Trip Inclusions
- Seven nights' premium accommodation
- Services of a Travelmarvel Tour Director
- 14 meals – 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
- Indulge in a traditional Korean BBQ dinner in Seoul
- Join a hands on cooking workshop to make bibimbap
- See the changing of the guard ceremony at Gyeongbok Palace
- Experience a traditional Korean village at Bukchon Hanok
- Travel on board the Korea’s high speed bullet train, the KTX Express
Map & Itinerary
Trip Notes
- Itinerary and inclusions may be subject to change
- Double bedding cannot be guaranteed
- Some hotels include shower over bath only
- Prices include airport transfers, tipping and most porterage
- Cherry Blossom season in South Korea usually lasts from March to mid April. However due to changeable weather blooms cannot be guaranteed, even during spring months
- Perhaps extend your journey and include Japan by embarking on our 20 Day Scenic South Korea and Japan. Enquire within for details
- Prices are for land/rail only. Flights not included
Insider Experiences
Designed exclusively for our guests
Insider Experience
Enjoy an included special or unique excursion or event
Arrive, Seoul
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Join your Tour Director for a Welcome Dinner at a traditional Korean-style BBQ house.
Arrive in Seoul and transfer to your accommodation. Meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers and enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening.
Stay: Three Nights, Seoul, Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun
Daily :Seoul
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
At Gyeongbok Palace, witness the changing of the guard ceremony.
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Learn how to make South Korea’s favourite dish, bibimbap, during a cooking class and demonstration.
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Visit Bukchon Hanok, a traditional hanok village, before visiting Jogyesa Temple for the chance to share tea with a monk.
Fill up at breakfast this morning – you’re in for a full day of sightseeing. The excitement begins with a tour of Gyeongbok Palace, the largest palace in South Korea. Built in 1392 at the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty, it was the main royal palace for five centuries. After several Insider Experiences, your final stop for today is Insadong Antique Alley, where quirky amulets and jewellery among other wares are scattered across stalls. Poke around the many stalls, maybe picking up a souvenir or two.
Daily :Seoul, Demilitarized Zone, Seoul
Today is dedicated to the relationship between North and South Korea. You’ll visit the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) to gain an understanding of the bordering countries. See Imjingak Park, the Bridge of Freedom and the Third Infiltration Tunnel, where it’s believed that some 30,000 soldiers could pass through within an hour. You’ll also spend time at the DMZ Theatre and Exhibition Hall, and the station, along with Dora Observatory, which offers binocular views into North Korea.
Daily :Seoul, Busan
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Board one of South Korea’s famous KTX Express Trains to Busan. Watch the beautiful countryside whip past your window, and jet right past busy cities as your train reaches speeds of over 300 kilometres per hour.
After breakfast at your hotel, travel to Busan. Upon arrival in South Korea’s second-largest city, you’ll be taken on a city sightseeing tour of some of Busan’s most well-known sites. Begin at Busan Tower, which offers a great vantage point to the city’s bustling port. Visit Jagalchi Fishery Market, the largest seafood market in South Korea. Here, locals select seafood that is straight from the ocean and take their purchase to the market’s chefs to be prepared just how they like it, for a fresher-than-fresh seafood lunch. Finish your explorations in Gamcheon Village, a mishmash of pastel-coloured houses, street art and art galleries.
Stay: Busan, Avani Central Busan
Daily :Busan, Gyeongju
There’s more of Busan to be explored this morning. At Taejongdae observatory, admire sweeping views of the natural wonders of Taejongdae Resort Park. Continue to the United Nations Memorial cemetery – the only one of its kind. Afterwards, voyage to the seaside for a visit to Haedong Yonggung temple before journeying to Gyeongju.
Stay: Two Nights, Gyeongju, Lahan Select Gyeongju
Daily :Gyeongju
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Join a moonlight walking tour of Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, once part of the palace complex of ancient Silla.
Set your sights on the World Heritage Bulguksa Temple resting on the slopes of Mt Toham. Built in 774 AD, the temple is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist art. Nearby, explore Seokguram Grotto and see the giant Sakyamuni Buddha, which is buried in the grotto’s inner chambers. Afterwards, take a stroll across the green grounds of Tumuli Park, where over 200 royal tombs can be found and Family Choi’s House, the oldest house in the area which was built in 1630, also visit the Cheomseongdae observatory. After time for dinner, this evening experience a special Insider Experience.
Daily :Gyeongju, Seoul
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Travel by KTX Express Train to Seoul.
Make the journey to Haeinsa Temple, a World Heritage site, located within Gayasan National Park. As one of the three principal Buddhist temples in South Korea, discover Buddhist scriptures, which have been carved into more than 80,000 wooden blocks. Afterwards, head to Dongdaegu train station to board a KTX Express Train to Seoul. Tonight, celebrate your holiday with your fellow travellers and Tour Director with a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Stay: Seoul, Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun
Daily :Depart, Seoul
Breakfast is served at your hotel this morning before a transfer takes you to the Incheon International Airport where your South Korea adventure comes to an end.
Daily :I am recommending Travelmarvel to everyone. Nothing was too much trouble for them. Thanks again guys and would love to travel with you in the future.
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