Best of South Korea
Experience Overview
Ready for a unique travel experience? South Korea fits the bill and then some. On this eight-day trip, you’ll see the highlights in and around Seoul plus visit folk villages, unique Korean temples, and the bustling markets of Busan. Learn about the sombre history of North and South Korea and take an excursion to the Demilitarized Zone separating the two. This is the perfect snapshot of a country coming into its own as a top travel destination.
Highlights
- Visit the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea
- Sleep in a temple in Gyeongju-si
- Sample the diverse cuisine of Korea.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1540
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Private van, train, subway, walking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: AKSS
Starts: Seoul, South Korea
Finishes: Seoul, South Korea
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Overnight Temple Stay, Gyeongju-si
- City tour of Seoul
- DMZ visit
- City tour of Gyeongju
- Yangdong Folk Village visit
- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Visit
- City tour of Busan
- Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island (APEC House) Visit
- N Seoul Tower Visit
- Namdaemun Market Visit
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Standard hotels (6 nts), temple (1 nt).
- 7 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Transport
- Private van, train, subway, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,931 ($366 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Seoul
Welcome to Seoul! As fellow travellers are arriving throughout the day, there are no planned activities until a group meeting at 6 pm. Check into the hotel and enjoy the city.
After the welcome meeting, join your CEO for an orientation walk down Cheonggyecheon Stream to learn about Seoul while walking past small waterfalls and nearly two dozen overhead bridges. Then, enjoy the dense grid of streets found in the bustling neighbourhood of Myeongdong which is packed with people at all hours of the day looking to enjoy some of the best shopping, street food, and nightlife in all of Korea.
Opt for a group dinner to end your first night!
Day 2: Seoul
Sit back and relax on a private bus and enjoy a tour of the bustling metropolis where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples and street markets. Visit Gyengbokgung Palace, the National Folklore Museum, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong alley.
After exploring the city, opt to see a show, explore a local museum, or hit the pavement and eat your way through street markets trying local fares such as bibimbap, soondae, and kimchi.
Day 3: Seoul/Gyeongju-si
After breakfast, board a high speed bullet train for a relaxing morning ride through the countryside to Gyeongiu. Once the group arrives to this old capital city for 1,000 years, they will experience an overnight stay in a local temple. During the stay the group will learn about temple etiquette, watch a monk martial arts performance, experience the daily prayer ritual and a temple style dinner.
Stay in rooms called Ondol. These rooms are very traditional, heated to be cozy and comfortable, with beds made up directly on the floor. The rooms here are multi-share, divided up by male and female rooms. Enjoy a traditional dinner and breakfast during the stay.
Have the opportunity to learn about temple etiquette, experience the daily drum and bell ritual and take an easy hike up to the only stone cave temple in Korea for morning meditation.
Day 4: Gyeongju-si
Enjoy a peaceful morning meditation, martial arts practice, and drum and bell ritual before exploring in Gyeongiu. On the city tour visit to the UNESCO site of Bulguksa Temple located on the slopes of Mount Toham and admire the national treasures there, such as Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo, and two gilt-bronze statues of Buddha. Afterwards, experience the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and the surrounding Royal Tombs.
Day 5: Gyeongju-si/Busan
Travel by bus to Busan. Along the way enjoy a day trip to Yangdong Folk Village, a 500-year-old UNESCO site located in Gyeongju National Park, to get a feel for life during the early Joseon Dynasty. Afterwards, continue on to the picturesque 14th century seaside temple hidden in the rocks - Haedong Yonggungsa. After exploring the temple, check in to your hotel and get your bearings with an orientation walk on Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island (APEC House). Spend the evening getting to know colourful Busan, opt to treat yourself at a Jjimjilbang spa or sing your heart out at a popular karaoke bar.
Day 6: Busan/Seoul
In the seaside city, Busan, visit the bustling Jagalchi fish market, Gukjesijang market, Yongdusan Park, and the colourful Gamcheon Culture Village before traveling back to Seoul. After arriving in Seoul by train, check out Korea's oldest traditional market - Namdaemun Market. Then make your way by cable car to N Seoul Tower to see this beautiful landmark and opt to make the trip up to the observation deck. Spend the rest of your day in Seoul opting to see Banpo Bridge, the floating islands, or hanging out in the Gangnam district.
Day 7: Seoul
Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), founded in 1953, separating North and South Korea. With over a million soldiers on watch each day, it is one of the last remnants of the Cold War. With a buffer zone 4km wide and spanning 250 km long there has been very little development in the area, therefore nature and wildlife have pretty much taken over. Spend about 3-4 hours visiting the Demilitarized Zone, then head to The War Memorial of Korea. Later, return back to Seoul for another night in the city.
Opt to visit the Samsung Leeum Contemporary Gallery, explore the Itaewon neighbourhood, or prebook the Kimchi making and Hanbok experience.
Day 8: Seoul
Depart at any time.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Christina D. - Traveled, October 2023
It was a great trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/10/2023
Daniela B. - Traveled, October 2023
This was my first tour ever and it was one of the best experiences of my life due to that fact that I Came to South Korea, travelled with a great group of ladies and had the best Tour guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/10/2023
Nhu N. - Traveled, October 2023
It was so nice to not have to think of where to go and what to plan.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/10/2023
Breena H. - Traveled, October 2023
I like that G Adventures plans majority of the activities and some of those activities are not common activities. This help alleviate the stress of planning a trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/10/2023
Savanna W. - Traveled, October 2023
I thought everything was well organized, easy transport, good accommodation.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/10/2023
Georgia M. - Traveled, October 2023
The ability to see a range of places and enjoy a range of experiences. The tour guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/10/2023
Sabina W. - Traveled, October 2023
It was an overall great experience, but the fast travel style might not be for everyone.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2023
Sara P. - Traveled, October 2023
Wonderful local guide to show you around
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2023
Sharon M. - Traveled, October 2023
It was a well organized tour where we were able to pack so much into the tour and it was a good size group. You felt like you got to experience weather culture and what South Korea has to offer.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2023
Susan F. - Traveled, October 2023
Rob was an incredible tour guide!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2023
Xiaoxuan Z. - Traveled, October 2023
The guide Robert Lee is excellent
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2023
Sapphire S. - Traveled, October 2023
It was really well organized, ran smoothly, the guide was excellent and went over and above and the tour included everything needed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2023
Sarah K. - Traveled, October 2023
I would definitely recommend it to someone with the same travel mindset as me! But tours aren't for everyone and this one was super fast paced!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2023
John S. - Traveled, September 2023
I've been on other G Adventures trips and they have all been terrific. This one is no exception
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/27/2023
Carol M. - Traveled, September 2023
It was a great way to see some of South Korea and a lovely guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/27/2023
Susan S. - Traveled, September 2023
Excellent guide, lots of fun and really enthusiastic. Terrific small group of travelers.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/27/2023
Laura F. - Traveled, September 2023
Good guide. Well organized trip. Good standard of accommodation, etc.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/27/2023
David F. - Traveled, September 2023
The tour was exhaustive in including everything we would want to see in the country.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/27/2023
Lars H. - Traveled, September 2023
The group
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/27/2023
William Gordon S. - Traveled, September 2023
Overall, a superlative experience. Our CEO, Robert Lee, was exceptional and was a big part in making this trip a memorable one.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/20/2023
Share a personalized trip brochure!
Why Choose Us?
We Work for You
Our goal to make you happy! That means ensuring our travel consultants have the best product knowledge and excellent customer service. A positive customer experience is our #1 goal!
Our Products
We offer an broad selection of travel products, including all-inclusive vacation packages, pre-packaged tours, custom travel itineraries, destination weddings, and luxury vacations.
Escapes Cares
We believe in giving back. When you book with us, you are contributing to tree planting through our partners at Veritree, as well ocean conservation though Oceana Canada.
