South Korea Uncovered
8 days from £2,149 £1,612
Trip Photos
Women traveller smiling in front of temple in Seoul.
Male traveller exploring the Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Two women travellers wearing traditional dresses at the Gyeongbokgung palace.
Girl walking down a road surrounded by cherry blossoms in Seoul.
A white stone pagoda overlooking the ocean.
Panoramic view of Seoul City through cherry blossoms.
The Hyangwonjeong pavilion or a sunny day in Seoul.
Landscape view of the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.
Locals selling their produce at the Jagalchi fish markets in Busan.
The outside view of the Dongdaemun in Seoul.
Women traveller posing in front of Seoul's temples.
Narrow walkway of houses leading into Seoul City.
Overhead view of Seoul city at night time.
A busy back street of shops in Seoul.
A seven tier pagoda outside the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.
Brunette women looking out at a temple whilst under a cherry blossom tree.
The Gyeongju-Si temple lit up at night.
Women traveller sat by the river which runs beneath the Haedong Yonggungsa temple.
Traditional prayer ribbons tied to a wired fence.
Panoramic view of the sun setting over Busan.
Women wearing traditional dress in front of the Gyeongbokgung Palace.
The Changdeokgung Palace on a gloomy day.
Culture with a side of Kimchi
Dynamically modern but with a deeply traditional heart, South Korea is a vibrant mash up of the old and new. Futuristic skyscrapers meet ancient wooden temples, bullet trains speed past rural villages, and Buddhist monks walk streets pulsing with the K-Pop beat. Still relatively untouristed, now is the time to experience this extraordinary destination. This jam-packed trip takes you through its best bits, from the futuristic streets of Seoul to the golden beaches of Busan. You’ll spend a night in a Buddhist temple in historic Gyeongju, peek into the World’s most secretive country from the DMZ, sample sizzling street food in bustling markets and visit a Korean folk village where life hasn’t changed for the last 100 years.
Highlights include
Itinerary
Day 1: Hello Seoul
Fly into South Korea's dazzling, hyperactive capital and make your way to our hotel. This evening, meet your group and take a neon-lit tour of the futuristic city, from Cheonggyecheon Stream to bustling Myeongdong. Then get your first taste of Korea's vibrant cuisine with a shared dinner.
Day 2: Super Seoul
See the city's highlights on a private bus tour. Explore the grand pavilions of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the traditional wooden houses of Bukchon Hanok village, and the maze-like network of alleys in Insadong. This evening, sample some of Seoul's street food, from bibimbap to soondae.
Day 3: Temple Stay
Fly through the countryside to historic Gyeongiu on a bullet train. Our home for the night is a working temple where we'll watch a martial arts performance, experience the daily prayer ritual, and share dinner with the monks, before bedding down in traditional, heated ondol rooms.
Day 4: Gyeonju-si
Wake to the peaceful sound of the monks chanting, and enjoy a morning meditation, martial arts practice, and drum and bell ritual, before taking a city tour of Gyeongiu. Discover the pagodas and bronze buddhas of Bulguksa Temple, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and the Royal Tombs.
Day 5: Yangdong Folk Village
Take a bus to Busan, stopping en route at a traditional Korean folk village and the gorgeous coastal temple of Haedong Yonggungsa. Arrive in Busan and explore the golden sands of Haeundae Beach before treating yourself at a jjimjilbang spa or singing your heart out at some noraebang rooms.
Day 6: Beaches & Markets
Explore the stalls of Jagalchi and Gukjesijang markets, escape the buzz of the city in leafy Yongdusan Park, and wander the pastel-coloured streets of Gamcheon Culture Village. Take the bullet train back to Seoul before a cable car to North Seoul Tower and a visit to Korea's oldest market.
Day 7: The DMZ
Visit the infamous Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea. See how nature has taken over the 4km buffer zone, and peer over the border into the world's most secretive country. Then brush up on your history in the War Memorial Hall before heading back to Seoul.
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Dates & Prices
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Flights
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Extra information
This trip begins on day 1 in Seoul. You’ll need to fly into Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) and to make your own way to our starting accommodation. There are no activities planned before our welcome meeting at 6pm so arrive at a time that suits you.
The trip ends on day 8 back in Seoul. Leave any time after breakfast. You’ll need to make your own way back to the airport, but your tour guide can help you book transfers.
The maximum group size is 16.
This is an open-aged trip, designed for travellers of any age with an enjoyment of adventure. You'll have the opportunity to meet people who are outside your own age group, and from different walks of life, adding depth and diversity to your travel experience.
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