Day 1

Morning & Afternoon Itinerary

• Arrive at the Incheon International Airport (ICN) at 2:00 p.m., where our team members will meet you.  
• You’ll be guided to public transportation that will take you to your accommodation in Seoul.
• After settling into your hotel, meet with your group as your Trip Leader lays out the plan for the exciting week ahead.

Evening

• Join your Trip Leader on an orientation walk around the local neighborhoods as you go to the dinner venue.
• Enjoy your first meal in South Korea with crispy Korean Fried Chicken at the local restaurant. It’s a great chance to get to know other like-minded travelers on your trip.
• Afterward, visit a street food stall to experience your first taste of Korean desserts.
• Return to your accommodations and rest for more exciting adventures the following day.

Day 2

Morning

• Morning visit to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). 
• Go up to the top of the Dora Observatory, where you can see North Korea in the distance if the weather is clear.
• Then, experience the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, an invasion route built beneath the border. Here, you can walk the same route the soldiers walked to launch surprise attacks.
• During your visit, you will also see the Freedom Train, which carried people from North Korea to South Korea during the Korean War.

Afternoon

• Lunch will be included at DMZ as part of the experience.
• Visit the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village, a residential area with many restored traditional Korean houses called Hanok.
• Then, you will explore Gyeongbokgung Palace, the official palace of the Joseon dynasty that dates back to 1395. 
• Return to the hotel for some relaxation to freshen up before heading out for dinner or any of the optional activities you like.

Evening

• Dinner is not included tonight, but your Trip Leader will recommend where to eat and what interesting districts to explore.
• If the season permits, you can attend a Korean baseball game. Other activities include watching fireworks at Lotte Seoul World, visiting the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, or booking a spa treatment.

Day 3

Morning

• Travel along the subway system to the trailhead of Naksan Mountain.
• Hike along Seoul’s City Walls, taking in panoramic views of the city as you pass through unique neighborhoods, including the mural village of Ihwa-dong.
• Today’s hike is moderate, with some staircases leading to the viewpoints. Total distance is approximately 1.5 miles (~2.1km) up the mountain. Then, a descent back down. 
• If you want to opt out of this hike, you will have free time to explore Seoul in the morning. Your Trip Leader will provide instructions on local transportation to Seokpajeong Art Museum, where you can meet the group in the afternoon.

Afternoon

• Lunch is not included on this day, but your Trip Leader will recommend great local spots.
• Visit the Seokpajeong Art Museum and its surrounding villa. You will have time to view the exhibitions inside the gallery and walk around the gardens home to traditional Hanok buildings.

Evening

• You will experience the famous Gwangjang Market this evening on a guided food tour. Prepare to taste a variety of Korean street foods like a local and learn from your guide how the cuisine intertwines with their culture.

Day 4

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Journey to Jeonju, the food capital of Korea. (~4 hours travel time on private transportation).

Afternoon

• Check into your Hanok guest house. 
• To get a feel for traditional Korean living, take a walk over to different art galleries, a Confucianist school, and other highlights in the village. During the tour, you’ll have the option to wear a hanbok for an additional price.
• Learn how to make and play the game of Dalgona, which was popularized in the show Squid Games. This game involves placing a lump of molten honeycomb candy on a metal sheet. You then press it flat and with a shape just before it cools. The game's object is to get the shape out of the crispy honeycomb sheet without breaking it. If you do, you get bragging rights and a prize.

Evening

• Dinner tonight is not included, but your Trip Leader can recommend dining at one of Jenju’s rice beer houses, where they serve a giant jug of rice wine called makgeolli and a variety of food similar to tapas.

Day 5

Morning

• In the morning, you'll try some famous Jeonju Bean sprout soup, which is famous for its taste and hangover-curing properties.
• Walk through Seohakdong Artists Village, a once quiet mountainside village that has transformed into a fun art village full of quirky murals, cafes, and shops.
• Join a traditional Korean papermaking workshop at one of the local artist shops to create your own handmade paper.

Afternoon

• The afternoon is yours to experience Jeonju as you please.

Suggestions: You can join another workshop in the art village, take a day trip to nearby Namwon village, or hike to the Omokdae Viewpoint.

Evening

• Dine on bibimbap at a famous restaurant regarded as the inventor of the iconic dish.
• Visit a traditional market that has become an art incubation space for young entrepreneurs. 

Day 6

Morning

• Enjoy a scenic travel from Jeonju to Busan (~travel time is approximately 4 hours via private transportation).
• Gamcheon village awaits with its colorful alleyways. Be sure to get your stamp book at the visitor’s center and collect “stamps” at certain attractions inside the village. Think of it as a mini-scavenger hunt and guide to get the most out of your experience.

Afternoon

• After exploring Gamcheon, it’s time to check into the accommodation in Busan. Your Trip Leader will provide an overview of the city’s layout and point out key spots to visit.
• Free time in the afternoon allows you to relax at Gwangali or Haeundae Beach, stroll along the water, or maybe even swim if the weather permits.
• Looking to relax? For a more serene experience, we suggest booking a spa package at Spa Land at the Shinsegae department store.

Evening

• Gather with a group of your new friends for an included dinner at a local Busan restaurant where you can taste BBQ lamb skewers.
• After dinner, your Trip Leader can recommend how to enjoy Busan’s vibrant nightlife or return to the hotel to relax.

Day 7

Morning

• Visit Haedong Dragon Temple by the Sea, where you will get a wonderful view of the coastline and possibly a distant peak in Japan. 
• Following the temple visit, a Taekwondo session with a local master will introduce you to the basics of this traditional Korean martial art.

Afternoon

• Lunch is not included on this day, but your Trip Leader will recommend a few dining places.
• This afternoon, you can decide how to spend your time in Busan.

Suggestions: Ride the seaside train, visit the Haeundae Traditional Market, or visit the Busan Diamond Tower to watch the sunset.

Evening

• Tonight’s dinner is not included, but your Trip Leader will provide options for where you can dine or what markets you should check out.
• For nightlife, the district of Seomyeon is a popular spot with bars, cafes, arcades, and karaoke rooms, offering something for everyone.

Day 8

Morning

• Take the high-speed KTX train back to Seoul.
• Expect to arrive midday in Seoul.

Afternoon

• You can choose how you want to spend your final day in Seoul this afternoon.
• You can visit the National Museum of Korea near Yongsan Station or the War Museum.
• Opt to visit the hip area of Seongsudong,  known for its cafes, shops, pop-up stores, trendy boutiques, and eateries. You’ll have the option to visit Lotte Tower’s Sky Observatory in this district as well, which is also a great place to take in the views of the city.

Evening

• Meet later in the evening for our farewell dinner of Korean Hotpot with assorted sides, meats, and seafood. And maybe even a little bit of soju.

Day 9

Morning

• On the final day of our adventure, you can wake up early to soak in the last morning in South Korea.
• Say goodbye to your new friends and depart at any time of the day (hotel checkout is at 11:00 a.m.)
• Your Trip Leader will give you clear instructions on how to take taxis, buses, or local transportation to the airport.
•  If you choose to spend more time in Seoul, feel free to ask your trip leaders for suggestions on what to do and more interesting places to explore.