Hidden Gems Of Korea (Small Group) 12 Days
12 Days: Seoul, Gongju, Daejeon, Maisan Mountain, Jeonju, Sunchang, Gangjin, Suncheon, Tongyeong, Busan, Gyeongju, Andong, Danyang, Seorak Mountain, Sokcho, Goseong & Seoul
Tour overview:
As Korea’s capital and most populous city, Seoul is the country’s vibrant center for business, education and culture. This 12 days wonderful itinerary takes you to the Korea's magical places. The tour starts with Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO] Then, visit Bukchon Hanok Village, home to hundreds of traditional houses called "hanok" that date back to the Joseon dynasty. And here comes Gwangjang Market. You will articipate in a traditional Korean paper-making workshop (Hanji) in Jeonju’s traditional Hanji center. After, transfer to Gyeonggijeon Shrine.
Day 1 - Arrive Seoul
Once arrived at Incheon Airport, a Korean speaking driver will take you to Seoul for the first overnight of the trip.
Overnight in Seoul.
Day 2 - Seoul City Tour
After breakfast, the tour guide will take you to a Seoul City Tour for the day. Starting with Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO] Then, visit Bukchon Hanok Village, home to hundreds of traditional houses called "hanok" that date back to the Joseon dynasty. And here comes Gwangjang Market. There, you will be able to taste different foods and buy traditional clothing and accessory items. The name Gwangjang means "to gather from afar and keep altogether". Afterwards, you will go to Seoul Kimchi Academy to learn how to make the iconic Korean dish that is kimchi and try on traditional Korean clothing known as Hanbok. (BL)
Overnight in Seoul.
Day 3 - Seoul / Gongju (140KM, 2h427) / Daejeon (33KM, 52min)
After breakfast join the tour guide in the hotel lobby and move to Gongju to visit the Gongju National Museum, 125km away from the capital. It has 10,000 objects including 19 national treasures. In front of the main building is a garden visitors can enjoy after touring the museum. Transfer to the Gongju Gongsanseong Fortress [UNESCO], to step back to the Baekje period. After, move to the Royal Tomb of King Muryeong [UNESCO], a brick chamber decorated with lotus patterns, founded in 1971. Then you could enjoy in the city of Daejeon with the Natural Hot Spring Foot Spa. (BL)
Overnight in Daejeon
Day 4 - Daejeon / Maisan Mountain (117KM, 1h37) / Jeonju (48KM, 1h)
After breakfast, our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby and transfer to Maisan Mountain which is a Jeollabuk-do situated mountain composed of two peaks of 667 and 673m. Maisan literally means “horse ears mountain”, due to its appearance. Then, after having a look to Omokdae in Jeonju, from where you can get a view on the 800 houses of Jeonju Hanok Village, let’s visit the village then, composed of 735 traditional houses (Hanok). In the village, you will be able to participate in a traditional Korean paper-making workshop (Hanji) in Jeonju’s traditional Hanji center. After, transfer to Gyeonggijeon Shrine, also in Jeonju, erected in 1410. You can see there King Tae-Jo’s portrait, the founder of Joseon dynasty (BL)
Overnight in Jeonju.
Day 5 - Jeonju / SunChang (54KM, 54min) / Gangjin (117KM, 1h44) / Suncheon (97KM, 1h13)
After breakfast, you will meet with the tour guide and transfer to Sunchang where you will have the opportunity to make and taste gochujang, the Korean red pepper paste. The main ingredient is gochugaru, a chili pepper powder. Then, transfer to Gangjin to visit Wolnamsaji Temple near the Baekundong Garden and have the experience of tea ceremony after having visited Baekunok Traditional Korean Tea Museum. (BL)
Overnight in Suncheon.
Day 6 - Suncheon / Tongyeong (115KM, 1h14)
After breakfast, meeting with the tour guide in Suncheon. Visit the Suncheonman Bay Wetland Reserve, a natural habitat for birds of over 140 species. After this, explore the inside of Naganeupseong Folk Village’s fortress walls. Transfer to Tongyeong for a city tour. Take the cable car to Mount Mireuksan. Head over to the public beach for some free time. Then, explore the Dongpirang mural village. At the end of the day, visit of Samdo Sugun Tongjeryeong, the naval headquarters of the three provinces, which was under Admiral Yi Sun Sin’s commend. Sebyeonggwan Hall is constructed in 1605 to commemorate the military achievements of Admiral Yi Sun Sin. It is one of the buildings built in Joseon Dynasty with a largest floor area. (BL)
Overnight in Tongyeong.
Day 7 - Tongyeong / Busan (98KM, 1h13)
Meet the tour guide to move to Busan for a city tour. Visit Gamcheon Culture Village, formed by houses built in staircase-fashion on the foothills of a coastal mountain, earning this village the nickname "Machu Picchu of Busan.” Then, explore the Huinnyeoul Culture Village. Head to Jagalchi Market to get a taste of the sellers’ fresh fish. Pass by Gwangandaegyo Bridge to go to Haeundae Dongbaekseom Island which is connected to Busan’s famous Haeundae beach. Finally, visit Haedong Yonggungsa temple, a 14th century Buddhist temple situated on the city coast. (BL)
Overnight in Busan.
Day 8 - Busan / Gyeongju (85KM, 1h22)
After breakfast, meeting in Busan with the tour guide, move to Gyeongju and visit Daereungwon Tomb Complex (Cheonmachong tomb) which consists of a wooden coffin placed inside an underground chamber mounded with boulders and dirt, characterized as a typical upper-class tomb of the Silla period. Walk down Hwangridangil street. Then, visit the Cheomseongdae Observatory and Gyeongju Donggung Palace (the secondary palace used by the crown from the Silla Kingdom) and Wolji Pond, which are both must-see sites. Then the guide will take you to the Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple [UNESCO], representative of Buddhist culture of this period. (BL)
Overnight in Gyeongju.
Day 9 - Gyeongju / ANdong (143KM, 1h43) / Danyang (48KM, 53min)
After breakfast, you will meet with the tour guide and go to Andong. Then, you’ll see the Byeongsanseowon Confucian Academy [UNESCO] and Andong Folk Village [UNESCO], representing the heart of the Joseon Dynasty. It is listed by the South Korean government with UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and attracts around 1 million visitors every year. After that, visit Buyongdae Cliff which is at the end of Taebaeksan Mountain Range. From the top, you can overlook the whole Andong Folk Village. (BL)
Overnight in Danyang
Day 10 - Danyang / Seorak Mountain (233KM, 2h42) / Sokcho (12,5KM, 25min)
After breakfast, our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby and transfer to Danyanggang Jando Trail, a 1.2-kilometer-long trekking path along Namhangang River. There are various attractions nearby, including Mancheonha Skywalk, offering a tour experience that covers geology and history. Then, after a stop to Seorak Mountain for Gwongeumseong Fortress, let’s visit Sinheungsa Temple in Sokcho which is home to many cultural heritages. (BL)
Overnight in Sokcho.
Day 11 - Sokcho / Goseong (145KM, 1h58) / Seoul (100KM, 1h42)
After breakfast, move to Goseong Unification Observation Tower and Goseong DMZ Museum, where you can see the Haegeumgang River and the islands nearby as well as get a glimpse of various peaks of Geumgangsan Mountain (North Korea). Transfer to Seoul. (BL)
Overnight in Seoul
Day 12 - Depart Seoul
Once got back to Seoul, a Korean speaking driver will take you to Incheon Airport so you can take your plane safely.(B)