South Korea Highlights

9 Days | Feel the Seoul of South Korea on this adventure that hits all the highlights.

4.7 out of 5 based on 15 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
EUR €2,322
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A melting pot of natural wonder, culinary delights and mesmerizing cityscapes, South Korea is proving itself as a destination well and truly worth adding to your travel list. Discover this fascinating, animated and tech-savvy country on a nine-day exploration of all the must-see spots. Take a tour of Korea’s Demilitarised Zone, eat ‘til you drop at an all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurant, spend a night in a traditional Hanok house and discover the ecological beauty of Suncheon’s wetlands.

Trip overview

Map of South Korea Highlights including Korea, Republic Of
Start
Seoul, South Korea
Finish
Seoul, South Korea
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
South Korea
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
CJSK
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Spend a fascinating day exploring the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) on a guided tour. Discover why this intriguing place has been awash with tension and political pressure since the Korean War.
  • Take a street food tour of the renowned Gwangjang markets in Seoul, feasting on bite-sized delights, and indulge in an authentic all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue experience.
  • On your day trip to seaside Sokcho, discover the island village of Abai, which is home to hundreds of North Korean refugees having settled during the War.
  • Spend a night in a traditional Hanok house in the Andong Hahoe folk village, walking past the traditional homes to imagine the country in its past life.
  • See the naturally beautiful side to South Korea on a hike up Seoraksan Mountain and explore the wetlands and national gardens of Suncheon – South Korea’s ecological capital.

Is this trip right for you?
  • A good degree of fitness is recommended for this trip as there is a lot of walking involved. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of South Korea Highlights including Korea, Republic Of

Inclusions

Meals

6 breakfasts, 2 dinners

Transport

Private Vehicle, Train, Public Bus, Metro, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (5nts), Holiday House (2nts), Hanok (1nt)

Activities
  • Seoul - Gwangjang market
  • Seoul - Naksan night view over the city
  • Seoul - Jamsil Olympic Park
  • Seoul - Gyeongbukgung Palace
  • Seoul - North Village
  • Seoul - Demilitarized Zone (DMZ/South Korea)
  • Gangneung - Ojukheon Village
  • Gangneung - Gyeongpo Lake
  • Sokcho - Island village of Abai
  • Sokcho - Daepo Fish market
  • Sokcho - Seoraksan Mountain
  • Andong - Andong folk village
  • Andong - confucianist school and temple visit
  • Suncheon - Suncheonman Bay Wetland Reserve
  • Suncheon - Open film set
  • Suncheon - Suncheon Bay National Garden
  • Suncheon - Nagan Fortress Village
Add on activities
  • Gangneung - Coffee Cupper Museum - KRW14000

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. The trip will start at 4pm on Day 1
2. A single supplement is bookable for all nights except Day 5, subject to availability.
3. Although this trip starts and finishes in Seoul, we highly recommend you to spend some extra time exploring this fascinating city and its neighbouring regions. Please consult your booking agents if you would like to book additional nights.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 based on 15 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Leo · Traveled August 2023
Sunny (Sun Jang) was truly special! We have been on trips all over the world, this is 12th. We find Sunny as the most genuinely kind and accommodating. His knowledge of not only Koreas history and culture but how it flows with other parts of different cultures and history is exceptional. We love him, he’s the best! He said he doesn’t want us to remember this trip because of him rather because of the region or this country. This is hard because he really made the tour!
Review submitted 24 Aug 2023

Barbara · Traveled August 2023
This trip was excellent from the booking to the destinations and the guide and driver just the best. The entire experience was packed with knowledge and adventures. To recall over and over. Our guide was great. So good. all of i
Review submitted 21 Aug 2023

Tabitha · Traveled June 2023
South Korea was incredible! Seoul is an amazing city but I also loved seeing other parts of the country, and spending a night in a traditional village was such a great experience. Looking into North Korea at the DMZ and the stunning scenery we saw while hiking at Seoraksan Mountain were also some of the many highlights. Definitely do this trip if you get the chance.
Review submitted 08 Jul 2023

Melanie · Traveled June 2023
This is a new trip for Intrepid but despite the change in itinerary we had a fabulous time. There is minimal English in Korea so we relied heavily on our wonderful tour guide Yung. We learnt a lot about the country, its challenges, culture and food. Be prepared for an exhausting whirlwind tour!
Review submitted 01 Jul 2023

Lisa · Traveled June 2023
The Korea highlights tour was fantastic. Our family of three enjoyed the food, the culture, the history and all the beauty Korea has to offer. Our guide Yong, was very knowledgeable and fantastic about showing us regional foods and specialties in each area, even for meals that were not included in the trip cost. He was always available and we felt so immersed in the Korean culture. For our first time in Korea, we were so impressed with it and hope to come back again very soon.
Review submitted 26 Jun 2023
South Korea Highlights
From
EUR €2,322