This 12-day South Korea adventure introduces you to the vast array of what the country has to offer such as its rich history, culture, cuisine, and natural beauty - from bustling, neon-lit metropolises to rolling countryside hills, long sandy beaches to temples in the mountains, and even a visit to the historic Demilitarized Zone.
Accommodation is in a mix of simple, friendly hostels, bath houses and and overnight temple stay. This is an active, adventurous tour aimed at younger travellers (max age 55).
Is it your first time exploring Korean history and culture? If you are a visitor to Seoul, join us for an exciting tour showing you that this bustling city has a lot to offer!
Start your tour with a visit to Jogyesa Buddhist Temple, the center of Zen Buddhism in Korea, famous for being located in the city. The first things you will notice at the temple are the lovely trees. These locust trees and baeksong trees in front of the Daeungjeon, the main temple building, are about 500 years old.
The tour also visits Gyeongbok Palace, built in 1395, which is arguably the most beautiful and the grandest of all the five palaces. Every day, visitors to Gyeongbok palace can watch a re-enactment of the changing of the royal guards' ceremony, which takes place at the Gwanghwamun and Heungnyemun plazas. The royal guards of the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910) were in charge of protecting the gates of the capital city and the royal palace.
The newly opened Cheongwadae Sarangchae, which opened to the public on January 5th, 2010, is a history center that gives visitors a chance to follow in the footsteps of presidents of Korea and gain insight into the history of Seoul. It encompasses the past, present and even the future of Seoul as well as the entire nation
We'll also visit Insa-dong, the most reliable place to purchase antiques in Seoul. Here you may browse antique shops, art galleries and second-hand bookstores.
Next up on our Seoul City tour is another traditional market, but this one is entirely different from Insadong. Gwangjang Market comprises around 5,000 vendors and is one of the oldest and largest in Seoul. It was also the first permanent market in Korea.
What better way to end our Seoul City Tour than a ride up to Seoul Tower on the iconic Namsan Cable Car.
This well-known Korean landmark offers captivating views of Namsan Mountain and downtown Seoul as you ascend the 605-metre-long cable to the top.
The complete itinerary for the day is as follows:
Hotel pick up - Jogyesa Buddhist Temple - Changing of the Guard Ceremony - Gyeongbok Palace (Deoksu Palace Tuesday only) - pass by the Presidential Blue House - Cheongwadae Sarangchae (National Palace Museum of Korea on Tuesday only) - Insadong Arts and Crafts Market (Free time for lunch) - Gwangjang Market - N Seoul Tower (including observatory and round trip cable car) - Drop off at Myeongdong or City Hall
Good balance of included and optional activities. The hotels were centrally located which made it easy to explore the place on one’s own. CEO did a good job of communicating the itinerary, pacing the activities, and giving us informative overviews of the local history in all the places we visited.
City sightseeingWar sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan
Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan
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Escorted Group Tour: Embark on an exhilarating journey through South Korea's most captivating destinations! Start your adventure in the heart of Seoul, dive into the rich history at Gyeongbokgung Palace and immerse yourself in the bustling markets of Myeongdong. Then, venture to the Demilitarized Zone, where history unfolds at the border between North and South Korea. From there, discover the enchanting towns of Andong and Gyeongju, where you'll find yourself in a living museum without walls, with centuries of culture and heritage waiting to be explored.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
In 6 days, we saw a mix of urban city, traditional palaces and Hanok villages, cathedral and temples, a lively
night market, some shopping, a National Park, and the coastal city of Busan. We ate very well enjoying typical Korean dishes for lunch, like samgyetang, bibimbap, bulgogi, ssam, and one pasta & pizza lunch for variety. Our guide Helena was fluent in English and Spanish so we could understand all the interesting information easily. Helena took good care of us, and though it was not included, she made extra effort to help our group find a clinic for Covid-19 PCR test after arrival in Korea. Her fun personality made us very comfortable too. And there was no pressure to shop at special stores with a ”discount” for tour groups. Our hotel in Seoul was the Marriott Times Square which was excellent. The Ramada hotel in Busan was less impressive but alright for a one night stay. I did not enjoy Daegu City and its oriental medicine museum which was too specific for my interest. However we had the chance to try on Korean hanbok dress for free in the museum. Overall, it was a quick trip that was a very good introduction to South Korea.
Korea surprised us in the best way! Seoul was vibrant, the food was amazing (hello, Korean BBQ!), and the countryside was stunning. The trip was so well-planned!
Discover the highlights of South Korea on this 12-day adventure from Seoul to Jeju Island. Explore the capital’s palaces and markets, meet a North Korean defector at the DMZ, and enjoy a traditional temple stay at Geumsunsa. Hike in Seoraksan National Park, cycle through the ancient city of Gyeongju, and uncover the coastal beauty of Busan. End your journey on Jeju Island with scenic walks, volcanic peaks, and a memorable beach BBQ to celebrate your Korean adventure.
PRIVATE TOUR: From bustling Seoul, embark on an unforgettable journey through South Korea, where ancient history and modern vibrancy collide. Uncover the rich cultural heritage of Gyeongju, and venture through the portside city of Busan. Marvel at the natural wonders of Jeju Island and gain insights into the nation's complex history at the fascinating DMZ.
PRIVATE TOUR: Explore Seoul, the cosmopolitan and vibrant capital of South Korea. See the changing of the guard at the ornate Gyeongbokgung Palace and wander through bustling Insadong, take in the traditional architecture of Bukchon Hanok village and travel to the fascinating Demilitarized Zone on this 5 day city break.
The tour guide was pleasant and well organized. The other passengers were friendly. I was disappointed in the meals. st dinner changed to shabu shabu. Much preferred bim bap, more authentic Korean. We had a buffet one meal and did not like this at all. Then we did not have the Korean beef bbq, but a fish bbq. Would have preferred the beef bbq. Overall the food was of a moderate level of satisfaction for me.
PRIVATE TOUR: Discover the highlights of captivating South Korea, the 'Land of the Morning Calm'. Explore Seoul - the nation's vibrant capital city before heading south to see the sights of cultural Andong and Gyeongju - the historical heart of the country.
Had an amazing time in Japan! The only thing we can say which really wasn’t a challenge as such, was that on our last morning we were being picked up for the airport before the hotel’s breakfast time and we had already paid for that meal. So we had to purchase breakfast elsewhere. Onsens are always a great experience. All three trips that we have booked with you previously have all been a great experience
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
35-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Seoul, Tokyo, Kyoto, Suwon, Jeju
Seoul, Tokyo, Kyoto, Suwon, Jejudo, Osaka, Hiroshima
For those seeking a shorter Asian getaway, "From Seoul to Hiroshima" presents an 8-day city sightseeing tour from Seoul to Hiroshima, with stops including Busan. Perfectly tailored for seniors, this trip provides all the essentials—accommodation, transport, and meals—so you can focus on the highlights. The notable advantage is its efficient itinerary, offering an immersive experience of both South Korea and Japan within a compact, easy-to-navigate package.