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South Korea Cherry Blossom Festival

New Tour

9 days

Discover South Korea during the peak of the cherry blossom season, when the landscape and cities are in full bloom. See the sights of Seoul, including Gyeongbokgung Palace and look out over the city from the top of the Seoul Sky Tower. Uncover the historic sights of Gyeongju, visit the scenic Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Busan and see the famous cherry blossoms of Haeundae Dalmajigil road. Attend the annual cherry blossom festival in Jinhae and step onto the Oryukdo Skywalk before heading back to Seoul, where you can feed deer amongst the cherry blossoms of Seoul Forest Park.

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

Tour Overview

Duration

9 days

Starts

Seoul

Ends

Seoul

Range

Signature

Tour Guide

Yes - escorted by a tour guide

Group Size

Min 4 / Max 18

Minimum age

12 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

21 March 2025

Hotel Rating

3 - 4 star hotels

Countries

South Korea

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

Yes

Meals included

Breakfast: 8, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 1
Per Person From
€3,325.00
Deposit From
Final payment
€1,995.00
€4,655.00

Tour Highlights

Seoul - Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, try on traditional hanbok clothing, enjoy views from Seoul Sky Tower and take in the cherry blossoms of Seokchon Lake & Seoul Forest
The DMZ - Visit one of the most heavily militarized borders in the world, Imjingak Park built to honour the displaced from both the North and the South of Korea, Dora Observatory
Gyeongju - Discover the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa Temple, Seolguran Grotto & the mysterious Cheonmachong Tomb
Busan - Walk out over the clifftops at the Oryukdo Skywalk, visit the Gamcheon village of korean war refugees and wander down Haeundae Dalmajigil Road, where cherry blossom blooms
Jinhae - Attend the annual Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, Korea's largest cherry blossom celebration

Included

8 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 1 dinner
5 nights 4-star hotels, 3 nights 3-star hotels
Escorted by a qualified English Speaking tour guide
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 & airport departure transfer on day 9
All relevant transportation in private, air-conditioned vehicles
2 train journeys on the KTX bullet train from Seoul - Gyeongju & Busan - Seoul
Guided sightseeing in Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan, Jinhae & at the DMZ
Entrance & activity fees for all included sightseeing
Cherry blossoms sightseeing program with visits to parks, palaces and the best locations for viewing in South Korea

Not Included

International flights and visa
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture. For your tour guide and driver, we suggest you allow USD8 - 10 per traveller per day.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Korea!

Welcome to Seoul and the start of your spring cherry blossom adventure. On arrival, you will be collected at the airport and transferred to our hotel for check in. The rest of the day is free for you to head out and explore.

Overnight: Seoul

Day 2 - Seoul Sightseeing

Today we enjoy a full day of included sightseeing in the South Korean capital. Departing from the hotel lobby, we head first to a local hanbok shop to try on the traditional clothing of the Korean people. Next, we head to the iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace, which served as the primary royal residence during the Joseon Dynasty. Watch the changing of the guard ceremony here and admire the surrounding cherry blossom, before we visit the National Folklore Museum, located on the grounds of the palace.

After dropping our outfits back off at the shop, we explore the Samcheongdong neighbourhood, where charismatic traditional hanok houses are interspersed with modern cafes, shops and galleries. There's time to browse the shops and stalls of Insadong Street and Gwangjang Market, where you can also try some authentic Korean street food. Then it's back to the hotel. There's an included dinner tonight, and the rest of your evening is at leisure.

Overnight: Seoul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Gyeongju & Busan

Seoul - Gyeongju - Busan. Check out of the hotel this morning and transfer to the train station. We are travelling to Gyeongju, and on arrival will head straight to the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa Temple, where some of the original architecture dating back to 774 AD survives today.

Next we head to another UNESCO site, the Seolguram Grotto Buddhist temple, and the Cheonmachong Tomb. No one knows who this tomb was built for, but it certainly dates to the Silla Kingdom, and probably houses the remains of an ancient king. Most likely it is the tomb of King Jijeung, who reigned from 500 - 514 AD. Our final stop is the Cheomseongdae Observatory, which is the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia.

We are heading to the laid back coastal city of Busan for the night.

Overnight: Busan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 - Exploring Busan

We begin today's sightseeing at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, located along Busan's spectacular shoreline. We also enjoy a walk along the Oryukdo Skywalk, which sees you walk out on a glass platform extending over the clifftop - don't look down! Looking back towards land, you can enjoy a nice view of the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Back on firm ground, we head to the Jagalchi Fish Market and the Gukje Market, two of the largest traditional markets in all of South Korea. If you like fresh seafood, then these are great places to enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, we visit Gamcheon Culture Village, which was set up by refugees displaced during the Korean War. We then return to the hotel for some leisure time before heading back out, this time to Haeundae Dalmajigil Road. This is one of the best spots in Korea to admire the spring cherry blossom, and they look even better when bathed in the soft moonlight of the evening.

Overnight: Busan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival

Busan - Jinhae - Busan. This morning we are visiting the Daejeo Eco Park, home to the largest canola flower field in South Korea. As the canola flowers begin to fall, cherry blossoms take their place, creating a stunning blend of pink and yellow. The riverside along the Nakdonggang River is also in full bloom, make sure you have your camera with you!

Later, we head to Jinhae to join the famous Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, Korea's largest cherry blossom celebration, which has been held annually for over 60 years. Jinhae is South Korea's cherry blossom capital, and we'll have plenty of time to take in all the main sights. We head back to Busan for the night.

Overnight: Busan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Return to Seoul

Busan - Seoul. Check out this morning before we head to Beomeosa Temple, one of the most important temples in the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. There is free time to take in the grand architecture of the temple, and to admire the cherry blossoms of Namcheon-Dong Street. Later, we enjoy lunch at Gwanganri Beach before heading to the train station for our return trip to Seoul. You'll be transferred to the hotel and can enjoy a free evening to relax or head back out into the city to explore.

Overnight: Seoul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 - Seeing More of Seoul

There's plenty more for us to see and do in the South Korean capital. We start today in the Gangnam area, before heading up to the top of the Seoul Sky Tower - this is the sixth tallest building in the world, with 123 storeys. After enjoying the panoramic views from the observation deck, we head back down and make our way to Seokchon Lake, where many cherry blossom trees should be in full bloom. There's more cherry blossoms and bright tulips to enjoy in Seoul Forest Park, as well as almost-tame herds of deer. You can get some food from the vending machine and feed them, if you would like. After our day of exploring Seoul, you have a free evening in the city.

Overnight: Seoul
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - The DMZ

Seoul - DMZ - Seoul. This morning, we transfer to Imjingak Park, which is dedicated to peace and the reunification of North and South Korea. The park was built in 1972 as somewhere for people to console those who had lost friends and family to the division. You can learn more about the 1950 - 1953 Korean War and its aftermath, and walk along Dokgae Bridge, a former railway connection between the two countries, which is long abandoned.

We will ride the DMZ Gondola, allowing you to peek into the Demilitarized Zone, a strip about 4km wide that runs across the entire Korean Peninsula. After the ride, we can visit an exhibition hall in the former US miliary base, Camp Greaves. Lunch is included before we continue to the Odusan Peace Observatory. From here you can gaze over the Han River and into the reclusive state of North Korea.

Then it's back to the hotel for your final night in Seoul.

Overnight: Seoul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 - Seoul

After a final breakfast and hotel check out, a transfer to the airport is provided. Safe travels!

Meals: Breakfast

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.

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Amid Hotel Seoul
Seoul

AMID HOTEL SEOUL stands within a 10-minute stroll from both the lively Insadong and bustling Myeongdong, offering fully furnished rooms with complimentary WiFi alongside practical amenities such as a fitness center and versatile meeting spaces. Each air-conditioned guestroom overlooks the city and features modern comforts like a flat-screen TV, fridge, and personal safe, while the en suite bathrooms provide indulgence with amenities including a hairdryer, bathtub, and an electronic bidet-equipped toilet. Culinary experiences are enriched at Kyung Bok Kung and Sapporo restaurants, showcasing Korean and Japanese cuisine respectively, within the hotel's premises.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Ibis Ambassador City Centre
Busan

Strategically positioned in the heart of Busan, the Ibis Ambassador Busan City Centre offers a convenient and well-connected hub for travelers. Guests can stay connected with free WiFi throughout the hotel, while the air-conditioned guest rooms provide comfort and convenience with amenities like a flat-screen TV, personal safe, and electric kettle. The private bathrooms feature a shower and a hairdryer. With a prime location, the bustling Seomyeon area is a short 10-minute walk away, and key transportation hubs like Busan KTX Station and Gimhae International Airport are easily accessible.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
3 Star Hotel

Prices & Dates

All dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 4 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
21 Mar - 29 Mar
€3,325
€4,415

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