South Korea, 9 Days · Classic tour

Classic Korean Route

Korea reveals its culture, where the traditions of ancient dynasties blend with the modernity of a country that has been reborn after the war.

This enigmatic country is much more than the technological city of Seoul. It is a country with more than 5,000 years of history, full of extraordinary traditions and landscapes. On this tour we visit the most emblematic places in South Korea.

Are you joining us?

Classic Korean Route

Departure date

Departures from January 2025 till November 2025

From

Dublin, Shannon, Donegal, Cork...

Cultural

Travel details

Day 1 City of origin - Seoul

Day 2 Seoul

Day 3 Seoul

Day 4 Seoul - Gongju - Buyeo - Jeonju

Day 5 Jeonju – Gwangju - Suncheon - Yeosu

Day 6 Yeosu - Jinju - Busan - Gyeongju

Day 7 Gyeongju - Andong - Pyeongchang

Day 8 Pyeongchang - Mt. Seorak - Seoul

Day 9 Seoul - City of origin

City of origin - Seoul

Departure with destination Seoul. Night on board.

Seoul

Arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free and accommodation.
Seoul

Seoul

Includes: Breakfast
Breakfast. Today, we'll explore the city of Seoul. Our first stop will be the Jogyesa Temple and Gyeongbokgung Palace, where we'll be able to witness the changing of the royal guard, just as it was done at the court of the Joseon Dynasty. Nearby is the National Folk Museum, which has different spaces all dedicated to learning about Korean history and traditions. Then we head to the medicinal herb market and discover why Ginseng is so important for Koreans. In the afternoon, we'll head to the outskirts of Seoul to visit a folklore village. Here we'll enjoy a traditional music and dance show, as well as a visit to traditional houses from different regions of the country. Return transfer to hotel and overnight stay. Note: the visit to the folk village is subject to change. As an alternative, there is the chance to visit the N Seoul Tower.

Seoul - Gongju - Buyeo - Jeonju

Includes: Breakfast
Breakfast. Early morning departure by road to Gongju City. This is the most important city of the Baekje dynasty. On arrival, we'll visit the tomb of King Muryeong and the Gongsanseong Fortress. Our next stop will be Jeonju, famous for its Hanok or traditional Korean houses. Arrival at the hotel and rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay.

Jeonju – Gwangju - Suncheon - Yeosu

Includes: Breakfast
Breakfast. On our road trip, we'll get to know the main city of the Honam region, also notorious for the Gwangju Massacre. This was a popular uprising that took place in the 1980s. Next to Mount Mudeungsan, we'll visit the May 18th National Cemetery, a symbol of the country's freedom and democracy. On the way to Yeosu, we'll stop at Suncheon National Garden, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Late in the afternoon, we'll arrive in the coastal city of Yeosu. Overnight stay.

Yeosu - Jinju - Busan - Gyeongju

Includes: Breakfast
Breakfast. On our way by road to Busan, we'll stop in Jinju to visit the Jinjuseong Fortress, historically linked to the Japanese invasion in the fifteenth century. Once we reach Busan, we'll visit the Jagalchi fish market, where we'll be able to savour a wide variety of fresh fish. After lunch, we'll head to Gyeongju by road. Overnight stay.

Gyeongju - Andong - Pyeongchang

Includes: Breakfast
Breakfast. Today it's the turn of the ancient capital of Korea, famous for its many historical remains, so we'll start with the Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto. Inside is the most precious Buddhist sculpture in the country. This is a Buddha made from stone towering more than three metres high. We'll continue our visit by the national museum and its astronomical observatory. After this visit, we'll head over to the Hahoe village of Andong, where we'll find unique constructions that have survived the passing of time, some of which incredibly are still inhabited. Arrival at the hotel in the Olympic city of Pyeongchang and overnight stay.

Pyeongchang - Mt. Seorak - Seoul

Includes: Breakfast
Breakfast. Today, we'll visit the Seoraksan National Park, the most important in Korea and listed by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. We'll also visit the Sinheungsa Temple on the slopes of Mount Seorak. Free time. There's an option to take the cable car and visit the castle located on the steep mountain of Arce (entrance not included). Note: During the high season in October, buses and minivans have restricted entrance to the Park, so we'll have to walk about 3.5 km to reach the entrance. The ride on the cable car may also be restricted. Return journey to Seoul and overnight stay.
Seoul

Seoul - City of origin

Includes: Breakfast
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Flight with destination the city of origin. Arrival. End of the trip and our services.

Your trip includes

  • Return flight.

  • Overnight stay in the listed hotels, or similar.

  • Transfers according to the itinerary.

  • Transport in vehicles appropriate to the size of the group.

  • Regular tours mentioned in the itinerary, not stated as optional.

  • English-speaking guide.

  • Diet: 7 breakfasts.

Your trip doesn't include

  • Any other service not previously mentioned as included.

  • Insolvency protection.

Expected Hotels (or similar)

In this section you will find a selection of hotels according to the category specified in the itinerary.

Day 1

Days 2 - 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Flight

Overnight stay on board.

Flight

Important remarks

- Triple rooms in South Korea are generally rooms with twin beds or a double, in which a folding bed is installed to accommodate the third person. Due to the inconvenience this causes, we advise against using this option as far the possible.

- Please check with your international vaccination centre about the recommended healthcare measures in South Korea.

- Depending on the return flight, the trip may be one day longer.

- Check-in time at the hotel on the day of arrival depends on each establishment, but in no case will it be before 3:00 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.

- The DMZ is closed on Mondays and national holidays.

- During the high season in October, buses and minivans have restricted entrance to the Park, so we'll have to walk about 3.5 km to reach the entrance. The ride on the cable car may also be restricted. Return journey to Seoul and overnight stay.

- The type of vehicle will be decided 10 days before departure, depending on the size of the group.

- The order of the itinerary may be altered for logistical reasons, without prior notice, but no scheduled trips will be cancelled (except in the case that adverse weather conditions prevent its realisation).

- A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes you will need one for check-in at hotels.

- Prices are calculated based on admission fees to the sights as of the date of publication. If there is an increase in these prices, you will be promptly informed.

- If you are a person with reduced mobility, please contact us to confirm the suitability of the trip.

- Consult the necessary documentation to enter the destinations visited and for transit in the countries where air stopovers are made.