Premium South Korea - 9 Days

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bidding your farewells to Haeinsa Temple, you’ll head to the islands of the Shinan archipelago. When you arrive, you’ll visit a local’s home and learn about life in South Korea’s southern regions. We will visit the historic coastal city of Mokpo which is home to Yudal Mountain and South Korea’s proud naval heritage. You will take the longest and highest cable car in South Korea up Mount Yudal for spectacular views of the surrounding islands. On your way to your hotel for the evening we will visit Manho village, known for its architectural landmarks, quaint shops dating back to the early 20th century and local fish market. Your evening is free to explore Mokpo with its lively atmosphere, local restaurants and seafront promenade.

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.

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.

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.