HIGHLIGHTS OF KOREA TOUR FOR TWO WEEKS is the longest tour covering the whole SOUTH KOREA counterclockwise.
This tour shows you the authentic culture of Korea and you will have the deep level of experience while you eating the Korean food and traveling around the country side.
The axis of itinerary is designed to visit more culturally unique places such as MOKPO CITY (keeps old buildings built by JAPAN during colonial period), HAENAM (owns intangible heritage such as KOREAN OPERA, called PANSORI) in addition to the popular tourist attractions like BUSAN, JEJU ISLAND, SEORAKSAN MOUNTAIN.
The sequence of the itinerary could be changed. For example, JEJU ISLAND could be positioned in the beginning, or put in the last few days in the tour.
If you come from EUROPE, or AMERICA, probably, you need to spend a night at SEOUL after landing at INCHEON AIRPORT, or you might need to stay another night after the tour. Whatever, we will gladly assist you to arrange hotel, or airport transfer.
Unless you request otherwise, we plan to have lunch around 12:30pm and have dinner around 6:30pm. Then, you will come back to hotel after dinner around 8:00pm.
Like other tours, this tour also gives you the wide spectrum of authentic KOREAN food experiences at Weekend Meal budget at US$20 per person/meal. But, we would recommend you accept SPECIAL MEAL for 3 times whenever we think those meals give us the value for money.
Please understand that this tour cannot be packaged with 5 star hotels every night because you will travel around the country side. (But, you can request to arrange the hotels with 5 stars at some places such as SEOUL, BUSAN, or JEJU ISLAND.) Therefore, you can choose 4 star hotels option, or 3 star hotels option. For 3 star hotels option, we don’t list up the names. We will choose the clean hotels with good reputation at each place.
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| RETURN | SEOUL | ||||||
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SEOUL
For the first two days, you will move around Seoul. On the first day, the itinerary is designed to show you more historical & cultural aspect of SEOUL (had better say KOREA). The first place is GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE, which was built in AD1395 in 3 years after foundation of JOSEON DYNASTY. After looking the buildings at the palace, you will see the inside-the-building stuffs at NATIONAL FOLK MUSEUM. After then, walk around the small alleys of BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE, which keeps the modernized HANOK. (The ‘Modernized’ means…these HANOK houses are built 40-60 years ago following the modern Western building architecture.)
In the afternoon, will go to JONGMYO, the royal shrine of JOSEON DYNASTY, it was registered as UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE. After then, you will visit the authentic general market, called GWANGJANG MARKET, is famous for long food stalls and HANBOK tailor made shops. Then, move to NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA to get an overview the history of KOREA since BC2,000. (This can be replaced with WAR MEMORIAL)
▪ Meals: None – Lunch – Dinner
▪ 5* Hotel: WESTIN CHOSUN HOTEL, or similar
▪ 4* Hotel: LOTTE CITY HOTEL MYEONGDONG, or similar
▪ 3* Hotel: A 3 star hotel
SEOUL
On DAY 2, we will focus on the current SEOUL. After meeting your guide, move to the observatory at 63 BUILDING. It was the tallest building until 2002 and our company prefer this observatory to SEOUL TOWER. Because this building is located at the riverside & neighboring building complex, the view at the top is more spectacular than others. Before dinner, you will attend the traditional Korean music & dance show, called THE PALACE.
▪ Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
▪ 5* Hotel: WESTIN CHOSUN HOTEL, or similar
▪ 4* Hotel: LOTTE CITY HOTEL MYEONGDONG, or similar
▪ 3* Hotel: A 3 star hotel
SEOUL-SUWON-JEONJU
After sightseeing at SEOUL for 2 days, we will drive to south-west, called JEOLLA-DO on DAY 3. But, we will stop at SUWON CITY, the home of HWASEONG FORTRESS and KOREAN FOLK VILLAGE. Also, if you don’t mind increasing the meal budget, we would like to give you the chance of tasting GALBI (marinated & grilled beef ribs BBQ) because SUWON is famous for this menu.
After lunch at SUWON, you will move to JEONJU, is famous for JEONJU HANOK VILLAGE and BIBIMBAP (the many kind of vegetable topping with GOCHUJANG (chilly paste) on top of rice). After check-in at HANOK guesthouse, you will walk around the small alleys at JEONJU HANOK VILLAGE. For dinner, we would like to taste MAKGULLI (authentic KOREAN rice beer) with you.
▪ Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
▪ 5* Hotel: Not available
▪ 4* Hotel: Not available
▪ 3* Hotel: HANOK hotel (Korean mattress), called SARANGNAMU
JEONJU-MOKPO-HAENAM
On DAY 4, let’s move to far south-west of SOUTH KOREA, called HAENAM via MOKPO.
After leaving JEONJU, we will stop at NATIONAL NAJU MUSEUM. This museum was built 5 years ago…to accommodate the collected heritages around here…why? these NAJU and JEOLLA-DO were the core territory of BAEKJE DYNASTY during AD400-700.
MOKPO was the regional governing headquarter & exporting port for exploitation under JAPAN during 1910-1945. Therefore, you will see old buildings aged 80-100 years old. In addition, our company would like to show you NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF MARITIME CULTURAL HERITAGE. Here, we can see the one thousand years old celadons and the ship collected from near sea.
▪ Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
▪ 5* Hotel: Not available
▪ 4* Hotel: Not available
▪ 3* Hotel: NAMDO HOTEL
HAENAM-BOSEONG-YEOSU
On DAY 5, we will move around HAENAM. We selected DAEHEUNGSA TEMPLE and DURYUNSAN MOUNTAIN at HAENAM. Even some KOREAN people haven’t visited HAENAM because of the distance. That’s why we could see more authentic culture and food.
On the way to YEOSU, we will stop at DAEHAN DAWON, this is most famous green tea farm at BOSEONG.
▪ Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
▪ 5* Hotel: Not available
▪ 4* Hotel: HIDDEN BAY HOTEL, or similar
▪ 3* Hotel: A 3 star hotel
YEOSU-BUSAN
On DAY 6, we will have sightseeing at YEOSU.
YEOSU is industrial city (there are several chemical product companies and oil refinery companies) and tourism city, but, not yet popular for the incoming foreign tourists. Even for the local KOREAN people, this is becoming tourist destination since the construction of bullet train from SEOUL. At YEOSU, we will visit ODONG-DO, HYANGILAM.
In the afternoon, we will arrive at BUSAN and have sightseeing around NEW BUSAN, called HAEUNDAE.
The attractions we will visit are HAEUNDAE BEACH, DONGBAEKSEOM ISLAND, YONGGUNGSA TEMPLE, CENTUM CITY and GWANGAN BRIDGE (or called DIAMOND BRIDGE).
▪ Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
▪ 5* Hotel: PARK HYATT BUSAN, or similar
▪ 4* Hotel: RAMADA ENCORE HAEUNDAE, or similar
▪ 3* Hotel: A 3 star hotel
BUSAN
On DAY 7, this is the second day at BUSAN. Today, we will stick to OLD BUSAN, the port and neighboring markets & residences complexes. Most of all, you are not supposed to miss JAGALCHI FISH MARKET; the biggest fishery market at KOREA. Like other fish markets in KOREA, 50% shops here account for sashimi stalls, or sashimi restaurants. You will realize that KOREAN people don’t mind eating even ugly looking fish. Other than JAGALCHI FISH MARKET, you will visit GAMCHEON CULTURAL VILLAGE, GUKJE MARKET, BIFF STREET and TAEJONGDAE PARK. Also, we will give you the scenic ride along SANBOK-DORO, this is the narrow roads in between the packed houses complex at the hill side.
▪ Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
▪ 5* Hotel: PARK HYATT BUSAN, or similar
▪ 4* Hotel: RAMADA ENCORE HAEUNDAE, or similar
▪ 3* Hotel: A 3 star hotel
BUSAN-GYEONGJU
On DAY 8, upon check-out from the hotel, you will transfer to GYEONGJU, the capital of SILLA DYNASTY, it is called as ‘The museum without the walls’. You already studied about BAEKJE DYNASTY at NAJU NATIONAL MUSEUM. This SILLA was the neighbor of BAEKJAE and SILLA DYNASTY unified the peninsula in AD668. That’s why SILLA DYNASTY left more heritages than the neighbors around GYEONGJU. Today, you will visit SEOKGURAM GROTTO, BULKUKSA TEMPLE, DAENEUNGWON ANCIENT TOMS and NATIONAL GYEONGJU MUSEUM.
▪ Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
▪ 5* Hotel: HILTON GYEONGJU, or similar
▪ 4* Hotel: SUITES HOTEL GYEONGJU, or similar
▪ 3* Hotel: A 3 star hotel
GYEONGJU-SOKCHO
On DAY 9, upon check-out from the hotel, you will leave for north-east part of KOREA. More mountains & more scenic place. But, you have to stop at YANGDONG VILLAGE. This is one of UNESCO WORLD HERITAGES and almost similar place with HAHOE VILLAGE at ANDONG. Since AD1500, the SON & LEE families have been staying here and these two families compete each other. How? Teaching teaching teaching…because their goal is to let more children pass the national exams…to be the government officer during JOSEON DYNASTY.
In the afternoon, we will stop at small fishing port at EAST SEA and if you accept, have the chance of eating sashimi, it was cut & served at the small restaurant.
We need to explorer SEORAKSAN MOUNTAIN tomorrow. But, it is not appropriate to have two hikings on the same day considering physical strength. (We don’t mean our hiking is very touch.) Therefore, we will enjoy easy downhill hiking at JUJEONGOL VALLEY today.
Don’t be surprised to see the many kind of side dishes at dinner restaurant. We plan to visit the chicken soup restaurant. But, this chicken soup is cooked with the whole size free-range chicken.
▪ Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
▪ 5* Hotel: Not available
▪ 4* Hotel: DEL PINO GOLF & RESORT, or similar
▪ 3* Hotel: A 3 star hotel
SOKCHO
On DAY 10, just appreciate the best scenery in KOREA. Let’s get on the cable car to GWONGEUMSEONG FORTRESS. Then, your guide will take the photos of you on the background of beautiful scenery. After riding down to the ground level, you will visit SINHEUNGSA TEMPLE and have the hiking to BISEONDAE ROCK for 1h40min.
After hiking, move to SOKCHO CITY to have lunch with another local delicacy. After then, will visit JOONGANG MARKET, the mixture of sea food market and grocery market, but, most of all, this market is renowned for fried chicken. Also, we will get on the small boat moving by rope, called GATBAE.
▪ Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
▪ 5* Hotel: Not available
▪ 4* Hotel: DEL PINO GOLF & RESORT, or similar
▪ 3* Hotel: A 3 star hotel
SOKCHO-SEOUL-JEJU
on DAY 11, we will take the domestic flight to JEJU ISLAND in the lat afternoon. But, because we depart from north-east part of SOUTH KOREA, we had better visit one of DMZ venues located at far north border of SOUTH KOREA. SOUTH KOREA have discovered 4 secret tunnels dug by NORTH KOREA since 1974. But, 99% of the foreign tourists just visited the 4th tunnel nearby SEOUL because it is located at 1 hour’s driving from SEOUL. The disadvantage of this place is…it doesn’t look the chilly & thrilled because too many tourists are visiting and there is the industrial complex invested by SOUTH KOREA over the border.
>> If you don’t like DMZ tour, you can visit BAEKDAMSA TEMPLE & CHEONBULDONG VALLEY, the another popular destination at SEORAKSAN MOUNTAIN.
After reaching GIMPO AIRPORT, we will fly to JEJU ISLAND and check in at hotel.
▪ Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
▪ 5* Hotel: THE SHILLA JEJU, or similar
▪ 4* Hotel: SHILLA STAY JEJU, or similar
▪ 3* Hotel: A 3 star hotel
JEJU
On DAY 12, this is the first day at JEJU ISLAND. The keywords of JEJU are the blue sea, the black lava stone and fresh sea food. Today, we will move around JEJU counterclockwise. The first place is HYEOBJAE BEACH. You can take photos on the background of small island and the jade color sea water. The second place is OSULLOC GREEN TEA FARM and SHOW ROOM. This is the most popular tourist place at JEJU among the man-made places. After then, move to SANBANGSAN MOUNTAIN, looks like cone and walk along the coast line, called YONGMEORI COAST.
▪ Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
▪ 5* Hotel: THE SHILLA JEJU, or similar
▪ 4* Hotel: SHILLA STAY JEJU, or similar
▪ 3* Hotel: A 3 star hotel
JEJU
On DAY 13, today, we will visit east & south JEJU ISLAND. The highlight of today is SEONGSAN ILCHULBONG (or called SEONGSAN SUNRISE PEAK). This looks like table mountain at THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA. But, you can walk up to the top in 30 minutes because it’s altitude is just 180 meters. By the way, on the way to this place, you will stop at SEONGEUP FOLK VILLAGE, the only one historical place in JEJU ISLAND. Here, we can see 100-200 years old JEJU houses look very primitive & under-developed.
If your budget permits, we recommend you have lunch with fusion course menu at nice view restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will visit WOLJEONG-RI CAFE BEACH after driving along SEHWA-JONGDAL costal road. After then, visit MANJANGGUL CAVE, is registered as UNESCO NATURAL HERITAGE.
▪ Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
▪ 5* Hotel: THE SHILLA JEJU, or similar
▪ 4* Hotel: SHILLA STAY JEJU, or similar
▪ 3* Hotel: A 3 star hotel
JEJU-SEOUL
On DAY 14, this is the last day in the tour. We will take domestic flight at JEJU CITY around 3pm. Therefore, we need to utilize our time before leaving JEJU ISLAND. After check-out from the hotel, visit DAEPO JUSANGJEOLLI, the octagon shaped pillars formed by liquid lave long times ago. This is the easy place where you can enjoy the scenery at the cliff in the deep sea.
After then, visit CHEONJIYEON WATERFALLS. Though there are two more waterfalls such as JEONGBANG WATERFALLS, CHEONJEYEON WATERFALLS, we chose this waterfalls because it has the walking trail from the entrance. After then, walk along the walking trail called OLLE-GIl. Whenever KOREAN people visit JEJU, many people included the walking along some of trails, or whole 20 trails.
Upon landing at GIMPO AIPPORT, we will bring you to an hotel at SEOUL, or INCHEON AIRPORT.
▪ Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – None
▪ Hotel: If you need, please request us.
▪ If you are travel agent, or tour operator, why don’t you contact us to discuss about personalized schedule and own requirements.
