Essential South Korea

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Carbon neutral

9 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 35 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Seoul, South Korea

Ends

Seoul, South Korea

Highlights

Rub shoulders with the locals at Nambu Market, which recently provided free rent to young entrepreneurs to keep the market alive. Then, stay in a hanok (a traditional Korean house) and experience what it’s like to live day to day in Jeonju.

Feast on delicious local cuisine, with included dinners where you might be able to try some traditional Korean noodles, Korean BBQ or fried chicken, and plenty of time to wander around street food markets and restaurants.

Discover Seoul at your own pace with tonnes of free time to explore the various districts throughout the city. Maybe hit up karaoke (or noraebang, in Korean), go bar hopping with your local leader or grab a coffee at one of Seoul's famous themed cafes.

Experience the natural beauty of South Korea from Ahwon Gotack – with lush, green surroundings, it’s a stark contrast to the big cities Korea is famous for. Soak up the tranquil mountain views and enjoy a moment to enjoy the silence of nature.

Learn how the community have innovated agricultural growth at the Urban Smart Farm Social Company – a social enterprise backed by the government and local NGOs, focused on sustainability.

Itinerary

Dive into South Korea’s dynamic mix of tradition and pop culture with the 'Essential South Korea' tour, a 9-day adventure designed for young adults seeking connection and discovery. From Seoul’s bustling streets to Busan’s coastal beauty, explore Yeosu and Jeonju, sampling Korean BBQ, noodles, and irresistible street food.

Follow in the footsteps of K-pop idols at iconic filming sites, take easy hikes along scenic beaches and mountains, and unwind in a hanok—an authentic Korean house. With ample free time, group experiences, and a chance to rub shoulders with locals, this tour’s highlight is its immersive cultural blend—offering both ancient heritage and modern fun, all within a lively, friendly group setting.

day 1 - Seoul

Eoseo oseyo! Welcome to South Korea. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Seoul – the vibrant capital of high-tech gadgetry, towering skyscrapers and scrumptious eats. If you arrive early, maybe explore this modern Asian metropolis at your own pace and discover how ancient traditions come together with the modern in one of Asia's great cities. After you meet your trip leader and group members, you’ll head out on an orientation walk to get your bearings and note down some good nightlife spots for later. Then, grab dinner to get your first taste of some authentic Korean cuisine and get to know your group.

included:Seoul - Orientation Walk, Seoul - T-money Card

accommodation:Hostel (Multi-share)

meals:1 Dinner

day 2 - Seoul

This morning, visit the Gyungbokgung Palace – a former royal palace established in 1395, which once served as the main palace for the Joseon dynasty. After, tour the Gwangjang Market with your leader and maybe pick up some local treats or souvenirs from one of the 5000 shops and stalls. In your free afternoon, maybe try local dishes like hand cut noodles or bulgogi or visit HiKR Ground, where you can experience media art and make your own music video. You could also discover the K-beauty scene, where you can get skin checks, colour analysis and beauty treatments. Tonight, maybe head to some coin karaoke (where you pay 30 cents per song) and belt out a few favourites to get the night going.

included:Seoul - Gyungbokgung Palace, Seoul - Gwangjang market

accommodation:Hostel (Multi-share)

day 3 - Jeonju

Say goodbye to Seoul and hop on a local bus to Jeonju, known for the Hanok Heritage Village – home to traditional houses, craft shops, food stalls and the 15th-century Gyeonggjieon Shrine. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk to see the downtown area. You’ll also taste some dalgona (a honeycomb toffee known as Korean sugar candy) at a local store before a free afternoon. This evening, visit Nambu Market with your leader. Here, you can learn about the recent success of the youth incubation program, which offers free rent to young business owners to save the market and keep the community thriving. Tonight, you’ll stay in a hanok (a traditional Korean house).

included:Jeonju - Orientation Walk, Jeonju - Nambu Market Visit

accommodation:Hanok

day 4 - Jeonju

This morning, wander around the gorgeous architecture, galleries, shops and streets on a leader-led walk. After, you’ll visit the Jeonju Hanji Museum, where you’ll learn about the traditional Korean paper and how it has impacted the lifestyle of the locals. See hanji crafts, tools, ancient manuscripts and books on display, then try your hand at hanji making. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe wander the Jaman Art Village to see the colourful murals, walk along the Sinabro-gil Trail or take the chance to learn some new moves and sign up for a K-pop dance class. Later, sit down for an optional group dinner and maybe try some bibimbap (a rice bowl served with gochujang and various toppings like egg, vegetables and sliced meat).

included:Jeonju - Hanok Village Tour, Jeonju - Hanji Paper Making

accommodation:Hostel (Multi-share)

day 5 - Wanju/Daegu

Travel to Webongsansung this morning for a short walk with your leader. This location was actually used for a photoshoot for the famous K-pop group BTS! Wander around the lush greenery and abandoned architecture of the area, then visit Ahwon Gotack. This hanok and gallery is set among green mountains and gardens and was also used as a filming location for a music video. After exploring the traditional houses and gardens, continue your journey to Daegu. When you arrive, visit the Museum of Oriental Medicine to learn about traditional Korean practices and gain insights into Donguibogam – a UNESCO World Heritage record. Renowned for its collection of medicinal herbs, Daegu is a hub of traditional medicine. The evening is free, so maybe wander through Seomun Market, one of Daegu's most historic and bustling traditional markets, or visit Daegu Tower for panoramic views of the skyline and the surrounding mountains.

included:Wanju - Ahwon Gotack, Wanju - Webongsansung Visit, Daegu - Museum of Oriental Medicine

accommodation:Hostel (Multi-share)

day 6 - Busan

Get up early this morning and board a train to Busan – a large port city known for its spas, beaches and temples. When you arrive, visit the colourful labyrinth-like streets in the Gamcheon Culture Village. This area is known for its brightly coloured houses and is the perfect spot for a pic – so don’t forget your camera! Then, maybe spend your free afternoon learning some new skills at a calligraphy class or wander the shoreline of Haeundae Beach. Tonight, maybe head out for dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations.

included:Busan - Gamcheon Art Village

accommodation:Hostel (Multi-share)

day 7 - Busan

Today is a free day to explore everything Busan has to offer. Maybe head to the chic waterfront complex The Bay 101 and grab a drink in one of the open-air bars, take a taekwondo class or stroll through the Centum shopping complex to pick up some souvenirs. You could also spend the day relaxing in the hot springs at Spaland, known for having both traditional Korean-style baths and modern spa treatments. Tonight, maybe hop on the Haewoondae ferry and watch Busan light up as the sun goes down.

accommodation:Hostel (Multi-share)

day 8 - Seoul

Maybe pick up some coffee and breakfast this morning before heading to the Urban Smart Farm Social Company with your group. This social enterprise, backed by the government and local NGOs, is a great example of how locals have innovated agricultural growth within shipping containers to grow fresh produce in a busy city. Learn about their sustainability efforts and then carry on to Igidae Beach for a gentle coastline walk. When you’ve worked up an appetite, you might want to grab some lunch before heading back to Seoul on the train. When you arrive, you have a free afternoon. Maybe explore more of Seoul's districts you might have missed – with cafes, modern restaurants, parks and alleys, there’s no shortage of places to find! Why not keep the night going and head out to some bars to celebrate the end of your trip with some new friends?

included:Busan - Igidae Coastal Walk, Busan - Urban Smart Farm Visit

accommodation:Hostel (Multi-share)

meals:1 Dinner

day 9 - Seoul

With no further activities planned today, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to spend more time in Seoul, just speak to your booking agent.

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hostel (Multi-share) (7 nights), Hanok (1 night)

Meals

2 Dinners

Transport

Public Bus, Private Vehicle, Train, Metro

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Seoul - Orientation WalkSeoul - T-money CardSeoul - Gyungbokgung PalaceSeoul - Gwangjang marketJeonju - Orientation WalkJeonju - Nambu Market VisitJeonju - Hanok Village TourJeonju - Hanji Paper MakingWanju - Ahwon GotackWanju - Webongsansung VisitDaegu - Museum of Oriental MedicineBusan - Gamcheon Art VillageBusan - Igidae Coastal WalkBusan - Urban Smart Farm Visit

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

Tour Availability

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Good to Know

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Other Practical Information

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