Itinerary
- Day 1
Incheon to Busan
You'll arrive at Incheon International Airport where an English-speaking guide meets you. From there, the KTX bullet train takes you south to Busan over about 4 hours and 40 minutes. It's South Korea's second-largest city with a nice coastal setting, surrounded by mountains and known for good food. The rest of your day is open, so you could head to Gamcheon Cultural Village or explore the fish markets if those interest you. It's a good chance to settle in and get your bearings after traveling.
- Start point
- Busan, South Korea (Busan)
Optional Activities
- Visit Gamcheon Cultural Village
- Explore fish markets near hotel
Landmarks Gamcheon Cultural Village - Day 2
Jinhae Cherry Blossom Tour
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll drive toward Changwon, which takes about an hour. The main focus here is Anmingogae Hill and its famous cherry blossom tunnel - 9 kilometres total, with 6 kilometres of actual blossoms running between Taebaek-dong and Anmin-dong. You'll also see Yeojwacheon Stream, one of the better spots for cherry blossoms in April. Later in the day, finish at Gyeonghwa Station, an old abandoned railway station surrounded by cherry trees that form a nice floral tunnel for photos.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Anmingogae Hill and Jinhae Cherry Blossom Tunnel
- Explore Yeojwacheon Stream area
- Visit Gyeonghwa Station
Landmarks Anmingogae Hill Jinhae Cherry Blossom Tunnel Yeojwacheon Stream Gyeonghwa Station Jinhaeman Bay Ungsan Mountain Sirubong Peak Cheonjabong Peak 
- Day 3
Dream Road Walking (Section 1 & 2)
Start with breakfast at a local restaurant, then you'll walk two sections of the Dream Road, which covers 14 kilometres and takes around 6 hours total. You'll hear birds in the forest and see cherry blossoms falling. If you have energy left and want to explore further, there's the birthplace of Seongheungsa and poet Kim Daejin, plus the Kim Daejin literature museum sits at the road's end. It's a good long walk through nature, so pace yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk two sections of Dream Road (14 kilometres, approximately 6 hours)
Optional Activities
- Visit birthplace of Seongheungsa and Kim Daejin
- Visit Kim Daejin's literature museum
Landmarks Dream Road Kim Daejin's Literature Museum - Day 4
Dream Road Walking (Section 3 & 4)
After breakfast at a local restaurant, you'll tackle two more sections of the Dream Road, this time 13.4 kilometres over about 6 hours. You're walking through cool forest paths again, and this leg gives you time to clear your head while soaking in the landscape around you. It's another full day of hiking, so bring water and wear comfortable shoes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk two sections of Dream Road (13.4 kilometres, approximately 6 hours)
Landmarks Dream Road - Day 5
Mt. Songnisan National Park
After breakfast, you'll drive about 3.5 hours to Mt. Songnisan National Park for a temple stay at Beopjusa Temple, founded way back in 553 CE. Once there, you can see the 33-metre gilded bronze Buddha statue and the five-story wooden pagoda. In the evening, you'll have a traditional vegetarian dinner followed by the Yebul ceremony, a Korean temple ritual with instrument music, Heart Sutra recitations, and prayers for the temple and community. Lights out comes at 9 pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at a local restaurant), Lunch, Dinner (Traditional vegetarian temple meal)
Included Activities
- Visit Beopjusa Temple
- View Geumdongmireukdaebul (33-metre gilded bronze Buddha statue)
- Observe Palsangjeon (five-story wooden pagoda)
- Visit Daeungbojeon (one of three major Buddhist halls in Korea)
- View Ssangsajaseokdeung (twin-lion stone lamp) and lotus-shaped stone fountain
- Participate in traditional vegetarian temple meal
- Attend evening Yebul ceremony
Landmarks Beopjusa Temple Mt. Songnisan National Park Geumdongmireukdaebul Palsangjeon Daeungbojeon - Day 6
Mt. Songnisan to Incheon
Early morning starts with the Yebul chant alongside the monks under moonlight and stars, then you'll head back to the main temple for breakfast. The day continues with Zen meditation in the mountains and a tea ceremony with monks and nuns, plus time to ask questions. After temple lunch around midday, you'll drive back to Incheon International Airport (about 5 hours) for your departing flight.
- End point
- Songnisan Service Area - Cheongju-bound, 마로면 적암길 56-18, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do 28964, South Korea (Songnisan)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the main temple), Lunch (Temple lunch)
Included Activities
- Participate in early morning chant (Yebul) with monks
- Zen meditation session
- Meditation session in the mountains
- Tea ceremony with monks and nuns
- Q&A session with monks and nuns
Landmarks Beopjusa Temple Incheon International Airport
