Ready to ride that K-wave? This is the South Korea trip you’ve been waiting for – with military history, majestic mountain views and a few robots in between. You’ll discover Seoul with local guides, zoom on a high-speed train, go extra authentic in Jeonju, and even star in your own K-pop video(!). With a night time boat tour, baseball, BBQs and plenty of delicious street food.
Locations Visited
Seoul, The DMZ, Busan, Jeonju, Seoul - Hongdae
Countries Visited
South Korea
Travel Style
Accommodations
8 nights included
Age Requirements
Social travel experiences for 18-35 year olds
Day 1
Well hello there, and welcome to your trip to South Korea. You’ll meet your crew in the afternoon, and in a super central location too. Following on from some free time to explore the Insadong Hanok village, we’ll regroup for some famous Korean fried chicken (and beer too if you like – you’re on vacation after all).
Accommodation
Ibis Insadong Hotel (or similar)
Day 2
Our Seoul City tour begins bright and early today with a visit to the traditional Gyeongbokgung Palace. To cap off the experience, we’ll also have the chance to dress in traditional Hanbok dress. Afterwards we’ll head to Seongsu – one of the best up and coming districts of Seoul – to check out the shops, cafes and treat ourselves to some lunch. If the weather is kind tonight, we’ll head out to Yeouido Hangang Park for a riverside picnic. AKA vibes, tunes and convenience store ramen.
Accommodation
Ibis Insadong Hotel (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Of all the traditional Korean experiences (and believe us, there are a lot of ’em) this might just be the coolest. Don’t miss your chance to visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of 5 Royal Palaces in Seoul from the old ruling dynasty. We’ll also dress up in the Traditional Hanbok dress too.
Once home to hand-made shoe craftsmen, Seongsu is now one of Seoul’s most exciting shopping districts where you’ll find small cafes, pop-up shops and beautiful green space AKA Seoul Forest. You and your crew will have the chance to get lunch here, plus pick up some souvenirs for your fave folks back home.
Day 3
This morning we’ll head to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the strip of land which separates North and South Korea.
With a local guide on hand to answer our questions, we’ll see the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, and the Dora Observatory (where, if it’s sunny, you’ll be able to see all the way into North Korea) and then the Unification Village.
After a rather sobering morning outing, we’ll head back to Seoul where you'll be free to explore this evening.
Accommodation
Ibis Insadong Hotel (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
The DMZ remains an active Military installation, and we’ll visit for a Peace Tour which includes the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, the Dora Observatory (where you can see over into North Korea if the weather is right) and then to the Unification Village. The tour is semi-private with a local guide, and we’ll travel through the zone in a military shuttle.
Day 4
Today we’ll step away from the historic sites and hustle and bustle of Seoul and head off to Busan on a high-speed train (travellin’ like locals, baby)!
Accommodation
Felix by STX (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
One end of the country to the other in just two-and-a-half hours? With superfast Wi-Fi and spectacular views? That’s right, you can’t explore South Korea without getting on a high-speed train.
Day 5
Wakey wakey folks, we have a whole day to explore the beauty of Busan (the world’s 5th largest port). Home to Haeundae, this is one of South Korea’s best beach spots – don’t miss those coastal walks and sublime city views. Any K-drama fans in the house? Talk to your Trip Manager about filming locations nearby from your favourite shows. Then tonight we’ll get together to enjoy Busan by night on a private yacht – complete with snacks, drinks and big tunes.
Accommodation
Felix by STX (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Day 6
Today we’ll take a turn for the traditional with a visit to Jeonju – a UNESCO listed city recognised for its Hanok heritage.
Accommodation
Hanok Guest House (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
On our way to Jeonju, we’ll stop off at a traditional Hanok and bask in the mountain views. BTS filmed a music video here too, so this is the perfect place to follow in their footsteps. You’ll also have a chance to check out the onsite café and art gallery before we make our way to Jeonju.
We’ll tuck into a traditional bibimbap that Jeonju is famous for. Served warm in a brass bowl, with chilli on the side, there’s a chance that your meal will be delivered to you by robot (but we can’t make any promises).
Day 7
Accommodation
Amanti Hotel (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
We’ll hit the Gangnam District, made famous by Psy, for a bit of shopping, browsing and posing in front of the Gangnam hands. Don’t miss coffee served by robots, or your chance to order an ice block from one of the many vending machines. Gangnam is home to lots of K-Wave stars too so keep your eyes peeled (and have your autograph book at the ready).
This afternoon, we’ll slow things down and take time to learn about the local Buddhist practices here in Seoul. We’ll partake in a few of them too, such as tea making and Sutra script writing. That’s right, culture never felt so calm. Please note: Exact temple activities could change depending on departure.
Day 8
Accommodation
Amanti Hotel (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
One final night. One final meal together. It HAS to be the world’s most popular Korean cuisine – that’s right, it’s BBQ time. The perfect chance to reminisce with great Korean food and even greater people.
Day 9
And with that, our South Korea trip is complete. We’ll depart this morning after breakfast. Culturally fulfilled? Yep. Better and more well rounded? Of course. Already planning the next one? Absolutely.
Meals
Breakfast
Title
A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
Free Time Add-Ons are special activities Contiki organizes in addition to the trip. They aren’t mandatory (but we do highly recommend them!) and can be done during your free time. Payment for Free Time Add-Ons can only be made in cash, using the local currency - Korean Won (KRW) You can check out the prices on the trip page of the website. Payment will generally be collected on night one after kickstart.
Please note: The ‘Attend a Baseball Game’ Free Time Add-On can be pre-booked with your booking agent up to 5 working days before the trip starts. It will also be available to book with your Trip Manager at Kickstart. But seating with the group cannot be guaranteed.
Other than all the standard stuff like jeans, trousers, jumpers and t-shirts, here are some things you should consider packing:
South Korea uses the South Korean Won (₩). Local currency is readily available through cash machines, which will be available in most regions we travel to on this trip.
In South Korea, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type C and F are used. The standard voltage is 220 V at a frequency of 60 Hz.
South Korean culture and society is a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Ingrained within its rich culture is a deep sense of community and the utmost respect for elders. Here are some things to keep in mind:
If your local service provider doesn’t have an international pack, you can buy a SIM card &/or handset at any mobile phone shop and some convenience stores. ‘Top up’ credit vouchers are available at most phone shops, local post offices or at the airport. Most areas have 4G coverage, but major cities will have 5G.
South Korean Soul trips operate from March to November. Usually, Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September to November) are considered the best times to visit because of the pleasant weather.
Tipping isn’t customary in South Korea (and can sometimes be considered rude sometimes!). So, please check with your Trip Manager or Local Guide if you’re unsure whether a tip would be appropriate or not. You’re welcome to tip your Contiki Team if you love our service too!
Yep, public transport is excellent in South Korea. And if you’re planning to explore the city in your free time, it’s best done via metro and bus (since taxis are quite expensive!). You can purchase a T-Money travel card at the airport or convenience stores in Seoul. These cards can be used on the bus or train and can be topped up as often as needed. Your Trip Manager can assist with pointing out locations near the start hotel to purchase a T Money travel card if needed.
On our trips, you can bring one bag or suitcase of 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”), with a max weight of 20kg (44lbs). Please note you’ll be responsible for getting their own luggage on and off the coach and train from Seoul to Busan.
The trip officially finishes at 9am on Day 8 at the Amanti Hotel Hongdae. So, you can book flights home at any time in the afternoon. The Amanti Hotel in Hongdae is approximately 45 kms from Incheon Airport and takes approximately 60 mins to reach via bus.
Trip Notes:
Terms & Conditions:
