Day 1: Arrival in Seoul

Arrive in Seoul at Incheon International Airport, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Balance of day is free for your own leisure time or rest. Overnight at local  hotel. If you arrive in Seoul on other dates with pre-extension booking, transfer is not provided. In case you have pre-extension booking to Holiday Planners, we will provide transfer service.

Day 2: Seoul / Seoul City Tour 

After breakfast, start Seoul city tour including National Museum of Korea. This new museum built in 2005 is boasting its fantastic collection of Korean arts and relics. It would take a whole day to see everything in the museum. The next visit at Changdeok Palace & Huwon (Secret Garden), UNESCO designated World Heritage. Proceed to the N Seoul Tower on Mt.Namsan for a bird’s eye view of Metropolitan city of Seoul.   The last visit at Gwangjang Market. Come back to hotel.  

Day 3: Seoul / Korean Folk Village / Mt. Songnisan Nat'l Park / Daegu

Breakfast at hotel. Check-out and pick-up from hotel. Transfer to Korean Folk Village outside of Seoul, where people living in the village are practicing the old traditional style houses and life style of 18th-19th century. Proceed to Songnisan Nat'l Park to visit Beopjusa Temple where the tallest Buddha Statue in Korea has. The forest park is ideal place for walking. Afterward, drive to  Daegu via expressway.  Overnight at Daegu city.

Day 4: Daegu / Gyeongju Tour

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Daegu Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine. Yangnyeongsi Market has been a popular Herbal medicine market ever since it first opened in the 17th century. Experience of feet bathing in herb medicine. Visit Seomun Market of Daegu, which is steeped in history, one of the three main market during the Joseon dynasty. Transfer to Gyeongju, the capital of the Silla kingdom from 57BC – 935AD and the city is known as the “Museum without walls,” as there are 52 designated sites within this city. Visit Cheomseongdae Astronomic Observatory, Royal Tumuli Park with its Royal tombs. You will have the chance to enter one of the excavated tombs to see the construction and process behind the Royal Kings burial chambers.   Overnight at Gyeongju.

Day 5: Gyeongju

After breakfast, start your full day tour of Gyeongju by visiting Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto (UNESCO Sites). Seorkguram Grotto established in the 8th century on the slopes of  Mt. Toham.  The grotto contains a monumental statue of a  sitting Buddha looking out to sea and it is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist art in the Far East. 4 faces Buddha, Gwaeneung Royal Tomb and Scenic drive tour to Guryongpo Port. Drive along the sea for beautiful coastal scenery.

Day 6: Gyeongju / Busan

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Unmoonsa Temple (Buddhist Nun's temple). Proceed to Busan, the second largest city of South Korea. Upon arrival, start half-day Busan tour to Busan Tower on Yongdusan Park with its observation deck offering stunning views of the city and beyond, Jagalchi Fishery Market where roadside vendors sell various fishes and Nampodong Shopping Street. Overnight at Busan.

Day 7: Busan/HaeinsaTemple/Andong/Chungju

After breakfast,  transfer to Mt Gayasan National Park via expressway.  In Mt Gayasan National Park, visit Haeinsa Temple. Haeinsa Temple has a world famous Korean cultural treasure called Tripikata Koreana, which was made during the Goryo Dynasty to protect the country from the invasion of Mongolian troops by Buddha’s power. UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage designated this Tripitaka Koreana. Proceed to Andong, 2 hours away from Haeinsa. Andong Hahoe Village  is the best-preserved village with its traditional style noble houses. In 1999, Queen Elisabeth II visited Hahoe Village and was welcomed with Birthday Party Table decorated in Korean traditional way. Hahoe Village in Andong is famous for its own mask dance. After a visit to Hahoe Village, proceed to Chungju Lake. Overnight at local 4 star Benikea Cheong Pung  Hotel.

Day 8: Chungju / Experience of  Templestay

After  breakfast,  take a ride on Sightseeing Boat for lakeside  scenery. (In Winter  season, boat tour is subject to weather condition. When the lake is frozen, boat tour will be cancelled.) Proceed to Woljeongsa Temple to experience unique temple stay Upon arrival at the temple, change your clothes to temple uniform prepared by the temple. Orientation for various things to know for staying at the  temple  regarding  regulations  and  schedules. Attend  evening  ceremony  of Bell-Beating, Chanting  Mass  and Meditation course. During one night, you will not have phone and TV in your private Korean traditional style room. Shower room and toilet are being shared in common use. No alcohol is allowed at temple. The Korean Styled shared room will be arranged as male or female room. Overnight at the temple.  (As option, overnight at the outside of the temple also available)

 

Day 9: Gangneung /  MtSeorakNationalParkTour

Wake up at 3 am for Morning Worship (for volunteers only). After breakfast, leave the temple and transfer to  Pine City  Gangneung. Visit Chamsori Gramophone & Audio Museum. This museum boasts itself with incredible collection of 19thy Century gramophones and 1st generation audio systems.  Transfer to Sokcho city, Mt. Seorak National Park. Cable car ride to Gwongeumseong Fortress and visit Sinheungsa Temple. Hotel located next to  Mt.Seorak National Park. So you may enjoy some more hiking.   Overnight at Seorak Kensingtonstar Hotel.

Day 10: MtSeorakNationalPark/ DMZ  Yanggu / Seoul 

After breakfast, drive to Yanggu.  Visit War memorial Museum that was built to commemorate the sacrifice and heroism of those who fought during the Korean War at the nice battlefields located in Yanggu Area. Visit 4th infiltration tunnel dug by the North Korea Army, discovered in 1990, Eulji Observatory where located Approximately 1km south of the military Demarcation Line and Punch Bowl Village.And Transfer to Gapyeong to visit the Garden of Morning Calm Flower and Tree Park, which displays unique Korean Wild Flowers and trees in a garden located in mountain valley. Transfer back to Seoul.

 

Day 11: Seoul 

Breakfastatthehotel. EndofTour. NotransferservicebutPrivateTransferserviceavailableasoption. 

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