Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Others

Seoul - Orientation Walk Seoul - HiKR Ground Seoul - Gwangjang market Jeonju - Orientation Walk Jeonju - Nambu Market Visit Jeonju - Hanok Village Tour Wanju - Ahwon Gotack Wanju - Webongsansung Hike Yeosu - Hyangilam Temple Busan - Gamcheon Art Village Busan - Oryukdo Coastal Walk Busan - Urban Smart Farm Visit

Transport

If you are spending additional time before or after your tour, you will find that the transport in South Korea is reasonably priced, quick and efficient. Public buses don’t always have the signage in English so is is recommended that you write your destination in hangeul (Korean phonetic alphabet) letters on a piece of paper. Bus drivers don’t speak English. Local tourist centres usually have English-speaking staff and are the best places to find out about local buses. Public Bus , Private Vehicle , Train , Metro

Meals

2 dinners

Accommodation

Hostels and Guesthouses This trip includes accommodation in multi-share dormitories with shared facilities. Travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms where hostels allocate rooms by gender. Air-conditioning and Heating Air-conditioning is not usually turned on until the warmer season. The hanok has underfloor heating. Hanok Stay Your mattress will be on the floor. If you find this too hard, you can stack the bedding or ask for an extra mattress. Hostel (Multi-share) (7 nights), Hanok (1 night)

Not included:

Flights

Flights are not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Optional

Seoul - Painting Class - USD50 Seoul - Korean Class - USD30 Seoul - Gyungbokgung Palace - USD4 Seoul - Hanbok Hire - USD50 Jeonju - K-Pop Dance Class - USD50 Yeosu - Cable Car (Return) - USD18 Busan - Calligraphy Class - USD20 Busan - Baseball Game (Apr-Sep - prices from) - USD20 Busan - Spaland - USD20 Busan - Taekwondo Class (minimum 8 pax required) - USD50 Seoul - DMZ Tour - USD80

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Seoul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Seoul

Eoseo oseyo! Welcome to South Korea. Your adventure begins in Seoul, the vibrant capital of high-tech gadgetry, towering skyscrapers and scrumptious eats. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, 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, perhaps grab dinner to get your first taste of some authentic Korean cuisine and get to know your group.
Day 2 Day 2: Seoul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Seoul

This morning, you’ll visit HiKR Ground, where you can experience media art and maybe make your own music video. Then, tour 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 visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, which once served as the main palace for the Joseon dynasty or take a lesson in basic Korean so you can talk with the locals. Tonight, you’ll have a group dinner where you might be able to try local dishes like hand cut noodles or bulgogi. After, maybe head to some coin karaoke (where you pay 30 cents per song) and belt out a few favourites to get the night going.
Day 3 Day 3: Jeonju
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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. Arrive around midday before your leader takes you on an orientation walk to see the downtown area. You’ll also have the opportunity to 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).
Day 4 Day 4: Jeonju
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Jeonju

This morning, wander around the gorgeous architecture, galleries, shops and streets on a leader-led walk. After, you have a free day to explore at your own pace. Maybe wander the Jaman Art Village to see the colourful murals or walk along the Sinabro-gil Trail – an easy 1-hour trail from Jeonju Hanok Village where you can see the Seungam Village and Temple. Take the chance to learn some new moves and sign up for a K-pop dance class or further explore the picturesque streets, with its famed shopping strips, filmmaking scene and fun bangs (singing rooms, arcades, DVD rooms and photo rooms). Later, sit down for an optional group dinner – maybe try some bibimbap (a rice bowl served with gochujang and various toppings like egg, vegetables and sliced meat).
Day 5 Day 5: Wanju / Yeosu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Wanju / Yeosu

Travel to Webongsansung this morning for a short hike 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 wandering around the traditional house and gardens, you’ll head to a local restaurant where you can pick up some lunch before taking a bus to Yeosu. When you arrive in the afternoon, you have the option to hop on the cable car here, which provides panoramic views of the glittering water and coastline below. The cable car will take you to the street food tents – where tents and carts are set up along the seaside – where you can choose some local street dishes for dinner and watch the sunset. Alternatively, head straight to your guest house in Yeosu and wander around the city at your own pace.
Day 6 Day 6: Busan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Busan

Depending on the group’s desires, you might want to get up early enough to watch the sunrise this morning, over the Hyangilam Temple – this small Buddhist temple sits atop a forested coastal cliff and features dramatic ocean views. Watch the sun bring the day to life and wander around the site with your group. After, you’ll take a bus to Busan – the large port city known for its beaches, mountains and temples. Along the way, you’ll make a stop where you can grab some lunch, then head to your hostel. When you’re settled, maybe spend your free afternoon learning some new skills at a calligraphy class or wander the shoreline of Haeundae Beach.
Day 7 Day 7: Busan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Busan

You’ll visit the colourful labyrinth-like streets in the Gamcheon Culture Village this morning. This area is known for its brightly coloured houses and is the perfect spot for a pic – so don’t forget your camera! After wandering the twisted alleyways, head to Jagalchi market, where you can pick up an optional lunch. This world-famous market sells fresh fish and seafood, perfect to feast on by the water. Your afternoon is free to explore at your own pace – 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. Tonight, why not hop on the Haewoondae ferry and watch Busan light up as the sun goes down.
Day 8 Day 8: Seoul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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 Oryukdo Beach for a gentle coastline hike. 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 afterwards to celebrate the end of your trip with new friends?
Day 9 Day 9: Seoul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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.

9 days tour

Essential South Korea

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Essential South Korea

Day 1: Seoul

Day 2: Seoul

Day 3: Jeonju

Day 4: Jeonju

Day 5: Wanju / Yeosu

Day 6: Busan

Day 7: Busan

Day 8: Seoul

Day 9: Seoul

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