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12-day South Korea Tour

South Korea
Explore South Korea’s unique history, natural beauty, rich culture and mouth-watering cuisine with our 12-day adventure tour. From bustling, neon-lit metropolises to rolling countryside hills, long sandy beaches to temples in the mountains, and even a visit to the historic Demilitarized Zone, our adventure leaders will take you off-the-beaten-track and show you life like a local on this unforgettable South Korea tour.
Organized by The Dragon Tripguide Hi, we're The Dragon Trip! We're currently hosting 4 Adventures To 4 countries.
Roadtrip
Sightseeing
Hiking
Basic informationMealsBreakfast & DinnerAccommodationHostelTransportationTrainDifficulty3/5 - Moderate
Price includesOur South Korea 12-day tour package price includes the following features: Bilingual Adventure Leaders Transport within South Korea Accommodation (including hostels and temples!) Check out our included activities for this South Korea tour below: Taekwondo Class (Seoul) Group welcome dinner (Seoul) Tour around the DMZ, including Dora Observatory, tunnels, and Q&A with North Korean defector (Seoul) K-Pop Class (Seoul) Namsan Cable Car Ride (Seoul) Visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace (Seoul) Visit to Seoraksan Park, including Bisundae and Geumganggul Cave, waterfalls, and Ulsanbawi Rock (Sokcho) Gatbae boat & visit to Abai Village (Sokcho) Traditional liquor tasting (Sokcho) Cycling tour of Gyeongju (Gyeongju) Visit to Chunmachong Ancient Tombs in Daereungwon Tumuli Park (Gyeongju) Visit to Cheomseongdae (Gyeongju) Golgulsa Temple stay (Gyeongju) Traditional vegetarian dinner & breakfast (Gyeongju) Sunmudo training session (Gyeongju) Buddhist meditation session (Gyeongju) Private day tour of Busan, including Gamcheon Village, Songdo Marine Cable Car, and BIFF Square entertainment area (Busan) Visit to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (Busan) Hike to summit of Seongsan Ilchulbong (Jeju) Yacht sailing tour (Jeju) Half-day nature hike in Jeju Island (Jeju) Farewell BBQ dinner (Jeju)
Price does not includeVisit to Seoul N Tower (Seoul) Meals & drinks (Seoul) Makgeolli Making Class (Seoul) Dinner at the Fish Market (Sokcho) Haenyo Female Diver Show (Sokcho) Traditional set meal in Hanok (Gyeongju) Evening visit to Anapji (Gyeongju) Meals & drinks (Busan) Visit to Centum Spa Land (Busan) Sightseeing boat tour (Busan) Karaoke (Busan) Bibimbap cooking class (Busan) Any activities within free time
AccomodationIncludes hostel accommodation throughout your tour, plus a one night temple stay.
Meals1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 3 dinners are included
TransportationAll transport included during the tour, including trains, private vehicles & flight from Busan to Jeju
DifficultyThe adventure is moderately difficulty with 10,000-15,000 steps per day.
More informationInternational flights are not included in the tour price. Travel insurance is not included but is mandatory to join this adventure.
Day 1: SeoulGet ready to start your South Korea adventure tour by meeting your guide and group at the hostel in the afternoon! Listen to a pre-departure briefing to learn everything you need to know about your trip, including some basic Korean phrases to help you along the way. After this, it’s time for your first unmissable activity – a Taekwondo training session! Test your skills and see if you’ve got what it takes to be the best in class. After working up an appetite, we’ll head back into Myeongdong for a special welcome dinner with your group. Enjoy a delicious first meal together, getting to know your fellow travellers and toasting to the start of an incredible adventure! Next, you’ll make your way to the top of Namsan Mountain by cable car, where you can admire spectacular views of Seoul lit up at night. Recognised as the most popular location in Seoul for couples, wander through the ‘padlocks of love’ locked at the base of Seoul N Tower, representing visitors’ endless love! If you want an even better view of the city, you can head to the top of the Tower. Later, take the cable car down and enjoy a walk back to your accommodation in the district of Myeongdong. Spend some time strolliDay 2: SeoulWake up early for a day exploring Seoul’s ancient charm! Start with a metro ride to Gyeongbokgung Palace to watch the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony and explore the palace—perhaps in a hanbok for a more immersive experience. Next, stroll to Bukchon Hanok Village, passing by the Blue House, the former presidential residence now open to the public. The afternoon is yours to explore Korea’s capital. Suggestions include: Continuing through Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong Art Street, then unwinding by Cheonggyecheon stream. Visiting HiKR Ground to dive into K-wave culture and even record a music video. Shopping in Gangnam District. Joining a makgeolli-making class to try your hand at crafting traditional rice wine. In the evening, enjoy free time to explore Seoul and savor local cuisine. Consider the vibrant Euljiro or Itaewon areas for food and drinks!Day 3: SeoulToday, you will visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Climb aboard a bus, taking you an hour north of Seoul to Imjingak, where you’ll have the chance to grab some breakfast. Pay a visit to Dora Observatory where you can see the nearest North Korean villages through binoculars. If you’re lucky, you might even see some people in the streets. Next, descend into the 3rd Tunnel created by North Koreans, taking you as close as 170m to North Korea! After, you will begin your journey back to Seoul and make the most of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to talk to a North Korean defector. Back in Seoul, try out a K-Pop Dance Class to see if you’ve got what it takes to break it in the industry, before opting to enjoy a night out in Hongdae, best known for its endless restaurant and bar options. Day 4: SokchoCheck out of your accommodation and depart to Sokcho, in the north-eastern part of the country. Arriving at Seoraksan National Park in the late morning, embark on a rewarding hike to Ulsanbawi Rock, where you’ll be greeted with spectacular panoramic views. For those looking for a less challenging option, follow the well-signed waterfall trail and take a cable car to another scenic peak. After your hike, refuel with lunch at the entrance of the park before boarding the bus to Sokcho town, where you’ll hop on a gatbae to cross the river to Abai, a small village originally formed by North Korean refugees. In the evening, follow your Adventure Leader on a food market tour, exploring Sokcho’s best culinary hotspots before heading into the local fish markets for dinner. Whether you choose fresh seafood straight from the market or opt for one of the town’s best-loved restaurants, such as Manseok, famous for its sticky sweet and sour boneless fried chicken, this is the perfect way to immerse yourself in Sokcho’s incredible food scene. Later, round off the evening with a traditional liquor tasting, hosted by your Adventure Leader, to experience the flavours of Korea in a truly local way.Day 5: GyeongjuPrepare to set off early as you take the bus along the East Coast to the former capital Gyeongju. Along the way, K-Pop enthusiasts will get to stop off and take a picture at Jumunjin Bus Stop, better known for featuring as the artwork to one of BTS’ releases. Once you arrive in Gyeongju, you’ll head to the site of your unmissable stay in Korea – Golgulsa Temple! They’ll have a schedule for you here, but in the afternoon you can expect an orientation on temple life, a meditation session, sunmudo training, a chance to help out around the temple, and a traditional vegetarian Buddhist dinner. Day 6: GyeongjuWake up with the sunrise and take part in the morning chanting service and meditation, followed by starting the day right with a traditional breakfast. You’ll then transfer back to Gyeongju for a free morning, where you could: Visit Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Cultural Site Try out a local tea house Visit Gyeongju Museum Explore the Old Town. We’ll rendezvous again in the mid-afternoon for a cycle tour with the rest of your group. First up, explore Cheonmachong Ancient Tombs, part of the Daereungwon Tomb Complex in Tumuli Park. Then, make your way to Cheomseongdae, the oldest existing astronomical observatory in East Asia. Hungry from a busy day and want to experience authentic Korean food? You can opt to join your group for dinner in a local hanok, where you can try a traditional Korean set meal! Later, why not take a stroll around to Anapji Pond for some amazing nighttime views of the palace? Be sure to pack your cameras because the lights are stunning! Day 7: BusanThis morning, make your way to Gyeongju station, to start your journey to Busan via high-speed train. Arrive quickly at your destination and board a privately hired bus to take you around for the day, starting with the unmissable Gamcheon Culture Village. Hop back aboard your bus and head down to Songdo where you will board the Marine Cable Car and take in the impressive coastal views. Following this, you will make your way to BIFF Square in Nampo-dong, home to the annual Busan International Film Festival, where you can try a variety of food options from local street vendors (but why not go for a Busan hotteok seeing as you’re in town?). Finally, head to your hostel in Haeundae where you will be given the evening to relax and unwind, or explore the town at your own leisure. Day 8: BusanHead out for the morning to explore one of Korea’s most beautiful temples – Haedong Yonggungsa, a Buddhist temple nestled in the coastline’s cliffs. Feeling in need of some more rejuvenation? You could head to Spa Land in Centum City, located in Busan’s largest shopping complex! Make the most of South Korea’s high-quality jjimjilbang while you’re here and treat yourself to saunas, cold rooms, jacuzzis and more. Finally, enjoy the evening with your fellow travelers trying local delicacies. Once the sun sets, be sure to admire the light show on Gwangan Bridge from the shore or perhaps opt for an evening sightseeing boat cruise around the bay. Once you’re back on dry land – you could try your hand at karaoke! Day 9: BusanEnjoy a free morning to explore Busan – venture out on your own, or take part in some of our suggested activities. For example, you might enjoy a trip on the coastal railway, the Haeundae Blueline. Alternatively, you can visit the observatory of the second-tallest building in Korea and take in the views, or embark on the Igidae Coastal Walk and Oryukdo Skywalk. You may even just opt for a relaxing morning on the beach! If you’d like to get one last dose of Korean culture in Busan, you could even try your hand at making the traditional staple, bibimbap, in a cooking class! Later, you will collect your belongings from the hostel and make your way to the airport where you’ll catch a plane to Jeju Island. Once you’ve checked in at your accommodation in Seogwipo, feel free to spend your evening venturing into Olle Maeil Market or exploring the nightlife the city has to offer. Day 10: JejuWake up on the wonderful island of Jeju and head to Jjeongbang Waterfall. Start the day at the waterfall – the only one of its kind in Asia, this amazing natural wonder flows directly into the ocean. After this, you’ll embark on a trek along the beautiful Jeju Olle Trail. Once the trek is completed, head to Seongsan Ilchulbong and enjoy a hike for some truly spectacular views across Jeju and out to sea. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a unique formation that was formed by hydrovolcanic eruptions over 5,000 years ago! Enjoy some time at the volcano, being sure to grab some photos, before you head to find something to eat. You will then return to the hotel in the early afternoon, where the rest of your day is at your leisure. You could: Head to Jungmun Beach to catch some rays Visit the beautiful Cheonjiyeon Waterfall Explore the Maritime Park and Saeyeongyo Bridge For a wonderful end to the day, opt to visit The Cliff for a drink with a truly special view of the sunset. Day 11: JejuMake the most of your second morning in the mesmerising Jeju by visiting the Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliffs, a striking volcanic rock formation shaped by nature over thousands of years. After taking in the dramatic coastal scenery, reboard the bus and head to the yacht sailing tour, where you’ll set sail on the open sea, relax in the fresh ocean air and enjoy the company of your fellow Dragons. The afternoon is then yours to explore at your own pace – whether you choose to unwind, visit more of Jeju’s natural wonders, or ask our Adventure Leaders for their top recommendations. In the evening, gather for a farewell barbecue dinner, where you can sample Jeju’s famous black pork, watch the sun set over the island and, if you’re up for it, celebrate into the night by the seashore. Make the most of these final moments with your fellow travellers before saying annyeonghi gaseyo in the morning!Day 12: Farewell You’ve reached the last day of your South Korea tour and the end of your Dragon Trip adventure! You can head back to Seoul, explore the wonders of Jeju Island further, or continue with your travels elsewhere. Safe travels!
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