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 Seoul and the Gongdeok entertainment district. Then, sit down to a group welcome dinner of Korean hot pot (a delicious dish of mixed vegetables, meat and noodles cooked at the table in a simmering broth). Learn about the local cuisine over dinner and drinks, then maybe walk along the Cheonggyecheon stream, which runs through downtown Seoul, or visit the Gwangjang or Dongdaemun night markets.

This morning, you’ll visit Gyeongbokgung Palace – the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty which dates back to 1395. You’ll also head to Bukchon (the North Village), home to many restored traditional Korean houses known as hanoks. From here, head to the home of Daniel Gray – a food expert that worked on Netflix's ‘Street Food: Asia’. 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 free for you to continue exploring or simply rest at your accommodation. You might like to visit Myeongdong – Seoul’s famous shopping street and a great place to sample some Korean street food.

Rise bright and early – it’s set to 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 points of interest including the Third Tunnel of Aggression and Imjingak Peace Park. After some free time for lunch, board a private transfer 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 try a local delicacy – Jeonju beansprout rice soup. You’ll then hop in a private transfer to Damyang, where you’ll head out on a scenic bamboo forest walk. Try some of the popular bamboo ice cream and try another local delicacy for lunch – tteokgalbi (marinated grilled beef). You can then opt to continue to savour culinary delights with a visit to a local roastery cafe, famous for their baked goods. Or maybe opt to stretch your legs on a walk around Damyang, stopping at the local shops and parks. Later, visit 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. Head back to Damyang, where the evening is 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 (the Buddha’s teachings). When you arrive, you’ll have 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, 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.

Bid farewell to Haeinsa Temple and 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. You’ll 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 Mt Yudal for spectacular views of the surrounding islands. On your way to your hotel for the evening, visit Manho village, known for its architectural landmarks, quaint shops dating back to the early 20th century and local fish market. You’ll have a free evening 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 into your accommodation, your leader will take you on a tour of the island’s eastern coast. You’ll visit an orange farm, then head to Seongsan Ilchulbong (which translates to ‘castle mountain’). Nicknamed ‘Sunrise Peak’, this gorgeous viewpoint was created by volcanic activity in the sea around 5000 years ago. This was the first site in Korea ever registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is now one of the country’s most popular scenic destinations. 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.

Today, your exploration of Jeju Island will extend to the island’s west. You'll visit Jeju Green Tea Farm – the tea culture in Jeju is strong and the rolling green fields make for the perfect photo ops. Take in the impressive sight of Sanbangsan Mountain this afternoon – a huge lava dome often circled with clouds, which creates a mystical atmosphere. The impressive natural wonders continue with a walk along the Olle hiking trail, where the layers of stacked sandstone create an otherworldly scene. Finally, you’ll meet with a Haenyeo – one of the local women divers who harvest shellfish. Hear her story and learn about the local fishing culture. 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.