12 days Fully Inclusive Classic Group Tour
With its complex history, soaring skyscrapers and centuries-old temples, this tour has something for everyone. From bustling cities to stunning countryside and UNESCO world heritage-listed national sites. It is a tour full of contrasts.
Our Scenic South Korea tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.
Explore Seoul, a dynamic and modern city which still has plenty of culture and tradition
Discover the picturesque port city Busan, which is full of character
Explore scenic Mount Seorak National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Spend time in Gyeongju, called 'the museum without walls'
First performed on the Edinburgh Fringe in 1997, the Nanta is a showcase of Korean culture and performance art, presented as a non-verbal show, instead using music and motion and integrating a traditional Korean Samulnori rhythm.
As part of discovering traditional Korean lifestyle at Naganeupseong Fortress Village, you can try your hand at one of Korea's oldest cultural arts – handkerchief dyeing.
Embark on an informative and unusual adventure to the DMZ, the buffer zone between the Koreas. Your visit will include the Bridge of Freedom, DMZ Theatre & Exhibition Hall and the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel.
On arrival in Incheon International airport, Seoul, South Korea's dynamic capital, you will be met by a driver and transfer to your hotel. Please note your driver may not speak much English. This evening you will meet your English-speaking guide and enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Please note: Early check in is not included. If your flight arrives in the morning and you wish to arrange this, please speak to your reservations consultant. Please note: Early check in is not included. If your flight arrives in the morning and you wish to arrange this, please speak to your reservations consultant. Additional night's before and after your tour can be arranged.
Following your welcome meeting at the hotel, begin a full day tour of Seoul by heading to Gyeongbok Palace to watch the 'Changing of the Guards' ceremony, and then visit the Palace itself and the surrounding grounds. Next, attend a Korean cooking class - making traditional Bibimbap and enjoy your own creations for lunch! Also visit the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage registered Jongmyo Royal Shrine and then head to the observation deck of the N Seoul Tower for panoramic views over the city. Due to a change in local traffic laws, you will need to leave the coach and travel by public bus to/from the tower. A total of 5 hours on foot today.
Journey around 4.5 hours by coach and visit a Bamboo Forest called Juknokwon, where you will stroll around parts of the forest for around 1 hour over a mix of flat and uneven terrain. Next, head to Damyang and stroll around Soswaewon Garden, a private garden where the beauty of traditional Korea is preserved. Continue around 1 hour by coach to Gwangju. Passing through the old town of Yangnim-dong, a neighbourhood that transports its visitors back in time almost 100 years. A total of 3 hours on foot today.
Transfer around 1 hour to Boseong and visit a green tea plantation, the best tea producing area in Korea. Take a short walk up to the observation deck to enjoy the full view of the field, this will involve climbing some steps. During your visit you will also get the chance to taste some green tea or green tea ice cream. Continue around 1 hour to Suncheon and visit Seonamsa Temple, famous for it’s beautiful arched stone bridge. The walk from the bus to the temple is around 10-15 minutes on a flat road. Also visit Nakaneupseong Fortress Village where you can observe the indigenous lifestyle of the southern area of Korea and try your hand at traditional handkerchief dyeing. A total of 4 hours on foot today.
Transfer just under 1 hour to Yeosu and take a cable car, enjoying the beautiful ocean scenery and numerous islands of Yeosu. Visit Odongdo Island, where you can stroll around and enjoy the scenery. Continue around 2 and a half hours to Busan, the largest port city in South Korea. A total of 2 hours on foot today. During cherry blossom season only, a visit to Jinhae to enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival is included en route to Busan.
Enjoy a full day tour of Busan, starting with a stroll through the famous Jagalchi Fish Market, one of the largest seafood markets in Asia. Next, visit the observation deck at Busan Tower, followed by browsing the stalls at Kukje Market. After lunch, head to Oryukdo Skywalknand then continue to Dongbaekseom Island and visit the Nurimaru APEC House before strolling along the esplanade of Haeundae Beach, enjoying the ocean views. Later, transfer around 1.5 hours to Gyeongju, the ‘Museum without Walls’, and stay overnight at Bomun Lake, which is famous for its cherry blossom. A total of 5 hours on foot today.
Enjoy a full day tour of Gyeongju starting at the Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, both designated as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. At both places, the terrain is uneven with steps, but there are handrails. After lunch, head to Gyeongju National Museum which preserves much of the Silla heritage. Also visit Tumuli Park, where you will enter the excavated tomb, and stroll along Anapji Pond. A total of 5 hours on foot today.
Today, travel around 4.5 hours by coach to Sokcho. Visit Naksansa Temple complex, boasting a 1,300-year history this is one of the few temples in Korea to overlook the Sea of Japan. Here you will see the 15-metre high Buddha statue standing on a hill, gazing out over the East Sea. The terrain is flat, however there are some steps and slopes also. A total of 2 hours on foot today.
Spend the day in Seorak National Park, considered one of Korea's most beautiful mountains with its granite peaks, lush green valleys, and dense forests. Take a 1,100m-long cable car and then hike up to Gwongeumseong Fortress. Sections of the walk are over a flat walkway, however there are also sections which can be rocky and uneven, but the exceptional views are well worth it! Return to the base by cable car and after lunch, enjoy hike along the valley. The walk is over flat ground, however the last section is over uneven terrain. There will be some free time should you wish to visit the Sinheungsa Temple at your own leisure. A total of 3-4 hours on foot today.
Transfer around 1 hour to Gangneung to board the train back to Seoul. The journey is around 2 hours. After arriving in Seoul, enjoy lunch and then check in to your hotel for some time at leisure. Insadong Alley is situated right next to the hotel and provides the perfect opportunity to browse the local stalls to take some souvenirs back home. When taking the high-speed train, your luggage will be transferred separately and arrive later the same day.
A 5am start is required today as tickets to enter the DMZ are extremely limited and on a first come, first serve basis. Whilst every effort will be made to get the tickets, should this not be possible, then you will instead take a ride on the DMZ gondola and visit the Odusan Unification Observatory. A breakfast box will be provided. You MUST bring your passport. Should you not wish to visit the DMZ, then the day is at leisure on your in Seoul. Today, take an interesting morning tour to the DMZ, a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. Visit the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Dorasan Observatory and the Unification Village. (Should tickets to the 3rd I Infiltration Tunnel not be available then take a ride on the DMZ gondola and visit the Odusan Observatory). After returning to Seoul, stroll through Gwangjang Market before enjoying a farewell dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Any time before your flight is at leisure and breakfast will be included. You will be transferred from your hotel to Incheon International airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Late check-out is not included. Additional night's before and after your tour can be arranged. Transfers: In the event that your flight departs outside of the majority group departure time, you will be transferred to the airport by a shared coach (not with other Wendy Wu Tours passengers). If you are on a shared coach transfer, you may have to walk for a few minutes to get to the coach.
We have a selection of dedicated departures for solo travellers. These departures feature a maximum group size of 18 and a single room throughout your tour.
A generous and open-minded tour guide, this is how my travellers would describe me. Whilst in South Korea, you will explore Korea’s iconic sights, less known sites and authentic and exciting cultural experience.
Sue was so knowledgeable and courteous. I have travelled with Wendy Wu before and the experience was unparalleled.
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