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. 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) Air-conditioning & Heating: Air-conditioning is not usually turned on until the warmer season. The traditional housing has floor heating. Temple Stay: The temple stay will be more rustic than standard hotels, but will provide a very unique cultural experience. Hotel (7 nights), Feature Stay (1 Night)

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Meals

8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners

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. For groups of less than five people the Leader will also act as the driver on this trip. Public Transit , Private Vehicle , Ferry

Others

Seoul - Orientation Walk Seoul - Gyeongbukgung Palace Seoul - Korean Food Lecture and Homemade Lunch Seoul - Bukchon Hanok Village Seoul - North Korean Defector meeting Seoul - DMZ Tour and Imjingak Peace Park Damyang - Bamboo Forest Walk Jeonju - Hanok Village Jeonju - Brassware Workshop Haeinsa - Tea with a monk Haeinsa - Temple Tour and Dinner Haeinsa - Evening Meditation Shinan - Purple Island Visit Mokpo - Dinner with a local family Mokpo - Ferry to Jeju Jeju - Orange Farm Jeju - Jeju Folk Village Jeju - Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) Visit Jeju - Osulloc Teahouse Jeju - Sanbang-san Mountain Jeju - Haenyno Meeting Jeju - Farewell Dinner

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

Flights are not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Seoul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: 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 Gongdeok entertainment district. Then, sit down to a group welcome dinner of Korean hotpot – a delicious favourite full of mixed vegetables, meat and noodles. Learn more about Korean local food over dinner and drinks and then, maybe walk along the tranquil Cheonyecheon stream or visit the Gwangjang or Dongdaemun night market.
Day 2 Day 2: Seoul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: 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 restored traditional Korean houses known as hanoks. 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 and then take the opportunity to help make your lunch while you taste 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. You might like to visit Myeongdong – Soeul’s famous shopping street and a great place to sample some Korean street food.
Day 3 Day 3: Jeonju
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Jeonju

Rising early, it’ll be a thought-provoking morning as you visit the South Korean side of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). After stopping for breakfast on the way, you’ll learn how this peninsula has been divided ever since the devastating Korean War. You’ll visit to points of interest including 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 4 Day 4: Jeonju
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Jeonju

For breakfast this morning, you’ll enjoy a local delicacy – Jeonju beansprout rice soup. 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, try another local delicacy – tteok galbi (marinated and charcoaled beef). You can then continue the culinary delights with an optional visit to a local roastery cafe, famous for their baked goods. Or, maybe opt to stretch your legs on a walk around Damyang, stopping in at the local shops and parks. Visit a brassware store and workshop and learn about the craft from the craftsman himself, and then walk around the hanok village and learn about Jeonju’s art culture. Head back to Damyang, where the evening is then free for you to choose your own adventure.
Day 5 Day 5: Hapcheon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Hapcheon

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you’ll start the drive to Gayasan National Park on Mt Gaya to check out Haeinsa Temple – your incredible Exclusive Feature Stay for tonight! This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the Three Jewels Temples representing Dharma or 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 a day, take an afternoon orientation and tour the temple with a local guide and then sit down for dinner as a group. As per the temple’s schedule, you’ll also take part in an evening meditation before bed.
Day 6 Day 6: Mokpo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Mokpo

Bidding your farewells to Haeinsa Temple, you’ll head to the island archipelagos of Mokpo. When you arrive, you’ll have a homemade lunch at a local’s home and learn about life in South Korea’s southern regions. Finally, a tranquil drive will take you to the beautiful Purple Island. Famous for its blooming lilacs and lavender, the iconic purple bridge leading into town is said to have been built by a legendary monk looking to unify the islands. Then it’s back to your accommodation in Mokpo, where you’re free for the evening. It is recommended you take the sprawling cable cars that span the city and harbour or go for a walk on the beach and visit a local café, bar or music club.
Day 7 Day 7: Jeju Island
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Jeju Island

This morning after breakfast, you’ll drive to Mokpo Harbor and take a ferry to Jeju Island. After checking in to your accommodation, your leader will take you on a tour of the island’s eastern coast. You will 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 ever registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is now one of the most popular scenic destinations in Korea. Take your time enjoying the panoramic views of the ocean, Udo Island, Hallasan Mountain and the volcanic landscape. On the way back to the hotel, you’ll visit a Jeju folk village before a free evening to enjoy as you wish.
Day 8 Day 8: Jeju Island
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Jeju Island

This morning after breakfast, your exploration of Jeju Island will extend to the island’s west. You will visit Jeju Green Tea Farm – the tea culture in Jeju is strong, and you can take pictures in the rolling fields. Take in the impressive sight of Sanbansan Mountain this afternoon – a huge lava dome often circled with clouds, which creates a mystical atmosphere. The impressive natural wonders will continue with a walk along the Olleh hiking trail, the layers of stacked sandstone creating an otherworldly scene. Finally, you’ll meet with a local Haenyno – one of the local women divers within the community who go diving for shellfish 10 m under the sea. Learn about the local fishing culture here and why these women, some in their 80s, still practice diving. Head out to a final dinner with your group at a local black pork BBQ restaurant to celebrate a trip well-travelled.
Day 9 Day 9: Jeju Island
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Jeju Island

After breakfast, there are no activities planned for today and your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in South Korea, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

9 days tour

Premium South Korea

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Premium South Korea

Day 1: Seoul

Day 2: Seoul

Day 3: Jeonju

Day 4: Jeonju

Day 5: Hapcheon

Day 6: Mokpo

Day 7: Jeju Island

Day 8: Jeju Island

Day 9: Jeju Island

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania