Discover South Korea

12 days
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Small Group Tour
South Korea has long been overshadowed by neighbouring Japan. But it’s a dynamic country, steeped in culture, tradition and history, with vibrant cities, rich landscapes, friendly local people and staggering nature. Join this trip to immerse yourself in the contemporary culture of bustling Seoul, meditate and spend the night in an ancient temple, discover the...
$8,606
From$6,375
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Learn about ancient and modern history in Seoul
    • Spend a night and join ceremonies at the Unesco-listed Haeinsa Temple
    • Visit Panmunjom and the DMZ to learn how Korea was divided
    • Discover the bustling, colourful markets of Busan
    • Be captivated by the culinary delights of South Korea

What's this trip about?

    South Korea has long been overshadowed by neighbouring Japan. But it’s a dynamic country, steeped in culture, tradition and history, with vibrant cities, rich landscapes, friendly local people and staggering nature. Join this trip to immerse yourself in the contemporary culture of bustling Seoul, meditate and spend the night in an ancient temple, discover the beauty of Seoraksan National Park and explore the colourful markets of Busan. This, combined with the chance to taste some of the most underrated cuisine in the world, makes a trip to South Korea unforgettable.Explore bustling Seoul, visit the DMZ and see beautiful landscapes in the Land of the Morning Calm

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CitySeoul
End CitySeoul

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Culinary & Wine

Destinations

Attractions

  • Seoul

Activities

  • Culture

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 4

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts, two lunches, one dinner
    • All accommodation
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Free group arrival and departure transfers available

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Start Seoul

The adventure begins in Seoul, the buzzy of South Korea. Time permitting, the leader will arrange a short orientation tour near the hotel. In the evening, we can visit Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest food markets in Seoul, where local people meet after work to en...

Day 2 Full-day Seoul walking tour including Insadong artisan area, Jogyesa Temple and Gyeongbokkung Palace

Today we enjoy a walking tour of Seoul. We first head to the Cheonggyecheon, an age-old canal in downtown Seoul that was filled with concrete in the 1960s but reopened in 2005 in its original state. We continue to Tapgol Park, the central point of the Korean independe...

Day 3 Visit Panmunjom to learn how Korea was divided

Today we visit Panmunjom, the only place on the peninsula where North and South Koreans can meet face to face. It was here the peace treaty was signed in 1953 and where both parties agreed on a Joint Security Area (JSA) in the middle of the border between the two coun...

Day 4 Transfer to Gangneung; afternoon Korean cooking demonstration

Today begins with a private transfer (approximately three hours) to Gangneung on the east coast. In the heart of Gangwon Province, we visit one of the most picturesque culinary bases in Korea, where all the food is produced and processed naturally and according to cen...

Day 5 Enjoy an easy walk in Seoraksan National Park

On the beautiful east coast, the Seorak Mountains are the most famous in Korea. At the foot of the peaks is an enormous Buddha statue, which acts as a start point for a variety of trails between 2km and 10km (1.25mi and 6.2mi). The leader guides those who wish on an e...

Day 6 Transfer to Andong; visit the Andong Hahoe Folk Museum

We transfer (approximately four hours) to Andong by private minibus and visit the Andong Hahoe Village, where ancient traditions influenced by the teachings of Confucius are still alive. The inhabitants live in the same way their ancestors did, in simple houses for the common farmers and in richly decorated houses for the yangban (gentry). Accommodation: Park Hotel (or similar)

Day 7 Transfer to Gyeongju; visit Tumuli Park and Cheomseongdae, the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia

We transfer (approximately 2hr 30min) to Gyeongju by private minibus, stopping en route to visit the Dosan Confucian School. In the afternoon, we visit Tumuli Park, which has royal tombs dating to the Shilla dynasty. The numerous artifacts found in these tombs show th...

Day 8 Full-day sightseeing, including Seokguram Grotto, Bulguksa Temple and Anapji Pond

Seokguram Grotto, which we visit this morning, was discovered by a postman sheltering from the rain. Inside the human-made cave, he found an astonishingly beautiful statue of Buddha, constructed during the Shilla dynasty. The grotto is now a Unesco World Heritage site...

Day 9 Transfer to Haeinsa Temple; explore the grounds, eat a traditional vegetarian meal and take part in a Buddhist ceremony

This morning, we transfer to Haeinsa Temple (approximately three hours). It is one of the oldest in Korea and home to the Tripitaka Koreana, the most complete collection of Buddhist texts, engraved on 80,000 woodblocks between 1237 and 1248. Here we experience a stri...

Day 10 Early morning ceremony and meditation; transfer to Busan; city tour including local markets

Day 11 Bullet train to Seoul; transfer to hotel. Free afternoon

This morning, we take a bullet train back to Seoul (approximately three hours) and transfer to our hotel. This afternoon is free for last-minute shopping or to perhaps visit the vibrant Hongdae university district. You may also like to spend your final evening in Seoul exploring the lively nightlife of the Itaewon neighbourhood. Accommodation: Kukdo Hotel (or similar)

Day 12 End Seoul

Our adventure ends after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home. Of course, if you’d like to spend a little longer exploring, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,375
Price per day$531
Last Updated: 4/11/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Single Room
Availability
11 May 2025
22 May 2025
$5,550
$6,773
07 Sep 2025
18 Sep 2025
$6,375
$7,598
19 Oct 2025
30 Oct 2025
$6,600
$7,823
26 Oct 2025
06 Nov 2025
$6,600
$7,823
24 Mar 2026
04 Apr 2026
$6,720
$8,070
31 Mar 2026
11 Apr 2026
$6,675
$8,025
12 Apr 2026
23 Apr 2026
$6,720
$8,070
10 May 2026
21 May 2026
$6,720
$8,070
13 Sep 2026
24 Sep 2026
$6,720
$8,070
18 Oct 2026
29 Oct 2026
$7,125
$8,475

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews & Ratings

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Apr 2025

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Excellent service

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Apr 2025

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Roger

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Gill Barber

Apr 2025

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request and subject to availability)
    • Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation

12 nights 3 and 4-star hotels and 1 night temple stay Travel by private bus, train and internal flights Sightseeing on foot and one easy walk All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner included
We stay in hotels for 10 nights and spend one night in a traditional Buddhist temple. The normal accommodations used on this trip are on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a couple of the notable places we stay.  Seoul: Kukdo Hotel (nights 1-3)  Featuring modern, spacious rooms and a fitness center, Kukdo is in the heart of Seoul, less than a 15-minute walk from the lively Gwangjang Market and easily accessible by public transport from the airport.  It has a restaurant serving a buffet breakfast each morning with a selection of Western and Asian dishes, plus a convenience store selling a range of daily necessities.  Mount Gaya: Haeinsa Temple (night 9)  Spend one night in a traditional temple, a unique opportunity to appreciate the life of a Buddhist monk, experience woodblock printing and chamseon, a traditional meditation method of Buddhism in Korea. You may also learn the Buddhist teachings by touring the small hermitages and temples around Mount Gaya with Haeinsa as its main temple. It’s a religious institution, so facilities are basic and rooms are on a triple/quadruple-share basis with Western-style beds and assigned by sex, which means couples are not permitted to share a room.   Worth knowing  Single supplements can be pre-booked for 10 nights of the tour at the hotel accommodation. These must be requested before departure and are subject to availability. A single supplement is not available for the night at Haeinsa Temple. 
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Adventure Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

Period before departure in which you notify us

From the date your Booking Confirmation is issued up to, and including, 90 days prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.

  • 89 to 52 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 51 to 31 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 30 days or less prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation, or after the booking has started

Cancellation charge

Deposit can be transferred to a new booking which must be made within 3 months of the date the original booking was cancelled, and depart within 12 months of the new booking date. If a new booking is not made within this period then the deposit will be forfeited. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.

  • 50% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 75% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 100% of the total holiday cost.

For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made:

Cancellation period (before departure) - Cancellation Fee (per person)

Outside of 180 days - No fee if cancelled within 15 days of booking date. US $1,250 cancellation fee if cancelled 16 days or more of booking date.

179 to 120 days - Loss of deposit.

119 to 90 days prior to departure - 50% of the holiday cost.

89 to 60 days prior to departure - 75% of the holiday cost. 

59 to 0 days prior to departure - 100% of the holiday cost.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of Exodus Adventure Travels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
All breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner are included. Korean food is generally healthy and based upon rice, vegetables and meats. During the trip, we experience a wide variety of tasty meals including staple foods such as rice, porridge, soups, stews, barbecued or broiled meat and fish along with a large selection of banchan (side dishes) and kimchi (fermented cabbage), which is served at almost every meal.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
exodus-AOD

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