Are tours generally filled to the 40 max? Does the tour guide recommend restaurants in the evening that the individuals can go to dinner as a group? Or is everyone on their own to find a place to eat?

Day 2 and Day 3 tours operate for a maximum of 40 people, with an average of 30 people. Day 4 to Day 7 tours operate for a maximum of 35 people, with an average of 16 people.

Can you confirm availability for 1 traveler in a single room?

Our tour program requires minimum 2 people. There are no reservations on 29 August, 2023. We can confirm reservations on 5 September, 2023.

From

US $2,759 per person

Essence of Korea

8 days

•

Start and end in Seoul

4.7

15 traveler reviews

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From

US $2,759 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Operator: US Travel Korea
In-depth Cultural: Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 2 - 40
All Ages Welcome

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Incheon Airport to Seoul
Start point
인천공항 푸드코트, 중구 공항로 271, Incheon, 22382, South Korea (Upon arrival at Incheon Airport, meet a driver and transfer to your hotel)
Accommodation
Hotel (Swiss Grand Hotel)
Day 2
Seoul
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Swiss Grand Hotel)
Included Activities
- Gyeongbokgung Palace visit with Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (or Deoksu Palace on Tuesdays)
- National Folk Museum visit
- Korean Ginseng Center visit
- Insadong Antique Shop Alley visit
- Namsan Hanok Village visit (or Myeongdong on Tuesdays)
- N Seoul Tower visit
Landmarks
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Deoksu Palace
National Folk Museum
Insadong Antique Shop Alley
Namsan Hanok Village
N Seoul Tower
Day 3
Seoul to Busan
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Haeundae Beach - free time
Landmarks
Haeundae Beach
Day 4
Busan to Gyeongju
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Lahan Select Gyeongju)
Included Activities
- Haeundae Beach visit
- Dalmaji-gil Road scenic drive
- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple visit
- Gamcheon Culture Village visit
- Jagalchi Fishery Market visit
- BIFF Square visit
- Gyeongju Donggung Palace visit
- Wolji Pond visit
Optional Activities
- Traditional rice cake making experience with a master rice cake maker and tasting (minimum 8 people required)
Landmarks
Haeundae Beach
Dalmaji-gil Road
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Gamcheon Culture Village
Jagalchi Fishery Market
BIFF Square
Gyeongju Donggung Palace
Wolji Pond
Day 5
Gyeongju to Daegu
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Hotel Inter-Burgo Daegu)
Included Activities
- Gyeongju National Museum visit
- Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory visit
- Seokguram Grotto visit
Landmarks
Gyeongju National Museum
Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory
Seokguram Grotto
Bulguksa Temple
Day 6
Daegu to Gangneung
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (InterContinental Alpensia Pyeongchang)
Included Activities
- Haeinsa Temple visit
- Andong Hahoe Village visit
Landmarks
Haeinsa Temple
Gayasan National Park
Andong Hahoe Village
Day 7
Seoraksan National Park to Seoul
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch (Monastic meal)
Accommodation
Hotel (Swiss Grand Hotel)
Included Activities
- Woljeongsa Temple etiquette learning
- Woljeongsa Temple tour
- Walking meditation or conversation with a monk
- Monastic meal at Woljeongsa
- Seoraksan National Park visit
- Sinheungsa Temple visit
Optional Activities
- Gwongeumseong Cable Car ride - USD 20 per person
Landmarks
Woljeongsa Temple
Seoraksan National Park
Sinheungsa Temple
Gwongeumseong
Day 8
Seoul Departure
End point
인천공항 푸드코트, 중구 공항로 271, Incheon, 22382, South Korea (After breakfast at your hotel, you will be pick up at your hotel lobby 4hours before your flight departure)
Meals
Breakfast

Landmarks
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Deoksu Palace
National Folk Museum
Insadong Antique Shop Alley
Namsan Hanok Village
N Seoul Tower

Landmarks
Haeundae Beach

Landmarks
Haeundae Beach
Dalmaji-gil Road
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Gamcheon Culture Village
Jagalchi Fishery Market
BIFF Square
Gyeongju Donggung Palace
Wolji Pond

Landmarks
Gyeongju National Museum
Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory
Seokguram Grotto
Bulguksa Temple

Landmarks
Haeinsa Temple
Gayasan National Park
Andong Hahoe Village

Landmarks
Woljeongsa Temple
Seoraksan National Park
Sinheungsa Temple
Gwongeumseong

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Transport
Free eSIM
TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Swiss Grand Hotel
Hotel
Days 1, 2, 7
Lahan Select Gyeongju
Hotel
day 4
Hotel Inter-Burgo Daegu
Hotel
day 5
InterContinental Alpensia Pyeongchang
Hotel
day 6

Adventure Type

Choose the type of organized adventure that suits your preferences.

Group Adventures
Join a group and forge lifelong friendships.
What to expect
- Group of 40 travelers max.
- Fast booking confirmation
- Carefully planned itineraries
- Travel with like-minded people
Starting at
US $2,759 / traveler
Check availability
Personalized Adventures
Customize an existing itinerary or create your own.
What to expect
- Travel with your own group of min. 2 travelers
- Choose your preferred dates and duration
- Upgrade your accommodation
- Customize the itineraries
After requesting a quote, we will get back to you with a price based on your requirements.
Request quote

Operated by

US Travel Korea

4.7

(15 reviews)

Number of tours

Age Range

1 to 80 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

100%

US travel-Korea (one of leading DMCs based in Korea since 1999), remaining at...

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Reviews from other tours by US Travel Korea

Tour Operator
4.7

Rachel
August 14th, 2025
5.0
This tour was beyond amazing! Our guide, Dylan, was extremely knowledgeable and was able to explain the importance of...
This tour was beyond amazing! Our guide, Dylan, was extremely knowledgeable and was able to explain the importance of each and every stop at the tour, illustrating extensive knowledge and cultural history. We were so comfortable during the trip! The intensity was moderate, which included walking, and touring each destination by food or car. I was traveling with my 12 year old daughter, and he was able to accommodate the trip to engage oh my daughters area of interest and explain everything on her level as well. Although the tour got intensive because we had to switch hotels every single night, Dylan made it very enjoyable! We absolutely loved every single aspect of this tour. For people who want to experience the essentials of South Korea, and take a deep dive into its culture and traditions, this is the right tour for you!Show more
Brad
May 11th, 2025
4.0
The tour route is very good and the sites well worth seeing. Our tour guide Justin was very knowledgeable on Korean...
The tour route is very good and the sites well worth seeing. Our tour guide Justin was very knowledgeable on Korean history and provided us with an excellent book that he created containing information on Korea and the sites we visited. The hotels were comfortable and of a good standard. The breakfasts were excellent with choices available for all tastes. The only negative was that we didn't get enough time to fully explore most of the sites visited.Show more
Amanda
March 30th, 2025
4.0
The tour was a great snap shot of South Korea. Our guide, Andy made the tour run seamlessly, despite the fast pace...
Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

From Tuesday
10 Mar, 2026
To Tuesday
17 Mar, 2026
English
From:
US $2,759 per person
Multiple Room Types
From Tuesday
17 Mar, 2026
To Tuesday
24 Mar, 2026
English
From:
US $2,759 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Tuesday
24 Mar, 2026
To Tuesday
31 Mar, 2026
English
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US $2,759 per person
Multiple Room Types
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From Tuesday
31 Mar, 2026
To Tuesday
7 Apr, 2026
English
From:
US $2,759 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Tuesday
7 Apr, 2026
To Tuesday
14 Apr, 2026
English
From:
US $2,759 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Tuesday
14 Apr, 2026
To Tuesday
21 Apr, 2026
English
From:
US $2,759 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Tuesday
21 Apr, 2026
To Tuesday
28 Apr, 2026
English
From:
US $2,759 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Tuesday
28 Apr, 2026
To Tuesday
5 May, 2026
English
From:
US $2,759 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Tuesday
5 May, 2026
To Tuesday
12 May, 2026
English
From:
US $2,759 per person
Multiple Room Types
Instant Confirmation
From Tuesday
12 May, 2026
To Tuesday
19 May, 2026
English
From:
US $2,759 per person
Multiple Room Types

Why book with TourRadar?

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Rated excellent on
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24/7 customer support
Earn $50 in travel credits
Free eSim with every purchase

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

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L
Lori
Asked on June 18th, 2024
Are tours generally filled to the 40 max? Does the tour guide recommend restaurants in the evening that the individuals can go to dinner as a group? Or is everyone on their own to find a place to eat?
Group size
Tour Details
- US Travel KoreaOperator•Written June 2024
  Day 2 and Day 3 tours operate for a maximum of 40 people, with an average of 30 people. Day 4 to Day 7 tours operate for a maximum of 35 people, with an average of 16 people.
- L
  Lori
  Traveler•Written June 2024
  When taking the high speed train, is each individual responsible for getting their luggage onto the train and off the train and to the transfer bus? DMZ return says drop off at City Hall. Does each individual have to provide their own transportation to their hotel? The topic transportation only mentions high train and private transfers to and from airport. What moves us from sight to sight-a van, a car, a motor coach? Day 4 mentions a car for transportation. If buses are not allowed into Seoraksan National Park in October, the walk of 3.6 km is it flat walking mountain up walking to entrance? What can be seen if we are on foot? What is substituted for the day if we are not going to the national park? All the sites mentioned in the itinerary are the entrance fees covered with the trip cost?
- US Travel KoreaOperator•Written June 2024
  1. When taking the high speed train, it is each individual responsible for getting their luggage onto the train and off the train. Upon departure, the driver will escort you to your seat, and upon arrival the another driver will wait for you infront of your train compartment. 2. The ending point of the DMZ tour is City Hall, and you must move from City Hall to your hotel on your own. 3. Vehicles is depending on the number of people on the tour, and are operated by VAN for up to 5 people, minibus for up to 10 people, and coach bus for 11 or more people. 4. The walk of 3.6 km is it flat walking mountain up walking to entrance. If you can't go to Mt. Seorak, there is no alternative tourist destination because there is a lot of traffic at that time. 5. All the sites mentioned in the itinerary are the entrance fees covered with the trip cost. And please note that our tour program required minimum 2PAX.
G
Gina
Asked on August 8th, 2023
Can you confirm availability for 1 traveler in a single room?
Accommodation
Price / Availability
- US Travel KoreaOperator•Written August 2023
  Our tour program requires minimum 2 people. There are no reservations on 29 August, 2023. We can confirm reservations on 5 September, 2023.
- US Travel KoreaOperator•Written August 2023
  US Travel Korea does not have availability for 29th August 2023. They have availability on 5th September 2023 - would this suit your travel plans?

From

US $2,759 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 239696

Currency
₩
Won
South Korea
Plugs & Adapters
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Typhoid - Recommended for South Korea. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for South Korea. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for South Korea. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for South Korea. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for South Korea. Ideally 1 month before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before May 9th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after May 9th, 2026, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with US Travel Korea. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and US Travel Korea will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "US Travel Korea" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of US Travel Korea. Please familiarize yourself with the US Travel Korea payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Essence of Korea

Itinerary

Incheon Airport to Seoul

Seoul

Included Activities

Seoul to Busan

Included Activities

Busan to Gyeongju

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Gyeongju to Daegu

Included Activities

Daegu to Gangneung

Included Activities

Seoraksan National Park to Seoul

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Seoul Departure

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Where You'll Stay

Adventure Type