Essential South Korea
Essential South Korea
Essential South Korea
9 Days Starting and ending in Seoul
Visiting: Seoul, Jeonju, Wanju / Yeosu, Busan
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CJYK
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Experience all the essential sights of South Korea on this nine-day journey through Seoul, Jeonju, Yeosu, Busan and more. From the thriving pop culture to the natural oasis of gleaming gardens, this place really does have it all. You’ll feast on Korean BBQ, noodles and street food, follow in the footsteps of popular K-pop group BTS at some scenic filming locations, take easy hikes through coastal beaches and rolling green mountain landscapes and hit the nightlife in your spare time (coin karaoke anyone?). Stay in a hanok (traditional Korean house), rub shoulders with the locals and enjoy loads of free time to choose your own adventure, whether that’s learning taekwondo or visiting the DMZ along the border of North Korea.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Seoul
Location: Seoul
Accommodation: Hostel (Multi-share)
Accommodation Name: Hostel (Multi-share)
Eoseo oseyo! Welcome to South Korea. Your adventure begins in Seoul, the vibrant capital of high-tech gadgetry, towering skyscrapers and scrumptious eats. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, explore this modern Asian metropolis at your own pace and discover how ancient traditions come together with the modern in one of Asia's great cities. After you meet your trip leader and group members, you’ll head out on an orientation walk to get your bearings and note down some good nightlife spots for later. Then, perhaps grab dinner to get your first taste of some authentic Korean cuisine and get to know your group.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 2: Seoul
Location: Seoul
Accommodation: Hostel (Multi-share)
Accommodation Name: Hostel (Multi-share)
Meals Included: Dinner
This morning, you’ll visit HiKR Ground, where you can experience media art and maybe make your own music video. Then, tour Gwangjang Market with your leader and maybe pick up some local treats or souvenirs from one of the 5000 shops and stalls. In your free afternoon, maybe visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, which once served as the main palace for the Joseon dynasty or take a lesson in basic Korean so you can talk with the locals. Tonight, you’ll have a group dinner where you might be able to try local dishes like hand cut noodles or bulgogi. After, maybe head to some coin karaoke (where you pay 30 cents per song) and belt out a few favourites to get the night going.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 3: Jeonju
Location: Jeonju
Accommodation: Hostel (Multi-share)
Accommodation Name: Hanok
Say goodbye to Seoul and hop on a local bus to Jeonju – known for the Hanok Heritage Village, home to traditional houses, craft shops, food stalls and the 15th-century Gyeonggjieon Shrine. Arrive around midday before your leader takes you on an orientation walk to see the downtown area. You’ll also have the opportunity to taste some dalgona (a honeycomb toffee known as Korean sugar candy) at a local store before a free afternoon. This evening, visit Nambu Market with your leader. Here, you can learn about the recent success of the youth incubation program, which offers free rent to young business owners to save the market and keep the community thriving. Tonight, you’ll stay in a hanok (a traditional Korean house).
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Jeonju
Location: Jeonju
Accommodation: Hanok
Accommodation Name: Hostel (Multi-share)
This morning, wander around the gorgeous architecture, galleries, shops and streets on a leader-led walk. After, you have a free day to explore at your own pace. Maybe wander the Jaman Art Village to see the colourful murals or walk along the Sinabro-gil Trail – an easy 1-hour trail from Jeonju Hanok Village where you can see the Seungam Village and Temple. Take the chance to learn some new moves and sign up for a K-pop dance class or further explore the picturesque streets, with its famed shopping strips, filmmaking scene and fun bangs (singing rooms, arcades, DVD rooms and photo rooms). Later, sit down for an optional group dinner – maybe try some bibimbap (a rice bowl served with gochujang and various toppings like egg, vegetables and sliced meat).
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 5: Wanju / Yeosu
Location: Wanju / Yeosu
Accommodation: Hostel, (Multi-share)
Accommodation Name: Hostel (Multi-share)
Travel to Webongsansung this morning for a short walk with your leader. This location was actually used for a photoshoot for the famous K-pop group BTS! Wander around the lush greenery and abandoned architecture of the area, then visit Ahwon Gotack. This hanok and gallery is set among green mountains and gardens and was also used as a filming location for a music video. After wandering around the traditional house and gardens, you’ll head to a local restaurant where you can pick up some lunch before taking a bus to Yeosu. When you arrive in the afternoon, you have the option to hop on the cable car here, which provides panoramic views of the glittering water and coastline below. The cable car will take you to the street food tents – where tents and carts are set up along the seaside – where you can choose some local street dishes for dinner and watch the sunset. Alternatively, head straight to your guest house in Yeosu and wander around the city at your own pace.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 6: Busan
Location: Busan
Accommodation: Hostel (Multi-share)
Accommodation Name: Hostel (Multi-share)
Depending on the group’s desires, you might want to get up early enough to watch the sunrise this morning, over the Hyangilam Temple – this small Buddhist temple sits atop a forested coastal cliff and features dramatic ocean views. Watch the sun bring the day to life and wander around the site with your group. After, you’ll take a bus to Busan – the large port city known for its beaches, mountains and temples. Along the way, you’ll make a stop where you can grab some lunch, then head to your hostel. When you’re settled, maybe spend your free afternoon learning some new skills at a calligraphy class or wander the shoreline of Haeundae Beach.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 7: Busan
Location: Busan
Accommodation: Hostel (Multi-share)
Accommodation Name: Hostel (Multi-share)
You’ll visit the colourful labyrinth-like streets in the Gamcheon Culture Village this morning. This area is known for its brightly coloured houses and is the perfect spot for a pic – so don’t forget your camera! After wandering the twisted alleyways, head to Jagalchi market, where you can pick up an optional lunch. This world-famous market sells fresh fish and seafood, perfect to feast on by the water. Your afternoon is free to explore at your own pace – maybe head to the chic waterfront complex The Bay 101 and grab a drink in one of the open-air bars, take a taekwondo class or stroll through the Centum shopping complex to pick up some souvenirs. Tonight, why not hop on the Haewoondae ferry and watch Busan light up as the sun goes down.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 8: Seoul
Location: Seoul
Accommodation: Hostel, (Multi-share)
Accommodation Name: Hostel (Multi-share)
Meals Included: Dinner
Maybe pick up some coffee and breakfast this morning before heading to the Urban Smart Farm Social Company with your group. This social enterprise, backed by the government and local NGOs, is a great example of how locals have innovated agricultural growth within shipping containers to grow fresh produce in a busy city. Learn about their sustainability efforts and then carry on to Igidae Beach for a gentle coastline hike. When you’ve worked up an appetite, you might want to grab some lunch before heading back to Seoul on the train. When you arrive, you have a free afternoon. Maybe explore more of Seoul's districts you might have missed – with cafes, modern restaurants, parks and alleys, there’s no shortage of places to find! Why not keep the night going and head out to some bars afterwards to celebrate the end of your trip with new friends?
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Seoul
Location: Seoul
With no further activities planned today, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to spend more time in Seoul, just speak to your booking agent.
Optional Activities:
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What's Included
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Accommodation
Hostel (Multi-share) (7 nights), Hanok (1 night) -
Meals
2 dinners -
Seoul - Orientation Walk
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Seoul - HiKR Ground
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Seoul - Gwangjang market
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Jeonju - Orientation Walk
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Jeonju - Nambu Market Visit
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Jeonju - Hanok Village Tour
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Wanju - Ahwon Gotack
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Wanju - Webongsansung Vist
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Yeosu - Hyangilam Temple
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Busan - Gamcheon Art Village
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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International Travel
Transport
If you are spending additional time before or after your tour, you will find that the transport in South Korea is reasonably priced, quick and efficient. Public buses don't always have the signage in English so is is recommended that you write your destination in hangeul (Korean phonetic alphabet) letters on a piece of paper. Bus drivers don't speak English. Local tourist centres usually have English-speaking staff and are the best places to find out about local buses.
Accommodation
Hostels and GuesthousesThis trip includes accommodation in multi-share dormitories with shared facilities. Travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms where hostels allocate rooms by gender.Air-conditioning and HeatingAir-conditioning is not usually turned on until the warmer season. The hanok has underfloor heating.Hanok StayYour mattress will be on the floor. If you find this too hard, you can stack the bedding or ask for an extra mattress.
Important Information
1. A single supplement is possible if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.2. This tour includes accommodation in multi-share dormitories. This means travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to single-gender dormitories used.
Mode of Transport
If you are spending additional time before or after your tour, you will find that the transport in South Korea is reasonably priced, quick and efficient. Public buses don't always have the signage in English so is is recommended that you write your destination in hangeul (Korean phonetic alphabet) letters on a piece of paper. Bus drivers don't speak English. Local tourist centres usually have English-speaking staff and are the best places to find out about local buses.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
This trip includes accommodation in multi-share dormitories. This means travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to single-gender dormitories used.
You’ll stay in some big and busy cities on this trip, which means noise at unusual hours. If you think this might bother you, we recommend bringing ear plugs.
This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
A traditional Korean bed is a futon-like mattress placed on the floor, which may be folded and placed in the cupboard in the morning. This trip includes one night with Korean-style floor bedding in a hanok (traditional house) in Jeonju. Floor bedding can be firm compared to standard western mattresses.
South Korea is best explored on foot. In fact, most travellers are surprised at how much distance they end up covering! Make sure your shoes are comfy and you are fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet.
Although this trip starts and finishes in Seoul, we highly recommend you spend some extra time exploring this fascinating city and its neighbouring regions. Please consult your booking agent if you would like to book additional nights. If you are interested in visiting the DMZ, please refer to Day 1 of the itinerary for further information. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions