Discover South Korea

Day 1  Seoul    
The adventure begins in Seoul, the buzzy capital of South Korea. Time permitting, the leader will arrange a short orientation tour near the hotel. In the evening, we can visit Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest food markets in Seoul, where local people meet after work to enjoy traditional foods and liquor.    

Day 2  Seoul    
Today we enjoy a walking tour of Seoul. We first head to the Cheonggyecheon, an age-old canal in downtown Seoul. We continue to Tapgol Park, the central point of the Korean independence movement in 1919. From here, we head to Insadong, the artisan neighbourhood where traditional teahouses and souvenir shops are lined up in a cosy, welcoming atmosphere. After, we visit Jogyesa Temple, one of the most beautiful temple complexes in the heart of Seoul. At Gwanghwamoon, admire impressive statues of Admiral Yi and King Sejong, men who played vital roles in Korean history. The next stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace. Our last visit today is Bukchon Hanok Village, which is home to hundreds of traditional hanok houses from the Joseon dynasty.    

Day 3  Seoul    
Today we visit Panmunjom, the only place on the peninsula where North and South Koreans can meet face to face. After a short briefing by US army personnel, we enter the JSA. Here we visit Freedom House, the blue barracks sharing a conference room for talks between both North and South Korea, the visitor’s observation post, and the Bridge of No Return. En route, we enjoy a traditional Korean dish for lunch.    

Day 4  Seoul to Sokcho    
Today begins with a private transfer to Gangneung on the east coast. In the heart of Gangwon Province, we visit one of the most picturesque culinary bases in Korea, where all the food is produced and processed naturally and according to centuries-old recipes. Here we learn how bibimbap is made, a traditional dish of rice with vegetables, herbs, meat, and several side dishes. We then lunch on this freshly cooked, healthy food. In the afternoon, we transfer to Sokcho, a lively coastal city that belonged to North Korea from 1945 until the end of the Korean War.  

Day 5  Sokcho    
On the beautiful east coast, the Seorak Mountains are the most famous in Korea. At the foot of the peaks is an enormous Buddha statue, which acts as a start point for a variety of trails between 2km and 10km. The leader guides those who wish on an easy and short optional walk. A more leisurely option is to take a cable car to one of the mountaintops to enjoy fantastic views.    

Day 6  Sokcho to Andong    
We transfer to Andong by private minibus and visit the Andong Hahoe Village, where ancient traditions influenced by the teachings of Confucius are still alive. The inhabitants live in the same way their ancestors did, in simple houses for the common farmers and in richly decorated houses for the yangban.

Day 7  Andong to Gyeongju    
We transfer to Gyeongju by private minibus, stopping en route to visit the Dosan Confucian School. In the afternoon, we visit Tumuli Park, which has royal tombs dating to the Shilla dynasty. We also visit Cheomseongdae, the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. The 362 stones used to build it represent the 362 days in the lunar calendar.  

Day 8  Gyeongju    
Seokguram Grotto, which we visit this morning, was discovered by a postman sheltering from the rain. Inside the human-made cave, he found an astonishingly beautiful statue of Buddha, constructed during the Shilla dynasty. The grotto is now a Unesco World Heritage site. From here, we visit Bulguksa Temple, constructed in the same period. This afternoon, we visit the National Museum of Gyeongju, where we can relive the rich and advanced culture of the Shilla dynasty and see numerous archaeological findings. Our day ends with a stop at Anapji Pond, an artificial pond constructed in the royal palace grounds, before exploring Gyeongju Market area.  

Day 9  Gyeongju to Haeinsa Temple    
This morning, we transfer to Haeinsa Temple. It is one of the oldest in Korea and home to the Tripitaka Koreana, the most complete collection of Buddhist texts. Here we experience a strict Buddhist lifestyle and meet monks dedicating their lives to prayer and meditation. On entering the temple, exchange your own clothes for simple monk clothing and, after the initial introductions and opening ceremony, walk around the beautiful temple complex. After the vegetarian Buddhist dinner, we join a tea ceremony. Lights out at 9pm this evening, ready for our early wake-up.    

Day 10  Haeinsa Temple to Busan    
We wake at 3.30am to participate in the first ceremony and meditation if you want to participate. After breakfast at 6am, we depart the temple and transfer to Busan. From the impressive Gwangalli Bridge, we can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Busan shoreline. We learn the tragic history of the Korean War at the UN War Cemetery, then visit the Nurimaru APEC House, a wonderful location with gorgeous views over the ocean. We also visit Jagalchi Fishmarket, one of the largest markets of its kind, to see a dazzling array of fish. Here you can taste Korean sashimi before heading into the adjacent Gukje Market to shop for souvenirs.    

Day 11  Busan to Seoul    
This morning, we take a bullet train back to Seoul and transfer to our hotel. This afternoon is free for last-minute shopping or to perhaps visit the vibrant Hongdae university district. You may also like to spend your final evening in Seoul exploring the lively nightlife of the Itaewon neighbourhood.    

Day 12  Seoul      
Our adventure ends after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home. Of course, if you’d like to spend a little longer exploring, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.