South Korea Highlights
South Korea Highlights
South Korea Highlights
9 Days Starting and ending in Seoul
Visiting: Seoul, Sokcho, Andong, Busan, Korea Republic Of
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CJSK
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Physical rating:
Medium
Age range:
15-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
From:
$3356
$3020 (USD)
Operator discount: -$336
Tour Overview
A melting pot of natural wonder, culinary delights and mesmerising cityscapes, South Korea is proving to be a destination well worth adding to your bucket list! On this nine-day exploration, you’ll discover Korea’s Demilitarised Zone, eat ‘til you drop at an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurant, hike through the amazing scenery of Seorksan Mountain, wander through the colourful Gamcheong Culture Village, spend a night in a traditional hanok house and discover the charisma of Busan from seaside Haedong Temple to the stories of Haeyno divers.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Seoul
Location: Seoul
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: dinner
Annyeong! Welcome to South Korea. Your adventure begins in Seoul, South Korea's vibrant capital of high-tech gadgetry, soaring skyscrapers and delicious eats. If you arrive early, explore this modern Asian metropolis at your own pace and discover how ancient traditions come together with the modern in one of Asia's great cities. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 4 pm this afternoon. After, your leader will take you to visit the renowned Gwangjang Market for a fun dinner tour. Here, you’ll find some of Korea’s street food favourites like mayak gimbap (rice rolls), mandu (North Korean dumplings), bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) and the famous kimchi. Later, follow your group leader to the top of Naksan to see an awesome view of Seoul’s skyline at night.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Seoul
Location: Seoul
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: lunch
After breakfast this morning, join a tour of the fascinating Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). From the South Korean side of the Zone, you’ll learn how this peninsula has been divided since the devastating Korean War. You’ll visit points of interest, including the Third Tunnel of Aggression, the Unification Bridge, Imjingak Park and the Dora Observatory. In the afternoon, explore the Gyeongbukgung Palace – the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty – and the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village. Then, explore the antique and artsy streets of Insadong. In your free time this afternoon, maybe consider visiting Namsan Mountain or Yongsan's War Museum or pick up some gadgets in the hi-tech Yongsan Electronics Shopping district.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Sokcho
Location: Sokcho
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: lunch
In the morning, take a local express bus to the east coast city of Sokcho.. On arrival, head to a local restaurant with buffet-style selection of Korean food. After lunch, head to visit a local super market and the Sokcho Central Market for a real insight of how local people go about their daily lives, with the option of trying a few different local snacks. Then visit Yeoung Geum Jung Pagoda which is on the coast overlooking the sea. The rest of the afternoon is free. You may hire a bike and ride around the scenic Yeongrang Lake, or try the Korean hotpot for dinner or go for an evening visit to Sokcho tower.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 4: Sokcho
Location: Sokcho
Accommodation: Hotel
Head to Seoraksan – Korea’s most well-known mountain and the third highest in the peninsula – and take a hike to see the stunning views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, you’ll travel to Abai – a small island village that, for generations, has been a haven for refugees from North Korea by offering education and housing. Getting there is half the fun – you’ll have to work together to pull a rope on a small barge to get to the other side. Visit a North Korean defector’s family and listen to their story of how history reshaped their life. You may wish to take part in the optional village’s community dinner in the evening, where you’ll make giant Korean dumplings, have banquet noodles, rice beer and other snacks in their traditional village recreation space. The payment received for this optional dinner will be contributed to the Abai Village Preservation Society. Otherwise, you could take a walk along Sokcho Harbor or opt for a relaxing soak at the Cheoksan Hot Springs.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 5: Andong
Location: Andong
Accommodation: Hanok
Hit the road this morning, then continue to the Andong Hahoe Folk Village. This quaint settlement is easy to walk around, so you’ll join your leader on a stroll through the traditional houses (including the one that hosted Queen Elizabeth II in 1999) to get your bearings. Visit the remnants of a traditional school to see how students studied in the past and take a short hike to Buyongdae Hill, where you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the village dotted with the traditional hanok houses. Being a traditional Korean outpost, there may also be masked dancers performing in town. To learn more about this ritual, why not visit the nearby mask museum? Staying in an authentic hanok (traditional Korean house) is a unique experience and the perfect opportunity to gain more insight into local life here. There is an optional dinner to try Andong’s representative food.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Busan
Location: Busan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After saying goodbye to your host family, you’ll make your way to Busan – South Korea’s second-largest city is home to mountains, beaches, hot springs and deliciously fresh seafood. Upon arrival, visit Gamcheong Culture Village for a great overview of the city before exploring the cafes and galleries at your own pace. This colourful village is also extremely Instagrammable, so don’t forget your camera as you wander around. Then visit Haedong Temple – the famous Buddhist temple by the sea. Explore this rare gem, backdropped by the ocean and soak in the coastal views. There are different spots in the city for a perfect sunset, so maybe grab a few of your group members and head to one of the many scenic viewpoints at dusk. In the evening you are free to visit Busan X-the Sky observatory or visit Gwangan Beach.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Busan
Location: Busan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: lunch
Start your morning with a visit to a local ‘Smart Farm’ – this incubation site is where startups are growing crops in recycled shipping containers, as well as turning them into shops and cafes. Then take a walk along the seaside of Ikidae and enjoy a lunch here. In the afternoon, you’ll have the unique opportunity to talk to a Haenyeo diver. Haenyeo, literally means 'sea women', are the brave souls who dive into the sea to collect clams, sea urchins and oysters and are famous for being able to hold their breaths for a very long time! A dying profession, this has been a main source of income for the divers (predominantly female) to support their families through changing times. Visit the local Haenyeo community center and meet with an ex-diver and hear about her firsthand experience as a Haenyeo, the changes Busan has gone through from a sea port and about her life now. Tonight, maybe take an optional night cruise and see Busan from the water as the sun goes down. You can also visit Haeundae Night Market or see the buskers on the boardwalk.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 8: Seoul
Location: Seoul
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
This morning, jump on the KTX Bullet Train and head back to Seoul. The afternoon is yours to explore. Perhaps venture out and explore the National Museum, Leeum Art Museum, or you might like to check out the huge range of shopping that Seoul’s Dongdaemun has to offer. This evening, gather your travel pals for one final group dinner at an all-you-can-eat barbecue feast – you simply can’t have left Korea without some delicious Korean BBQ!
Day 9: Seoul
Location: Seoul
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. With no activities planned, you’re free to leave at any time. If you’d like to spend more time in Seoul, just speak to your booking agent.
What's Included
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Suncheon - Nagan Fortress Village
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Meals
4 breakfasts, 2 dinners
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Accommodation
Hotel (6nts), Holiday House (2nts), Hanok (1nt)
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Seoul - Gwangjang market
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Seoul - Naksan night view over the city
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Seoul - Jamsil Olympic Park
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Seoul - North Village
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Seoul - Gyeongbukgung Palace
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Seoul - Demilitarized Zone (DMZ/South Korea)
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Gangneung - Ojukheon Village
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.
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.
Important Information
- 1. The trip will start at 4pm on Day 1
- 2. A single supplement is bookable for all nights except Day 5, subject to availability.
- 3. Although this trip starts and finishes in Seoul, we highly recommend you to spend some extra time exploring this fascinating city and its neighbouring regions. Please consult your booking agents if you would like to book additional nights.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
A good degree of fitness is recommended for this trip as a lot of walking is involved. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details. -
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