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Best of South Korea

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10 days

Discover the main highlights of South Korea on this 10-day group tour. Enjoy panoramic views of Seoul from N Tower, see Gyeongbokgung Palace and visit the Demilitarized Zone to meet a North Korean defector. Cycle the ancient streets of Gyeongju, spend a day at a working Buddhist temple and join a spiritual meditation class. Learn to cook delicious local food with a cooking class, explore Busan and hike the Jeju Olle Trail on Jeju Island, rounded off with a beach BBQ!

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Travelling with children or prefer being on your own, see our private version of this tour.

Tour Overview

Duration

10 days

Starts

Seoul

Ends

Seoul

Range

Handpicked

Tour Guide

Escorted by a bi-lingual adventure leader

Group Size

Min 4 / Max 16

Minimum age

18

Departs

Sundays 2024 | Thursdays 2025

Hotel Rating

4-5-star hotels, hanok & temple stay

Countries

South Korea

Arrival Transfer

No - can be booked on request

Departure Transfer

No

Meals included

Breakfast: 9, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 4
Save 20% today
Per Person From
$3,655.00
USD$2,924.00
Deposit From
Final payment
USD$800.00
$5,048.00

Tour Highlights

Seoul - Admire the view from N Tower, see Gyeongbokgung Palace and watch an acrobatic Nanta Show
DMZ - Peek into the secretive state of North Korea from the Observatory and meet a North Korean defector
Gyeongju - Cycle the streets of the ancient Silla capital, see Anapji Pond and sample traditional liquour
Busan - Cook South Korean cuisine with a local chef, visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and ride a cable car over the city
Jeju Island - Hike along the Jeju Olle Trail, with free time to relax on the beach, climb Sunrise Peak and enjoy an included farewell BBQ

Included

Daily breakfast, 4 lunches (inclusive of cooking class) & 4 dinners
1 night simple hanok accommodation in Gyeongju
7 nights in 4-5-star hotels
*2024* 1 night Golgulsa Temple stay
Escorted by a bi-lingual adventure leader
2 economy flights from Busan - Jeju and Jeju - Seoul
All transportation via public transport and private transfers
DMZ excursion and chat with a North Korean defector
Nanta Show in Seoul
Korean cooking class in Busan
Yacht sailing and fishing on Jeju Island
Hiking the Jeju Olle Trail, Oedolgae Rock and Jungbang Waterfall on Jeju Island
Farewell BBQ on the final night on Jeju Island

Not Included

Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Optional activities
International flights and visas
Airport transfers

Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Seoul!

Welcome to Seoul! Make your way to our start hotel via public transport or private transfer - we can book an airport transfer for you if you wish. Freshen up at the hotel or head out to explore independently before our welcome meeting at 17:00. We then enjoy an included group dinner. Get to know the rest of the group and sample your first Korean cuisine before we ride the cable car to the top of Namsan Mountain and head to the top of N Tower to enjoy the panoramic views of the city you will be exploring over the next few days.

Overnight: Seoul
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Exploring Seoul

Take a tour through Seoul’s fascinating history as you head Gyeongbokgung Palace and watch the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony. Step further back into time and try on a Hanbok at the Bukchon Hanok village, before indulging in a delicious local lunch and exploring the Insadong Art Street.

Tonight you can relax or join an optional activity. We embrace Korea's K-Pop scene, which has spread around the world with popular bands such as BTS. It's karaoke time!

Overnight: Seoul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 - The DMZ

Today we have a fascinating if sobering visit to the DMZ - the Demilitarized Zone. Officially, the Korean War is still ongoing, although the fighting largely ended in 1953. An uneasy peace has ensued since, maintained largely by the 4km wide DMZ, which stretches across the entire Korean Peninsula, separating the South from the North.

During our visit we will be able to peek into the secretive North from the Observatory and can see the tunnels built under the DMZ as part of a plan by the North to invade. You will also have the once in a lifetime opportunity to chat to a defector from North Korea, to find out what life is really like in the country.

After our trip to the DMZ, we return to Seoul. We enjoy a wander around the cultural Hongdae area before enjoying an acrobatic Nanta Show in the Myeongdong district this evening. Afterwards, for those who wish to enjoy a drink or two, we will take you to some of the best bars in the city.

Overnight: Seoul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 - Gyeongju Hanok

Seoul - Gyeongju. Leaving Seoul behind, we head south to Gyeongju, former capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom. There's an included cycle ride around the city this afternoon, stopping at many sights including Chunmachong Ancient Tombs, Daereungwon Tumuli Park, and Cheomseongdae – the oldest astronomical observatory in East Asia.

This evening, we enjoy a group dinner at a traditional Hanok house and enjoy the night-time views of Anapji Pond, constructed in 674 CE by King Munmu of the powerful Silla Kingdom. There is a chance to sample some traditional liquor before retiring for the night in our simple hanok, a truly Korean experience!

Overnight: Gyeongju
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 - Golgulsa Temple

Gyeongju - Golgulsa Temple. Today we head into the mountains and our destination, Golgulsa Temple. We'll immerse ourselves in temple life, joining prayer and enjoying a meditation session. We can also have a go at archery and watch a Sunmudo martial arts demonstration, with time to hike in the lush surroundings of the temple too.

We will take part in communal work, then enjoy simple but wholesome food at the temple, including a traditional vegetarian dinner. We then spend a night sleeping in the temple. The temple stay is shared accommodation with a shared bathroom in gender separate rooms. This stay is for 1 night only.

Please note: Tours departing in 2025 will still visit, but no longer spend the night at the Golgusla temple. Instead, a four star hotel in Busan will be provided.

Overnight: Golgulsa Temple stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Explore Busan

Golgulsa Temple - Busan. Transfer to your next destination – the bustling culture capital of Busan. Arrive at the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and explore this temple nestled into the cliffs, before departing to explore the stunning Gamcheon Culture Village – Busan’s Macchu Picchu! Then take the Songdo Marine Cable Car for sky-high views of the city and ocean!

For dinner, we will be at the BIFF Square, where you can check out the handprints of your favourite Korean film stars. If you’d like to rest up after, you can – or enjoy drinks at Haeundae.

Overnight: Busan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Cooking Class

This morning, start the day with a traditional Korean cooking class and whip up some delicacies. You’ve then got some free time – relax at a jjimjilbang (a Korean spa), or enjoy the city’s beautiful beaches. Take a swim in the ocean, relax by the beach and sample some of the Busan-style hotteoks. These fried pancakes are a local specialty! Later on, you can opt to take part in a pottery making class.

Tonight, boogie on our evening boat party before our guide takes you out in Haeundae for a fun-filled experience, complete with drinks and dinner (own expense).

Overnight: Busan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 - Fly to Jeju

Busan - Jeju Island. There's an included flight to Jeju Island today, known as the 'Hawaii of Korea'! There's included yacht sailing and fishing on arrival, as well as plenty of free time this afternoon. Head to the Olle market to try some seafood, relax at Jungmu Beach or perhaps visit the cascading Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, one of many natural landmarks on Jeju.

Overnight: Jeju Island
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - Hiking Jeju

Start your day with a hike along the Jeju Olle Trail, taking in spectacular views and waterfalls. We’ll break for lunch before hiking onto Oedolgae Rock, with vistas of volcanic cliffs and yellow fields of canola.

In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to chill on the beach. If you’re not a fan of sand, you can admire the tranquil scenery as you head your way to view the crater in Sangumburi, hike Seongsan Ilchulbang (Sunrise Peak) or visit the Jeju Folk Village.

Our last night is a BBQ party at a local restaurant. You’ll get sunset drinks, amazing food, and a chance to reflect on an awesome Korean experience.

Overnight: Jeju Island
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 - Return to Seoul

Jeju Island - Seoul. Today there is an included flight back to Seoul Gimpo Airport (GMP), where our tour comes to an end at around 13:00 hrs.

Please note: International flights depart from Incheon International Airport (ICN). You will need to make your own way there. The AREX airport express train travels directly between the two airports and the journey takes approximately 50 minutes. International flights should not depart before 17.00 hrs.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Reviews

Overall it was a fabulous tour. The itinerary was pretty spot-on except for doing a 2nd yacht sailing in Jeju, which could have been a skip. The timing was also off sometimes, where too much time was given at certain spots. Sleeping on the floor for 2 nights was horrid. Guide missed some key details

Trip was great , giving a good insight into Sth Korea . As usual “On the Go” from the moment we landed in Seoul to the very end on JeJu Island. Our guide … Misuk.. was fantastic.. nothing was too much trouble and looked after us so well. - thank you for making a great holiday even better.

Overall, the tour was very good. Lots of variety, nice mix of activities, good balance between scheduled activities and free time. Our guide was fantastic: knowledgeable, funny, engaging, open to questions of all kinds, good suggestions for restaurants and free time options; she did a great deal to make Korea come to life. I did feel that a few activities were rushed, most notably the visit to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Busan; more time at the attractions and less at the accompanying gift shops would have been nice. (But this is my own preference; I recognize that a LOT of tourists want to shop, shop, shop while they're in Korea.) All transportation was comfortable and all connections were smooth.

This tour is highly recommended to those who are looking to go to South Korea! The only way that you would get to see the best parts is an all inclusive tour and I do not believe that going solo or with a couple by themselves is going to be worthwhile given that S Korea is so big. It was a lovely tour group that I was with and the activities were amazing and I got some very good snaps! There is a lot to do on the tour, and you are kept busy, so I do highly recommend it for others. There is a lot of walking and some hiking in the tour, but that is well explained in the brochure.

This was one of my two favorite group tours than I did with you! All the people were so kind! We were friends since the beginning and finished family at the end. Before starting the tour, the local company created a WhatsApp group that helped a lot our communication, all the messages were clear, the times to meet, and allowed us to sharing photos in the moment they were taken. I am really happy for the whole tour, the accommodation, the food, the activities, the places we visited, the options they gave us according to the flexibility some people needed. Ari, the guide was one of the best than I knew! She is experienced, and kind, and funny, and you could count on her!! Your local partner The Dragon Tours does know how to organize a tour in South Korea. Congratulations for them!!

Extras and add-ons

If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.

Pre and Post Tour Accommodation

Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.

Seoul Pre-Tour Accommodation (From price)

Double

$215per passenger

Twin

$215per passenger

Single

$425per passenger

Seoul Post-Tour Accommodation (From price)

Double

$215per passenger

Twin

$215per passenger

Single

$425per passenger

Additional Excursions

Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.

Seoul Private Airport Transfer (max 2 pax)

$175

per passenger

Seoul Private Airport Transfer (max 4 pax)

$295

per passenger

Seoul Private Airport Transfer (per vehicle, max 2 pax)

$175

per passenger

Seoul Private Airport Transfer (per vehicle, max 4 pax)

$295

per passenger

Prices & Dates

All dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. Room sharing is not available on this tour.

2025
Twin/Double
Single
13 Mar - 22 Mar
Save 10%
$3,755$3,380
$5,355$4,820
20 Mar - 29 Mar
Save 10%
$3,755$3,380
$5,355$4,820
27 Mar - 5 Apr
Save 10%
$3,755$3,380
$5,355$4,820
10 Apr - 19 Apr
Save 10%
$3,755$3,380
$5,355$4,820
13 Apr - 22 Apr
$3,755
$5,355
20 Apr - 29 Apr
Save 10%
$3,655$3,290
$5,255$4,730
8 May - 17 May
Save 10%
$3,655$3,290
$5,255$4,730
15 May - 24 May
Save 10%
$3,655$3,290
$5,255$4,730
2026
Twin/Double
Single
5 Mar - 14 Mar
Save 5%
$4,035$3,834
$5,645$5,363
12 Mar - 21 Mar
Save 5%
$4,175$3,967
$5,775$5,487
19 Mar - 28 Mar
Save 5%
$4,175$3,967
$5,775$5,487
26 Mar - 4 Apr
Save 5%
$4,175$3,967
$5,775$5,487
29 Mar - 7 Apr
Save 5%
$4,175$3,967
$5,775$5,487
2 Apr - 11 Apr
Save 5%
$4,175$3,967
$5,775$5,487
5 Apr - 14 Apr
Save 5%
$4,175$3,967
$5,775$5,487
23 Apr - 2 May
Save 5%
$4,035$3,834
$5,645$5,363

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