Discover Korea Palaces, DMZ, and Temples - 7 Days

Welcome to Korea – on arrival we’ll transfer you to your hotel in Seoul. You’ll have free time to settle in or explore at your own pace. In the afternoon, we’ll provide information about the start of your tour. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

We begin at Aegibong Observatory in Gimpo, close to the border with North Korea, where we can clearly see across into the North. We then transfer to the Paju Demilitarised Zone at Imjingang, with lunch included. Here we visit the National Memorial and Mangbaedan Altar, and Imjingak Pavilion, a symbol of peace. We take the cable car – included – for elevated views towards the areas near the Military Demarcation Line, and finish at Freedom Bridge, a powerful symbol of hope and reunion. Please bring your passport – it is mandatory. The DMZ is a military area and may close without prior notice; if this happens, we will provide an alternative tour.

Later, with our guide, we head to the square by City Hall to view its distinctive wave like design from the outside. Opposite stands Deoksugung Palace which, when illuminated at night, highlights the country’s blend of tradition and modernity. We then walk to Myeongdong, Korea’s largest shopping and entertainment district – its name means bright tunnel. Dinner is included at a local restaurant. We return by Seoul’s modern subway – ticket included. Overnight stay.

We set out on an in‑depth city tour of Seoul lasting around five hours. We visit Changdeokgung Palace – entrance included – a UNESCO World Heritage site set within expansive gardens, then stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village, a historic neighbourhood of well‑preserved traditional houses. We continue to the War Memorial of Korea – entrance included – an extensive museum covering the country’s conflicts, especially the Korean War, in which soldiers from many nations served under the United Nations. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. We then head to the Gangnam district, one of the city’s most vibrant areas with plenty of shopping and entertainment. To round off the day, we stop at Lotte World Tower, an impressive landmark rising 550 metres, where you will have free time to go up to the observation deck (admission not included) or explore the park and luxury shopping centres. We return to the hotel – the rest of the day is yours.

We start at Gyeongbokgung Palace – entrance included – a historic complex with more than 600 years of history. If timings align, we will witness the ceremonial changing of the guard. Leaving Seoul, we travel south to Suwon, a former capital celebrated for its UNESCO‑listed walls; we view the impressive fortifications and visit Hwaseong Haenggung, the summer palace – entrance included. Lunch is included. We then continue to Jeonju to explore its historic centre, the Hanok Village, with traditional houses, small shops and art galleries.

We leave Jeonju for Sunchang Gochujang Village at the foot of Mount Amisan, a hanok community where courtyards are lined with clay hang–a–ri jars. Here, master artisans produce gochujang using traditional methods – we take part in a practical session to learn how this famous chilli paste is made. We continue to Damyang for Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (entrance included), following its serene paths, and visit the Bamboo Museum (entrance included) to explore the variety of bamboo products. Lunch is included – a local speciality of rice cooked and served inside a bamboo stalk. Amid mountain scenery, we travel on to Haeinsa Temple (entrance included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 802 that houses the Tripitaka carved on 80,000 wooden tablets. We then continue to Busan, Korea’s second largest city, for accommodation.

In the morning, we leave Busan for Haedong Yonggung, a 14th–century Buddhist temple set by the sea. We then return to the city to visit the United Nations Memorial Cemetery – entrance included – the resting place of people from many nations. Next, we head to the country’s largest fish market by Nampo Port, followed by an included lunch. We walk to Yongdusan Park, home to its 120–metre pagoda, then continue to Songdo Beach for a ride on Korea’s first maritime cable car – entrance included and weather permitting – with views across the bay. We round off the day in Gamcheon Cultural Village, with its brightly coloured buildings, maze–like lanes, art galleries, pottery workshops and cafés. We return to Busan for the night.

After breakfast, we conclude our journey in Busan – tour services end here.