The Best of Korea
13 days Cultural Tour to Seoul, Jeju Island, Busan, Gyeongju, Daegu, Andong & Mt. Sorak
This program offers you a wide range of attractions, sightseeing and experiences with natural wonders, attractive culture and authentic tradition of Korea. Best of Korea is THE BEST to those who like to discover the wonderful sightseeing and Korean culture; it takes you to explore every corners of Korea from Western, Eastern and Eastern area to Jeju Island in the south sea as well as Seoul, the world class city in amazing combination of tradition and modernity.
Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport you are met by our representative and transfer to check in your hotel. The rest of day is at your leisure.
Pick up at your hotel around 08:30-09:00 am for Seoul half day sightseeing tour to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony, National Folk Museum, Korean Ginseng Centre. After lunch, move to Korean Folk Village (an hour and half drive away from Seoul) - you will experience the culture of the late Joseon Dynasty, It’s a huge village that has about 260 different types of house of each province. Return to Seoul in the afternoon.
07:45 Transfer to a meeting point, parking lot in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop Building at GwanghwamunIntersection, Seoul then depart for Gongju(130Km/1.5hours). You visit The Tomb of King Muryeong(UNESCO) and Gongsanseong Fortress (UNESCO); then proceed to Jeonju (80Km/1 hr) to visit Jeonju Hanok Village where you experience the Hanok - 700 traditional Korean Houses. Check-into your hotel; rest of the day remains free.
After breakfast, you are transferred to Gwangju (100km / 1hr 20min), the leading city of Honam region and birthplace of a modern democratic movement in Korea, visit May 18th National Cemetery; Suncheon (100km/ 1hr) where you will visit Suncheon Bay Garden before we continue to Yeosu, a port city and wander around the Historic Site of Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s Path. Check-in to our hotel.
After breakfast we start visiting Jinjuseong Fortress – historically linked to Japanese invasion in 1592; then move to Busan (100Km/1.5hrs) and fly to Jeju Island. Upon arrival Jesu, met and transferred to check in your hotel.
*Jeju-do’s volcanic island and lava tubes have been registered as UNESCO’s world natural heritage. Jeju-do(island) is the premier tourist destination in Korea because of its stunning natural scenery and superior tourist amenities. Scenic beaches, waterfalls, cliffs and caves lie in harmony and the mild weather makes Jeju-do an even more ideal tourist site.
After breakfast, enjoy a full day of sightseeing. You visit Hyupjae Beach, Hallim Park with Palm Tree Road, Jeju Stone and Bonsai Garden, Water Garden, Subtropical Botanic Garden and much more; then O'sulloc Tea Museum which was opened by Amore Pacific in 2001 with the aim of introducing and spreading Korean teas and the traditional tea culture of Korea.
After lunch, enjoy Sanbang Mountain Cruise and Cheonjeyeon falls, named "The Pond of God," consists of three sections. Stop by shopping center and transfer to your hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to the farm and enjoy horseback riding, one of fun activity that will make you feel like royalty; The Seongeup Folk Village where shows the unique culture of Jeju Island. After lunch, visit Haenyeo Museum where exhibits various photos of haenyeo female divers and their activities or enjoy woman diver show (UNESCO Intangible Cultural asset). Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, rose 180 meters above sea level due to a magma flow under the sea over 5,000 years ago and it was originally a separate island, but a build-up of sand and soil has connected it to the main island. Manjanggul holds great value for science and conservation studies, having well-maintained formations despite being formed over one hundred thousand years ago. Stop by Korean Jewellery Amethyst and local product store. Fly from Jeju International Airport to Busan. Upon arrival, met and transferred to check into your hotel.
Full day sightseeing in Busan. Visit the most famous beach in Busan - Haeundae Beach. This white sand beach is 1.5 kilometres long, over a 30- to 50-meter wide area, creating a beautiful coastline before a shallow bay. Proceed to Yonggungsa Temple via Dalmaji-gil Road, famous for its views of the blue ocean, white sandy beach, Camellia forest and pine tree forest, creating one of Busan’s eight scenic sites. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is situated on the coast of the north-eastern portion of Busan. Next to visit Gamcheon Culture Village, which was built in staircase-fashion on the foothills of a coastal mountain, earns the nickname "Machu Picchu of Busan. Continue to visit Korea’s largest seafood market, Jagalchi Fishery market and traditional market.
Drive to Gyeongju (1.5hrs) and visit Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond(night tour), a secondary palace used by the crown prince of the Silla Kingdom. You can enjoy the reflection of Imhaejeon in Wolji during the night. Overnight in Gyeongju.
Enjoy a full day tour in Gyeongju - a museum without walls. In 57 BC, it became the capital of the Shilla Dynasty and remained so for about 1000 years. Gyeongju preserves a vast amount of significant and fascinating historical heritage. Visit Gyeongju National Museum, Cheomgseongdae Astronomical Observatory, Seokguram Grotto (UNESCO world heritage) - an artificial stone temple made of granites, located on the eastern peak of Mt. Toham. Inside the round-shaped main hall, there are the Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-Sattava and his disciples. It was built to preserve these statues. Bulguksa Temple (UNESCO world heritage) – The beauty of the temple itself and artistic touch of the stone relics are as awesome and fascinating as to be highly praised by visitors from all over the world. Move to Daegu city, the largest and central city of this province. Check in at your hotel.
After breakfast, drive to Haeinsa Temple located in Gayasan National Park. Haeinsa Temple was founded by King Ae-Jang of Shilla Dynasty (802), well known for its famous treasure “ TripitakaKoreana ”(UNESCO world heritage) composed of 81,341 printing woodblocks made to repulse the Mongolian Army Invasion with support of Buddha. And then transfer to AndongHahoe Village which has preserved the housing architecture and the village structure of the Joseon Dynasty. Moreover, the Village was not artificially created; there are people who actually live there. The Hahoe Village has become world-famous for the visit of The Queen Elizabeth II of Britain several years ago. And then transfer to Pyeongchange, one of 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Cities.
Depart to Seoraksan National Park where the peaks break through the clouds while jade-like water flows through the valleys, creating breathtaking views and making this Korea’s most famous national park. UNESCO designated this park a Biosphere Preservation District in 1982 due to so many rare species found here. Visit Sinheungsa Temple, an ancient temple with deep historical significance, built by a great monk Jajangyulsa (590~658). (Optional Gwongeumseong Cable Car–USD15.00). Gwongeumseong is a site of castle ruins located on the steep Dol Mountain of Seoraksan National Park area. After sightseeing of Seoraksan National Park, continue our journey to Seoul and check in your hotel.
08:00 Passport is required to join. Pick up from your hotel and drive to Imjingak Park; you will have ID check at Unification Bridge before we head to DMZ theatre & Exhibition hall. Then followed by visiting the 3rd infiltration tunnel-Dorasan Observatory and Dorasan Station. After lunch, continue your tour to Advance Camp, Joint Security Area, Freedom House, Conference Room, UN guard post 3, Bridge of no return and Imjingak Park. Return to Seoul at around 14:30. You will be drop off at Seoul City Hall, a short walking distance from your hotel. Wandering around by yourself and return to your
Today is at leisure (subject to hotel check out time policy) until in time transfer to the airport for your flight bound for your next destination.
The Best of Korea
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ON REQUEST
Tour code: BestKorea24
Travelling | Price pp | Single Supplement | |
---|---|---|---|
1 Jan - 20 Dec 2024 - Departs on Friday | $5,980 | $1,980 | Book |
Remarks
- Depart every Friday all year round except Blackout dates in 2024 (2 Feb, 9 Feb & 13 Sept 2024) - Lunar New Year, Korean Thanksgiving, End of Year Holidays; Christmas and New Year Holidays period)).
- Land only prices, include Korean domestic air tickets Busan - Jeju - Busan. But no international air tickets included except specified.
- Minimum of 2 participants for guaranteed departure. Normally the group size will be 10-20 people; but max may be around 40 in some popular departures.
- Twin share 4* hotel at Seoul Orakai Daehakro Hotel, Jeonju Ramada Hotel; Yeosu Ramada Plaza by Wymdham; Jeju Grand Hyatt, Busan Haeundae Ramada Encore, Gyeongju Commodore Hotel; Daegu Interbulgo EXCO Hotel, Pyeongchang Ramada Hotel & Suite or similar
- Exclusions: International air travel, tipping for the guide and driver (US$10 per day / client recommended), optional tour; personal expenses; travel insurance, items not mentioned in above itinerary, unscheduled meals etc.
- All bookings are subject to availability and final confirmation.
- Itineraries are subject to minor change upon local arrangement
- High season: 01 July – 31 Aug; 20 & 27 Dec 2024 with Price: $6550 pp. S.S $2530
- Extension stays after the group tour at Seoul Orakai Daehakro Hotel $294 per room per night with breakfast (except high season), subject to availability and final confirmation. Departure transfer included if extension stay booked through us.
Inclusions
- Twin Share 4* hotel at Seoul Orakai Daehakro Hotel, Jeonju Ramada Hotel; Yeosu Ramada Plaza by Wymdham; Jeju Grand Hyatt, Busan Haeundae Ramada Encore, Gyeongju Commodore Hotel; Daegu Interbulgo EXCO Hotel, Pyeongchang Ramada Hotel & Suite or similar
- Korean domestic economy flights Seoul – Jeju Island – Busan
- Fully inclusive seat in coach group tour with English speaking guide, all transfers and entrance fees as per itinerary.