Seoul, Unesco Sites, Mountains and Jeju Island Tour

South Korea is a dream destination for the adventure traveler with mountains, rivers and ocean that surround you and create the perfect backdrop for an adventure seekers. With the people being so engaging, welcoming and safe you’ll wonder why this isn’t the hottest and most popular destination in Asia. You’ll find a place that also benefits from of a fully industrialized, high-tech society which then is balanced alongside a devotion for culture, tradition and the ways of old Asia. Nowadays it’s almost impossible for countries to maintain their traditions because of globalization and westernization but Korea still manages to do so. However like most it is only a matter of time before they’ll lose their traditions and culture. We suggest you book a trip as soon as possible to see this incredible country now before it changes.

There are century old palaces and temples like Seoul’s legendary Changdeokgung and Bulguksa that recollect in stunning beautiful detail Korea’s imperial past. Charming rooftops plunge downward, blanketed with intricately-painted floral patterns in vibrant reds and greens. Traditional Korean dance and music can be seen and heard in South Korea, from cosmopolitan Seoul to the smallest rural villages.

The Land of the Morning Calm is where visitors of all faiths can rejuvenate their minds, bodies and spirits at Buddhist Temples throughout the country. Housed by saffron-robed monks and set in peaceful, wilderness surroundings across South Korea, the century old temples welcome and encourage visitors for a restful weekend: Early-morning prayers, vegetarian meals and quiet nature walks await those that decide to do a temple stay. If a temple stay isn’t enough or even your cup of tea. Then spend an afternoon at a traditional Korean Jjimjilbang (bathhouse) Soaking away your stresses with a hot sauna, different pools and tubs of varying temperatures with jasmine or other fragrances that help your body relax. Mud baths or a traditional massage are also part of this experience.

If all this sounds a little too relaxing for your traveling tastes, rest assured Korea also knows how to rock. There are lively festivals scattered throughout the country and numerous events which means there’s always a celebration of some sort to attend. South Korean markets are always an adventure as they are amazing bustling centers of an array of vendors in a bunch of different settings. You haven’t touch the surface or truly experienced the country of South Korea until you’ve made your way through the crowds of people and haggled a local vendor successfully to convince them to drop the price on an article.
If you only went to Korea to experience the food then your tastebuds will be tingling and amazed at the discovery of Asia’s least celebrated, but most delicious cuisines. Park yourself onto floor cushions to indulge on traditional bulgogi. It refers to thin savoury marinated meat, crisp vegetables that are cooked using traditional grilling techniques right in the centre of your table. Piping hot stone bowls are used to prepare bibimbap which consist of beef, rice, vegetables (usually thinly sliced cucumber, zucchini, carrots, bean sprouts) and topped an egg. Whatever meal you’re enjoying always expect a spicy dish of kimchi on the side. Traditional tranquil teahouses in Seoul are great spots to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Here’s a fantastic video of some of the incredible world heritage sites and culture that awaits you in Korea. Thanks to our friends at Korea be !nspired

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul
Free day- Go for dinner and see a show at Korea House or dinner with a view at Top Cloud restaurant. If you get a chance, soak in a sauna or bath at your hotel or at one of Seoul’s many bathhouses.

Day 2 : Explore Seoul
Tour Changdeokgung . Then take a walk around the city’s cultural street, Insadong, where you may want to stop for a cup of Korean tea at traditional tea house. Then, squeeze your way between crowded stalls at Namdaemun Market. Enjoy a quiet dinner or, if you want a livelier night out, take a dinner cruise on the Han River. If you can’t sleep, head for late-night (or early-morning) shopping action at Dongdaemun Market.

Day 3: Take a Tour of the DMZ
Take an organized tour to Panmunjeom, also known as the Demilitarized Zone. If you’re not too exhausted upon your return, head to the top of Namsan and the Seoul Tower to admire the view of the city lights.

Day 4: Seoul to Mt. Seoraksan
Today we journey to Mt. Seoraksan National Park, this northern stretch of Korea’s eastern coast, which is rugged and mountainous with breathtaking scenery makes it the “Alps of Asia”. Explore Mt. Seoraksan National Park with visits to Sinheungsa Temple-established in 653 A.D., claims to be the country’s oldest Zen Buddhist temple, and it would be the oldest existing Zen temple in the world.

Day 5: Mt. Seoraksan to Gyeongju
Today, travel to Gyeongju-where this was the capital of the Silla Dynasty from 57 B.C. to 935 A.D. and designated by UNESCO as one of the world’s ten most historically significant sites with numerous relics of that era, and is called the “Museum Without Walls”-along the crystal east coast. Visit Gyeongju National Museum, which has the best collection of Silla Dynasty artifacts with more than 100,000 pieces.

Day 6: Gyeongju to Haeinsa Temple
A morning tour of Gyeongju includes Bulguksa Temple-originally constructed in 535 A.D., the most frequented and best-known temple in Korea, was added to the UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List in 1995. Bunhwangsa Pagoda-erected in 634, is considered, with Cheomseongdae, one of the country’s two oldest stone structures, and the pagoda was originally 9 stories high, only 3 remain today. Anapji Pond-constructed in 674 A.D. as a pleasure garden to commemorate the unification of the peninsula by the Silla forces, used the recreational area for the Silla royal family and banquet garden to entertain royal guests. Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory-built in 634 A.D., is considered the world’s earliest known existing observatory and admired by archaeologists worldwide and Royal Tumuli Park-a collection of royal Silla tombs located in the middle of Gyeongju with 20 tombs, of which Cheonmachong (Flying Horse Tomb) is the most famous with its excavation which yielded more than 10,000 treasure-artifacts. In the afternoon drive to Haeinsa Temple. Overnight at the temple (Temple stay)

Day 7: Haeinsa Temple to Busan
This morning drive to Busan. Tour of Beomeosa Temple which is located at the edge of a famous Geumjeongsan mountain in Busan. Visit Mt. Geumjeongsan Fortress which is located on the peak of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5m). Evening in Gwangan Beach. Walking along the boardwalk in Gwangan next to the ocean taking in the fantastic views of the Great Bridge of Busan which is 7.4 km long as well enjoying all the cafes and bars and busy night street.

Day 8: Busan
A morning tour of Busan includes Yongdusan Park, which provides a pleasant touch of greenery on a hill in the heart of the city and a very popular public park with Busan Tower. Busan Tower- Yongdusan Park crowned with the tower, 120-m-high tower observatory dominates the most of the area of the city, and the sea and harbor views spreading below the tower are spectacular and Jagalchi Fish Market – Busan’s most active fish-dealers’ cooperative, the colorful spectacle is also a great attraction for tourists and camera buffs. Drive to Tongyeong Harbor and take a sightseeing boat to the Hallyeo Maritime National Park – stretches across 400 islands along the southern coast.

Day 9- Free day in Busan (Optional Volunteer Day at an orphanage)

Days 10 & 11: Korea’s Volcanic Island
Catch a morning flight to Jeju-do. Take a bus to your hotel and check in before heading over to the Jungmun Resort Complex. Explore the area, including the Yeomiji Botanical Garden, Jusangjeolli Cliffs, and the Teddy Bear Museum. Visit the Jeju Folk Village, check out Manjang Cave, and either enjoy the scenery around Seongsan Ilchulbong or hike part of South Korea’s highest peak, Mt. Hallasan. Overnight at Samhaein hotel or similar in Jeju

Day 12: Enjoy breakfast and the morning before our flight back to Seoul. Half day Korean Cooking class or a day to relax and explore. Farewell dinner with everyone Overnight at Hyundai residence or similar in Seoul

Day 13: Tour ends and we transport you to the airport for your international flights