Premium South Korea
9 Days Starting in Seoul and ending in Jeju Island
Visiting: Seoul, Jeonju, Hapcheon, Mokpo, Jeju Island, Korea Republic Of
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CJPK
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
On this nine-day Premium adventure, you’ll explore the culture and cuisine of South Korea from unique perspectives with a local leader who has all the insights. Start in Seoul with a bowl of steaming hot pot and meet with a North Korean defector to learn their fascinating story. Wander through Gyeongbukgung Palace before heading to a local home for a private food lecture. Enjoy a bibimbap in Jeonju and learn about the town’s rich art culture. Walk through bamboo forests before heading for Mt Gaya’s Hainesa Temple, where you’ll stay overnight, meditate like the monks, and chat with a local monk over tea. Visit iconic sites in Mokpo and then explore Purple Island at your own pace – before ending it all on Jeju Island – where you’ll chat with a local Haenyno woman and visit UNESCO’s Seongsan Ilchulbong for the most scenic views in Korea!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Seoul
Location: Seoul
Accommodation: Lotte city Mapo or similar
Meals Included: dinner
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 modern Seoul and the Gongdeok entertainment district. Then, sit down to a group welcome dinner of Korean hotpot – a delicious favourite full of mixed vegetables, meat and noodles. Learn more about Korean local food over dinner and drinks and then, maybe walk along the tranquil Cheonyecheon stream or visit the Gwangjang or Dongdaemun night market.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Seoul
Location: Seoul
Accommodation: Lotte city Mapo or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
This morning you’ll visit Gyeongbokgung Palace – the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty which dates back to 1395 – and Bukchon (the North Village) – home to many restored traditional Korean houses known as hanoks. From here, head to the home of Daniel Gray – the food expert that worked on Netflix's Street Food Asia Seoul. 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 then yours to explore at your own pace or rest at your accommodation. You might like to visit Myeongdong – Soeul’s famous shopping street and a great place to sample some Korean street food.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Jeonju
Location: Jeonju
Accommodation: Jeonju Ggotsim hotel or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Rising early, it’ll 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 to points of interest including the Third Tunnel of Aggression and Imjingak Peace Park. After some free time for lunch, a private transfer will take you 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.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Jeonju
Location: Jeonju
Accommodation: Jeonju Ggotsim hotel or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
For breakfast this morning, you’ll enjoy a local delicacy – Jeonju beansprout rice soup. You’ll then hop in a private transfer and drive to Damyang where you’ll head out on a scenic bamboo forest walk. Try some of the popular bamboo ice cream and for lunch, try another local delicacy – tteok galbi (marinated and charcoaled beef). You can then continue the culinary delights with an optional visit to a local roastery cafe, famous for their baked goods. Or, maybe opt to stretch your legs on a walk around Damyang, stopping in at the local shops and parks. Visit a brassware store and workshop and learn about the craft from the craftsman himself, and then walk around the hanok village and learn about Jeonju's art culture. Head back to Damyang, where the evening is then free for you to choose your own adventure.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Hapcheon
Location: Hapcheon
Accommodation: Haeinsa temple or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
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 or the Buddha’s teachings. When you arrive, you’ll have some 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 and 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.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Mokpo
Location: Mokpo
Accommodation: Lahan hotel Mokpo or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Bidding your farewells to Haeinsa Temple, you’ll head to the island archipelagos of Mokpo. When you arrive, you’ll have a homemade lunch at a local’s home and learn about life in South Korea’s southern regions. Finally, a tranquil drive will take you to the beautiful Purple Island. Famous for its blooming lilacs and lavender, the iconic purple bridge leading into town is said to have been built by a legendary monk looking to unify the islands. Then it’s back to your accommodation in Mokpo, where you’re free for the evening. It is recommended you take the sprawling cable cars that span the city and harbour or go for a walk on the beach and visit a local café, bar or music club.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Jeju Island
Location: Jeju Island
Accommodation: Lotte city Jeju or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning after breakfast, you’ll drive to Mokpo Harbor and take a ferry to Jeju Island. After checking in to your accommodation, your leader will take you on a tour of the island’s eastern coast. You will visit an orange farm for a citrus-themed refresh, then head to Seongsan Ilchulbong (translating to castle mountain). Nicknamed Sunrise Peak, this gorgeous viewpoint was created by volcanic activity in the sea about 5000 years ago. This is also the first site in Korea ever registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is now one of the most popular scenic destinations in Korea. 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.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Jeju Island
Location: Jeju Island
Accommodation: Lotte city Jeju or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
This morning after breakfast, your exploration of Jeju Island will extend to the island’s west. You will visit Jeju Green Tea Farm – the tea culture in Jeju is strong, and you can take pictures in the rolling fields. Take in the impressive sight of Sanbansan Mountain this afternoon – a huge lava dome often circled with clouds, which creates a mystical atmosphere. The impressive natural wonders will continue with a walk along the Olleh hiking trail, the layers of stacked sandstone creating an otherworldly scene. Finally, you’ll meet with a local Haenyno – one of the local women divers within the community who go diving for shellfish 10 m under the sea. Learn about the local fishing culture here and why these women, some in their 80s, still practice diving. Head out to a final dinner with your group at a local black pork BBQ restaurant to celebrate a trip well-travelled.
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Jeju Island
Location: Jeju Island
Meals Included: breaksfast
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.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Feature Stay (1 Night) -
Seoul - Orientation Walk
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Seoul - Gyeongbukgung Palace
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Seoul - Korean Food Lecture and Homemade Dinner
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Seoul - Bukchon Hanok Village
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Seoul - Gwangjang market
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Seoul - North Korean Defector meeting
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Seoul - DMZ Tour and Imjingak Peace Park
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Damyang - Bamboo Forest Walk
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Jeonju - Hanok Village
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Jeonju - Brassware Workshop
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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International Travel
Transport
If you are spending additional time before or after your tour, you will find that the transport in South Korea is reasonably priced, quick and efficient. Public buses don't always have the signage in English so is is recommended that you write your destination in hangeul (Korean phonetic alphabet) letters on a piece of paper. Bus drivers don't speak English. Local tourist centres usually have English-speaking staff and are the best places to find out about local buses.For groups of less than five people the Leader will also act as the driver on this trip.
Accommodation
Hotel rooms:Many South Korean hotels have a limited supply of double rooms. If you are a couple travelling, please advise at the time of booking if you would like double bedding (subject to availability). Double bed in South Korea also tends to be smaller than normal western standard, closer to a queen size bed. It may be possible to book twin share rooms where you may push the beds together into one bigger bed, but this can't be guaranteed.Air-conditioning & Heating:Air-conditioning is not usually turned on until the warmer season. The traditional housing has floor heating.Hanok Stay:Your mattress will be on the floor. If you find that the surface is too hard, you can stack the bedding or ask for an extra mattress.Hotel rooms:Many South Korean hotels have a limited supply of double rooms. If you are a couple travelling, please advise at the time of booking if you would like double bedding (subject to availability)Air-conditioning & Heating:Air-conditioning is not usually turned on until the warmer season. The traditional housing has floor heating.Temple Stay:The temple stay will be more rustic than standard hotels, but will provide a very unique cultural experience.
Important Information
1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.2. Breakfast culture is quite different in South Korea. Hotel breakfasts are often either not available or quite disappointing. Because of this, hotel breakfasts are not included on this tour. Instead, you will receive a daily $10 cafe voucher to use at local cafes and coffee shops. You may choose to use one voucher per day or save them up and use multiple at once. Your trip leader can assist you with choosing cafes and using vouchers.3. The trip ends on Jeju Island which is served by an international airport. For your onward journey, direct flights are available to Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Osaka and Singapore, as well as Seoul.4. Luggage porterage on this trip is limited to your travelling between accommodation. Porterage is not found in South Korean hotels, so it is not available within your accommodation
Mode of Transport
If you are spending additional time before or after your tour, you will find that the transport in South Korea is reasonably priced, quick and efficient. Public buses don't always have the signage in English so is is recommended that you write your destination in hangeul (Korean phonetic alphabet) letters on a piece of paper. Bus drivers don't speak English. Local tourist centres usually have English-speaking staff and are the best places to find out about local buses.
Accommodation
Hotel rooms:Many South Korean hotels have a limited supply of double rooms. If you are a couple travelling, please advise at the time of booking if you would like double bedding (subject to availability)Air-conditioning & Heating:Air-conditioning is not usually turned on until the warmer season. The traditional housing has floor heating.Hanok Stay:Your mattress will be on the floor. If you find that the surface is too hard, you can stack the bedding or ask for an extra mattress.Hotel rooms:Many South Korean hotels have a limited supply of double rooms. If you are a couple travelling, please advise at the time of booking if you would like double bedding (subject to availability)Air-conditioning & Heating:Air-conditioning is not usually turned on until the warmer season. The traditional housing has floor heating.Temple Stay:The temple stay will be more rustic than standard hotels, but will provide a very unique cultural experience.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
Part of travelling with Intrepid means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. You will visit the Hainesa Temple and the DMZ on this trip, and this requires a level of modesty. Be sure to bring clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees.
South Korea is best explored on foot. In fact, most travellers are surprised at how much distance they end up covering! Make sure your shoes are comfy and you are fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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