Compare Best of South Korea by G Adventures vs Korea, Rising Star Of East Asia by Sky Vacations

Day 1 Seoul

Arrive at any time.

Welcome to Seoul! As fellow travellers are arriving throughout the day, there are no planned activities until a group meeting at 6 pm. Check into the hotel and enjoy the city. After the welcome meeting, join your CEO for an orientation walk down Cheonggyecheon Stream to learn about Seoul while walking past small waterfalls and nearly two dozen overhead bridges. Then, enjoy the dense grid of streets found in the bustling neighbourhood of Myeongdong which is packed with people at all hours of the day looking to enjoy some of the best shopping, street food, and nightlife in all of Korea. Opt for a group dinner to end your first night!

Day 2 Seoul

Sit back and relax on a private bus and enjoy a tour of the bustling metropolis where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples and street markets. Visit Gyengbokgung Palace, the National Folklore Museum, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong alley.

After exploring the city, opt to see a show, explore a local museum, or hit the pavement and eat your way through street markets trying local fares such as bibimbap, soondae, and kimchi.

Day 3 Seoul/Gyeongju-si

After breakfast, board a high speed bullet train for a relaxing morning ride through the countryside to Gyeongiu. Once the group arrives to this old capital city for 1,000 years, they will experience an overnight stay in a local temple. During the stay the group will learn about temple etiquette, watch a monk martial arts performance, experience the daily prayer ritual and a temple style dinner.

Stay in rooms called Ondol. These rooms are very traditional, heated to be cozy and comfortable, with beds made up directly on the floor. The rooms here are multi-share, divided up by male and female rooms. Enjoy a traditional dinner and breakfast during the stay. Have the opportunity to learn about temple etiquette, experience the daily drum and bell ritual and take an easy hike up to the only stone cave temple in Korea for morning meditation.

Day 4 Gyeongju-si

Enjoy a peaceful morning meditation, martial arts practice, and drum and bell ritual before exploring in Gyeongiu. On the city tour visit to the UNESCO site of Bulguksa Temple located on the slopes of Mount Toham and admire the national treasures there, such as Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo, and two gilt-bronze statues of Buddha. Afterwards, experience the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and the surrounding Royal Tombs.

Day 5 Gyeongju-si/Busan

Travel by bus to Busan. Along the way enjoy a day trip to Yangdong Folk Village, a 500-year-old UNESCO site located in Gyeongju National Park, to get a feel for life during the early Joseon Dynasty. Afterwards, continue on to the picturesque 14th century seaside temple hidden in the rocks - Haedong Yonggungsa. After exploring the temple, check in to your hotel and get your bearings with an orientation walk on Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island (APEC House). Spend the evening getting to know colourful Busan, opt to treat yourself at a Jjimjilbang spa or sing your heart out at a popular karaoke bar.

Day 6 Busan/Seoul

In the seaside city, Busan, visit the bustling Jagalchi fish market, Gukjesijang market, Yongdusan Park, and the colourful Gamcheon Culture Village before traveling back to Seoul. After arriving in Seoul by train, check out Korea's oldest traditional market - Namdaemun Market. Then make your way by cable car to N Seoul Tower to see this beautiful landmark and opt to make the trip up to the observation deck. Spend the rest of your day in Seoul opting to see Banpo Bridge, the floating islands, or hanging out in the Gangnam district.

Day 7 Seoul

Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), founded in 1953, separating North and South Korea. With over a million soldiers on watch each day, it is one of the last remnants of the Cold War. With a buffer zone 4km wide and spanning 250 km long there has been very little development in the area, therefore nature and wildlife have pretty much taken over. Spend about 3-4 hours visiting the Demilitarized Zone, then head to The War Memorial of Korea. Later, return back to Seoul for another night in the city.

Opt to visit the Samsung Leeum Contemporary Gallery, explore the Itaewon neighbourhood, or prebook the Kimchi making and Hanbok experience.

Day 8 Seoul

Depart at any time.

Day 1

Welcome to Korea. Upon arrival you will be met by your Sky Vacations ambassador who will guide and assist you with transfer to your hotel in Incheon.

Day 2

After breakfast, your guide will take you to visit one of Korea’s most beautiful settings, Songdo Central Park. Enjoy a clear kayak ride admiring the breath-taking views of the park. Feeling invigorated with the lusciousness greenery of the park, we then continue our visit to Incheon Open Port Museum. Built in 1897, this is one of three former Japanese banks that now celebrate the history of Incheon’s port area.

Day 3

This morning your guide will meet you at your hotel for a day tour of Seoul that features the Blue House, changing of the guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace (built in 1395!) and the National Fol Museum. There will be plenty of free time to stroll the neighborhoods of Samcheong-Dong and Bukchon Hanok Village before visiting Jogyesa Temple and a stop for lunch. Your exciting day continues with a visit to the royal shrine of Jongmyo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site followed by a visit to Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest and most popular traditional markets in the country. End your day with a visit to the stunning National Museum of Korea, highlighting the history and art of South Korea.

Day 4

After breakfast at your hotel, we continue with a visit to the observatory at 63 Building, a stunning sky scrapper on Yeouido Island overlooking the Han River with breathtaking views of the city. From there you’re off to Banpo Bridge famous for being the Guinness Book of World Record holder for the longest bridge fountain in the world, pushing out 190 tons of water per minute! Next up is a Segway tour of the city focused on some of the smaller neighborhoods of the city. After this full morning, you’ll be ready to enjoy a stop for lunch. The balance of the day is yours to explore the city.

Day 5

After checking out of your hotel, your diver will transfer you to Cheorwon, the regional military area facing North Korea. Experience a tour of the DMZ where you can observe the North Korean military outpost and the Peace Observatory. You’ll have the unique opportunity to explore the “Third Tunnel” and visit the Dora Observatory located on the famous 38th Parallel. After a stop for lunch, you’ll head to Seoraksan Mountain, one of the tallest and most beautiful mountains in South Korea. Enjoy breathtaking vistas and an easy hike downhill along the Jujeongol Valley. The balance of the day is yours to enjoy the facilities of your resort hotel.

Day 6

Following breakfast, your off to Seoraksan Mountain for a cable car ride to Gwongeumseong Peak, 700m above sea level. You’ll have time to visit the historical Sinheungsa Temple, built in 1648 . Located in a beautiful setting, the temple is home to the famous 108 ton bronze Buddha. Your day also includes an easy hike along the Biseondae Rocks, famous for its singular beauty and being inspiration to many artists. After a stop for lunch, travel back in time to Yangdong Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where more than 160 thatched roof homes and 50 homes have been preserved for over 200 years. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the site before heading to your hotel in Gyeongju.

Day 7

Today’s exploration begins with a visit to the Seokguram Grotto, a Buddhist temple carved into a cave. This 8th century structure contains a large statue of Buddha which is considered a great masterpiece of Buddhist art. This amazing site is on both the National Treasures of South Korea and UNESCO World Heritage Site lists. Your next stop is Bulguksa Temple located on the wooded slopes of Mt. Tohamsan. This temple was built to represent the land of Buddha and is constructed into three zones each with its own focus, the most popular being the representation of paradise, which rises dramatically from a lotus lake. Enjoy a stop for lunch before heading to the Daereungwon Royal Tombs. This 5-6th century royal tomb is known as the “Heavenly Horse Tomb” because of a painting on bird bark from the same period. Your visit will also include a visit to the museum, featuring the collection excavated from the tombs. From here it’s off to beautiful Namsan Mountain, regarded as a holy place where you’ll have time for a light hike before returning to your hotel.

Day 8

It’s off to Busan this morning. Famous for its mountains, beaches and historical sites, your touring begins with a visit to Busan Tower for a panoramic view of the Busan Port. You’ll then visit Gukje Market, steeped in history. Started in the 1950’s during the Korean War as a place for refugees trying to make a living, it soon few into a busy market where today the old and the new exist side by side and overflows with Korean food, arts, crafts and other artisan creations. Take a break for lunch before heading to Gamcheon Cultural Village. With the feel of a Brazilian favela, nestled into the hillside, the village is a combination of chaos and beauty all at the same time. Colorful Lego like houses draw you into the winding streets, the perfect opportunity to meet locals and explore their way of life. You’ll head back to town where you have the rest of the day to explore exciting Busan with its many shops and restaurants.

Day 9

No tour of Busan would be complete without a visit to Yonggungsa Temple. Built in 1376, it’s famous for being one of the few temples anywhere in Korea build on the seaside. Next up is a visit to Dongbaekseom Island. A wooden walking path takes you around the island offering fantastic views of Busan. Your day also includes an “air cruise” cable car ride over the sea and a stop at Taejongdae natural park.

Day 10

Today you fly to Jeju Island! Upon arrival, your driver will meet and bring you into the city where you’ll have some free time to stretch your legs and grab a bite. After lunch, drive along the seaside road of Hagwi -Aewol which is the perfect way to get oriented with th island. While driving your guide will fill you in on the geography, culture, agriculture and history of the island. Along the way you’ll stop at the Osulloc Tea Museum and Café and a few stops perfect for Instagram!

Day 11

Your day begins with a visit to Manjanggul Cave. Jeju was created by a massive eruption about 2 million years ago and over 360 small mountains and lave tubes (caves) were created. Manjanggul is the longest lava tube in Asia, expanding for a whopping 8.3 miles and is nothing like you’ve experienced before. From here you’ll head to Seongsan Ilchulbong, a UNESCO World Heritage Site also known as “Sunrise Peak” This tuff cone was created more than 5,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption, the peak rises from the earth like a crown. You’ll have time to climb up and round the cone to see first hand one of nature’s most diverse structures. All of this touring will leave you hungry, so there will be a stop for lunch before continuing to Seongeup Folk Village, covering a cultural period from 1410 to 1914. The buildings and homes have been cared for and handed down from one generation to the next including homes, shrines and schools. A visit to Jeju’s biggest traditional market, Dongmun Market ends your day.

Day 12

Your final day begins with a visit to the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall where a landscaped path leads to breathtaking views. You’ll stroll along the Olle-Gil Trail passing through beautiful landscapes of villages, beaches and farms before stopping for lunch. From here it’s off to the Jeju Airport for your onward journey.