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Premium South Korea
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: CJPK
Overview
Destination:
Korea, Republic Of,
South Korea,
Duration:9 days
Type:Group tour (max 12)
Travel Period
May 2026 - November 2027
On this nine-day Premium adventure, you’ll explore the culture and cuisine of South Korea with a local leader who has all the insights. Start in Seoul with a bowl of steaming hot pot and meet with a North Korean defector to learn their fascinating story. Wander through Gyeongbokgung Palace, head to a local home for a private food lecture, then tuck into a bibimbap in Jeonju, where you’ll learn about the town’s rich art culture. Walk through bamboo forests, then head for Mt Gaya’s Haeinsa Temple – here, you’ll stay overnight and chat with a local monk over tea. End your adventure on Jeju Island, where you’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Seongsan Ilchulbong for some of Korea’s most scenic views.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. In the event of an early start, such as the DMZ visit, or where a hotel does not have breakfast available, your leader may substitute the included breakfast for another meal. If this happens, the leader will help you find breakfast, coffee, or a snack to keep you going.
3. The trip ends on Jeju Island which is served by an international airport. For your onward journey, direct flights are available to Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Osaka and Singapore, as well as Seoul.
4. Luggage porterage on this trip is limited to your travelling between accommodation. Porterage is not found in South Korean hotels, so it is not available within your accommodation
5. Pre and post accommodation booked through Intrepid does not include breakfast.
6. A departure transfer can be booked through Intrepid. The hotel also offers a free shutle bus to the airport certain times of the day or a taxi only takes 10 mins and is easy to arrange on the ground.
2. In the event of an early start, such as the DMZ visit, or where a hotel does not have breakfast available, your leader may substitute the included breakfast for another meal. If this happens, the leader will help you find breakfast, coffee, or a snack to keep you going.
3. The trip ends on Jeju Island which is served by an international airport. For your onward journey, direct flights are available to Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Osaka and Singapore, as well as Seoul.
4. Luggage porterage on this trip is limited to your travelling between accommodation. Porterage is not found in South Korean hotels, so it is not available within your accommodation
5. Pre and post accommodation booked through Intrepid does not include breakfast.
6. A departure transfer can be booked through Intrepid. The hotel also offers a free shutle bus to the airport certain times of the day or a taxi only takes 10 mins and is easy to arrange on the ground.
Highlights:
- 1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel. 2. In the event of an early start, such as the DMZ visit, or where a hotel does not have breakfast available, your leader may substitute the included breakfast for another meal. If this happens, the leader will help you find breakfast, coffee, or a snack to keep you going. 3. The trip ends on Jeju Island which is served by an international airport. For your onward journey, direct flights are available to Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Osaka and Singapore, as well as Seoul. 4. Luggage porterage on this trip is limited to your travelling between accommodation. Porterage is not found in South Korean hotels, so it is not available within your accommodation 5. Pre and post accommodation booked through Intrepid does not include breakfast. 6. A departure transfer can be booked through Intrepid. The hotel also offers a free shutle bus to the airport certain times of the day or a taxi only takes 10 mins and is easy to arrange on the ground.
Standard inclusions
- Meals: Meals: 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners.
- Transport: Public Transit, Private Vehicle, Ferry.
- Accommodation: Hotel (7 nights), Feature Stay (1 Night).
- Seoul - Orientation Walk.
- Seoul - Gyeongbukgung Palace.
- Seoul - Korean Food Lecture and Homemade Lunch.
- Seoul - Bukchon Hanok Village.
- Seoul - North Korean Defector meeting.
- Seoul - DMZ Tour and Imjingak Peace Park.
- Damyang - Bamboo Forest Walk.
- Jeonju - Hanok Village.
- Jeonju - Brassware Workshop.
- Haeinsa - Tea with a monk.
- Haeinsa - Temple Tour and Dinner.
- Haeinsa - Evening Meditation.
- Mokpo - Mount Yudal Cable Car.
- Mokpo - Manho Village and Fish Market Visit.
- Mokpo - Local home visit.
- Mokpo - Ferry to Jeju.
- Jeju - Orange Farm.
- Jeju - Jeju Folk Village.
- Jeju - Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) Visit.
- Jeju - Osulloc Teahouse.
- Jeju - Sanbang-san Mountain.
- Jeju - Haenyeo Meeting.
- Jeju - Farewell Dinner.
Itinerary
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Collapse allDay 1: Seoul
Eoseo oseyo! Welcome to Korea. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins in Seoul, where you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After meeting your fellow travellers and trip leader, you’ll head out on a short walking tour of Seoul and the Gongdeok entertainment district. Then, sit down to a group welcome dinner of Korean hot pot (a delicious dish of mixed vegetables, meat and noodles cooked at the table in a simmering broth). Learn about the local cuisine over dinner and drinks, then maybe walk along the Cheonggyecheon stream, which runs through downtown Seoul, or visit the Gwangjang or Dongdaemun night markets.
Day 2: Seoul
This morning, you’ll visit Gyeongbokgung Palace – the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty which dates back to 1395. You’ll also head to Bukchon (the North Village), home to many restored traditional Korean houses known as hanoks. From here, head to the home of Daniel Gray – a food expert that worked on Netflix's ‘Street Food: Asia’. Sit down for a lecture on Korean food history and then take the opportunity to help make your lunch while you taste local delicacies and drinks from all over the country. After returning to your hotel, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with a North Korean defector to hear their harrowing tale of struggle and, ultimately, triumph. The evening is free for you to continue exploring or simply rest at your accommodation. You might like to visit Myeongdong – Seoul’s famous shopping street and a great place to sample some Korean street food.
Day 3: Jeonju
Rise bright and early – it’s set to be a thought-provoking morning as you visit the South Korean side of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). After stopping for breakfast on the way, you’ll learn how this peninsula has been divided ever since the devastating Korean War. You’ll visit points of interest including the Third Tunnel of Aggression and Imjingak Peace Park. After some free time for lunch, board a private transfer to the picturesque village of Jeonju. Dinner will be at a traditional bibimbap restaurant – the bibimbap here is listed as the representative bibimbap of Korea.
Day 4: Jeonju
For breakfast this morning, you’ll try a local delicacy – Jeonju beansprout rice soup. You’ll then hop in a private transfer to Damyang, where you’ll head out on a scenic bamboo forest walk. Try some of the popular bamboo ice cream and try another local delicacy for lunch – tteokgalbi (marinated grilled beef). You can then opt to continue to savour culinary delights with a visit to a local roastery cafe, famous for their baked goods. Or maybe opt to stretch your legs on a walk around Damyang, stopping at the local shops and parks. Later, visit a brassware store and workshop and learn about the craft from the craftsman himself. Then, walk around the hanok village and learn about Jeonju's art culture. Head back to Damyang, where the evening is free for you to choose your own adventure.
Day 5: Haeinsa
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you’ll start the drive to Gayasan National Park on Mt Gaya to check out Haeinsa Temple – your incredible Exclusive Feature Stay for tonight. This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the Three Jewels Temples representing Dharma (the Buddha’s teachings). When you arrive, you’ll have tea with one of the monks to learn about his life here, the history of the temple and his story. Following the temple’s schedule for the rest of a day, take an afternoon orientation and tour the temple with a local guide, then sit down for dinner as a group. As per the temple’s schedule, you’ll also take part in an evening meditation before bed.
Day 6: Mokpo
Bid farewell to Haeinsa Temple and head to the islands of the Shinan archipelago. When you arrive, you’ll visit a local’s home and learn about life in South Korea’s southern regions. You’ll visit the historic coastal city of Mokpo, home to Mt Yudal and South Korea’s proud naval heritage. Take the longest and highest cable car in South Korea up Mt Yudal for spectacular views of the surrounding islands. On your way to your hotel for the evening, visit Manho village, known for its architectural landmarks, quaint shops dating back to the early 20th century and local fish market. You’ll have a free evening to explore Mokpo with its lively atmosphere, local restaurants and seafront promenade.
Day 7: Jeju Island
This morning after breakfast, you’ll drive to Mokpo Harbor and take a ferry to Jeju Island. After checking into your accommodation, your leader will take you on a tour of the island’s eastern coast. You’ll visit an orange farm, then head to Seongsan Ilchulbong (which translates to ‘castle mountain’). Nicknamed ‘Sunrise Peak’, this gorgeous viewpoint was created by volcanic activity in the sea around 5000 years ago. This was the first site in Korea ever registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is now one of the country’s most popular scenic destinations. Take your time enjoying the panoramic views of the ocean, Udo Island, Hallasan Mountain and the volcanic landscape. On the way back to the hotel, you'll visit a Jeju folk village before a free evening to enjoy as you wish.
Day 8: Jeju Island
Today, your exploration of Jeju Island will extend to the island’s west. You'll visit Jeju Green Tea Farm – the tea culture in Jeju is strong and the rolling green fields make for the perfect photo ops. Take in the impressive sight of Sanbangsan Mountain this afternoon – a huge lava dome often circled with clouds, which creates a mystical atmosphere. The impressive natural wonders continue with a walk along the Olle hiking trail, where the layers of stacked sandstone create an otherworldly scene. Finally, you’ll meet with a Haenyeo – one of the local women divers who harvest shellfish. Hear her story and learn about the local fishing culture. Head out to a final dinner with your group at a local black pork BBQ restaurant to celebrate a trip well-travelled.
Day 9: Jeju Island
After breakfast, there are no activities planned for today and your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in South Korea, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Dates
Select a date or submit general enquiry
Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
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8 nights
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