Seoul – Songnisa – Daegu – Gyeongju – Busan – Seoul

Day 1 Arrival in Seoul
Arrival in Seoul at Incheon International Airport, where you will be met by a guide and transferred to your hotel. First day at leisure. Overnight at a local hotel.

If you arrive in Seoul on a day other than a definite day, a shuttle service is not available. If you have a reservation at the Summit Hotel, use the airport limousine bus from stop 12B or 6A. Use the bus marked #6001 (Incheon International Airport – Tokyo inn Hotel) You can buy a ticket from a bus or a ticket machine. The bus runs from the airport every 20 minutes between 06.20 and 23.00.

Day 2 Seoul – Seoul city tour
After breakfast, a half-day Seoul city tour begins, including a visit to the National Museum of Korea. This new museum was built in 2005 and houses Korean art and memorabilia. It would take a full day to tour the entire museum.

After the museum tour, visit Changdeok Palace and Huwon (Secret Garden), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The journey continues from the palace towards the N Seoul Tower on Mount Namsa. The tower offers a spectacular view of the Seoul metropolis. Finally, we will visit the Gwangjang Tower. Return to the hotel, overnight at a local hotel.

Day 3 Seoul – Korean Folk Village – Songnisa Mountain National Park – Daegu
Breakfast at hotel. Check-out and transfer from the hotel to the Korean Folk Village outside Seoul. In the village, people live in traditional houses and practice a 1700-1800s lifestyle.

From the village we continue to Songnisa National Park, where we visit the Beopjusan temple. The temple houses the tallest Buddha statue in Korea. The forest area is ideal for walking. After the park, you drive along the highway to Daegu. Overnight at the local five-star Daegu Grand Hotel.

Day 4 Daegu – Gyeongju tour
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by transfer to Gyeongju. Gyeongju was the centre of the Kingdom of the Bridge from 57ekr to 935BC and the city is known as a “museum without walls”. Upon arrival in the city we have a half day tour including a visit to the astronomical observatory and the royal tombs. Finally, we will visit the Bulguksan Temple, which has been rebuilt by the Japanese. The temple has been restored to its former glory. Overnight at the local five-star Commodore Hotel.

Day 5 Full day in Gyeongju
After breakfast, start your full-day tour of Gyeongju. The tour starts with a visit to Seokguram Grotto, founded in the 700s on the slopes of Toham Mountain. The grotto features a statue of a seated Buddha looking out to sea. It is considered a masterpiece of Far Eastern Buddhist art. The royal tomb of Gwaneung, the four-faced Buddha, and a scenic drive to Guryongpo harbour. Driving along the beautiful seaside scenery. Return to Gyeongju. Overnight at a local five-star hotel.

Day 6 Gyeongju – Busan
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Unmoonsa Temple (Buddhist nuns’ temple). Continue to Busan, the second largest city in South Korea.

On arrival in Busan, we will start our half-day Busan tour. The tour starts with a visit to the Busan Tower on Mount Yongdusa. There is an observatory on the mountain with a balcony overlooking the city. After visiting the tower, we head to Jagalchi Fishermen’s Market where street vendors sell a variety of fish, from the market we head towards Nampodonign Street. Overnight at the local four-star Busan Towerhill Hotel in the city centre.

Day 7 Busan / Seoul
After breakfast, guides will transfer Day 8 travellers to Seoul by bus. If there are less than two travelers for this transfer and there are no other passengers on the bus, we may arrange a train ride to Seoul. On arrival in Seoul, transfer to the hotel.

After check-in, there is free time for shopping, for example, in Dongdaemu’s shopping area. Overnight in a local 4-star hotel.

Day 8 Seoul
Breakfast at the hotel. End of the trip. No transfer to the airport, but a private transfer can be arranged.

Seoul – Songnisa – Daegu – Gyeongju – Busan – Seorak / DMZ area tour – Seoul

Day 1 Arrival in Seoul
Arrival in Seoul at Incheon International Airport, where you will be met by a guide and transferred to your hotel. First day at leisure. Overnight at a local hotel.

If you arrive in Seoul on a day other than a definite day, a shuttle service is not available. If you have a reservation at the Summit Hotel, use the airport limousine bus from stop 12B or 6A. Use the bus marked #6001 (Incheon International Airport – Tokyo inn Hotel) You can buy a ticket from a bus or a ticket machine. The bus runs from the airport every 20 minutes between 06.20 and 23.00.

Day 2 Seoul – Seoul city tour
After breakfast, a half-day Seoul city tour begins, including a visit to the National Museum of Korea. This new museum was built in 2005 and houses Korean art and memorabilia. It would take a whole day to tour the entire museum.

The museum tour is followed by a visit to Changdeok Palace and Huwon (Secret Garden), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The journey continues from the palace towards the N Seoul Tower on Mount Namsa. The tower offers a spectacular view of the Seoul metropolis. Finally, we will visit the Gwangjang Tower. Return to the hotel, overnight at a local hotel.

Day 3 Seoul – Korean Folk Village – Songnisa Mountain National Park – Daegu
Breakfast at hotel. Check-out and transfer from the hotel to the Korean Folk Village outside Seoul. In the village, people live in traditional houses and practice a 1700-1800s lifestyle.

From the village we continue to Songnisa National Park, where we visit the Beopjusan temple. The temple houses the tallest Buddha statue in Korea. The forest area is ideal for walking. After the park, you drive along the highway to Daegu. Overnight at the local five-star Daegu Grand Hotel.

Day 4 Daegu – Gyeongju tour
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by transfer to Gyeongju. Gyeongju was the centre of the Kingdom of the Bridge from 57ekr to 935BC and the city is known as a “museum without walls”. Upon arrival in the city we have a half day tour including a visit to the astronomical observatory and the royal tombs. Lastly, we will visit the Bulguksha Temple, which has been rebuilt by the Japanese. The temple has been restored to its former glory. Overnight at the local five-star Commodore Hotel.

Day 5 Full day in Gyeongju
After breakfast, start your full-day tour of Gyeongju. The tour starts with a visit to Seokguram Grotto, founded in the 700s on the slopes of Toham Mountain. The grotto features a statue of a seated Buddha looking out to sea. It is considered a masterpiece of Far Eastern Buddhist art. The royal tomb of Gwaneung, the four-faced Buddha, and a scenic drive to Guryongpo harbour. Driving along the beautiful seaside scenery. Return to Gyeongju. Overnight at a local five-star hotel.

Day 6 Gyeongju – Busan
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Unmoonsa Temple (Buddhist nuns’ temple). Continue to Busan, the second largest city in South Korea.

Upon arrival in Busan, we will start our half-day Busan tour. The tour starts with a visit to the Busan Tower on Mount Yongdusa. There is an observatory on the mountain with a balcony overlooking the city. After visiting the tower, we go to Jagalchi Fishermen’s Market where street vendors sell a variety of fish, from the market we head towards Nampodonign Street. Overnight at the local four-star Busan Towerhill Hotel in the city centre.

Day 7 Busan – Haeinsan temple – Andong – Chungju
After breakfast, we travel by highway to Gayasa Mountain National Park. In the national park we visit the Haeinsan Temple. The temple is a world famous treasure of Korean culture called Tripikata Korea. Tripikata Koreaana was built to protect Mongolia from the invasion of troops during the Goryo dynasty. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The journey continues to Andong, which is two hours from Haeinesa. Andong is the best preserved village with its traditional noble houses. In 1999, Queen Elizabeth visited Angdong. The village of Hahoe in Andong is famous for its own mask dance.

After Hahoe village, the journey continues to Chungju Lake where you will stay overnight at Benikea Cheong Pung Hotel.

Day 8 Chungju – Seorak Mountain National Park – Overnight at the temple
After breakfast, boat tour on the lake (in winter, a tour will be arranged if possible). Transfer via Gangneung to Seorak Mountain National Park. In Gangneung, visit the Chamsori Gramophone and Audio Museum. The museum has an incredible collection of 19th century gramophones and first class audio equipment.

The journey continues to the Samwhasa temple to experience a unique temple experience. Upon arrival at the temple, we will change into temple dress, which we will receive from the temple. Orientation on things to know about staying at the temple, regarding rules and schedules. We will then join the evening ceremony of the chiming of the bell, evening mass and a meditation class. You are not allowed to have your own phone with you. Alcohol is prohibited. Accommodation is in shared rooms of min. 2 people. Rooms are divided according to gender. Overnight stay at Samhwasa Temple or Woljeongsa Temple.

Day 9 Seorak Mountains National Park – DMZ tour
Wake up at 3am for worship (optional). After breakfast, transfer to the DMZ area overlooking North Korea. Visit to the DMZ museum.

Return to Seorak Mountain National Park, cable car ride to Gwongeumseong Fortress. At the fortress, visit the Sinheungsan Temple. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a private hot spring bath or sauna in the waterpias. After you have enjoyed enough of the water park, return to the hotel by self-catered taxi. Overnight at the Kensington Hotel.

Day 10 Seorak Mountain National Park
After breakfast, transfer to Gapyeong. Visit Gapyeong Morning Calm flower garden with unique Korean wildflowers and trees. The garden is located in the valley (for November-April trips when the flowers are not blooming, we visit the Yangpyeong film studio).

Transport to Seoul. Free time after check-in. Overnight at the Summit Hotel.

Day 11 Seoul
Breakfast at hotel, end of trip. No airport transfer, but private transfer can be arranged. There is an airport bus from the hotel.