Wonders of Korea and Japan

Welcome to Korea! You’ll be transferred to your hotel and have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll receive information about the start of your tour.

Total distance covered: 395 km (by high-speed train).

08:30 a.m. – Today, we’ll embark on an extensive tour of Seoul, which will last approximately five hours. We’ll begin by visiting the Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located within a large park and home to a series of royal palaces. Afterward, we’ll stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional historic neighborhood filled with small houses. Next, we’ll visit the War Memorial, an impressive museum that illustrates Korea’s many historical conflicts, with a particular focus on the Korean War, in which soldiers from numerous countries participated alongside 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 most popular areas in the city, with many shopping and entertainment centers. To conclude the day, we’ll stop at the Lotte World Tower, a stunning 550-meter-tall building, where you’ll have free time to either ascend the tower (admission not included) or explore its park and luxury shopping centers.

04:30 p.m. – Departure for the station to board the high-speed train (ticket included). In about three hours, we’ll arrive in Busan. Upon arrival, we’ll provide a transfer to the hotel for your 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.

Total distance covered: 225 km.

Scenery: We’ll travel through beautiful forests.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Busan.
10:00 a.m. – Seokguram. We’ll visit this artificial Buddhist grotto, carved into the rock in the 8th century, located on the slopes of Mount Tohamsan. Inside, you’ll find a monumental stone statue of Buddha gazing out over the sea.

11:00 a.m. – Departure from Seokguram.
11:30 a.m. – Bulguksa Temple. We’ll visit this temple, considered one of the most beautiful in the country, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple houses seven of Korea’s national treasures and is a masterpiece from the golden age of Buddhism during the ancient Silla Kingdom.

12:15 p.m. – Departure from Bulguksa Temple.
01:00 p.m. – We’ll arrive in Gyeongju, the Korean capital that endured the longest in the nation’s history, with a reign of 992 years under 56 kings. You’ll have the opportunity to photograph the stunning wooden Woljeonggyo Bridge on the banks of the Namcheon River. Lunch will be included. Afterward, we’ll head to Tumuli Park, where the royal tombs of the ancient Silla kings, dating back over 1,500 years, are located. We’ll visit one of these tombs, then walk to Cheomseongdae Observatory, the oldest astronomical observatory in East Asia, also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

04:00 p.m. – Departure from Gyeongju.
05:30 p.m. – Arrival in Daegu, the fourth most populous city in Korea. Before heading to the hotel, we’ll see Dongsan Cheongna Hill, a historic area once home to Christian missionaries, and the commercial street of Dongseong-ro, the city’s liveliest street, with its trendy shops, cafes, and restaurants.

07:00 p.m. – Approximate arrival at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Total distance covered: 225 km
Scenery: We’ll travel through beautiful forests, valleys, and rice and ginseng fields.

08:45 a.m. – Daegu Visit.
We’ll visit the Yangnyeongsi Museum of Traditional Medicine, famous for its history of medicinal herbs in Eastern medicine. Afterwards, we’ll take a walk through the surrounding streets, known as the Herbal Medicine Market, well known for its many shops and the high quality of their products—especially ginseng.

10:30 a.m. – Departure from Daegu.
12:00 p.m. – Arrival in Andong.
Just outside the city, we’ll visit the traditional village of Hahoe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll have time to stroll through the streets of this rural village that seems frozen in time. We’ll also visit the Hahoe Mask Museum, which houses a fascinating collection of masks from around the world used in dances, medical rituals, religious ceremonies, and theatrical performances.
Lunch included at a local restaurant.

3:30 p.m. – Departure from Hahoe Village (Andong).
3:45 p.m. – Arrival at Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, founded in the 16th century. We’ll visit this site, beautifully located by a river in a peaceful and idyllic setting.

4:30 p.m. – Departure from Byeongsan Seowon.
8:15 p.m. – Arrival in Seoul in the late afternoon. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, we’ll provide a transfer to the airport for your flight to Tokyo (included).

Welcome to Japan! After completing border procedures, an assistant (usually Spanish-speaking, though sometimes English-speaking) will be waiting for you. You’ll then be transferred by shared shuttle bus to the hotel. Free time.

In the morning, we’ll take a long guided tour—about five hours—through this simply stunning city! Its vibrant energy and cutting-edge neighborhoods coexist with areas full of peace and tranquility.

We’ll make a short stop at Zojoji Temple to capture the most beautiful view of the Tokyo Tower. You’ll notice hundreds upon hundreds of Jizo statues, stone-carved deities considered guardians of children, adorned with knitted hats, bibs, and pinwheels.

Next, we’ll head to the famous Shibuya Crossing, said to be the busiest intersection in the world. Then we’ll visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife.

We’ll continue our tour by bus along the elegant Omotesando Avenue, explore the most scenic part of the Imperial Palace and its gardens, and stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge.

We’ll drive through Akihabara, the “Electric City,” known as the center of Japanese manga and anime culture. Then we’ll head to Tokyo Skytree (admission included), Japan’s tallest structure, where we’ll enjoy an unmatched panoramic view of the city.

We’ll end our visit in Asakusa, where we’ll explore Sensoji Temple and the famous Nakamise Street. Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel.

6:30 p.m. – We’ll meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the subway (tickets included) to the Shinjuku area. From there, we’ll enjoy a walk through this lively district before heading to a local restaurant for dinner (included). We’ll return to the hotel by subway, accompanied by our guide.

Note: The order of the visits may vary depending on the admission time for Tokyo Skytree. In case of bad weather or other exceptional circumstances, access to Tokyo Skytree may be limited. In that case, an alternative visit to another iconic city viewpoint will be offered.

Total distance covered by bullet train: 430 km.

07:00 a.m. - Departure from the hotel. We’ll transfer to Tokyo Station to board a high-speed bullet train. The journey will take approximately two hours and fifteen minutes.

Note: You’ll be accompanied to the station, but during the train journey, a guide will not travel with you if the group for this section of the trip has fewer than 15 people. Upon your arrival at Kyoto Station, our guide will be waiting to continue the tour.

10:30 a.m. - Kyoto. We’ll meet our main guide and begin exploring this historic city, which served as Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and hosted the Imperial Court. Remarkably, Kyoto was the only major Japanese city spared from bombing during World War II, allowing it to preserve its extraordinary artistic and cultural heritage. Kyoto is also known as the site where the 1997 Kyoto Protocol was signed, a treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Our tour will cover some of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks, including the Kinkakuji Temple—commonly known as the "Golden Pavilion"—surrounded by its stunning gardens and the Imperial Palace. Free time for lunch. Afterwards, visit the breathtaking Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari. Transfer to Gion will be included. This lively, traditional district is renowned for its Geisha culture and offers a glimpse into Kyoto’s historic charm. Enjoy free time to explore. The return to the hotel will not be accompanied; we recommend taking a taxi, and the guide will provide instructions on how to do so.

Total distance covered: 125 km.

08:00 a.m. - Departure from Kyoto.
09:00 a.m. - Nara. Our visit will take us to Todaiji Temple, a spectacular Buddhist site built in 752. The temple houses a giant Buddha statue and is surrounded by a serene park where you can interact with the friendly deer that roam freely. This will be your chance to take photos and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this historic area.

10:30 a.m. - Departure from Todaiji Temple.
11:15 a.m. - Horyuji Buddhist Temple. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a glimpse into Japan’s ancient spiritual heritage. Here, you can explore its seminary, monasteries, and temples, including the iconic main pagoda, one of the world’s oldest wooden buildings and the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan. Horyuji remains an important place of worship and historical significance.

12:45 p.m. - Departure from Horyuji. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant before we continue to Osaka.
02:30 p.m. - Osaka. Arrival in Japan’s second-largest city, known for its modern skyline and vibrant culture. After check-in, you’ll have free time to explore.

In the evening, we’ll visit Dotonbori, a bustling and colorful district famous for its lively nightlife, neon signs, and excellent dining options. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.