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14 - 26 OCT 2024 (13D10N) South Korea Autumn (Seoul, Sokcho, Andong, Gyeongju & Busan)
Cost Rm4700 per pax (15-18 pax), Rm4900 (10-14 pax) EXCLUDE FLIGHT & JEJU EXTENSION
JEJU Extension 4D3N Rm1800 EXCLUDE domestic flight Busan to Jeju
Based on KRW1000 = Rm3.61 (Oanda 04Dec23) Final adjustment on trip cost is based on exchange rate at time of final collection.

AIR ASIA X
14 OCT 2024 MON KUL (KLIA2) to ICN (Seoul) 2220 0610+1
26 OCT 2024 SAT ICN (Seoul) to KUL (KLIA2) 0025 0555
Rm1408 WITHOUT check-in banggage both ways. Fare check 18Dec23 PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE FLIGHT TICKET UNTIL WE ADVICE.

UPDATE 18 DEC 2023
This is a semi-backpacking trip that we will use public transport i.e. trains, subways, buses and taxis to move about. Cost of private transport is prohibitive and one also has to content with bad traffic jams. Therefore it's essential that participants pack light and preferably use backpacks or small trolley bag (20-22"). This is most definitely not the “touch-n-go” Korea 4-8 days tours. Its for people who like to travel like locals, taking local transportations and stay in local accommodations. Tour leader is living in Korea for over 20 years. His in-depth knowledge of cities and country-side made this itinerary uncommon and travel experience unparalleled. OPTION for JEJU extension 4D3N min 4pax. WhatsApp WONG CF+82 10 5711 3989 or TAN YEOW LIM +60 16 209 3360.

Autumn in South Korea, with its mild temperatures and gentle breezes, is a perfect time to travel. There are plenty of spots to enjoy the beauty of autumn with its surrounding foliage burst with magical colours of red, orange, yellow and more. This itinerary takes you in and around Seoul (4 days), then guides you to venture out into the countryside to taste the stunning beauty of South Korea’s autumn. Savouring East Coast fishing town of Sockho to famous Soreaksan National Park. The hightlights include a stay in UNESCO heritage site of Hahoe Folk Village, and tour of Gyeongju, another UNESCO ancient city. Before fly home, Busan is the perfect place to shop in addition to its beautiful natural coastline.

IMPORTANT NOTICE This is meant to be a "free and easy" adventure trip. Participants should be relatively fit, with a good sense of humour, and above all, have the de for close travel with others through possibly some trying times. Most definitely, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners, fuss-pots, and other similarly assorted types! We had a couple of those before and it wasn't pleasant for us or them. Although every effort will be made to stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and cause some disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have fun.

 

Day 1 KLIA-2 Meet at KLIA2 at 730PM MONDAY 14 OCT 2024 for AIR ASIA flight direct to Seoul departing at 1020PM. Flight time 6h50

Day 2 SEOUL LANDMARKS Arrived Seoul airport 610AM 15 OCT 2024 (Tuesday). Local guide will meet group at airport and travel by train/bus to hotel in downtown Seoul. Once settled luggages at hotel, we visit main attractions within the vicinity of 600-year history Gwanghwamun Square, the epic centre of Seoul Metropolitan City. First stop, Gyeongbokgung Palace & Changing of Guards Ceremony and National Folk Museum. Then the square itself and follows by Cheongyecheon stream and Bukcheon Village. ON (Overnight) Seoul

Day 3 SEOUL GANGNAM STYLE Gangnam literally means 'South of the river', and this district in Seoul that lies along the south banks of the Han River (or Hangang in Korean). This is an upscale modern area home to gleaming skyscrappers, designer brands and stylish nightclubs and as popular depicted in PSY's hit song 'Gangnam Style'. It's also home to country's top plastic surgery clinics and K-Pop entertainment companies. We visit the COEX Mall (largest underground shopping mall in Asia) in Gangnam, then the tallest in Korea and world's 5th tallest building, Lotte World Tower-Mall, and Seokchon Lake cherry blossom trees. On the way back to hotel, we may have dinner at Ikseondong, Seoul's hipster maze-like streeets of restaurants, cafes and handicraft shops. ON Seoul.

 

Day 4 SEOUL TOWER & LOCAL MARKETS Before visitng the Tower, we have brunch at Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest & largest in Korea, to taste some local most popular traditional food. Seoul Tower, aka Namsan Tower, it is a communication and observation tower located on Namsan Mountain in central Seoul. At 236m, it marks the highest point in Seoul. Then, we move to Namdaemun "Great Southern Gate", it has the large traditional market offers authentic local foods, and selling various affordable goods from personal items, indoors and outdoors items. After lunch, we move to nearby trendy Myeongdong shopping district, and upmarket Hyundai Duty Free Departmental Store. ON Seoul.

  

Day 5 SOKCHO (EAST COAST) Morning is Free & Easy, then we check-out and re-group before noon to bus 2.5 hours to Sokcho, which is a coastal town by the East Sea (or Sea of Japan) and gateway to nearby Seoraksan National Park. This pleasant fishing town is well known for its raw-fish eateries. We take leaisure walk around the nearby lake, dinner at local joint, pack some food and rest rest early for tomorrow mini hike. ON Sokcho.

Day 6 SOREAKSAN NATIONAL PARK We take local bus to Soreaksan National Park, the most popular National Park in Korea. There are various ways to explore the place. One can cable car up to Gwongeumseong for amazing views of the park. The Sinheungsa Temple and surrounding area along the stream just nice to wander for its nature. Others can trek to Heundelbawi (Tottering Rock) and for fitter ones, proceed on to Ulsanbawi, which are the huge stone mountains, accessible via long and steep metal stairways. Later afternoon, it's free and easy activities around hotel e.g. to explore the north part of the city where the Lighthouse Observator is located. Stroll along the beach, shop at nearby stores and hypermarket, or simply rest after the morning's climbs. ON Sokcho

 

Day 7 UNESCO ANDONG HAHOE FOLK VILLAGE Today we will travel to Andong cit via Wongju or Donghae by express bus and train. From Andong, we take a local bus westward to UNESCO world heritage site Hahoe Folk Village. The village has tile-roofed centuries old buildings and homes. It has been visited by tourists included Queen Elizabeth and President George Bush. We will stay a night in the traditional house (hanok) inside the UNESCO village itself. ON Hahoe Folk Village, Andong.

Day 8 UNESCO GYEONGJU CITY We take a tour around the village in the morning. The living working village is surrounded by Nakdonggang River, and it preserves Joseon-style architecture (1392 to 1897). After check-out, we bus to Andong city for lunch, and later board another train heading further south to Gyeongju City. The journey takes about 2 hours. Gyeongju, and ancient captial of Silla Kingdom (57BC to 935AD), is described as an open museum because of its many tombs and UNESCO listed historical placces. ON Gyeongju.

 

Day 9 UNESCO GYEONGJU CITY We visit Tombs of Silla Kings in Royal Tumuli Park - the Daereungwon Tomb Complex and Cheomseongdae, an ancient astronomical observatory. Cheomseongdae (built 647 AD) means star-gazing tower and is the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia. Then we hop into local buses to visit Gyeongju National Museum, to learn more about the city's ancient past, and follow by UNESCO listed Bulguksa Temple. ON Gjeongju.

 

Day 10 BUSAN FISH MARKET & GAMCHEON VILLAGE Early morning 1 hour bus to Busan city, and further 40mins of subway to our Hotel in Nampo area, which is the central commercial and shopping area in Busan. Once settled our luggage at hotel, we visit the Fish Market of Jagalchi (Korea's largest seafood market) and sample some typical local lunch nearby. With short bus ride, our next stop is Gamcheon Culture Village. The area is known for its steep streets, twisting alleys, and brightly painted houses, which have been restored and enhanced in recent years to attract tourism. On the way back to hotel, we visit BIFF square - a "Star Street" dedicated to film, related to the world-famous Busan International Film Festival. And spot the hand printings (cemented on the street) of famous movie celebrities include Zhang Yimou, Oliver Stone and Kitano Takeshi. ON Busan.

 

Day 11 BUSAN HAEUNDAE After breakfast, we subway to Haeundae, the area is the location of one of the most popular beaches in Korea. Here, you can take the Sky Casule, some colourful mini trains slow ride along a coastal rail, or some may prefer to stroll along a walkway right next to the train to enjoy the view. Later, we move to area Gwangalli Beach before the Diamond Bridge, for its popular cherry blossom street nearby. Adjacent are alleys with restaurants and ocean views coffee shops. ON Busan.

Day 12 SONGDO SKYWALK & KTX Morning to Songdo area where one cn enjoy the Cable Car ride over the ocean, or simply stroll along the Skywalk, i.e. features sections with a clear glass floor that create the feeling of walking on top of the ocean. Afternoon is free and easy to shop and explore other attractions nearyby before re-group to train back to Seoul to fly home. The area is perfect place to shop and eat includes Gukje Market (International Market), Bupyeong Kkangtong Market and sea view. Afternoon KTX (Korea Train eXpress or Korea's High Speed Rail) and Airport trains transfer to Seoul Incheon airport past mid night flight home. ON Plane.

Day 13 HOME KUL Air Asia direct flight departs 0025AM on 26 OCT 2024 SAT, landing Kuala Lumpur 0555AM. Flight time 6h30 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Trip Cost cover accommo|dation, transportation to sites mentioned in itinerary.
2. Accommodations will be in budget to mid-range hotels, local homestays and guesthouses on twin share except Hanok Folk Village, multi-share.
3. Not covered are Flight cost Rm1500 (estimates) and Meals KRW40,000 per day (Rm140 x 11d=Rm1540 estimate), Entrance Fees Rm350 (estimate) and optional activities.
4. Cost is subject to change depending on fluctuations in exchange rate.
5. Non-refundable deposit of Rm2000 (main trip) is payable to secure your booking on first-come basis. Additional deposit for Jeju extension is Rm800.
6. Participants are responsible to purchase TRAVEL INSURANCE prior to departure, and be adequately insured.

JEJU EXTENSION (Post-Trip)
Cost per pax Rm1800 (minimum 4pax) EXCLUDES one-way domestic flight from Busan to Jeju.
Flight details to be advised.

Day 1 NORTHERN JEJU.  Fly Busan Jeju. As soon as we pick-up our rental private vehicle, which will be our mode of transport in Jeju. We first check-in hotel and then explore the northern coastal road for some scenic photo spots. ON Jeju.

Day 2 SOUTHERN JEJU. After breakfast, we drive straight to Yongmeori Coast at the southern Jeju. The UNESCO-listed Yongmeori (means Dragon Head) is a rough and dramatic coastline shaped from volcano lava eruptions. Walking along the spectacular rock formations is an eye-catching experience. Before lunch, we may have a mini Olle Trail experience, i.e. walking trails pass through landscapes, small villages, farms, and coastline; Later, we visit the world’s largest optical art museum - Alive Museum, or fun at Fruit Picking (subject to seasonal factor) before head back to Hotel. ON Jeju.

Day 3 EASTERN JEJU. Today, we explore the eastern-end of Jeju begin with UNESCO's site Manjanggul Cave, which is one of the finest lava tunnels in the world. Only 1km of the 13,422m Manjanggul Cave is open to tourists with comfortable temperature of 11~21℃ all year-round. We then climb another UNESCO World Heritage's site Seogsan Ilchulbong, a tuff cone crater rose 90m from under the sea in a volcanic eruption over 100,000 years ago. "Ilchulbong" means Sunrise. Later, we visit Seopjikoji - a popular site for Korean Drama "All-in" overlooking East China Sea from the cliff. On the way back to hotel, we make a brief stop at Seonggeup Folk Village - which is a small town with traditional houses hold unique local culture of the black lava rock walls. ON Jeju.

Day 4 JEJU KUL Morning transfer to Jeju airport for flight home,