After breakfast,  we begin to explore Seoul together with our tour guides. South Korea is a  vibrant capital of high-tech gadgetry, soaring skyscrapers and delicious eats.

We will start out day by passing by the Blue House and visiting Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces

Kimchi making class – After an easy stroll, we will stop to learn the art of making kimchi – a Korean slow food poster dish – during a cooking class. 

Insadong Street & Tea Ceremony experience – Insadong, a buzzy neighbourhood in Seoul, is a must-visit destination for first-timers in South Korea‘s capital. Insadong Street, is best-known for its traditional tea houses and street food scene. Here we will also take part in a tea ceremony experience. 

Gwangjang Market – For a fun dinner expedition, we will head to the well known – Gwangjang Market. Here, you’ll find some of Korea’s street food favourites like mayak gimbap (rice rolls), mandu (North Korean dumplings), bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) and the famous kimchi.

Included: Breakfast, Transfers, Guided tour, Lunch and Cooking Class & Tea Ceremony.

Today we will explore the fascinating  Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which is a weapons-free buffer zone between North and South Korea.

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.

Activities: Imjingak Park | Freedom Bridge | The 3rd infiltration tunnel | DMZ Theater / Exhibition hall | Dora observatory | Dorasan Station & Unification Village 

Bukchon Hanok Village – After our trip to the DMZ, we return to Seoul. We will enjoy a wander around the Bukchon Hanok Village, which is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon dynasty. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture. As Bukchon Hanok Village is an actual neighborhood with people’s homes, visitors are advised to be respectful at all times while looking around.

Hotel: The Summit Seoul or similar class ★ Hotel

Included: Breakfast, Transfers, Guided tour, All entrances & Lunch

Today, we will leave Seoul and head to Seoraksan. This is home to one of the most famous national parks in South Korea. A delight in any season, Seoraksan is in a league of its own in autumn, when the leaves change colour and a sea of yellow and red blankets the park. The park is renowned for its stunning landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and cultural significance. 

Sinheungsa Temple – We will visit the oldest Zen temple in South Korea, was built by a traveling Shilla monk by the name of Jajang Yulsa in AD 652 and has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt many times. This is located in Seoraksan National Park.

Gwongeumseong by cable car – A stone fortress found directly at the top of Seoraksan Mountain. We will explore this area by riding a scenic cable car up the side of the mountain. The fascinating rock formations are one of the highlights of Seoraksan National Park.

Daepohang fish market – After, we will head to Sokcho to enjoy Sokcho’s freshest seafood at a charming market – Daepo Fish Market. Here you might like to try mulhwae (a spicy raw fish soup that comes with all kinds of accompaniments).

Hotel: The Class 300 or similar class ★ Hotel

Included: Breakfast, Transfers, Guided tour, all activities & Lunch

Today we hit the road and head to Andong. Andong is one the best cities to visit for a trip filled with Korea’s traditional culture. Often referred to as “the capital of Korea’s spirit,” – here we will head to the Andong Hahoe Folk Village. 

Andong Hahoe Village – is filled with beautiful traditional buildings, from houses and pavilions to Confucian academies. Walking through the streets, you can easily see the effects of Confucian culture on the society, earning this village a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2010.

Buyongdae Cliff – While in Hahoe Village, we will aslo visit Buyongdae Cliff! The view from the cliff is outstanding, with the entire village spread out below us. 

Hotel: Andong Richell  or similar class ★ Hotel

Included: Breakfast, Transfers, Guided tour, lunch and all entrances.

Gyeongju (World Heritage Site by UNESCO) is known as “the museum without walls” because of the vast number of cultural properties and archaeological sites of the city. Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla during the Three Kingdoms (57BC – 668AD) and the Great Silla Kingdom (668AD-935AD) for over 1,000 years. (Silla, one of the three kingdoms of ancient Korea and the one that in 668 unified Korea under the Unified Silla dynasty (668–935)). 

After the unification of the Three Kingdoms in 668 AD, Gyeongju became the centre of economic life of the peninsula. Merchants from China, Japan and Arab started to flow into Gyeongju, making it a hub for travelers by land and sea

Buddhism was introduced to the region through the Silk Roads. Around the 5^th century, Buddhism was brought to Gyeongju from Central Asia via China. 

• Bulguska Temple – Throughout the history, the city has remained as an important centre of Korean Buddhism. Bulguksa, located on the East of Gyeongju, is one of the largest Buddhist temples in the Republic of Korea. The temple is considered as a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art of the Silla kingdom, encompassing seven national treasures of the Republic of Korea.
• Anapji Pond
• Golgulsa Templestay – We’ll immerse ourselves in temple life, here we will watch a seonmudo demonstration, take part in seonmudo training, take part in meditation and also enjoy a hike and meditation near a mountain or a beach (Dinner here will be vegetarian based)

Temple Stay: Golgulsa Templestay 

Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, transfers, guided tour, all entrances and templestay.

Today’s highlight will be Gamcheon Cultural Village – which is a romantic alley where history, culture, and art meet. While the village’s beautiful landscape gave it the nickname of the Machu Picchu of Korea, the town was a part of the painful history of Busan. Refugees settled in Gamcheon Village during the Korean War and cultivated the mountainous region to make a living. In 2009, students, artists, and residents decorated the village as a part of the Village Art Project, and the town grew into a leading tourist attraction of Busan since then.

Before visiting Gamcheon Village, we will also stop at the following:

• Busan Tower
• Jaglachi Fish Market
• BIFF Square Plaza
• Songo Cable Car

Hotel: The Summit Seoul  or similar class ★ Hotel

Included: Breakfast Lunch, Transfers, Guided tour and all entrances.

Depart to airport

Included: Breakfast & Transfer to airport.

Every client is required to have a travel insurance package. This needs to be presented to us.

South Korea uses the Type F plug. Type F electrical plugs used in South Korea are manufactured to the CEE 7/4 and CEE 7/7 standards and is commonly referred to as a Schuko plug. The line and neutral plug contacts for South Korea Type F plugs are two round pins with a 4.8 millimeter diameter.

Maltese citizens and most European citizens who are planning a trip to South Korea aren’t required to apply for a visa if they wish to go for short stays (tourism). But it’s required to obtain an electronic travel authorization (eTA or eVisa) before entering South Korea. The Globaltravelbook team will guide you with the process.

Please inform us of your nationality before booking.

The South Korean Won (KRW) is the official currency in South Korea. Most establishments accept payments by Visa or Debit card, however traditional establishments may prefer cash payments. Travellers may exchange to KRW on our first day in the capital, our group leader will help you out. Another option is to exchange to KRW in your home country, however do not worry as we will help you out if you prefer to exchange when in Korea.