings with an orientation walk on Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island (APEC House). Spend the evening getting to know colourful Busan, opt to treat yourself at a Jjimjilbang spa or sing your heart out at a popular karaoke bar.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Get a fascinating look into life during the Joseon Dynasty on this visit to the Yangdong Folk Village. Founded in the early 1400s, the village boasts well-preserved buildings and has more than 160 homes displaying traditional Joseon architecture within a gorgeous natural setting.

ACTIVITY: Originally built in 1376, this picturesque, cliffside Buddhist temple overlooks the East China Sea. Opt to grab a bizarre local snack at the traditional market. Legend foretells that should you pray here, at least one of your wishes will come true.

In the seaside city, Busan, visit the bustling Jagalchi fish market, Gukjesijang market, Yongdusan Park, and the colourful Gamcheon Culture Village before traveling back to Seoul. After arriving in Seoul by train, check out Korea's oldest traditional market - Namdaemun Market. Then make your way by cable car to N Seoul Tower to see this beautiful landmark and opt to make the trip up to the observation deck. Spend the rest of your day in Seoul opting to see Banpo Bridge, the floating islands, or hanging out in the Gangnam district.

ACTIVITY: Discover this market and major attraction at Nampo Port. Wander through the rows of stalls selling everything you can dream of from the sea. Watch as locals haggle for the best price and fishmongers hawk their wares.

ACTIVITY: Visit Yongdusan Park, home to more than 70 different types of trees, and see the 118m (387 ft) high Busan Tower. The park's unique shape is said to look like a dragon's head.

ACTIVITY: Explore the pastel-coloured village of Gamcheon, nestled in the side of a mountain, with uniquely painted houses, murals, cafes, and shops.

ACTIVITY: Take the cable car to visit the most iconic landmark in Seoul! Located at the top of Mt Namsan, and standing at 480m above sea level, what used to be a broadcasting station before it was open to the public, is now a beautiful observatory. If you'd like to go up the tower to the observatory an additional fee is required.

ACTIVITY: Dating back to 1414, this is Korea's oldest traditional market and it's largest, with over 10,000 vendors spanning several city blocks. Get ready to shop!

ACTIVITY: Gukjesijang or Gukje Market is nestled near Biff Square, a well-known modern movie district in Busan. The market once was a place for refugees to earn a living over the period of the Korean War. Now, it's a bustling international market where loads of food, home goods, clothes, souvenirs and more can be found.

TRANSPORT: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), founded in 1953, separating North and South Korea. With over a million soldiers on watch each day, it is one of the last remnants of the Cold War. With a buffer zone 4km wide and spanning 250 km long there has been very little development in the area, therefore nature and wildlife have pretty much taken over. Spend about 3-4 hours visiting the Demilitarized Zone, then head to The War Memorial of Korea. Later, return back to Seoul for another night in the city.

Opt to visit the Samsung Leeum Contemporary Gallery, explore the Itaewon neighbourhood, or prebook the Kimchi making and Hanbok experience.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) the de facto border between North and South Korea, which cuts the peninsula in half. Created in 1953, it is the most heavily militarized border in the world.

FREE TIME: The biggest city in South Korea is yours today! Enjoy free time to rest or explore.

ACTIVITY: If you love history - dive right into The War Memorial of Korea. The memorial building serves to exhibit and memorialize the military history of Korea and preserve materials related to the Korean War. Divided into indoor and outdoor exhibits containing about 9,000 artifacts, there sure is a lot to see here!

Today take a glimpse into traditional Korean life. After a free morning in Seoul, we head to the hanok village of Jeonju by train. Enjoy a tour of this picturesque hanok town, followed by a Hanjeongsik Dinner, a traditional Korean multiple course meal.

FREE TIME: Enjoy a free morning Seoul.

TRANSPORT: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

ACTIVITY: Take a tour of this small but amazing village. Visit some of the iconic landmarks, like the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Jeondong Catholic Church, Korean Liquor museum, Jeonju handicraft exhibition hall. Feel immersed in this historic town.

ACTIVITY: After a day of exploring the historic town of Jeonju, enjoy a Hanjeongsik traditional dinner, a Korean full course meal. Through multiple small banchan plates, you'll taste many aspects of Korean cuisine. This is the prefect, and delicious, way to end the day.

From big city, to traditional towns, today we move to the greener side of South Korea. We'll venture to Damyang to take a tour of the mighty Juknokwon Bamboo forest, the greatest in South Korea. After some time under the bamboo blades, we travel to even greener pastures in the Boseong Green tea field. In the evening, arrive to Yeosu, where the city meets the sea.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Juknokwon is the most famous bamboo forest in South Korea, sprawling approximately 150,000 squared meters with a variety of walking trails. Join your CEO for a stroll along the healing walking paths or take some time for a rest in the fresh air underneath the towering bamboo.

ACTIVITY: Deep green hills for as far as the eye can see make this beautiful tea field a year-round attraction. At Daehan Dawon, you can see the cultivation process, visit the tea museum and taste various green teas and even ice cream while walking along the field.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Breathe in the sea air and join your CEO to visit some of the more iconic spots in Yeosu. Ride the cable car for a perfect seaside view of Odongdo Island. Then immerse yourself in larger than life sculptures and interactive art exhibits at Yeosu Art Land. Experience the art and walk out onto the Hand of Midas for an equally impressive view of the sea. In the afternoon, enjoy free time during your last night on the South Korean main land.

ACTIVITY: Catch a ride on the Yeosu cable car from South Korea mainland to Dolsan Island with a perfect view of the coast and sea. Make sure you do look down and take in the view from your glass bottom car.

ACTIVITY: Walk through a garden of sculptures. Wander through the illusion of a 3D art museum. Stand in the giant palm of Midas' hand. You can also opt to catch an adrenaline rush on the Extreme Swing Swing and the Ocean Skywalk. A beautiful, artistic experience unlike anything else in South Korea.

FREE TIME: Spend the afternoon enjoying Yeosu how you'd like.

In the morning, board a flight to the volcanic island of Jeju. With waterfalls, lava caves and miles of beaches, the next three days will not disappoint. After lunch on the island, head to Seongsan Sunrise Peak for an easy hike up the volcanic formation to reach an incredible views of the ocean. This afternoon, you'll have the unique opportunity to witness the women divers on Jeju. Watch as they dive for seafood, using their incredible breath-hold abilities. Then, join your group at the Seongeup Folk Village to learn about the history and people of Old Jeju.

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

ACTIVITY: Take a short hike to see one of the most beautiful views in all of Jeju Island. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Seongsan Ilchilbong was formed around 5000 years ago by an underwater volcanic eruption that created this unforgettable scenery. This beginner hike has a well maintained trail and is suitable for all fitness levels.

ACTIVITY: Watch the amazing Haenyeo Performance and learn about the lives and traditions of Jeju's female divers. Watch as the haenyeo harvest seafood from the sea in live shows. Witness their incredible breath-holding techniques as they surface with abalone, conch, sea cucumbers and more. Afterwards, have a chance to interact with these amazing women, seeing their catch and maybe even purchasing their fresh seafood.

ACTIVITY: Enjoy a guided tour of the traditional Jeju culture through this living museum. Here you can see traditional homes, harubang (stone statutes), lava walls and the way the people of Old Jeju lived.

Today, immerse yourself in Jeju's natural side. In the morning, see the colorful side of Jeju at Hallim Park, the island's botanical garden. Stroll through the various themed gardens, caves and folk village all within this huge park. Then head Yongmeori Coast to witness the dramatic cliffs and to Mt. Sanbang for a short coastal hike to a temple atop the mountain.

After lunch, we'll take the scenic route to Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls, perfect for a photo op. Last stop of the day is to Soesokkak Estuary where you'll hop aboard a boat for a tour of the sea and the incredible coastline.

ACTIVITY: Where pine forests meet volcanic rock and where fresh water meets the sea. Explore this beautiful place by boat on a short guided tour and enjoy an amazing view of the canyon.

ACTIVITY: Wonder through the themed gardens of Hallim Park, under palm trees, through bonsai gardens, and a subtropical botanical garden. After a short tour within the park, opt to stroll through your favorite gardens or explore the caves, and visit a folk village.

ACTIVITY: Take a short hike to reach Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls. On this scenic walk to the falls, enjoy the lush, subtropical forest along the way. While swimming is generally not permitted, the site is perfect for photography and relaxation in such a beautiful place.

ACTIVITY: Walk along Yongmeori's rugged coastline known for its dramatic cliffs and unique rock formations. Then take a short hike up Mt. Sanbang to a temple situated on the mountain.

Depart at any time.