The Essence of Korea and Jeju Island

Welcome to Korea! You’ll be transferred to your hotel, where you’ll meet your guide.

18:00 hrs.- Later in the afternoon, we’ll begin our introduction to this fascinating country. With our guide, we’ll take the modern and efficient metro (which you’ll be taught how to use) to City Hall, to see outside this impressive tsunami-looking building. Across from City Hall is the Deoksugung Palace, beautifully lit at night, allowing us to appreciate the blend of tradition and modernity in this country. From there, we’ll walk to the Myeongdong district, South Korea’s largest shopping and entertainment area, whose name means “bright town.” Dinner will be included at a local restaurant. Overnight accommodation.

Total distance covered: 250 km.

Important note: Please remember to bring your passport, as it is required. The DMZ is a military zone and could be closed unexpectedly without prior notice. If this happens, an alternative route will be provided.

07:30 a.m. – Early departure to the Cheorwon region and its section of the DMZ, the Demilitarized Zone marking the separation between the two Koreas.
09:30 a.m. – Arrival in Cheorwon. We’ll explore the Second Tunnel, secretly dug by the North Korean army and discovered in 1975. Next, we’ll head to the Cheorwon Peace Observatory, which offers panoramic views of the DMZ and the first villages of North Korea. Inside, there is a small museum detailing the Korean War. Our route will continue with a visit to the disused Woljeong-ri train station. We’ll also visit the Baek Ma Battle Memorial, commemorating the intervention of a French UN battalion during the fighting. Lastly, we’ll visit a local distillery that produces Korea’s traditional rice liquor, Makgeolli.

02:00 p.m. – Departure from Cheorwon. Return to Seoul.
04:00 p.m. – Arrival at the hotel in Seoul and free time.

06:00 p.m. – With our guide, we go to City Hall, to see this impressive tsunami-looking building. Across from City Hall, we’ll see Deoksugung Palace, beautifully lit at night, allowing us to appreciate the blend of tradition and modernity in this country. From there, we’ll walk to the Myeongdong district, South Korea’s largest shopping and entertainment area, whose name means “bright town.” Dinner will be included at a local restaurant. To return to hotel we’ll take the modern and efficient metro (ticket included). Overnight accommodation.

08:30 a.m. – Today, we’ll include a comprehensive five-hour tour of Seoul. We’ll explore Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a complex of palaces set within a large park. Afterward, we’ll stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village, a historic neighborhood with traditional small homes. Next, we’ll visit the War Memorial, an impressive museum that illustrates the conflicts experienced in Korea throughout its history, especially the Korean War, in which soldiers from numerous countries participated with the United Nations.

01:00 p.m. – Lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

02:00 p.m. – We’ll continue to the Gangnam District, one of the busiest areas in the city, home to numerous shopping and entertainment centers. Finally, we’ll stop at Lotte World Tower, an impressive 550-meter-tall building, where you’ll have free time to either go up the tower (ticket not included) or stroll through its park or luxury shopping malls.

04:30 p.m. – Return to the hotel and free time.

Total distance covered: 227 km.

Scenery: Pleasant landscapes, rolling hills, and vast cultivated areas.

08:00 a.m. – Today, we’ll visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, an impressive palace with 600 years of history, where we’ll witness the changing of the guard ceremony, if it takes place.
10:00 a.m. – We’ll depart from Seoul and head south through Korea.

11:00 a.m. – Arrival in Suwon, the former capital of Korea, known for its impressive UNESCO World Heritage walls.
12:15 p.m. – Before leaving the city, we’ll take a scenic drive along the city walls and their fortifications, and visit Hwaseong Haenggung, the summer palace.

01:30 p.m. – Lunch will be included.

02:30 p.m. – Departure for Jeonju.
04:30 p.m. – Arrival in Jeonju. With our guide, we’ll explore the fascinating historic center (Hanok Village), filled with little houses, traditional shops, and art galleries. After the tour, you’ll have free time.

Total distance covered: 415 km.

Scenery: We’ll travel through high mountains, with beautiful landscapes around Haeinsa in the National Park.

Note: We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for the walk to Haeinsa Temple.

08:30 a.m. - Departure from Seoul.
09:40 a.m. - Sunchang Gochujang Village. Nestled at the foot of Mount Amisan, where you’ll find traditional hanok houses and courtyards filled with clay jars called hang-a-ri, this town is home to master artisans who make gochujang (Korean chili paste) using traditional methods. We’ll get a chance to see how this iconic sauce is made.

10:20 a.m. - Departure from Sunchang Gochujang Village.
10:40 a.m. - Damyang. We’ll explore the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest, with scenic trails that are perfect for peaceful walks and meditation. You’ll also find various products made from bamboo, which are honored and studied in centers such as the Bamboo Museum. Lunch will be included, featuring a local dish of rice steamed inside a bamboo stalk.

01:50 p.m. - Departure from Damyang.
04:00 p.m. - Arrival at Haeinsa. Surrounded by breathtaking forested mountains, we’ll visit one of the country’s most important Buddhist temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 802, it houses the Tripitaka, the most comprehensive collection of Buddhist scriptures, carved on 80,000 wooden blocks.

05:00 p.m. - Departure from Haeinsa.
07:45 p.m. - Busan. We’ll arrive in Korea’s second-largest city, famous for its lively atmosphere. Overnight stay.

Total distance covered: 85 km.

Note: We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for the walk to the Haedong Yonggung Temple and while exploring Gamcheon Culture Village.

08:30 a.m. – Departure from Busan.
09:15 a.m. – Haedong Yonggung. We’ll visit this 14th-century Buddhist temple, set on the cliffs along the coast of Busan. On the main path leading to the temple, you´ll find a row of stone statues representing the twelve figures of the Chinese zodiac, believed in Eastern philosophy to be guardian deities.

10:15 a.m. – Departure from Haedong Yonggung.
11:15 a.m. – Busan —the second-largest city in South Korea—. We’ll go on a city tour during which we’ll visit the United Nations Memorial, the resting place for people from many nations. Next, we’ll head to the largest fish market in the country, located near Nampo Port. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. Afterward, we’ll walk to Yongdusan Park, with its towering 120-meter pagoda.

02:30 p.m. – We’ll depart for Songdo Beach, home to the country’s first marine cable car (ticket included, weather permitting), offering stunning views of the bay. Our journey will continue to Gamcheon Culture Village, known for its brightly colored buildings, maze-like alleys, art galleries, pottery workshops, and beautiful cafés.

06:45 p.m. – Departure from Gamcheon Culture Village. Return to Busan.
07:15 p.m. – Arrival at the hotel in Busan. Overnight stay.

We’ll depart for Busan Airport to catch the included flight to Jeju Island, arriving mid-morning. This island is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll begin our tour with a visit to the Seongsan Ilchulbong Crater, also known as Sunrise Peak, a must-see tourist destination. Next, we’ll head to the Seongeup Folk Village, located at the foot of Hallasan Mountain and surrounded by walls. The village features numerous traditional houses made of stone, clay, and thatched roofs, where we can wander through its authentic streets. We’ll then visit the Haenyeo Museum, dedicated to preserving the tradition and culture of the iconic women divers. As we explore the museum’s various exhibits, we’ll learn about their history, customs, ceremonies, and the tools they use for fishing. After the visit, we’ll provide a transfer to the hotel.