South Korea Tours for Experienced Travelers

I learned so much about the history of South Korea and saw some beautiful landscapes and temples. The guide went above and beyond expectations. I would definitely recommend Explore and will be using them again in the future. I would recommend that if possible Explore should add a trip to Jeju Island although I understand that this would extend the duration and add to the cost of the trip.

This was a fabulous trip, due in no small part to our excellent tour guide Nikki. This really was a tremendous introduction to a lovely country that exceeded all expectations. Colourful, vibrant, steeped in history and super-friendly. The Koreans love to eat and food is a big part of their culture. The itinerary timings and evening meal arrangements could be improved to make for a more relaxing end to each day but that apart, it was a fantastic and memorable experience.

This trip is a fantastic mix of cultural, culinary and outdoor experiences. There were so many memorable highlights - the makgeolli making class, visiting the DMZ and having the opportunity to meet a North Korean defector, hiking in Namsan Mountain, the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, the Hahoe mask performance, spending half a day as a monk, and of course the food! This trip is very full on, but it’s crammed with memorable experiences and completely surpassed expectations .

My daughter and I spent 9 days of this amazing trip in South Korea. Our main guide, Mr. Jade Kim, was absolutely amazing and made sure that we experienced a true taste of Korean culture, nature and cuisine. His insights and assistance only served to enrich the experience. The travel arrangements made were fantastic. It was well organized and they truly tried to curate a trip that reflected what we were seeking to get out of it.

I took this tour with my 26-year-old daughter as a belated graduation gift and it turned out to be one of the best things we've done together. We both love Asian food, history, and culture, but neither of us wanted to deal with figuring out trains or language barriers. This tour was the perfect solution. Seoul was great. The subway system is clean and easy, and we loved how our guide gave us the confidence to use it ourselves. Seeing Deoksugung Palace and the tsunami-shaped City Hall was such a unique contrast. My daughter is into history, so the War Memorial really moved her. I was more fascinated by the traditional hanok homes in Jeonju. Busan was cool and coastal. That view of the ocean behind the shrine was unforgettable. The ferry to Japan was surprisingly relaxing. We played cards, had snacks, and watched the sea. Japan felt more spiritual to me. Miyajima and the Itsukushima Shrine were beautiful, and Hiroshima gave us a lot to think about. The hot springs at Dogo Onsen were so soothing after long days of walking. And I have to say that the bullet train ride to Tokyo? My daughter was giddy like a kid in Disneyland! We both agreed that the night at Mount Koya’s monastery was something we’ll remember forever. Quiet, peaceful, and a total change of pace. If you're thinking about bonding time with a loved one, this tour gives you experiences you’ll talk about for years.

I loved South Korea and particularly enjoyed, learning about the culture, tasting the different types of foods and experiencing karaoke. I would have liked to spend longer in Busan as it was amazing. I think there was a good balance between organized activities and free tome. I look forward to seeing more options for tours in South Korea as well as combining it with other nearby countries.