Best of South Korea
Discover the main highlights of South Korea on this 10-day group tour. Enjoy panoramic views of Seoul from N Tower, see Gyeongbokgung Palace and visit the Demilitarized Zone to meet a North Korean defector. Cycle the ancient streets of Gyeongju, spend a day at a working Buddhist temple and join a spiritual meditation class. Learn to cook delicious local food with a cooking class, explore Busan and hike the Jeju Olle Trail on Jeju Island, rounded off with a beach BBQ!
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome to Seoul!
Day 1 Welcome to Seoul!
Welcome to Seoul! Make your way to our start hotel via public transport or private transfer - we can book an airport transfer for you if you wish. Freshen up at the hotel or head out to explore independently before our welcome meeting at 17:00. We then enjoy an included group dinner. Get to know the rest of the group and sample your first Korean cuisine before we ride the cable car to the top of Namsan Mountain and head to the top of N Tower to enjoy the panoramic views of the city you will be exploring over the next few days.
Day 2 Exploring Seoul
Day 2 Exploring Seoul
Take a tour through Seoul’s fascinating history as you head Gyeongbokgung Palace and watch the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony. Step further back into time and try on a Hanbok at the Bukchon Hanok village, before indulging in a delicious local lunch and exploring the Insadong Art Street.
Tonight you can relax or join an optional activity. We embrace Korea's K-Pop scene, which has spread around the world with popular bands such as BTS. It's karaoke time!
Day 3 The DMZ
Day 3 The DMZ
Today we have a fascinating if sobering visit to the DMZ - the Demilitarized Zone. Officially, the Korean War is still ongoing, although the fighting largely ended in 1953. An uneasy peace has ensued since, maintained largely by the 4km wide DMZ, which stretches across the entire Korean Peninsula, separating the South from the North.
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. You will also have the once in a lifetime opportunity to chat to a defector from North Korea, to find out what life is really like in the country.
After our trip to the DMZ, we return to Seoul. We enjoy a wander around the cultural Hongdae area before enjoying an acrobatic Nanta Show in the Myeongdong district this evening. Afterwards, for those who wish to enjoy a drink or two, we will take you to some of the best bars in the city.
Day 4 Gyeongju Hanok
Day 4 Gyeongju Hanok
Seoul - Gyeongju. Leaving Seoul behind, we head south to Gyeongju, former capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom. There's an included cycle ride around the city this afternoon, stopping at many sights including Chunmachong Ancient Tombs, Daereungwon Tumuli Park, and Cheomseongdae – the oldest astronomical observatory in East Asia.
This evening, we enjoy a group dinner at a traditional Hanok house and enjoy the night-time views of Anapji Pond, constructed in 674 CE by King Munmu of the powerful Silla Kingdom. There is a chance to sample some traditional liquor before retiring for the night in our simple hanok, a truly Korean experience!
Day 5 Golgulsa Temple
Day 5 Golgulsa Temple
Gyeongju - Golgulsa Temple. Today we head into the mountains and our destination, Golgulsa Temple. We'll immerse ourselves in temple life, joining prayer and enjoying a meditation session. We can also have a go at archery and watch a Sunmudo martial arts demonstration, with time to hike in the lush surroundings of the temple too.
We will take part in communal work, then enjoy simple but wholesome food at the temple, including a traditional vegetarian dinner. We then spend a night sleeping in the temple. The temple stay is shared accommodation with a shared bathroom in gender separate rooms. This stay is for 1 night only.
Please note: Tours departing in 2025 will still visit, but no longer spend the night at the Golgusla temple. Instead, a four star hotel in Busan will be provided.
Day 6 Explore Busan
Day 6 Explore Busan
Golgulsa Temple - Busan. Transfer to your next destination – the bustling culture capital of Busan. Arrive at the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and explore this temple nestled into the cliffs, before departing to explore the stunning Gamcheon Culture Village – Busan’s Macchu Picchu! Then take the Songdo Marine Cable Car for sky-high views of the city and ocean!
For dinner, we will be at the BIFF Square, where you can check out the handprints of your favourite Korean film stars. If you’d like to rest up after, you can – or enjoy drinks at Haeundae.
Day 7 Cooking Class
Day 7 Cooking Class
This morning, start the day with a traditional Korean cooking class and whip up some delicacies. You’ve then got some free time – relax at a jjimjilbang (a Korean spa), or enjoy the city’s beautiful beaches. Take a swim in the ocean, relax by the beach and sample some of the Busan-style hotteoks. These fried pancakes are a local specialty! Later on, you can opt to take part in a pottery making class.
Tonight, boogie on our evening boat party before our guide takes you out in Haeundae for a fun-filled experience, complete with drinks and dinner (own expense).
Day 8 Fly to Jeju
Day 8 Fly to Jeju
Busan - Jeju Island. There's an included flight to Jeju Island today, known as the 'Hawaii of Korea'! There's included yacht sailing and fishing on arrival, as well as plenty of free time this afternoon. Head to the Olle market to try some seafood, relax at Jungmu Beach or perhaps visit the cascading Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, one of many natural landmarks on Jeju.
Day 9 Hiking Jeju
Day 9 Hiking Jeju
Start your day with a hike along the Jeju Olle Trail, taking in spectacular views and waterfalls. We’ll break for lunch before hiking onto Oedolgae Rock, with vistas of volcanic cliffs and yellow fields of canola.
In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to chill on the beach. If you’re not a fan of sand, you can admire the tranquil scenery as you head your way to view the crater in Sangumburi, hike Seongsan Ilchulbang (Sunrise Peak) or visit the Jeju Folk Village.
Our last night is a BBQ party at a local restaurant. You’ll get sunset drinks, amazing food, and a chance to reflect on an awesome Korean experience.
Day 10 Return to Seoul
Day 10 Return to Seoul
Jeju Island - Seoul. Today there is an included flight back to Seoul Gimpo Airport (GMP), where our tour comes to an end at around 13:00 hrs.
Please note: International flights depart from Incheon International Airport (ICN). You will need to make your own way there. The AREX airport express train travels directly between the two airports and the journey takes approximately 50 minutes. International flights should not depart before 17.00 hrs.
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Prices & Dates
Hotels
Tour Reviews
Trip was great , giving a good insight into Sth Korea . As usual “On the Go” from the moment we landed in Seoul to the very end on JeJu Island. Our guide … Misuk.. was fantastic.. nothing was too much trouble and looked after us so well. - thank you for making a great holiday even better.
Overall, the tour was very good. Lots of variety, nice mix of activities, good balance between scheduled activities and free time. Our guide was fantastic: knowledgeable, funny, engaging, open to questions of all kinds, good suggestions for restaurants and free time options; she did a great deal to make Korea come to life. I did feel that a few activities were rushed, most notably the visit to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Busan; more time at the attractions and less at the accompanying gift shops would have been nice. (But this is my own preference; I recognize that a LOT of tourists want to shop, shop, shop while they're in Korea.) All transportation was comfortable and all connections were smooth.
This tour is highly recommended to those who are looking to go to South Korea! The only way that you would get to see the best parts is an all inclusive tour and I do not believe that going solo or with a couple by themselves is going to be worthwhile given that S Korea is so big. It was a lovely tour group that I was with and the activities were amazing and I got some very good snaps! There is a lot to do on the tour, and you are kept busy, so I do highly recommend it for others. There is a lot of walking and some hiking in the tour, but that is well explained in the brochure.
This was one of my two favorite group tours than I did with you! All the people were so kind! We were friends since the beginning and finished family at the end. Before starting the tour, the local company created a WhatsApp group that helped a lot our communication, all the messages were clear, the times to meet, and allowed us to sharing photos in the moment they were taken. I am really happy for the whole tour, the accommodation, the food, the activities, the places we visited, the options they gave us according to the flexibility some people needed. Ari, the guide was one of the best than I knew! She is experienced, and kind, and funny, and you could count on her!! Your local partner The Dragon Tours does know how to organize a tour in South Korea. Congratulations for them!!
Extras and add-ons
Seoul Private Airport Transfer (max 2 pax)
Seoul Private Airport Transfer (max 4 pax)
Seoul Private Airport Transfer (per vehicle, max 2 pax)
Seoul Private Airport Transfer (per vehicle, max 4 pax)
Tour Upgrades
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