Authentic South Korea

AUTHENTIC SOUTH KOREA

Indicative itinerary subject to changes until departure date

DAY 1 – SEOUL

Arrival and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation.

DAY 2 – SEOUL

Breakfast. Half-day tour of the city including Changdeok Palace and Gwangjang Market, which has retained its history and the charm of a traditional market. Then a visit to the National Museum with an interesting collection of Korean art. Rest in the COEX Shopping Center area where we can enjoy the Byeolmadang library. Continue to the Seoul Tower on Mount Namsan from where you can admire the best views of the city. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

DAY 3 – SEOUL / DAEGU

Breakfast. Departure for Daegu. On the way, visit a traditional village, where you can admire the houses and traditional lifestyle of the 17th and 19th centuries. The village is a reconstruction of traditional Korea, including more than 250 structures, where you can get a glimpse of the life of the peasants and nobles of yesteryear. Continue to Songnisan National Park where you will visit Beopjusa Temple, which houses the largest Buddha statue in Korea. Continue to Daegu. Arrival and accommodation.

DAY 4 – DAEGU / GYEONGJU

Breakfast. Visit to the Yangnyeongsi Oriental Medicine Museum and Seomun Market. Departure for Gyeongju, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the “Museum without Walls” due to its royal tombs and remains of palaces and fortresses. Visit of the city, including the Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory, built in 647, and the Tumuli Royal Park. Accommodation.

DAY 5 – GYEONGJU

Breakfast. Visit to Bulguksa Temple. Visit to the Seokguram Grotto temple, located at the foot of Mount Tohan. The temple houses a large statue of Buddha, considered one of the pinnacles of Buddhist art in the Far East. Visit the four-faced Buddha, the Gwaeneung Royal Mausoleum and a scenic drive to Guryongpo Port. Return to Gyeongju. Accommodation.

DAY 6 – GYEONGJU / BUSAN

Breakfast. Visit to the Buddhist temple of Unmoonsa (run by nuns) and continue to Busan, located in the south of the Korean peninsula. Visit of the city including the Busan Tower located in Yongdusan Park, which offers excellent views, the Jagalchi Fish Market and the Nampodong shopping street. Accommodation.

DAY 7 – BUSAN / GAYASAN NATIONAL PARK / ANDONG / CHUNGJU

Breakfast. Departure to Mount Gayasan National Park, visiting the temple of Haeinsa. Continue to Andong, a very well preserved village, with its noble houses in traditional style. Another famous village is Hahoe, where Korean traditions are preserved. Continue to Chungju Lake. Accommodation.

DAY 8 – CHUNGJU / WOLJEONGSA TEMPLE OR SAMHWASA TEMPLE

Breakfast. Excursion by boat on the lake (in winter this visit is subject to weather conditions, being canceled when the lake freezes). Continuation to Woljeongsa temple or Samhwasa temple (before arriving at the temple, change into the comfortable uniform provided by the temple). During your stay at the temple you will have to respect certain rules, such as attending the evening ceremony and the meditation course. There is no telephone or television in the Korean-style room at night. Toilets and bathrooms are shared. Alcohol is not allowed on the temple grounds. Vegetarian dinner and accommodation. 

DAY 9 – WOLJEONGSA TEMPLE OR SAMHWASA TEMPLE / GANGNEUNG / SEORAKSAN NATIONAL PARK

Those who wish may wake up at 03h00 am to participate in the morning ceremony. Breakfast. Departure to Gangneung to visit the Chamsori Gramophone & Audio Museum. Continue to DMZ point, where the observatory is located near the North Korean border from the East coast. Departure to Mount Seorak National Park. Arrival and accommodation.

DAY 10 – SEORAKSAN NATIONAL PARK / SEOUL

Breakfast. Ascent by funicular to Gwongeumseong Fortress. Departure to Gapyeong to visit the Morning Calm Garden and Tree Park. Transfer to Seoul. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.

DAY 11 – SEOUL / PORTUGAL

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the airport to board the return flight.

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REMARKS

• The circuit consists of multilingual guides, among them Spanish speaking (they will be joined at destination with more people of different nationalities). The explanations will always be given during the visits, never in the transports.  
• During the months of April and October, multilingual Spanish-speaking guide, subject to availability.

VERY IMPORTANT

• The rooms at Samhwasa and Woljeongsa monastery are shared with passengers of the same sex, as the monastery requires separation between men and women and they do not have private bathrooms.
• Triple rooms are not available. 
• Korea requires reservations to be made at least 50 days prior to departure date.