Golden Route of South Korea – Departs every Friday

On arrival at Seoul Incheon International Airport, you will be greeted by our airport representative who will provide the transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Leave your hotel around 8.30 am and depart on a half-day tour of Seoul. The first visit of the day is to Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395 this was the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Enjoy viewing the changing of the guard Korean style, before continuing to the National Folk Museum and the Korean Ginseng Centre. In the early afternoon visit the Korean Folk Village, home to over 260 traditional houses. In the late afternoon return to Seoul to enjoy the evening at leisure.

Enjoy an early start today as you check out of your hotel and after breakfast, meet your driver and depart for Gongju, a journey of 90 minutes. Here you will visit the Tomb of King Muryeong, who ruled the Baekje from 501 to 523. Proceed to UNESCO-listed Gongsanseong Fortress which protected the town of Gongju. Continue to Jeonju, a drive of 60 minutes and on arrival enjoy a visit to Jeonju Hanok Village, where you can find over 800 traditional Korean houses. In the late afternoon check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Depart Jeonju this morning bound for Gwangju, the leading city of the Honam region and the birthplace of the modern democratic movement in Korea, a journey of 80 minutes. Built in 1997, the cemetery is the final resting place for those who participated in the Gwangju uprising. Continue onto Suncheon, here you will visit the Suncheon Bay Garden, home to over 790,000 trees in 505 species, and 3.15 million flowers in 113 species. Continue to Yeosu, a port city and visit the historic site of Admiral Yi Sun-Sins, famous for 23 recorded naval victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin war. In the late afternoon check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing early in the morning bound for Jinjuseong Fortress, historically linked to the Japanese invasion of 1592. Continue to a 90-minute drive to South Korea’s 2nd largest city, Busan and on arrival visit the Jagalchi Fish Market, Busan’s largest seafood market. Enjoy some time sampling South Korea’s amazing seafood before you proceed to beautiful Haeundae beach and Dongbaek Park, and here you can enjoy a leisurely coastal walk, enjoying wonderful views of the ocean and Busan City.
In the last afternoon continue the journey to Gyeongju, and on arrival check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

This morning depart for UNESCO World Heritage listed Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple. Built from 742 to 774, the grotto sits 750 meters above sea level and offers stunning views of the Sea of Japan, and is considered one of the most impressive Buddhist Temples in the world. Continue on a 2-hour drive to the Andong Hahoe Folk Village, which preserves the traditional housing architecture of the Joseon Dynasty, made more famous by a visit from Queen Elizabeth II. In the late afternoon drive to Pyeongchang, one of the main locations of the 2018 Winter Olympics and enjoy the evening at leisure.

This morning visit some of the main sites of the 2018 Winter Olympics before you continue to the beautiful Mt. Seorak National Park. UNESCO designated this park a Biosphere Preservation District in 1982 due to so many rare species found here. Within the park visit Sinheungsa – temple, an ancient temple with deep historical significance built by the great monk, Jajangyulsa from 590 to 658. Enjoy some short, light trekking in the park before departing in the late afternoon, bound for Seoul where you will spend the evening at leisure.

Enjoy your final few hours in Seoul at leisure before you meet your driver who will provide the private vehicle transfer to Seoul Incheon International Airport for your onward flight.