Itinerary
- Day 1
Seoul
You'll meet your Adventure Leader and the group at the hostel for a briefing to get oriented. After that comes a Taekwondo training session to get your energy up. Later in the evening, head to Myeongdong for a welcome dinner with everyone. Take the cable car up Namsan Mountain and catch Seoul's night skyline, then visit the padlocks of love at the base of Seoul N Tower. If you're interested, you can go up the tower itself before heading back down by cable car. From there, you'll have time to walk around Myeongdong before returning to your accommodation.
- Start point
- Seoul, South Korea (Step Inn Myeongdong 1 (15th floor) - Get in touch if you plan to arrive later, 14:00)
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with group at Myeongdong)
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Step Inn Myeongdong 1)
Included Activities
- Taekwondo training session
- Welcome group dinner at Myeongdong
- Cable car ride to Namsan Mountain
- View of Seoul N Tower and padlocks of love
- Cable car descent from Namsan Mountain
Optional Activities
- Visit top of Seoul N Tower
Landmarks Seoul N Tower Namsan Mountain Myeongdong 
- Day 2
Seoul
Get an early start and take public transport to Gyeongbokgung Palace to watch the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony. Spend time exploring the palace grounds, and you have the option to wear a hanbok (traditional Korean dress) while you're there. The rest of the day is yours to wander through places like Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong Art Street, or the Cheonggyecheon stream. You could also check out Gangnam District, rent a bike along the Han River, or try an optional perfume-making class. Evening is free so you can find dinner on your own, with the Euljiro and Itaewon areas being good spots for recommendations.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Step Inn Myeongdong 1)
Included Activities
- Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace
Optional Activities
- Wear hanbok (traditional Korean clothes) at Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Explore Bukchon Hanok Village
- Explore Insadong Art Street
- Walk Cheonggyecheon stream
- Explore Gangnam District
- Rent bike for Han River ride
- Personalised Perfume Making Class
Landmarks Gyeongbokgung Palace Bukchon Hanok Village Insadong Art Street Cheonggyecheon Gangnam District Han River 
- Day 3
Seoul
Your group will take a bus about an hour north of Seoul to Imjingak for breakfast. There's an opportunity to speak with a North Korean defector if available. Head to Dora Observatory where you can use binoculars to see into North Korean villages. Then descend into the 3rd Tunnel, which brings you within 170 meters of North Korea itself. After returning to Seoul, you'll take a K-Pop Dance Class to learn some moves. The evening is optional, and you can explore Hongdae's restaurants and bars if you're interested.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Step Inn Myeongdong 1)
Included Activities
- Half-day DMZ tour including Q&A session with North Korean defector
- Visit Dora Observatory
- 3rd Tunnel visit
- K-Pop Dance Class
Optional Activities
- Breakfast at Imjingak
- Evening in Hongdae district
Landmarks Imjingak Dora Observatory 3rd Tunnel Hongdae 
- Day 4
Geumsunsa Temple, Seoul area
Take a relaxed morning to wander around Seoul and recharge. Mid-afternoon, you'll get a private transfer to Geumsunsa Temple for an authentic templestay experience. Once there, you'll get a tour of the temple grounds, enjoy a vegetarian dinner, and participate in evening drum and bell rituals followed by Buddhist chanting and singing bowl meditation. Plan to turn in early for the night.
- Meals
- Dinner (Vegetarian dinner at temple)
- Accommodation
- Temple (Geumsunsa Temple Stay)
Included Activities
- Private transfer to temple
- Guided temple tour
- Vegetarian dinner
- Evening drum and bell rituals
- Buddhist chanting
- Singing bowl meditation
Optional Activities
- Explore temple grounds
Landmarks Geumsunsa Temple 
- Day 5
Geumsunsa Temple, Seoul area to Sokcho
Start before dawn with a peaceful Buddhist chanting ceremony, then have a simple temple breakfast. After cleaning your room and returning your temple uniform, head to the bus meeting point for travel to Sokcho on Korea's northeastern coast. Once you arrive late morning, you'll explore Seoraksan National Park with options to hike to Ulsanbawi Rock for panoramic views, take the waterfall trail, or use a cable car. After lunch, take a gatbae boat across the river to Abai village. Your Adventure Leader will lead an evening food market tour where you'll check out local culinary spots and fish markets, with dinner options ranging from fresh seafood to restaurants like Manseok. Finish with a traditional liquor tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Simple temple breakfast), Lunch (Lunch at Seoraksan National Park entrance), Dinner (Dinner at fish market)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Haru Guesthouse, Sokcho)
Included Activities
- Buddhist dawn chanting ceremony
- Temple breakfast
- Hike/activities in Seoraksan National Park
- Lunch at park entrance
- Gatbae boat to Abai Village
- Food market tour in Sokcho
- Dinner at fish market
- Traditional liquor tasting
Optional Activities
- Ulsanbawi Rock hike with panoramic views
- Waterfall trail hike
- Cable car scenic peak ride
- Fresh seafood dinner at market
- Dinner at Manseok restaurant
Landmarks Seoraksan National Park Ulsanbawi Rock Abai Village Sokcho Fish Market 
- Day 6
Sokcho to Gyeongju
Travel by bus early along the East Coast to Gyeongju, Korea's ancient capital. After dropping your bags, you'll jump into an afternoon cycling tour of Gyeongju's old town with your Adventure Leader, stopping at spots like Chunmachong Ancient Tombs at Daereungwon Tumuli Park and Cheomseongdae, the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in East Asia. The guided cycling takes around 45 minutes on flat roads, or you can explore on foot if that works better for you, covering main sights in about 90 minutes. Later there's an optional traditional Korean set meal in a hanok, then free time to wander around. Head to illuminated Anapji Pond in the evening for photos (entrance 3,000 KRW).
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Blueboat Hostel Gyeongju)
Included Activities
- Cycling tour of Gyeongju old town
- Visit Daereungwon Tumuli Park with Chunmachong Ancient Tombs
- Visit Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of old town (alternative to cycling)
- Traditional Korean set meal in hanok
- Visit Anapji Pond
Landmarks Daereungwon Tumuli Park Chunmachong Ancient Tombs Cheomseongdae Anapji Pond 
- Day 7
Gyeongju to Busan
Get to Gyeongju station and hop on the high-speed train to Busan. When you arrive, board a privately hired bus for day tours starting with Gamcheon Culture Village. Head down to Songdo for a Marine Cable Car ride with impressive coastal views. Visit BIFF Square in Nampo-dong to try street food vendors, including Busan's local specialty hotteok. Then transfer to your Haeundae hostel for the evening where you can relax and explore the area at your own pace.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Blueboat Hostel Gyeongju), Hotel (Libero Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Gamcheon Culture Village
- Songdo Marine Cable Car ride (standard cabin)
- Walk through BIFF Square
Optional Activities
- Street food at BIFF Square vendors
- Try Busan hotteok
Landmarks Gamcheon Culture Village Songdo BIFF Square Nampo-dong 
- Day 8
Busan
Head out in the morning to see Haedong Yonggungsa, one of Korea's most beautiful temples located in coastal cliffs. You have the option to visit Spa Land in Centum City (in Busan's largest shopping complex) where you can enjoy saunas, cold rooms, jacuzzis and other jjimjilbang facilities. In the evening, grab local delicacies with fellow travelers. After sunset, admire the light show on Gwangan Bridge from the shore or take an optional evening sightseeing boat cruise around the bay. Once back on land, try karaoke if you're in the mood.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Blueboat Hostel Gyeongju), Hotel (Libero Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Optional Activities
- Visit Spa Land in Centum City
- Evening sightseeing boat cruise around bay
- Karaoke evening
- View Gwangan Bridge light show from shore
Landmarks Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Spa Land Gwangan Bridge 
- Day 9
Busan to Jeju
Have a relaxed morning at Haeundae Beach where you can stretch your legs on the sand, swim, or organize group games like volleyball or frisbee. If you'd like, pack a picnic breakfast and catch the sunrise. Optionally join your group for a Busan cooking class to learn Korean flavors and create dishes like Bibimbap. Afternoon is yours to explore, with options like the Haeundae Blueline Park coastal train, Korea's second tallest building observatory, or Huinnyeoul Culture Village. Later, transfer to Busan Airport for your flight to Jeju Island. Once you arrive, you'll have a free evening to explore, unwind, or soak in the island atmosphere.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shin Shin Hotel Cheonjiyeon)
Included Activities
- Time at Haeundae Beach
Optional Activities
- Busan cooking class
- Haeundae Blueline Park coastal train
- Visit observatory at Korea's second tallest building
- Wander through Huinnyeoul Culture Village
- Pack picnic breakfast for sunrise
Landmarks Haeundae Beach Haeundae Blueline Park Huinnyeoul Culture Village 
- Day 10
Jeju
Wake up on Jeju Island and trek along the Jeju Olle Trail with coastal views and serene natural surroundings all around you. Visit Jeongbang Waterfall, the only waterfall in Asia that flows directly into the ocean. Hike to Seongsan Ilchulbong, a UNESCO World Heritage Site formed by hydrovolcanic eruptions over 5,000 years ago, for panoramic views. There's optional lunch by the volcano or you can catch a Haenyeo performance at 13:30 if available and weather permits. Return to Seogwipo early afternoon with the rest of the day free to explore Maeil Olle Market, relax at Jungmun Beach, see Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, or stroll Maritime Park and Saeyeongyo Bridge.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shin Shin Hotel Cheonjiyeon)
Included Activities
- Half-day hike along Jeju Olle Trail No.7 and Oedolgae Rock
- Visit Jeongbang Waterfall
- Hike Seongsan Ilchulbong
Optional Activities
- Lunch by volcano
- Haenyeo performance at 13:30
- Visit Maeil Olle Market
- Relax at Jungmun Beach
- Visit Cheonjiyeon Waterfall
- Stroll Maritime Park and Saeyeongyo Bridge
- Visit Haenyeo Museum
- Sunset drinks at The Cliff
Landmarks Jeju Olle Trail No.7 Oedolgae Rock Jeongbang Waterfall Seongsan Ilchulbong Maeil Olle Market Jungmun Beach Cheonjiyeon Waterfall Maritime Park Saeyeongyo Bridge Haenyeo Museum 
- Day 11
Jeju
Spend your morning at the Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliffs, a striking volcanic rock formation shaped by nature over thousands of years. Take in the views, then switch things up with a yacht sailing tour on the open sea where you can relax in the fresh ocean air with fellow travelers. Afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace, unwind, visit more of Jeju's natural wonders, or ask your Adventure Leaders for recommendations. In the evening, gather for a farewell barbecue dinner featuring Jeju's renowned black pork, and celebrate late into the night with your group before departing tomorrow.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell Jeju black pork BBQ dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shin Shin Hotel Cheonjiyeon)
Included Activities
- Visit Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliffs
- Yacht sailing tour
- Farewell Jeju black pork BBQ dinner
Landmarks Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliffs 
- Day 12
Jeju
You've finished your 12-day South Korea adventure with Dragon Trips. You have options to head back to Seoul, explore more of Jeju Island, or continue your travels elsewhere. Safe travels as you finish up.
- End point
- Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea (Shin Shin Hotel Cheonjiyeon, 11:00 - 11:30)
Optional Activities
- Return to Seoul
- Explore Jeju Island further
- Continue travels to other destinations
