Day 1: Wednesday: Seoul (Arrival)
Depending on your arrival flight at Incheon airport, our representative will welcome you at the airport and transfer to the hotel. (Depending on the arrival flight schedule, the transfer may be with the other passengers.)
The rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Seoul.
Note: Rooms are available from 2pm.
Day 2: Thursday: Seoul/ Discover The Megapolis (B/L)
After breakfast, meet your guide at 9 a.m. at the hotel lobby. Depart for a full day of exploration of the South Korean capital via Jihachul, the local subway system. visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace, this "shining palace of happiness" is one of five palaces dating from the Choson (Joseon) Dynasty and includes the Folklore Museum and its collection of historical objects illustrating the history of the traditional life of the Korean people. Then, visit the Jogyesa Temple, one of the largest temples in the city and the centre of the Jogyejong Buddhist Order, advocating the Zen meditation.
Taste a delicious bibimbap for lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, enjoy a walk in the Bukchon District. This district nicknamed the "North Village", with over 900 traditional Korean houses, promises a unique cultural immersion in ancient Korea. Then, stroll down Insadong Street which is full of antique shops and art galleries.
In the early evening, discover an amazing entertainment show on stage ("Cookin' Nanta")! This non-verbal comedy performance is animated by the rhythm of the kitchen utensil with a combination of Korean traditional and modern music. Witness this spectacular show with a captivating blend of comedy and drama.
Overnight in Seoul.
Day 3: Friday: Seoul / Gyeongju (B/L)
After breakfast, departure by KTX train (2 hours) to Gyeongju, Korea's spiritual and cultural capital.
On arrival, departure for a day dedicated to discovering the famous village of Yangdong, one of the largest traditional villages in Korea. A true reflection of the culture of the Joseon dynasty, it blends harmoniously into its unspoilt natural surroundings. Thanks to its many national treasures and folkloric elements, the village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled between valleys, with the four peaks of Mount Seolchangsan as a backdrop, the village boasts around 160 old houses, including 500-year-old thatched cottages. Fifty-four of these dwellings, over 200 years old, have been remarkably preserved, offering visitors an authentic immersion in traditional Korean architecture.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
In the late afternoon, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Gyeongju.
Day 4: Saturday: Gyeongju / Busan (B/L)
After breakfast, depart for a city tour of the city nicknamed the “Museum without Walls”. This former capital of the Shilla kingdom was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.
Visit the Bulkugsa Temple (UNESCO), then the Seokguram Grotto (UNESCO). Built in the 8th century on the slopes of Mount Toham, it contains a monumental statue of Buddha looking out to sea. The whole is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist art in the Far East.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
After lunch, stroll through the Tumuli Park, dotted with the 23 tombs of Shilla rulers and their families, and visit the tomb of the ""Heavenly Horse"". During archaeological excavations, many treasures were discovered and are now on display. Then on to the Noseo-dong tombs before a final stop at the oldest observatory in the Far East, the Cheomseongdae Tower built in 634. Here, royal astronomers studied the movement of the stars and predicted solar and lunar eclipses.
In the late afternoon, transfer by private vehicle (with guide) to Busan.
Overnight in Busan.
Day 5: Sunday: Busan (B/L)
"After breakfast, departure for the Gamcheon Cultural Village, an ancient hilltop district. The houses here were built by refugees fleeing the Korean War. Today, it's an artistic village decorated with murals and sculptures created by local residents.
Then, a stroll through the Jagalchi fish market and the international market selling all kinds of goods.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
In the early afternoon, stop at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, the only one of its kind in the world, managed by the United Nations since 1960. The site pays tribute to the 37,895 members of the UN forces who fell during the Korean War between 1950 and 1953.
Overnight in Busan.
Note:
For the visit of the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, please respect the following dress code:
• No tracksuits
• No clothing that exposes too much of the body (tank tops, etc.)
• No flip-flops or sandals with strings
• No clothing designed for physical exercise (hats/sun caps, masks, gloves, etc.)"
Day 6: Monday: Busan/ Seoul (B)
After breakfast, free time until the transfer by KTX train to Seoul. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel by us
representative.
The rest of the day in Seoul is free for final shopping.
Overnight in Seoul.
Day 7: Tuesday: Seoul (B)
After breakfast, day at leisure.
OPTIONAL FULL-DAY EXCURSION: CHEORWON DMZ.
Overnight in Seoul.
Day 8: Wednesday: Seoul / Jeju Island (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart to Jeju Island.
On arrival, transfer to the hotel and the day at leisure.
Visit suggestions not included:
Jeju Island offers magnificent views such as Sungsan Peak, a land mass created by a volcanic eruption around 100,000 years ago, whose crater measures almost 600m in diameter and 90m in height.
The Jeongbang waterfall, the only one in Asia that fall directly into the ocean, is also must-see.
The island also boasts typical small villages, such as Jeju Folk.
Overnight in Jeju.
Day 9: Thursday: Jeju Island (B)
After breakfast, the day at leisure.
Overnight in Jeju.
Day 10: Friday: Jeju Island / Seoul (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight to Seoul.
On arrival, welcome by our representative and transfer to the hotel.
The rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Seoul.
Day 11: Saturday: Seoul (Departure) (B)
After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Incheon airport by a private vehicle (without a guide).
End of our services.
