Essential Korea

Welcome to Seoul! As fellow travellers are arriving throughout the day, there are no planned activities until a group meeting at 6 pm. Check into the hotel and enjoy the city.
After the welcome meeting, join your CEO for an orientation walk down Cheonggyecheon Stream to learn about Seoul while walking past small waterfalls and nearly two dozen overhead bridges. Then, enjoy the dense grid of streets found in the bustling neighbourhood of Myeongdong which is packed with people at all hours of the day looking to enjoy some of the best shopping, street food, and nightlife in all of Korea. Opt for a group dinner to end your first night!

Seoul Orientation Walk: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO who will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. You'll be taken through Cheonggyecheon Stream which is an 8.4 kilometre (5.2 mile) waterway and public space that runs through the heart of downtown Seoul. Myeongdong is another popular spot you'll hit on your orientation walk. This exciting district features street food carts, major shopping malls, and entertainment.

Sit back and relax on a private bus and enjoy a tour of the bustling metropolis where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples and street markets. Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folklore Museum, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong alley.
After exploring the city, opt to see a show, explore a local museum, or hit the pavement and eat your way through street markets trying local fares such as bibimbap, soondae, and kimchi.

Gyeongbokgung Palace: Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty built in 1395. The palace has been destroyed many times over, but more than 50 per cent of the buildings are still standing or are restored. The complex is also home to the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum.

Free Time: Head out and explore.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

After breakfast, board a high speed bullet train for a relaxing morning ride through the countryside to Gyeongju. Once the group arrives to this old capital city for 1,000 years, they will experience an overnight stay in a local temple. During the stay the group will learn about temple etiquette, watch a monk martial arts performance, experience the daily prayer ritual and a temple style dinner.
Stay in rooms called Ondol. These rooms are very traditional, heated to be cozy and comfortable, with beds made up directly on the floor. The rooms here are multi-share, divided up by male and female rooms. Enjoy a traditional dinner and breakfast during the stay. Have the opportunity to learn about temple etiquette, experience the daily drum and bell ritual and take an easy hike up to the only stone cave temple in Korea for morning meditation.

Overnight Temple Stay: Stay in rooms called Ondol, which are very traditional and heated to be cozy and comfortable with beds made up directly on the floor. The rooms here are multi-share, divided up by male and female rooms. Enjoy a traditional dinner and breakfast during the stay.

: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST, DINNER

Enjoy a peaceful morning meditation, martial arts practice, and drum and bell ritual before exploring in Gyeongiu. On the city tour visit to the UNESCO site of Bulguksa Temple located on the slopes of Mount Toham and admire the national treasures there, such as Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo, and two gilt-bronze statues of Buddha. Afterwards, experience the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and the surrounding Royal Tombs.

City Tour of Gyeongju: Visit sights around Gyeongju on an included tour. See the UNESCO site Bulguksa Temple, a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and encompasses seven National treasures of South Korea.

: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

Travel by bus to Busan. Along the way enjoy a day trip to Yangdong Folk Village, a 500-year-old UNESCO site located in Gyeongju National Park, to get a feel for life during the early Joseon Dynasty. Afterwards, continue on to the picturesque 14th century seaside temple hidden in the rocks - Haedong Yonggungsa. After exploring the temple, check in to your hotel and get your bearings with an orientation walk on Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island (APEC House). Spend the evening getting to know colourful Busan, opt to treat yourself at a Jjimjilbang spa or sing your heart out at a popular karaoke bar.

Yangdong Folk Village: Get a fascinating look into life during the Joseon Dynasty on this visit to the Yangdong Folk Village. Founded in the early 1400s, the village boasts well-preserved buildings and has more than 160 homes displaying traditional Joseon architecture within a gorgeous natural setting.

: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

In the seaside city, Busan, visit the bustling Jagalchi fish market, Gukjesijang market, Yongdusan Park, and the colourful Gamcheon Culture Village before traveling back to Seoul. After arriving in Seoul by train, check out Korea's oldest traditional market - Namdaemun Market. Then make your way by cable car to N Seoul Tower to see this beautiful landmark and opt to make the trip up to the observation deck. Spend the rest of your day in Seoul opting to see Banpo Bridge, the floating islands, or hanging out in the Gangnam district.

Yongdusan Park Visit: Visit Yongdusan Park, home to more than 70 different types of trees, and see the 118m (387 ft) high Busan Tower. The park's unique shape is said to look like a dragon's head.

: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), founded in 1953, separating North and South Korea. With over a million soldiers on watch each day, it is one of the last remnants of the Cold War. With a buffer zone 4km wide and spanning 250 km long there has been very little development in the area, therefore nature and wildlife have pretty much taken over. Spend about 3-4 hours visiting the Demilitarized Zone, then head to The War Memorial of Korea. Later, return back to Seoul for another night in the city.
Opt to visit the Samsung Leeum Contemporary Gallery, explore the Itaewon neighbourhood, or prebook the Kimchi making and Hanbok experience.

Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Visit: Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) the de facto border between North and South Korea, which cuts the peninsula in half. Created in 1953, it is the most heavily militarized border in the world.

: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time: The biggest city in South Korea is yours today! Enjoy free time to rest or explore.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

Today take a glimpse into traditional Korean life. After a free morning in Seoul, we head to the hanok village of Jeonju by train. Enjoy a tour of this picturesque hanok town, followed by a Hanjeongsik Dinner, a traditional Korean multiple course meal.

Hanok Village Tour: Take a tour of this small but amazing village. Visit some of the iconic landmarks, like the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Jeondong Catholic Church, Korean Liquor museum, Jeonju handicraft exhibition hall. Feel immersed in this historic town.

: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

Free Time: Enjoy a free morning Seoul.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST, DINNER

From big city, to traditional towns, today we move to the greener side of South Korea. We'll venture to Damyang to take a tour of the mighty Juknokwon Bamboo forest, the greatest in South Korea. After some time under the bamboo blades, we travel to even greener pastures in the Boseong Green tea field. In the evening, arrive to Yeosu, where the city meets the sea.

Juknokwon Bamboo Forest: Juknokwon is the most famous bamboo forest in South Korea, sprawling approximately 150,000 squared meters with a variety of walking trails. Join your CEO for a stroll along the healing walking paths or take some time for a rest in the fresh air underneath the towering bamboo.

: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Breathe in the sea air and join your CEO to visit some of the more iconic spots in Yeosu. Ride the cable car for a perfect seaside view of Odongdo Island. Then immerse yourself in larger than life sculptures and interactive art exhibits at Yeosu Art Land. Experience the art and walk out onto the Hand of Midas for an equally impressive view of the sea. In the afternoon, enjoy free time during your last night on the South Korean main land.

Maritime Cable Car: Catch a ride on the Yeosu cable car from South Korea mainland to Dolsan Island with a perfect view of the coast and sea. Make sure you do look down and take in the view from your glass bottom car.

Free Time: Spend the afternoon enjoying Yeosu how you'd like.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

In the morning, board a flight to the volcanic island of Jeju. With waterfalls, lava caves and miles of beaches, the next three days will not disappoint. After lunch on the island, head to Seongsan Sunrise Peak for an easy hike up the volcanic formation to reach an incredible views of the ocean. This afternoon, you'll have the unique opportunity to witness the women divers on Jeju. Watch as they dive for seafood, using their incredible breath-hold abilities. Then, join your group at the Seongeup Folk Village to learn about the history and people of Old Jeju.

Seongsan Sunrise Peak Visit: Take a short hike to see one of the most beautiful views in all of Jeju Island. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Seongsan Ilchilbong was formed around 5000 years ago by an underwater volcanic eruption that created this unforgettable scenery. This beginner hike has a well maintained trail and is suitable for all fitness levels.

: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

Today, immerse yourself in Jeju's natural side. In the morning, see the colorful side of Jeju at Hallim Park, the island's botanical garden. Stroll through the various themed gardens, caves and folk village all within this huge park. Then head Yongmeori Coast to witness the dramatic cliffs and to Mt. Sanbang for a short coastal hike to a temple atop the mountain. After lunch, we'll take the scenic route to Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls, perfect for a photo op. Last stop of the day is to Soesokkak Estuary where you'll hop aboard a boat for a tour of the sea and the incredible coastline.

Soesokkak Estuary Boat Ride: Where pine forests meet volcanic rock and where fresh water meets the sea. Explore this beautiful place by boat on a short guided tour and enjoy an amazing view of the canyon.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

Depart at any time.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST