Route: Seoul → DMZ → Seoul → (KTX) Gyeongju → Busan
This tour shows the many faces of South Korea in one week. In Seoul you watch the changing of the guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace, wander through the traditional houses of Bukchon and explore the markets and shopping streets of Myeongdong and Insadong. A day trip to the Demilitarized Zone brings you face to face with the divided peninsula's recent history.
The KTX train then takes you south to Gyeongju, the 'museum without walls', with the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa Temple and the royal tombs of the Silla kingdom. The journey ends in Busan, Korea's vibrant port city: the hillside Gamcheon Culture Village, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple perched above the waves, the Jagalchi fish market and the glittering Gwangan Bridge at night.
Arrival at Incheon International Airport and private transfer to your hotel in central Seoul. In the evening your guide takes you on a walk through Myeongdong, famous for its Korean cosmetics shops and street-food stalls, followed by a welcome Korean BBQ dinner.
We begin at Gyeongbokgung, the largest of Seoul's five Joseon-dynasty palaces, in time for the colourful changing of the guard ceremony. Then we wander through the hanok alleys of Bukchon Hanok Village and the art galleries and tea houses of Insadong. In the late afternoon the cable car takes us up Namsan Mountain to N Seoul Tower for a panoramic view of the city at dusk.
A one-hour drive north brings us to the DMZ, the heavily guarded border between the two Koreas. We visit Imjingak Park and the Bridge of Freedom, walk down into the Third Infiltration Tunnel dug by North Korea and look across the border from Dora Observatory. Back in Seoul, the evening is reserved for Gwangjang Market with its mung bean pancakes and bibimbap.
The KTX high-speed train takes us to Gyeongju in just over two hours. We visit Bulguksa Temple with its stone stairways and pagodas, and Seokguram Grotto with its serene granite Buddha, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After seeing the grass-covered royal tombs of Daereungwon and the ancient observatory Cheomseongdae, we end the day at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, beautifully illuminated at night.
In the morning we explore the Gyeongju National Museum, home to the famous golden crowns of the Silla kings. A one-hour drive then takes us to Busan, where we visit Haedong Yonggungsa, a rare Buddhist temple built on the rocks directly above the sea. The afternoon is free to enjoy Haeundae Beach or the Blueline Park sky capsule along the coast.
We explore the pastel-coloured houses, murals and art installations of Gamcheon Culture Village, stacked on the hillside above the harbour. Next comes Jagalchi, Korea's largest fish market, where we enjoy a lunch of freshly caught seafood, followed by the lively BIFF Square and Gukje Market. In the evening we head to Gwangalli Beach to admire the illuminated Gwangan Bridge at our farewell dinner.
Breakfast at the hotel and free time until your transfer to Gimhae International Airport. If you are flying home from Seoul, we will gladly book a KTX ticket to Seoul or Incheon Airport for you (about 2.5–3 hours).
Prices per person in USD. The final price is confirmed with your booking. Child (2–11 years): −20%.
The cancellation terms for this tour are confirmed in writing together with your booking, before you pay anything.
Read our cancellation & refund policyYes. The DMZ is closed on Mondays and public holidays, and visits can be cancelled at short notice by the military. In that case we offer an alternative programme.
It depends on your nationality and the current rules. Please check the official K-ETA website before travelling; we will remind you when you book.
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