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Essence of South Korea

7 days2 cities
South Korea1 country
Tour rating: 5 / 5, Based on 3 Reviews
Private tour to South Korea

With a 7-day private tour, you will be able to experience the very best of the country by taking in the greatest secrets of Korea on a tour that is tailored specifically for you. 

7 days2 cities
South Korea1 country
From
 $3,018 
Korea
3
days
South Korea

The vibrant capital and main metropolis of South Korea, mind-blowing Seoul wins travelers over by its unconventional contrasts: ancient Buddhist temples surrounded by head-spinning skyscrapers, technology-forwardness coupled with deep traditions, neon lights of shopping windows giving way to blooming gardens and tiny houses, all to a dynamic K-Pop beat... Seoul is a city where you can never get bored!

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
1
day
Arrival

South Korea's capital - Seoul - welcomes you!

The driver meets you upon arrival and takes you to the hotel for check-in. Afterwards, relax or explore the vast metropolis at your own leisure. There is something for everyone, from modern skyscrapers to pop culture, Buddhist temples, palaces and street markets.

2
day
Seoul Sightseeing

We will meet in the lobby of your hotel to embark on a private city tour of Seoul (4 hours) after breakfast.

Gyeongbokgung Palace, constructed in 1395, is the first and main palace of the Joseon dynasty. All Five Grand Palaces in Seoul are impressive, but Gyeongbokgung Palace stands out among them as the most beautiful. The National Folklore Museum is located inside Gyeongbokgung Palace and exhibits historical artefacts that Koreans used in their daily lives. Among the exhibits, visitors can learn about Korean domestic and agricultural life and cultural beliefs. 

The next stop is the Insadong Antique Street. The Korean tradition of arts and crafts is centered on Insadong Street. An array of hand-made pottery, folk crafts, and eclectic paintings can be found in narrow alleyways. After that, you spend time at Namdaemun Market, Korea's largest traditional market where most goods are handmade by the storekeepers.

Next, you'll visit Namsangol Hanok Village, a traditional Korean village. The village offers its visitors a taste of the traditional life while escaping the modern city bustle. Originally, the five houses were built by peasants, peasantry, and aristocracy (from peasants to aristocrats) in Joseon Dynasty style. 

The first landmark of Seoul, N Seoul Tower, is the perfect way to end your first day of sightseeing. It was Korea's first tower-type tourist attraction, offering a panoramic view of the entire city in 360 degrees. Afterwards, you are taken back to your hotel and can enjoy the evening at your leisure.

3
day
DMZ

Join your private guide and driver after breakfast at your hotel and head to Imjingak Park for a DMZ tour, where you will have the opportunity to drive very close to the border between two Koreas. 

South Korea and North Korea are separated by the DMZ, which is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula. During the tour, you will learn about the division and current events affecting the two Koreas. 

When the weather is clear, you can see North Korea from the Dora Observatory through the barbed wire used along the Military Demarcation Line. As part of the tour, you will also walk through the 3rd Underground Tunnel, which was built by the North Koreans to invade the South per hour. Tanks can even pass through this tunnel unhindered.

Upon completion of the tour, you will be met by your private driver who will take you to your hotel in Seoul.

You will be picked up early for this full-day tour.

Upon arriving at the DMZ, please have your passports with you. There is a dress code at the facility, so please do not wear torn clothing (including torn jeans), clothing with profanity, leather pants, or uniforms. 

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun

Marriott Seoul Namdaemun gives guests easy access to Seoul Train Station (Line 1, 4, and KTX) and Hoehyeon (Line 4) and City Hall (Lines 1 and 2). Guests of this hotel will be able to walk to Namdaemun Market and Myeongdong shopping district within five minutes.

train
Seoul
Busan
3 hrs

One of the most time-saving options to travel from the Korean capital to the scenic city of Busan is taking a high-speed train. SIt back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful landscapes passing by outside the train window. 

Busan, South Korea
4
days
South Korea

The sea capital of South Korea, picturesque Busan, is a "must-visit" place for anyone who wants to properly see the best the country has to offer. While dynamic Seoul is a great place for anyone who wants to feel the energy and the beating heart of South Korea, scenic Busan seems like a paradise for any beach holiday enthusiast.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
4
day
Arrival

In the hotel lobby, you will be met by your private driver and transferred to the airport or train station after breakfast.

As soon as you arrive in Busan, a private driver meets you to take you to your hotel for check-in.

After checking in, you are free to explore Busan on your own. 

5
day
Full Day Busan Sightseeing

The day begins with a breakfast at your hotel, followed by a private tour of the city with your guide and driver.

Explore the Nurimaru APEC House, a beautiful and modern conference center located on Dongbaekseom Island, the site of the 2005 APEC summit.

On your way, you will visit the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a unique and amazing temple located on the coast, which is not an average location for a temple. During the Goryeo Dynasty, the great Buddhist teacher Naong built Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in 1376, and it was reconstructed in 1970.

A visit to the Jagalchi Market, Korea's largest seafood market, is included in the afternoon. Visitors can enjoy fresh raw fish right there. After visiting the market, you continue to Nampodong Street, where the Busan International Film Festival (PIFF) is held.

Take in the spectacular views of Busan from the top of Busan Tower, an iconic symbol of Busan. It is modeled after the baldaquin in Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju.

6
day
Full Day Gyeongju Historic Areas Tour

You will embark on a full-day private tour to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gyeongju Historic Areas after breakfast at your hotel.

You have the opportunity to visit Gyeongju today, which is referred to as the open-air museum because of its remarkable concentration of outstanding examples of Korean Buddhist art. It was the Silla dynasty that ruled the Korean peninsula for almost 1,000 years, and its cultural achievements can be seen in the monuments of Gyeongju. In the development of Korean Buddhism and secular architecture, these monuments have a unique significance.

The tour includes the Bulguksa Temple, an outstanding Buddhist monument in the Silla dynasty. Then you see the Seokguram Grotto, one of Asia's finest Buddhist shrines. Also, you see the Cheonmachong ancient tomb, the oldest excavated tomb in Asia, and then the Royal Tumuli Park, where you see the Royal Tumuli Park. Then, you see the Cheomseongdae Observatory, the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia, possibly the world. Taking a stroll along Anapji Pond before returning to Busan is a wonderful way to end your day. 

As soon as you return to Busan, you are transferred to your hotel, where you can spend the evening at leisure. 

7
day
Departure

Your private driver will meet you in the lobby of the hotel and transport you to the airport after breakfast.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Ramada Encore by Wyndham Busan Haeundae

Experience pure relaxation when in Korea. The neat, modern, minimalistic centrally located Ramada Encore hotel will let you enjoy your rest after an exciting day exploring Korean gems. Among the hotel's amenities you can find free Wi-Fi, a restaurant and a fitness center.

What's included

  • Accommodation at remarkable downtown hotels;
  • Breakfasts at the hotels;
  • Airport transfers and all transportation according to the itinerary;
  • Breathtaking sightseeing tours according to the itinerary with professional English-speaking guides;
  • Support line during the trip.

Note: 1. Hotels availability is subject to change. In case current hotels are booked out we will provide alternative hotels of an equal value for you.

Note: 2. We include 1 vehicle for your arrival and departure transfers. If multiple vehicles are required additional transfer costs will apply.

Note: 3. Сity taxes are not included in the price. This is a small tax (1-5 EUR per person per night) collected by many European cities. You will need to pay it at the hotel on checkout.

Not included: international flights, multiple arrival/departure transfers, other meals not mentioned in the program, optional tours, and services, all personal expenses.

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Tour Highlights

  • Seoul Sightseeing Tour
  • DMZ Tour
  • Gyeongju Historic Area Tour
  • Busan Sightseeing Tour

What To Know

        
  • Book your journey without stress and at a convenient pace. You can pay a deposit of 20% to book any tour in any major currency; the final balance will be due 90 days before the start date. In event, if you decide to change or postpone your trip, you can transfer your deposit to any other packages we offer. Cruise bookings and special offers may be subject to different booking terms.
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  • If you need our assistance during your trip, you can call our support line available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CET) on weekdays and weekends.