8 Days | Explore ancient Korean traditions and modern culture with the family
From ancient Korean traditions to current K-pop culture, this eight-day trip will surely make the list of the best family holidays ever! You’ll explore South Korea’s capital Seoul, with a delicious feast of Korean BBQ, scenic views over Naksan Mountain and plenty of free time to choose your own adventure. Visit the fascinating and sobering DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) from the South Korean side and visit Mangwon night market for some tasty street food. Experience a day in the life of a monk at Golgulsa Temple and try your hand at archery, meditation and Sunmudo (traditional martial arts). Explore the Golden City of Gyeongju and create a family motto at a calligraphy class, over two days spent in traditional Hanok style accommodation. Head to Busan and check out the local cultural village, coastal scenery and awesome activities on offer before toasting to a great adventure back in Seoul – what a ride!
Trip overview
- Start
- Seoul, South Korea
- Finish
- Seoul, South Korea
- Theme
- Family
- 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 5
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- CJFK
- Witness the effects of the Korean War first-hand at the border between South and North Korea on an eye-opening tour of the DMZ – no textbooks are needed for this lesson, you’ll have a knowledgeable local guide.
- Take a tour around the colourful and ultra-Instagrammable Gamcheon Cultural Village then enjoy plenty of free time to relax on the sandy beaches of Busan.
- Discover some new favourites and delicious flavours with a Korean BBQ dinner and a visit to the street food night markets. You’ll even learn to make kimchi and kimbap in a family-friendly cooking class – now this is how you get the kids to try new things!
- Step back in time in Gyeongju – nicknamed the ‘museum without walls’ – and experience local culture with two nights in a Hanok (traditional Korean house). You can even snap a family pic dressed in Hanbok, the traditional Korean clothing.
- Experience an afternoon of fun activities with local monks in a beautiful temple setting. Try your hand at archery, Sunmudo – an ancient Korean Buddhist martial art – and an insightful meditation.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.
- A traditional Korean bed is a futon-like mattress placed on the floor, which may be folded up and placed in the cupboard in the morning. This trip includes two nights' accommodation in a Hanok (traditional house) with Korean-style floor bedding in Gyeongju. While floor bedding can be firm compared to standard western mattresses, the floors are heated, and you’ll be comfortable. You can also request extra mattresses for your comfort.
- The monastery day program provides a unique cultural experience, offering insight into Korean Buddhist way of life and the opportunity to participate in various traditional practices. Travelling with Intrepid means respecting local cultures and sensibilities, including dress codes. You will be given pants and a tunic during your visit, and socks must be worn in the temple.
- Many cities and villages are best discovered on foot, so it’s highly recommended that you wear comfortable shoes as there will be a decent amount of walking involved. You’ll also be expected to carry your own luggage between locations, so packing light is a good idea.
Itinerary
Inclusions
7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Private Vehicle, KTX train
Hotel (5 nights), Hanok (2 nights)
- Korean BBQ - Welcome dinner
- Naksan mountain walk
- Visit Mangwon night market
- DMZ visit
- Gongulsa Temple Day Visit
- Gyeongju - Silla Heritage site
- Yangdong folk village visit
- Family Motto Calligraphy activity
- Gamcheon Culture Village
- Korean family cooking class
- Haedong Yonggung Temple
- Haeundae Sky capsule and beach train - KRW29000
- Busan Green Railway coastal walk - Free
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
2. Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old.
3. A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.
4. A single supplement is bookable on this trip with exception of Day 4 & 5 (Hakone) and Days 6 & 7 (Hiroshima), subject to availability.
5. The trip will start at 4pm on Day 1
6. 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.
7. We know the idea of travelling overseas with picky eaters, particularly kids, can be daunting. However, most of our families find the diversity of Korean food surprising. Trying different foods is great fun and an opportunity to understand a little about Korean culture using all your senses. As well as a Korean BBQ and Korean Hot Pot, some of the other kid-friendly foods you can enjoy are Joomukbap (Korean rice balls), Pajeon (Korean pancakes), Mandu (Korean dumplings), Chikin (Korean fried chicken), Kimbap (similar to sushi), Bulgogi (usually beef with vegetables and rice) and there's plenty more including sweet treats like Korean rice cakes.
8. Some of our families are surprised by the traditional Korean breakfast foods and the western variations that our accommodations provide. Soup with side dishes, kimchi and rice are the most common breakfast foods in Korean. A typical western breakfast available may include cereal, toast, eggs and fruit.
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