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Scenic South Korea

12 days Fully Inclusive Classic Group Tour

Scenic South Korea

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.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 11 , Lunches: 10 , Dinners: 11
  • Accommodation
    11 nights in 3+ star accommodation
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 28
  • Physical Rating 2
    A reasonable level of fitness is required, as you'll be spending time on your feet and doing a bit of walking to cover short distances during your daily sightseeing. There will also be some climbing of steps and climbing on and off of coaches and boats.
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    Walking, some steps and extended time on your feet.
Classic Group Tour
12 DAYS
From USD $7,379PP
Seoul - Damyang - Gwangju - Boseong - Suncheon - Yeosu - Busan - Gyeongju - Mt Seorak - Gagneung - Seoul
22 Reviews
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Tour Highlights

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.

Day by Day Itinerary

Seoul (2N) - Damyang - Gwangju (1N) - Boseong - Suncheon (1N) - Yeosu - Busan (1N) - Gyeongju (2N) - Mt Seorak (2N) - Gagneung - Seoul (2N)
  • Day 1
    Arrive Seoul
    Dinner
    Day 1: Arrive Seoul

    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.

    Dinner
  • Day 2
    Explore Seoul
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 2: Explore Seoul

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 3
    Visit Soswaewon Garden
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 3: Visit Soswaewon Garden

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4
    Explore Seonamsa Temple
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 4: Explore Seonamsa Temple

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 5
    Travel To Busan
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 5: Travel To Busan

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6
    Discover Busan
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 6: Discover 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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 7
    Explore Gyeongju
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 7: Explore Gyeongju

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 8
    Visit Naksana Temple
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 8: Visit Naksana Temple

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 9
    Explore Mount Seorak
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 9: Explore Mount Seorak

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10
    Return To Seoul
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 10: Return To Seoul

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 11
    Visit The DMZ
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 11: Visit The DMZ

    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.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 12
    Depart Seoul
    Breakfast
    Day 12 : Depart Seoul

    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.

    Breakfast
Scenic South Korea map

Trip Notes

Accommodation

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

Book With Confidence

When to go

City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Busan
  • -1
    8
    4
  • 34
  • Gwangju
  • -3
    5
    1
  • 37
  • Gyeongju
  • -3
    6
    1
  • 34
  • Seoul
  • -6
    2
    -2
  • 21
  • Suncheon
  • -5
    6
    0
  • 32
  • Yeosu
  • -1
    6
    3
  • 25
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Busan
  • 1
    10
    5
  • 50
  • Gwangju
  • -2
    8
    3
  • 48
  • Gyeongju
  • -2
    7
    3
  • 45
  • Seoul
  • -3
    5
    1
  • 25
  • Suncheon
  • -4
    8
    2
  • 46
  • Yeosu
  • 1
    8
    4
  • 41
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Busan
  • 5
    13
    9
  • 81
  • Gwangju
  • 2
    13
    8
  • 61
  • Gyeongju
  • 2
    12
    7
  • 64
  • Seoul
  • 2
    10
    6
  • 47
  • Suncheon
  • 0
    14
    7
  • 66
  • Yeosu
  • 4
    12
    8
  • 76
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Busan
  • 10
    18
    14
  • 133
  • Gwangju
  • 8
    20
    14
  • 81
  • Gyeongju
  • 8
    18
    13
  • 83
  • Seoul
  • 8
    18
    13
  • 64
  • Suncheon
  • 5
    20
    13
  • 92
  • Yeosu
  • 10
    17
    14
  • 117
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Busan
  • 14
    22
    18
  • 157
  • Gwangju
  • 13
    24
    19
  • 97
  • Gyeongju
  • 13
    23
    18
  • 72
  • Seoul
  • 13
    23
    18
  • 106
  • Suncheon
  • 11
    24
    18
  • 115
  • Yeosu
  • 14
    21
    18
  • 146
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Busan
  • 18
    24
    21
  • 207
  • Gwangju
  • 18
    28
    23
  • 182
  • Gyeongju
  • 17
    25
    21
  • 129
  • Seoul
  • 18
    27
    23
  • 133
  • Suncheon
  • 16
    28
    22
  • 211
  • Yeosu
  • 18
    24
    21
  • 214
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Busan
  • 22
    27
    25
  • 317
  • Gwangju
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 309
  • Gyeongju
  • 21
    29
    25
  • 195
  • Seoul
  • 22
    29
    25
  • 395
  • Suncheon
  • 21
    30
    26
  • 337
  • Yeosu
  • 22
    27
    25
  • 292
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Busan
  • 23
    29
    26
  • 255
  • Gwangju
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 298
  • Gyeongju
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 173
  • Seoul
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 364
  • Suncheon
  • 21
    31
    26
  • 327
  • Yeosu
  • 23
    29
    26
  • 263
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Busan
  • 20
    26
    23
  • 158
  • Gwangju
  • 18
    27
    22
  • 150
  • Gyeongju
  • 17
    25
    21
  • 155
  • Seoul
  • 17
    26
    22
  • 169
  • Suncheon
  • 16
    27
    22
  • 180
  • Yeosu
  • 20
    26
    23
  • 157
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Busan
  • 14
    22
    18
  • 58
  • Gwangju
  • 11
    22
    16
  • 47
  • Gyeongju
  • 11
    21
    16
  • 63
  • Seoul
  • 10
    20
    15
  • 52
  • Suncheon
  • 8
    22
    15
  • 51
  • Yeosu
  • 14
    21
    18
  • 48
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Busan
  • 8
    16
    12
  • 46
  • Gwangju
  • 4
    15
    10
  • 49
  • Gyeongju
  • 5
    15
    10
  • 52
  • Seoul
  • 3
    12
    7
  • 52
  • Suncheon
  • 2
    15
    8
  • 48
  • Yeosu
  • 8
    15
    11
  • 42
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Busan
  • 2
    10
    6
  • 23
  • Gwangju
  • -1
    8
    4
  • 34
  • Gyeongju
  • -1
    9
    4
  • 26
  • Seoul
  • -3
    4
    1
  • 22
  • Suncheon
  • -4
    8
    2
  • 26
  • Yeosu
  • 2
    9
    5
  • 19

Pricing & Availability

2024
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Departure: All
  • Departure: All
1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 1 Guest
    Arrival Date
    Return Date
    Price
    Availability

    Additional Price Information

    • Land only: This tour price is based on land itinerary only. No international flights are included.
    • Visa: A visa may be required and is not included in the tour price. Please check entry requirements with your nearest Consulate.
    • Tipping kitty: Customary tipping amount of approximately US$50 per person is paid locally in South Korea.
    • Transfers: Airport transfers are included when arriving on the first day and departing on that last day of the tour, or when booking the group tour additional nights’ accommodation through Wendy Wu Tours.
    • Early check-in and late check-out are not included but can be arranged at an additional price.
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Group Tour includes

    • Meals as stated (refer to itinerary)
    • Domestic transportation
    • Touring with English-speaking guides & entrance fees
    • All accommodation

    Important Information For Your Tour

    Before Booking
    Travel Protection, Booking Conditions
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