10Day Best of South Korea tour from Seoul: Jeju, Busan,Gyeongju with 5star hotel
Description
Long history of Korea left behind many pulsating traditions that are still alive throughout centuries. Blended with futuristic modernity as a top country of pioneers in innovative technology, here is one charming country that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. In 10 days, this tour will set your feet at every single most thrilling attraction throughout South Korea. The tour starts from visiting the natural wonders of volcanic Jeju Island, and we will drive to numerous characterful cities including Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, and DMZ. The assistance of our professional tour guide will always keep you properly appreciate the exquisite beauty and delightful culture of Korea.
You can customize your destinations during this private tour, so that you can spend your time effectively. Ask your tour guide about places you wish to visit! The original itinerary is always up for a discussion and change. Plus, the tour guide can recommend you the best local restaurants.
Itinerary
-
Day 1 :
ARRIVAL IN KOREA AND TRANSFER TO JEJU
-
Day 1 :
Welcome to Korea! The driver will pick you up at Incheon International Airport. We will then proceed together to Gimpo Airport, and catch the domestic flight to Jeju Island there.
-
Day 1 :
We will take a flight to Jeju Island at Gimpo International Airport. The flight will take 1-hour.
-
Day 1 :
Upon landing at Jeju Airport, Meet a driver and head to Hotel in Jeju Island . Hotel check-in by yourself. Take a rest and meals will be on your own.
-
Day 1 :
5-Star Hotel in Jeju: Jeju Shinhwa world Hotel or similar
-
Day 2 :
JEJU UNESCO World Heritage Course Tour
-
Day 2 :
Good Morning! The first place we are visiting in Jeju island is Manjanggul Cave. Enter the mysterious underground castle, Manjanggul Cave ! It is regarded as one of the longest and finest lava tubes in the world. The creation of this tunnel was initiated by an eruption of a parasite volcano, as its magma dig its way from the land towards the ocean. Despite its age which is about 200,000 to 300,000 years, the excellent condition and a variety of stone structures make this cave high in scientific value.
-
Day 2 :
Sangumburi is a flat crater with a circumference of over 2 km, 650 meters wide, and100 meters deep. If you look at the crater from above up, it looks like a man-made circular stadium. There is an incredible variety of plant-lives in the small crater that it attracts the attention of many researchers.
-
Day 2 :
This beach is distinctively different from normal beaches thanks to a few special features. The first is its soft black sand formed from gradual weathering of basalt rocks. Whimsically enough, the water is still emerald clear by the dark sand. You will also walk on solidified lava rock structures covered in green moss. Smell the fresh sea air, touch the vibrant surroundings, and walk as far into the horizon.
-
Day 2 :
Also referred as ‘Sunrise Peak’, this archetypal tuff-cone structure rose from the shallow sea by hydro-volcanic eruptions 5,000 years ago. Climbing to the top, you can find a grass-filled crater surrounded by numerous sharp rocks. This colossal footprint left by nature is a UNESCO World Heritage and also a habitat for 200 types of trees and wild animals. Japanese empire dig holes on the walls of this lava structure, using them to hide military camps. Now they are used by Haenyeos as their diving platforms. Haenyeos are female divers who dive into the ocean water to gather various shellfish, seaweed, etc, without using any underwater diving equipment. Their unique way of life and culture were inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Heritage of the World. You can watch their performance nearby. - Woman Diver Show (if available on the day)
-
Day 2 :
Located at the foot of Mt. Halla, Seongeup Folk Village is a small town that holds a vast amount of indigenous Jeju culture. Cultural properties in the folk village have been handed down for generations, and include treasures such as residential houses, Confucian shrines and schools, ancient government offices, and fortress ruins. The residents still lead their lives in company of this uniquely Jeju environment. Their thatched houses are flanked with black lava rock walls, and the straight but curvy alleys block the strong wind. Stone grandfather statues have become a prime feature of the landscape, and the locals grow black-haired pigs. Their home-grown black pork is known to be very nutritious.
-
Day 2 :
Built after the Korean liberation in 1945, Jeju Dongmun Traditional Market is one of the most popular traditional markets in Jeju. Countless customers and diverse items at inexpensive prices always fill up the market. It is popular place to find fresh seafood.
-
Day 2 :
-
Day 2 :
-
Day 2 :
-
Day 2 :
5-Star Hotel in Jeju: Jeju Shinhwa world Hotel or similar
-
Day 3 :
JEJU Nature and Hiking Tour
-
Day 3 :
Here, objects on the road roll up the hill instead of moving downwards. On the surface, this upward movement appears to defy the laws of gravity but in reality, the phenomenon is just a mere optical illusion.
-
Day 3 :
Trekking(3-4hour course) Going up to the peak is upon your choice Almost 2000m Mt Hallasan is South Korea’s tallest mountain. Mt Hallasan’s distinctive volcanic crater peak can be seen no matter where you are on Jeju Island, and even from the South Korean mainland! Spanning 196 hectares, Halla Ecological Forest on Mt. Yonggangsan is home to 288,000 trees and 333 indigenous plant species. Having been designated as a conservation area, the forest provides great opportunities to observe and learn about Jeju's diversified ecosystem through various facilities including an observatory, plant nurseries, walking trails, etc. *Trekking: You can choose between 3-4 hours course or 6-7 hours course. Going up to the peak is also up to your decision.
-
Day 3 :
Spirited Garden was first launched in 1968 when its director Bum-Young Sung set his mind on developing a piece of deserted wasteland. Through endless trials and errors, the wasteland was designated as the number 1 private garden in South Korea. 40,000 square meters of land is divided into seven gardens and each garden is connected by a stone bridge. Grown out of long-term observation and meditation over art and life, Spirited Garden has been called one of the most beautiful garden in the world, attracting world celebrities and leaders. Mr. Sung's story of creating the garden was featured in Chinese textbook as a model example of the spirit of determined Koreans, along with the miracle of Han River.
-
Day 3 :
The O’Sulloc Green Tea Fields and Museum, The weather condition accompanied by abundance of sunlight, wind, and rain makes Jeju one of the largest green tea producers in Korea. Enjoy high-quality teas in the museum, and watch the vast landscape of green tea fields at an observatory.
-
Day 3 :
This beach is famous for its landscape where nearby Mt. Sanbangsan stretches into the ocean, resembling a dragon’s head going underwater. The entire area is made of sandstone stacks that were built up over millions of years. Wide rocks stacking up on one another along the seashore cliffs complete such majestic scenery.
-
Day 3 :
Mt. Sanbangsan is made up of a huge body of lava from violent volcanic activity 700,000 to 800,000 years ago. A rich variety of curious rock formations can be found on the walls of the lava cliffs. As its name, meaning a room inside a mountain, suggests, the mountain contains a cave where one can capture a spectacular view out over the ocean. The upper slopes of the mountain have their own, special climate conditions.
-
Day 3 :
-
Day 3 :
-
Day 3 :
-
Day 3 :
5-Star Hotel in Jeju: Jeju Shinhwa world Hotel or similar
-
Day 4 :
JEJU - BUSAN Highlight Tour with Food tasting
-
Day 4 :
Hotel pickup and Hotel to Jeju Airport. Take a flight to Busan. Gamcheon Culture Village is consisted of houses built in staircase-fashion on the foothills of a coastal mountain, this village was originally made by war refugees for their settlement. In 2000's, the city government of Busan launched maintenance and revitalization project in the area, bringing vibrant murals and sculptures into the meandering alleys of this town. The success of the city projects earned this village the nickname "Machu Picchu of Busan."
-
Day 4 :
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is situated on the coast of north-eastern Busan. While most temples in Korea are located in the mountains, this temple has found its charming location along the shore line. The main sanctuary of the temple was reconstructed in 1970 with careful attention paid to the colors that were traditionally used in such structures. On the right-hand side, inside the a cave, is a uniquely designed Buddhist sanctum. Other special sites at the temple are four lion statues, the 108 stairs, and stone lanterns lining the rocky landscape. Midway down the 108 steps one can pause and enjoy the calming sounds of the waves, and view the majestic sunrise.
-
Day 4 :
The 72.5 meters long and 20 meters high observatory in the shape of a blue dragon stretches out impressively over the ocean. Visitors are able to see the ocean under their feet from the transparent glass floor for the thrilling experience of walking on the sea.
-
Day 4 :
Korean war was the only war in history where United Nations was involved together. This modest piece of land owned by the U.N. is a burial ground for United Nations Command(UNC) casualties of the Korean War. It contains 2,300 graves and is the only United Nations cemetery in the world.
-
Day 4 :
Busan Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Busan. You can see the entire metropolis glimmering below as you walk around the top deck! This landmark tower offers a 360 degree view of Busan.
-
Day 4 :
Busan's Bupyeong Market is also known as Kkangtong (tin can) Market. It earned that funny name when it had a variety of imported canned goods from the United States for the US forces stationed in Korea during the Korean War. It was also known as "Dottegi (bustling plea) Market." All foreign products found in the country at that time were supplied from this market. Due to its vast property and many rare goods that were hard to find anywhere else during the time, it was also referred as "Gukje (International) Market." Nowadays, the market has reduced in size as many foreign products are freely imported, but the reputation and potential still remain. Some imported goods including liquor, clothes, ornaments, accessories, fashion items and electronic goods are still sold here. > Included Food tasting at Gukje market or Bupyeong Kkangtong market - spicy rice cake & crispy fried squid and fried chicken(Gukje Tongdak) and Dessert is Stir-fried ice cream etc.
-
Day 4 :
-
Day 4 :
-
Day 4 :
-Dinner with Korean barbecued pork belly and Food tasting at Market
-
Day 4 :
5star hotel in Busan : Busan Lotte Hotel or similar
-
Day 5 :
BUSAN - GYEONGJU UNESCO World Heritage Tour
-
Day 5 :
Seokguram, located in Tohamsan Mountain, is the representative stone temple of Korea. This valuable grotto has been kept intact for over 1,200 years, thanks to its design that facilitates natural ventilation and humidity control. Cold spring water was designed to flow beneath the structure, settling down any moisture that formed in the grotto towards the floor.
-
Day 5 :
Bulguksa Temple is an absolute historic jewel of the Silla Capital Gyeongju, also inscribed as a UNESCO Heritage of the World. It's a temple where one can discover sophisticated masonry skills of the era from its stairs, bridges, and pagodas.
-
Day 5 :
Cheomseongdae is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. Constructed during the reign of Queen Seon-deok, it was used to observe stars in order to forecast the weather. This stone structure is a beautiful combination of straight lines and curves, built in a shape of a cylinder.
-
Day 5 :
Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond were the secondary palace site which was used for the palace of the Crown Prince along with other subsidiary buildings. It was also a banquet site for important national event and important visitors. After the fall of Silla, the site was abandoned and forgotten. The pond was referred to as "Anapji" by the later kingdoms, meaning a pond where the glory of the past is nowhere to be seen but wild geese and ducklings are found. Only in the 1980's, a pottery piece found in excavation revealed the original name of the place, "Wolji"(a pond that reflects the moon).
-
Day 5 :
-
Day 5 :
-
Day 5 :
-
Day 5 :
5star hotel in Gyeongju : Gyeongju Hilton Hotel or similar
-
Day 6 :
GYEONGJU - Walk the Royal Way of ANDONG Tour - SEOUL
-
Day 6 :
Andong Hahoe Doenjang Village is a cultural gem and an extremely rich source of history with famous descendants of the Ryu clan of Pungsan. An abundance of traditional homes abide by the elegant Nakdong river and ancient pine trees. In addition to the delightful scenery resembling a fairy tale, the visitors can enjoy many enticing local delicacies. Try the Andong Soju(distilled alcoholic beverage), Heotjesabp(a type of Bibimbap served to the nobles), Andong Gangodeungeo(salted mackerel), and more. Prince Andrew, the second son on Queen Elizabeth II, visited Andong in Gyeongsangbuk-do on May 15. The day marked the 20th anniversary of when Queen Elizabeth II first visited Andong. Prince Andrew retraced the 32 kilometer “Queen’s Road” that was walked by Queen Elizabeth II, which includes Andong Hahoe Folk Village, wholesale agricultural products market and Bongjeongsa Temple. To commemorate another visit from the royal family, the name “Queen’s Road” was changed to “The Royal Way,” which is becoming a new attraction in Andong.
-
Day 6 :
Hahoe Mask Museum is located in Andong Hahoe Village, and Hahoe Village is a representative traditional Korean folk town. It is also the home of the Hahoe Mask and the Byeolsin Gut Mask Dance. Every autumn, Andong Mask Dance Festival takes place in this county. This museum is consisted of five permanant exhibition halls and one special exhibition hall, housing a wide range of masks from all over the world along with Hahoe masks. The museum also offers activity programs such as wearing a mask, mask trick art, photo zone, and more.
-
Day 6 :
Buyongdae is a 64 meters tall cliff, situated at the end of Taebaek Mountain Range. One can get a bird’s-eye view of the Hahoe Village. The cliff's name means lotus in English, as seen from the cliff the nearby Hahoe Village’s configuration resembled a lotus flower. Head to Seoul
-
Day 6 :
-
Day 6 :
-
Day 6 :
-
Day 6 :
5star hotel in Seoul : Intercontinental Hotel or similar
-
Day 7 :
Panmunjeom (Joint Security Area) and The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Tours
-
Day 7 :
Panmunjeom is located in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), 50 km north of Seoul and 10 km east from the city of Gaeseong, a city which now belongs to North Korea. This area is most notably known for the peace talks that were held here on October 25, 1951 and on July 27, 1953 when the Armistice Agreement was signed. It is now beyond the jurisdiction of both the North and South. The conference center in Panmunjeom is surrounded by the Joint Security Area (JSA) and measures 800 meters in diameter. It is the only portion of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where North and South Korean forces stand face-to-face. It was used as a filming location of the movie "JSA (Joint Security Area)." It was also the site of military negotiations between North Korea and the United Nations Command (UNC). It has now become one of the most visited tourist sites of the DMZ.
-
Day 7 :
You will watch over a North Korean village from Dora observatory and visit 3rd Invasion Tunnel, Dorasan Station, Unification Village.
-
Day 7 :
-
Day 7 :
-
Day 7 :
-
Day 7 :
5star hotel in Seoul :Intercontinental Hotel or similar
-
Day 8 :
Seoul - Hiking tour of Mt.Bukhan National Park and Korean Sauna Experience
-
Day 8 :
Mt. Bukhansan is the most beloved hiking destinations in Seoul, as it also holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest number of visitors per square foot. Known for its magnificent rock formations, tons of hikers in fluorescent gear fills the traffic, with lunches and alcohol concealed in their backpacks.
-
Day 8 :
The Yongsan Dragon Hill Spa is a charcoal sauna permeated with an oak fragrance created by traditional heating techniques. The jjimjil-bang and spa facilities offer sweating rooms/sauna, an open-air bath, seawater bath, salt room, swimming pool, and health center. The main hall of Yongsan Dragon Hill Spa boasts a Chinese-style design and a luxurious interior that has been used as a filming location for various Korean television broadcasts.
-
Day 8 :
-
Day 8 :
-
Day 8 :
-
Day 8 :
5star hotel in Seoul : Intercontinental Hotel or similar
-
Day 9 :
SEOUL Highlight Tour with Drinking Tea at traditional Korean Tea House at Insadong
-
Day 9 :
Situated at the top of Gwanghwamun Square, the presence of Gyeongbukgung palace gleams brightly in the central spine of the nation. As the first and largest palace built by Joseon Dynasty in 1395, this grand villa consisted of 330 buildings and had up to 3,000 staffs. Before entering to explore the palace, we will watch the changing ceremony of royal guards. This enactment is an excellent opportunity to experience a rare tradition, performed exactly as it used to be held. Guards appear wearing royal uniforms, carrying traditional weapons and playing traditional instruments.
-
Day 9 :
Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes. The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. Traditional craft stores dealing with calligraphy, ceramics, embroidery, and stamps are interesting complement to galleries. - Included Drinking tea at a traditional Korean Tea House
-
Day 9 :
Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses called hanok, that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. We will go stroll in this labyrinth of traditional homes cramped together, sharing walls. Created by the first city-planner of Korea, these intimate structures will delight you as you discover your way around the hillside village.
-
Day 9 :
Jongmyo Shrine was a primary place of worship for kings throughout Joseon Dynasty. The memorial service, called Jongmyo Jaerye, is said to be the oldest complete ceremony in the world, and was carried out in obedience to the king’s order.
-
Day 9 :
Gwangjang Market was the first permanent market in Korea and continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination today, popularized by a recent Netflix show. The second floor of the market is filled with silk, satin, and linen bed-sheet stores, which are the largest and most famous in Seoul. The highlight of this market is, however, discovering the animated street food stalls! We will go sampling some of the best Korean street foods here. The specialties in this market are octopus tartar and mung-bean pancakes. You will also be introduced to eccentric Korean foods such as steamed pork feet, blood sausage, and spicy chicken feet.
-
Day 9 :
Take in the breathtaking 360-degree view of the Seoul Metropolis! The top of the tower is at almost 480m above sea level, including Namsan Mountain(243m) and the tower’s own height(236.7m). The tower was first established as a broadcast tower to send out TV and radio signals in 1969. As of now, it has become one of the representative landmarks and multi-cultural venues in Seoul. At the tower, you can check out other highlights including the famous 'Locks of Love' and ancient beacon mounds.
-
Day 9 :
-
Day 9 :
Lunch and Drinking tea at a traditional Korean Tea House at Insadong
-
Day 9 :
-
Day 9 :
5star hotel in Seoul : Intercontinental Hotel or similar
-
Day 10 :
Transfer to Incheon Airport
-
Day 10 :
Pick up from hotel by a driver and Sending service to ICN Airport
-
Day 10 :
What's Included
Dinner
Breakfast
Lunch
* Private Transportation : Mini Van (MPV)
* English Speaking Tour guide cum driver
* 9N Accommodation : 5star Hotel with Breakfast
* Photo Service
* All cost to the vehicle (toll fee , Parking lot and Gas)
* Wifi Service
* Bottled Water / D / P
* Entrance Fee
* Domestic flight (Gimpo -> Jeju, Jeju -> Busan)
* Food tasting at Market in Busan and drinking tea at Insadong
What's Excluded
* 5 USD Tips / Per day
* International flight airfare
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller or pram accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Passport required
Please Note
- Not suitable for pets
- No public transportation nearby
- Not wheelchair accessible
- let us know where you stay in Seoul or Incheon airport with your arrival flight No.& time
Language
English
Cancellation Policy
-
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.