Korea Trip

2–14 Apr 2023 (13-days) South Korea (Seoul Sokcho, Gangneung Andong Gyeonju & Busan)
Extenion option to Jeju Island (14-17 Apr)

Trip Cost per person Rm4500 (12-14pax), Rm4300 (>14pax) EXCLUDE FLIGHT & JEJU EXTENSION
Based on KRW1,000=RM3.50800 (7Jan 23) Final adjustments to be made based on exchange rate in Mar2023

Flight Details - DO NOT PURCHASE YOUR AIR ASIA TICKET UNTIL WE INFORM YOU.
2 Apr SUN KUL ICN 2300 0630+1 lands 3 Apr MON
14 Apr FRI PUS KUL 1120 1640 lands 14 Apr FRI
Fare check as at 7 Feb 2023 Rm1450 (carry on 7kg ONLY, no checked baggage)

WE WILL RUN THIS TRIP EVEN WITH SMALL GROUP SIZE (6 PAX) BECAUSE LEADER LIVES IN SEOUL.
IF YOU PREFER OTHER DATES PLEASE WRITE TO US.

Update 18 Feb 2023 - Trip is FULL. Please register interest for next trip autumn Oct/Nov.
Update 15 Jan 2023 – This is semi-backpacking trip using local buses, trains and subways, packing light and small bag ease your traveling experience. Tour leader will meet group at Incheon airport Seoul and send off to Busan Airport the last day. Please WhatsApp CF Wong +82 (10) 57113989 or Yeow Lim +6016-2093360. We can offer a JEJU ISLAND extension for those interested. Please check with Wong re the Jeju trip cost, which will depend on the numbers going.

IMPORTANT NOTICE. This is meant to be a "free and easy" budget trip. Participants should be relatively fit, with a good sense of humour, and above all, have the right attitude for close travel with others through possibly some trying times. Most definitely, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners, fuss-pots, and other similiarly assorted types! 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!

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. Contact us if interested.

South Korea is the place to travel if one desires modern facilities and comfort while loving both nature and cultural experiences. This trip is thoughtfully tailored to cover in and around Seoul (4 days), the modern, vibrant city with futuristic touch and the latest trendsetting city in lifestyles and technology. Savouring East Coast fishing town of Sockho to famous Soreaksan National Park and “city of coffee” i.e. Gangneung. The hightlights include the SEA-TRAIN running along the coast facing Sea of Japan and a stay in UNESCO heritage site of Hahoe Folk Village.

Gyeongbokgung Changing Guards & in Spring

Day 1 KLIA2. Meet KLIA2 by 8 PM for AA flight to Seoul departing 11 PM on 2 APR 2023 SUNDAY..
Day 2 SEOUL GWANGWAMUN SQUARE. Arrived incheon airport 630AM SUNDAY, make our way to downtown Seoul and leave luggages. We do the rest of the day sightseeing on foot within the vicinity of 600-year history Gwanghwamun Square, including Cheongyecheon stream, Bukcheon Village and Insadong Street, the premier place for antiques, arts and crafts. And not to be missed Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest & largest in Korea, to taste some local most popular traditional foods. ON Seoul. ON (Overnight) Seoul
Day 3 SEOUL LANDMARKS. We visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Gyeongbokgung Palace & Changing of Guards Ceremony and the National Folk Musuem. Then, we visit the renown 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 selling various affordable goods from personal items, indoors and outdoors items. Shopping continues to nearby trendy Myeongdong shopping district, and upmarket Hyundai Duty Free Departmental Store. ON Seoul.
Day 4 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 nighclubs 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, to experience Gangnam-style neigbourhood. And follow by Lotte World Tower-Mall, with 123 floors and 555 meters in height, it's the tallest in Korea and world's 5th tallest building. On the way back to hotel, we visit Seoul's biggest seafood market - Noryangjin Fishery Market. ON Seoul.
Day 5 SUWON FORTRESS & KOREAN FOLK VILLAGE. We have a full day-trip by Subway to Suwon, located 31km south of Seoul, to visit the UNESCO-listed 18th century Hwaseong Fortress and the Korean Folk Village. The Village is a 250 acres of tasteful reconstruction of 260 traditional houses from Joseon Dynasty (1392 to 1897). There are scheduled shows including a farmer's dance to the sound of gongs and drums, acrobatics and tight rope dance. There are also very good eateries served in traditional village environment. ON Seoul.

Suwon Korean Folk Village / Andong Hahoe Folk Village

Day 6 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). This pleasant fishing town is well known for its raw-fish eateries. We take leaisure walk to local market and rest early tonite. ON Sokcho.
Day 7 SOREAKSAN NATION PARK. Wedepart early morning by local bus to Soreaksan National Park, the most popular National Park in Korea. There are various ways to explore the place for half day. One can cable car up to Gwongeumseong for amazing views of the park. The Sinheungsa Temple and surrounding area 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. After lunch, we re-group and bus 1.5 hour to the Gangneung City. Gangneung is well-recognized as the "city of coffee" with its popular Coffee Street along the coast. ON Gangneung.
Day 8 SEA-TRAIN & EAST SEA (SEA OF JAPAN). Early morning 1hr SeaTrain ride for about 50km to Donghae. This SeaTrain running along the beautiful East Coast, every seat is tailored to face the ocean and windows are larger than those of regular trains for visitors to overlook the majestic waves, elegant beaches, and the emerald-blue ocean. In Donghae, after some refreshment, we catch an intercity train to Andong city. Andong is known as a centre of culture and folk traditions. West of the city, UNESCO World Heritage Site Hahoe Folk Village has tile-roffed centuries old buildings and homes, and been visited by late Queen Elizabeth and President George Bush. We will stay a nite in the traditional house (hanok) inside the UNESCO Village itself. ON Hahoe Folk Village, Andong.
Day 9 UNESCO ANDONG HAHOE FOLK VILLAGE.Morning after breakfast, free & easy explore the village on foot. The living working village is surrounded by Nakdonggang River, and it preserves Joseon-style architecture (1392 to 1897). Nearby Buyongdae Cliff offers nice spot for taking pictures. After check-out, we bus to Andong city for a late lunch, and later to board another train heading further south to Gyeongju City. The journey takes about 2 hour. ON Gyeongju.

Busan Coastal Walk / Colourful Gamcheon Village

Day 10 UNESCO GYEONGJU CITY. Gyeongju, an ancient capital of Silla Kingdom (57BC to 935AD), is described as an open museum because of it's many tombs and UNESCO listed historical places. After breakfast, we will have full day explore of this historical city starts with 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. After Gyeongju National Museum, we break for lunch before visitng UNESCO-listed Seoguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple. If time allows, to visit Daldongnae, a previously slum village during Korean War (1950's) but now turned into a historical theme park to remember the old times and hard life of Korean people. ON Gjeongju.
Day 11 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 12 BUSAN COASTAL WALKS & SHOPPING. After breakfast, we enjoy the natural beauty of Busan begins with coastal walk in Igidae Park, and the scenic view of Oryukdo Islets and Skywalk. Visitors will be thrilled with the view of the waves while looking down through the transparent floor. Afternoon is free & easy time, and It's last chance to clear your shopping list before head home tomorrow. Indeed it's a perfect area to shop and eat includes Gukje Market (International Market), Bupyeong Kkangtong Night Market and Lotte Department Store. Other nearby attractions include Yeongdo Bridge, the iconic bascule bridge in Busan, which will lift at 2pm to allow ships to pass between ports. Busan Tower is a symbol of Busan that at height of 120m, its observation deck offers city and sea view. The best visit hour recommended is late afternoon (5pm+) before sunset when you can view Busan at day light and sit around until it gets dark for night scenery. Alternatively, for theater lovers, simply watch NANTA, an award-winning nonverbal action-comedy live performance. ON Busan.
Day 13 BUSAN KUL. Transfer to Busan Gimhae airport for flight homE DEPART 14 APR FRI 1120AM landing KUL 1640PM.

NOTE: FOR THOSE WHO SIGNED UP FOR JEJU EXTENSION TRIP - DOMESTIC FLGITH TO JEJU FROM BUSAN.
Cost per pax Rm1800 for group 8 pax including Yongo Leader includes 1 domestic flgiht BUSAN JEJU.

Day 1 BUSAN JEJU FLIGHT. Fly Busan Jeju on 14 Apr 2023 FRI. Afternoon flight arrives Jeju Airport. 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 city old urban area and it's Dongmun traditional market. On the way back to hotel, we drive along 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 O'sulloc's Seogwang Tea Garden - Korea's largest tea producer and the popular Trick Eye Museum or fun at Tangerin 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 Iichulbong, a tuff cone crater rose 90m from under the sea in a volcanic eruption over 100,000 years ago. "Iichulbong" 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. After breakfast, time permitting, we visit the lovely Loveland, an outdoor theme sculpture park based on sensuality and eroticism. The spacious park is home to over 140 sculptures (40 within gallery and 100 outdoor). It's an attractive place where art and eroticism meet in cool, fun and humorous styles. We fly home on 17 APR MON.

Jeju's Hallasan & Seongsan Ilchubong

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Trip Cost cover accommodation, transportation to sites mentioned in itinerary.
Accommodations will be in budget to mid-range hotels, local homestays and guesthouses on twin share basis.
Not covered are Flight cost Rm1500 (estimates) and Meals KRW40,000 per day (Rm140 x 11d=Rm1540 estimate), Entrance Fees Rm300 (estimate), optional activities.
Cost is subject to change depending on fluctuations in exchange rates.
Non-refundable deposit of Rm2000 is payable to secure your booking on first-come basis.
Participants are responsible to purchase TRAVEL INSURANCE prior to departure, and be adequately insured.

Contact Wong Chun Fook mobile +82 (10) 57113989 cfwong7@gmail.com
Contact Yeow Lim 016 209 3360 tanyeowlim@gmail.com