Itinerary
- Day 1
Seoul
You'll arrive in Seoul and check into your hotel by mid-afternoon. Spend the rest of the day getting settled and wandering around the city at your own pace to get a feel for the capital.
Landmarks Seoul 
- Day 2
Seoul
Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of Seoul's five palaces, where you can catch the ceremonial changing of the guard. After that, head to the National Museum of Contemporary Korean History to learn how Korea transformed over time. Grab lunch at a local restaurant, then walk through Gwangjang traditional market, one of Korea's oldest and largest. From there, explore Bukchon Hanok Village with its 900+ traditional Korean houses. By evening, your Tour Director will host a welcome dinner featuring Korean BBQ.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local restaurant), Dinner (Korean BBQ welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace and witness the ceremonial changing of the guard
- Visit National Museum of Contemporary Korean History
- Explore Gwangjang traditional market
- Visit Bukchon Hanok Village
- Welcome dinner featuring Korean BBQ
Optional Activities
- Don traditional hanbok outfit for a photo at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Landmarks Gyeongbokgung Palace National Museum of Contemporary Korean History Gwangjang traditional market Bukchon Hanok Village 
- Day 3
Seoul
Travel to the Korean Demilitarized Zone for a tour of the world's most fortified border. Your local guide will explain key sites like the Freedom Bridge, 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Imjingak Park, the DMZ Museum, and Dora Observatory. You'll return to Seoul with the afternoon and evening free to do as you please.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) tour with Local Guide
Optional Activities
- Rickshaw ride through the city's popular streets and alleyways
Landmarks Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Freedom Bridge 3rd Infiltration Tunnel Imjingak Park DMZ Museum Dora Observatory - Day 4
Seoul to Gyeongju
Take a high-speed train to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, known as the 'Museum without Walls' for its cultural heritage. Visit Golgulsa Temple and join your small group to learn Sunmudo, a Korean meditative martial art developed by Buddhist monks. You'll study temple etiquette, try archery, and eat vegetarian dinner at the temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Vegetarian dinner at the temple)
Included Activities
- Travel by high-speed train to Gyeongju
- Visit Golgulsa Temple to experience Korean Buddhist monks' lifestyle
- Learn the art of Sunmudo (Korean meditative martial art)
- Learn about temple etiquette
- Archery experience at the temple
- Vegetarian dinner at the temple
Landmarks Golgulsa Temple 
- Day 5
Gyeongju
Spend the day exploring Gyeongju's historic sites starting with Bulguska Temple, which sits on forested hills with ancient wooden pavilions and pagodas. See Seokguram Grotto, one of Asia's finest shrines with a large Buddha statue facing the Sea of Japan. Visit Gyeongju National Museum for Silla dynasty artifacts, then Tumuli Park to see ancient tombs. End with a walk to Woljeong Bridge and Wolji Pond.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Bulguska Temple with ancient wooden pavilions and pagodas
- Visit Seokguram Grotto within Bulguska Temple complex
- Visit Gyeongju National Museum
- Visit Tumuli Park to see Silla period tombs
- Walk to Woljeong Bridge and Wolji Pond
Landmarks Bulguska Temple Seokguram Grotto Gyeongju National Museum Tumuli Park Woljeong Bridge and Wolji Pond - Day 6
Gyeongju to Busan
This morning, visit Yangdong Folk Village, one of Korea's best-preserved historic villages from the Joseon Dynasty, with traditional hanok houses featuring mud walls and thatched roofs. Check out the village shrine and Confucian school, then stroll the village trail. Travel to Busan, Korea's second-largest city with famous beaches and harbor views. Before dinner at a local restaurant, join your Tour Director for a scenic coastal walk on Dongbaekseom Island.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Local restaurant in Busan)
Included Activities
- Visit Yangdong Folk Village
- Visit village shrine and Confucian school at Yangdong Folk Village
- Scenic coastal walk on Dongbaekseom Island
- Dinner at local restaurant in Busan
Landmarks Yangdong Folk Village Dongbaekseom Island 
- Day 7
Busan
Start with a walking tour of Gamcheon, originally a settlement for Korean War refugees that's now filled with galleries and cafes. After that, you'll take a private cooking class for lunch to learn local specialties and taste local rice wine from a chef. Then it's on to Jagalchi fish market, Korea's largest seafood market. Later, ride a cable car across the ocean for views of Songdo Beach and the Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Private cooking class with local chef to learn authentic Korean specialties)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Gamcheon
- Private Korean cooking class with lunch
- Taste local rice wine
- Visit Jagalchi fish market
- Cable-car ride across the ocean
- Experience Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge
Landmarks Gamcheon Jagalchi Fish Market Songdo Beach Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge 
- Day 8
Busan
Start your morning at the UN Memorial Cemetery, a significant site honoring soldiers from the Korean War. Later, join your small group to explore Korea's floral tea culture by tasting different local floral and herbal teas and learning to create your own blend. The rest of the day is yours to spend however you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit UN Memorial Cemetery
- Tea tasting experience with local floral and herbal teas
- Learn to create your own signature tea blend
Landmarks UN Memorial Cemetery - Day 9
Busan to Seoul
Fly back to Seoul and walk through Insadong Arts and Craft Street, a vibrant hub for traditional Korean culture and craftsmanship. Then take a walk along the Seoul City Wall, built over 600 years ago. By evening, your Tour Director will host a farewell dinner celebrating your time discovering Korea.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Flight to Seoul
- Visit Insadong Arts and Craft Street
- Walk along the Seoul City Wall
- Farewell dinner with Tour Director
Landmarks Insadong Arts and Craft Street Seoul City Wall - Day 10
Seoul
After breakfast, your Small Group Discovery tour concludes and you'll head home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
