South Korea Highlights

What's Included

• Accommodation
  Hotel (7 nights), Hanok (1 night)

• Meals
  1 breakfasts, 4 dinners

• Seoul - Gwangjang market

  Visit the renowned Gwangjang Market in Seoul for a fun dinner tour.

• Seoul - Naksan night view over the city

  Experience an awesome view of Seoul's skyline at night from Naksan.

• Seoul - Gyeongbukgung Palace

  Explore Gyeongbukgung Palace, the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty.

• Seoul - Demilitarized Zone (DMZ/South Korea)

  Join a tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) from the South Korean side.

• Seoul - Bukchon Hanok Village

  Visit the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul.

• Sokcho - Local market visit

  Visit Sokcho Central Market for an insight into local daily life.

• Sokcho – Community cooking & dinner in village of Abai

  Participate in a community cooking session and enjoy dinner in the village of Abai.

• Sokcho - Island village of Abai

  Explore the island village of Abai, a haven for North Korean refugees.

• Sokcho - North Korea refugee family visit

  Visit a North Korean refugee family and listen to their story.

• Sokcho - Seoraksan Mountain Hike

  Hike Seoraksan, Korea's most well-known mountain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Andong - Andong folk village

  Stroll through the traditional houses of Andong Hahoe Folk Village.

• Andong – Village Traditional Dance Performance (except for Monday)

  Witness a traditional dance performance in Andong village.

• Busan - Haedong Temple

  Visit Haedong Temple, a famous Buddhist temple by the sea in Busan.

• Busan - Gamcheon Art Village

  Explore the colorful Gamcheon Art Village in Busan.

• Busan - Haenyeo (female diver) visit

  Meet a Haenyeo diver and learn about this predominantly female profession.

• Busan – Local ‘Smart Farm’ visit

  Visit a local 'Smart Farm' where startups grow crops in recycled shipping containers.

• Busan - Coastal walk

  Take a coastal walk along the seaside of Ikidae in Busan.

What's Not Included

• Optional Activities

  Optional activities such as the Sokcho - Yeoung Geum Jung Pagoda visit, Sokcho – Bike Ride around Yeongrang Lake, and Busan - Night cruise are not included.

• Transport in South Korea

  Transport before or after the tour is not included, but public transport in South Korea is reasonably priced, quick, and efficient.

Included Activities

• Seoul - Gwangjang market
• Seoul - Naksan night view over the city
• Seoul - Samsung D'Light Technology Complex
• Seoul - Jamsil Olympic Park
• Seoul - Gyeongbukgung Palace
• Seoul - North Village
• Gangneung - Ojukheon Village
• Gangneung - Gyeongpo Lake
• Sokcho - Island village of Abai
• Sokcho - Daepo Fish market
• Sokcho - Seoraksan Mountain
• Seoul - Demilitarized Zone (DMZ/South Korea)
• Andong - Andong folk village
• Andong - confucianist school and temple visit
• Suncheon - Suncheonman Bay Wetland Reserve
• Suncheon - Open film set
• Suncheon - Suncheon Bay National Garden
• Suncheon - Nagan Fortress Village

Transport

• If you are spending additional time before or after your tour, you will find that the transport in South Korea is reasonably priced, quick and efficient. Public buses don't always have the signage in English so is is recommended that you write your destination in hangeul (Korean phonetic alphabet) letters on a piece of paper. Bus drivers don't speak English. Local tourist centres usually have English-speaking staff and are the best places to find out about local buses.

Accommodation

• Hotel rooms:
• Many South Korean hotels have a limited supply of double rooms. If you are a couple travelling, please advise at the time of booking if you would like double bedding (subject to availability). Double bed in South Korea also tends to be smaller than normal western standard, closer to a queen size bed. It may be possible to book twin share rooms where you may push the beds together into one bigger bed, but this can't be guaranteed.
• Air-conditioning & Heating:
• Air-conditioning is not usually turned on until the warmer season. The traditional housing has floor heating.
• Hanok Stay:
• Your mattress will be on the floor. If you find that the surface is too hard, you can stack the bedding or ask for an extra mattress.

Important Information

• 1. This trip starts in Seoul on Day 1 at 4pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting for your first included activities.
• 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Mode of Transport

South Korea offers reasonably priced, quick, and efficient public transport. While bus signage may not always be in English, writing your destination in hangeul is recommended. English-speaking staff at local tourist centers can assist with bus information.

Accommodation

Experience a mix of traditional and modern accommodations in South Korea. Stay in hotels with limited double rooms, featuring smaller beds than Western standards. Enjoy air-conditioning and floor heating in traditional housing. Spend a night in a Hanok house, where mattresses are placed on the floor for an authentic experience. ...more ...less