Enchanting Korea Palaces, Temples, and Traditions - 7 Days

Upon your arrival in South Korea, you'll be greeted and transferred to your hotel in Seoul. After settling in, take some free time to unwind and explore your surroundings. Later in the afternoon, we will provide you with detailed information about the start of your tour, ensuring you are well-prepared for the exciting journey ahead. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, perhaps enjoying the dynamic atmosphere of this vibrant city. 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.

On the second day, we dive into the vibrant life of Seoul with a comprehensive five-hour tour. Our first stop is the Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set within expansive grounds, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of Korea’s royal history. This is followed by a walk through Bukchon Hanok Village, a charming historic area where traditional Korean houses, known as 'hanoks,' line the narrow streets. We then visit the War Memorial, a captivating museum highlighting the nation’s military history with a particular emphasis on the Korean War, which saw the participation of forces from around the globe under the United Nations banner. Lunch is included at a local eatery.

The exploration continues into the bustling Gangnam District, renowned for its shopping and entertainment venues. Our final stop in Seoul is the Lotte World Tower, a striking 550-metre skyscraper. You have the option to take in panoramic views by ascending the tower (admission not included) or peruse its gardens and opulent shopping centres at your leisure.

In the evening, we board a high-speed train (ticket included) to Busan. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to the hotel for your overnight stay in this vibrant port city.

This morning, we'll set off from Busan to visit the serene Haedong Yonggung, a 14th-century Buddhist temple perched by the sea, providing a peaceful start to the day with its stunning coastal views. Returning to Busan, we'll visit the UN Memorial Cemetery, a solemn site where people from various nations are laid to rest, paying tribute to those who served during the Korean War. Next, prepare for a vibrant sensory experience at Korea’s largest fish market near Nampo Port, where you'll witness the bustle of daily life as vendors display an impressive variety of fresh seafood. Afterwards, enjoy an included lunch before we make our way to Yongdusan Park. Here, you can admire the soaring 120-meter pagoda against the city’s skyline. As the day progresses, you may opt to ride the country's first marine cable car at Songdo Beach (weather permitting) to soak in marvellous views of the bay. Our adventures then lead us to the colourful maze-like alleyways of Gamcheon Culture Village, noted for its charming art galleries, pottery workshops, and delightful cafes. As the sun sets, we'll return to Busan, where the day's discoveries will leave you enchanted and eager for more explorations.

We’re setting off for the Seokguram Grotto today, a Buddhist site dating back to the 8th century, beautifully situated on the slopes of Tohamsan. Following this, we’ll visit the Bulguksa Temple, renowned for its stunning architecture and rich history. Our journey continues as we head to Gyeongju, which boasts the longest lineage of any ancient Korean capital, having been governed by 56 successive kings over 992 years. There, you’ll have the opportunity to capture the picturesque Woljeonggyo Bridge spanning the Namcheon River. Lunch will be provided. We’ll then explore Tumuli Park, home to the ancient burial mounds of Silla Kingdom kings, some over 1,500 years old. You can take a glimpse inside one of these ancient tombs before we proceed to Cheomsongdae, the oldest observatory in East Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our day culminates in Daegu, Korea’s fourth-largest city. Before settling into our hotel, we’ll explore Dongsan Cheongna Hill, a historical enclave that once hosted Christian missionaries, and stroll down Dongseong-ro, with its bustling mix of shops, cafes, and restaurants. We’ll spend the night in Daegu.

We start our day with a tour in Daegu, visiting the Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine, celebrated for its rich history of medicinal herbs. Stroll through the adjacent Herbal Medicine Market, famed for its array of herbal shops, with an emphasis on high-quality ginseng. Then, we travel north to Andong to explore the outskirts of Hahoe Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can wander through this timeless rural village. Our journey continues to the Hahoe Mask Museum, where you'll discover masks from around the world, reflecting their roles in dance, medicine, religious rites, and theatre. Lunch is included at a local eatery. Next, we explore the 16th-century Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, set in a serene riverside landscape. As evening sets in, we return to Seoul. If conditions allow, we'll pause at Banpo Bridge over the Han River to witness its renowned fountain, where water and lights blend into a rainbow spectacle. Please note, the visit to Banpo Bridge depends on the weather. We conclude the day with an overnight stay in Seoul.

On the sixth day, we depart early to explore the Cheorwon region, known for its section of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which serves as a unique geographic border between North and South Korea. Our first stop is the Second Tunnel, a clandestine passage unearthed in 1975, originally dug by the North Korean army. Next, we head to the Cheorwon Peace Observatory, offering striking views across the DMZ into North Korea, where you’ll find a small museum focusing on the Korean War. Our journey continues to the deserted Woljeong-ri railway station, followed by a visit to the Baek Ma Battle Memorial, honouring the involvement of a French UN battalion. We include lunch with a taste of Korean culinary tradition and later visit a local producer of Makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice liquor, before returning to Seoul by evening.

Please bring your passport for this segment, as the DMZ is a militarised area and access may suddenly change. In such cases, alternative arrangements will be made.

Once back in Seoul, join us as we admire City Hall’s impressive structure, reminiscent of a tsunami, and enjoy the illumination of Deoksugung Palace, which beautifully showcases the fusion of the past and present. We then explore the vibrant Myeongdong district, the largest hub for shopping and entertainment, where we'll dine at a local restaurant. Our return to the hotel will be by the modern and efficient metro (ticket included), ensuring a smooth end to a full day of exploration. Overnight accommodation in Seoul awaits.

After enjoying breakfast, our tour concludes, leaving you with cherished memories of your time in Korea.