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The adventure

On this nine-day Premium adventure, you’ll explore the culture and cuisine of South Korea from a unique perspective, all alongside a local leader who has all the insights. Start in Seoul with a Korean BBQ and meet with a North Korean defector to learn their fascinating story. Wander through Gyeongbukgung Palace before heading to a local home for a private food lecture. Enjoy a bibimbap in Jeonju, visit a brassware store and workshop and learn about the town’s rich art culture. Walk through bamboo forests before heading for Mt Gaya’s Hainesa Temple, where you’ll stay overnight, meditate like the monks and chat with a local monk over tea. Visit the historic coastal city of Mokpo, ride a record-breaking cable car up Mount Yudal, and meet with a local musical troupe who will teach you Korean folklore through song and music. End the day on Jeju Island and chat with a local Haenyeo woman before visiting UNESCO’s Seongsan Ilchulbong for the most scenic views in Korea!

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

South Korea

Showing Days 1-7

9-day itinerary

Day 1SeoulEoseo oseyo! Welcome to Korea. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins in Seoul, where you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After meeting your fellow travellers and trip leader, you’ll head out on a short walking tour of modern Seoul and the Myeong-dong entertainment district. Then, sit down to a group welcome dinner of Korean lamb skewers on a high-tech self-turning grill with veggie sides and rice. Learn more about Korean local food over dinner and drinks, then walk along the tranquil Cheonyecheon stream to the Gwangjang or Dongdaemun night markets.

Seoul

Eoseo oseyo! Welcome to Korea. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins in Seoul, where you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After meeting your fellow travellers and trip leader, you’ll head out on a short walking tour of modern Seoul and the Myeong-dong entertainment district. Then, sit down to a group welcome dinner of Korean lamb skewers on a high-tech self-turning grill with veggie sides and rice. Learn more about Korean local food over dinner and drinks, then walk along the tranquil Cheonyecheon stream to the Gwangjang or Dongdaemun night markets.

Day 2SeoulThis morning you’ll visit Gyeongbokgung Palace – the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty which dates back to 1395 – and Bukchon (the North Village) – home to many hanoks (restored Korean houses). From here, head to the home of Daniel Gray, the food expert that worked on Netflix's Street Food Asia Seoul. Sit down for a lecture on Korean food history, then enjoy a homecooked lunch, tasting local delicacies and drinks from all over the country. After returning to your hotel, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with a North Korean defector to hear their harrowing tale of struggle, and ultimately, triumph. The evening is then yours to explore at your own pace or rest at your accommodation.

Seoul

This morning you’ll visit Gyeongbokgung Palace – the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty which dates back to 1395 – and Bukchon (the North Village) – home to many hanoks (restored Korean houses). From here, head to the home of Daniel Gray, the food expert that worked on Netflix's Street Food Asia Seoul. Sit down for a lecture on Korean food history, then enjoy a homecooked lunch, tasting local delicacies and drinks from all over the country. After returning to your hotel, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with a North Korean defector to hear their harrowing tale of struggle, and ultimately, triumph. The evening is then yours to explore at your own pace or rest at your accommodation.

Day 3JeonjuRising early, it’ll be a thought-provoking morning as you visit the South Korean side of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). You’ll learn how this peninsula has been divided ever since the devastating Korean War. You’ll visit the Third Tunnel of Aggression and Imjingak Peace Park. After some free time for lunch, a private transfer will take you to the picturesque village of Jeonju. Dinner will be at a traditional bibimbap restaurant – the bibimbap here is listed as the representative bibimbap of Korea!

Jeonju

Rising early, it’ll be a thought-provoking morning as you visit the South Korean side of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). You’ll learn how this peninsula has been divided ever since the devastating Korean War. You’ll visit the Third Tunnel of Aggression and Imjingak Peace Park. After some free time for lunch, a private transfer will take you to the picturesque village of Jeonju. Dinner will be at a traditional bibimbap restaurant – the bibimbap here is listed as the representative bibimbap of Korea!

Day 4JeonjuStart the day with a visit to a brassware store and workshop and learn about the craft from the craftsman himself, then walk around the hanok village and learn about Jeonju's art culture. You’ll then hop in a private transfer and drive to Damyang where you’ll head out on a scenic bamboo forest walk. Try some of the popular bamboo ice cream and for lunch, another local delicacy, tteok galbi (marinated and charcoaled beef). You can then stretch your legs on a walk around Damyang, stopping in at the local shops and parks. Head back to Damyang, where the evening is then free for you to choose your own adventure.

Jeonju

Start the day with a visit to a brassware store and workshop and learn about the craft from the craftsman himself, then walk around the hanok village and learn about Jeonju's art culture. You’ll then hop in a private transfer and drive to Damyang where you’ll head out on a scenic bamboo forest walk. Try some of the popular bamboo ice cream and for lunch, another local delicacy, tteok galbi (marinated and charcoaled beef). You can then stretch your legs on a walk around Damyang, stopping in at the local shops and parks. Head back to Damyang, where the evening is then free for you to choose your own adventure.

Day 5HapcheonAfter a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, visit a local potter’s workshop to see him make iconic large clay fermenting pots, used for making onggi (kimchi). After, you’ll drive to Gayasan National Park on Mt Gaya to check out Haeinsa Temple – your incredible Feature Stay for tonight. This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Three Jewels Temples representing Dharma (the Buddha’s teachings). When you arrive, you’ll have some tea with one of the monks to learn about his life here, the history of the temple and his story. Following the temple’s schedule for the rest of the day, take an afternoon orientation tour of the temple with a local guide, then sit down for dinner as a group. You’ll have the chance to experience the Buddhist samul (music ceremony) and join in the evening chant.

Hapcheon

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, visit a local potter’s workshop to see him make iconic large clay fermenting pots, used for making onggi (kimchi). After, you’ll drive to Gayasan National Park on Mt Gaya to check out Haeinsa Temple – your incredible Feature Stay for tonight. This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Three Jewels Temples representing Dharma (the Buddha’s teachings). When you arrive, you’ll have some tea with one of the monks to learn about his life here, the history of the temple and his story. Following the temple’s schedule for the rest of the day, take an afternoon orientation tour of the temple with a local guide, then sit down for dinner as a group. You’ll have the chance to experience the Buddhist samul (music ceremony) and join in the evening chant.

Day 6MokpoBid your farewells to Haeinsa Temple and head to the islands of the Shinan archipelago. When you arrive, visit the historic coastal city of Mokpo, home to Mt Yudal and South Korea’s proud naval heritage. Take the longest and highest cable car in South Korea up the mountain for spectacular views of the surrounding islands. On your way to your hotel for the evening, you’ll meet a local music troupe that will teach you Korean folklore while playing traditional instruments like the 12-string Gayageum. Your evening is free to explore Mokpo with its lively atmosphere, local restaurants and seafront promenade.

Mokpo

Bid your farewells to Haeinsa Temple and head to the islands of the Shinan archipelago. When you arrive, visit the historic coastal city of Mokpo, home to Mt Yudal and South Korea’s proud naval heritage. Take the longest and highest cable car in South Korea up the mountain for spectacular views of the surrounding islands. On your way to your hotel for the evening, you’ll meet a local music troupe that will teach you Korean folklore while playing traditional instruments like the 12-string Gayageum. Your evening is free to explore Mokpo with its lively atmosphere, local restaurants and seafront promenade.

Day 7Jeju IslandThis morning after breakfast, you’ll drive to Mokpo Harbor and take a ferry to Jeju Island. After checking into your accommodation, your leader will take you on a tour of the island’s east coast. You’ll visit an orange farm for a citrus-themed refresh, then head to Seongsan Ilchulbong (translating to castle mountain). Nicknamed Sunrise Peak, this gorgeous viewpoint was created by volcanic activity in the sea about 5000 years ago. This is also the first site in Korea to ever be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s now one of the most popular scenic destinations in Korea. Take your time enjoying the panoramic views of the ocean, Udo Island, Mt Hallasan and the volcanic landscape. When you arrive at the hotel, you’ll have a free evening to enjoy as you wish.

Jeju Island

This morning after breakfast, you’ll drive to Mokpo Harbor and take a ferry to Jeju Island. After checking into your accommodation, your leader will take you on a tour of the island’s east coast. You’ll visit an orange farm for a citrus-themed refresh, then head to Seongsan Ilchulbong (translating to castle mountain). Nicknamed Sunrise Peak, this gorgeous viewpoint was created by volcanic activity in the sea about 5000 years ago. This is also the first site in Korea to ever be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s now one of the most popular scenic destinations in Korea. Take your time enjoying the panoramic views of the ocean, Udo Island, Mt Hallasan and the volcanic landscape. When you arrive at the hotel, you’ll have a free evening to enjoy as you wish.

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