10-Day Small Group Tour of Andong, Busan, and Gyeongju

10 days Meet on locationInstant confirmationPrivate tourGuided Operated by Here Korea Travel

Why we love it?

The 10-day Small Group Discover Korea Tour offers an immersive experience into the rich history, diverse food, and vibrant culture of South Korea, focusing on key destinations like Andong, Busan, and Gyeongju. Ideal for travelers seeking a comprehensive exploration, this tour combines guided visits to historical sites with opportunities to savor local cuisine. Distinctive features include the inclusion of domestic flights between major cities, comfortable accommodations in 3.5 to 4-star hotels, and the expertise of an English-speaking tour guide, ensuring a well-rounded and informative journey through Korea's cultural landscape.

Inclusions

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • AC Vehicle
  • English Speaking Tour guide
  • 9N Accomodation : 3.5-4star
  • Entrance Fee on the plan
  • Domestic flight (Gimpo -> Jeju, Jeju -> Busan)
  • 7Breakfast, 10Lunch
  • 1N Golgulsa Temple Stay

Exclusions

  • not planned meals

Itinerary

Day 1
  • ARRIVAL IN KOREA AND TRANSFER TO JEJU

  • Airport pickup by a driver and head to Gimpo Airport and Take a flight for Jeju Island
    Meet a driver and head to Hotel in Jeju Island
    Take a rest and Meals on your own.

  • Take a flight for Jeju Island

  • Meet a driver and head to Hotel in Jeju Island
    Take a rest and Meals on your own.

  • a 3 star hotel

Day 2

JEJU

  • is regarded as having significant scientific and heritage value, owing to its excellent condition of preservation despite its age of formation (about 300,000 to 200,000 years ago).
    Sangumburi Crator is crater of an extinct volcano and 100m deep.

  • smell the fresh sea air, touch the clear water and feel the soft black sand under your feet.

  • also called ‘Sunrise Peak’

    also called ‘Sunrise Peak’, is an archetypal tuff cone formed by hydrovolcanic eruptions upon a shallow seabed about 5,000 years ago
    Dive show-female divers who dive into the ocean water to gather various shellfish, seaweed, etc, without using any underwater diving equipment.

  • a 3 star hotel

Day 3

turn off the car engine. Then car moves.

  • Trekking(3-4hour course)
    Going up to the peak is upto tourists
    Spanning 196 hectares, Halla Ecological (Eco) Forest on Yonggangsan Mountain is home to 288,000 trees representing 333 indigenous plant species. Having been designated as a conservation area, the forest provides plenty of great opportunities to observe and learn about Jeju's diversified ecosystem through various facilities including an observatory, plant nurseries, walking trails, etc.

  • Spirited Garden

    Spirited Garden is the new name of Bunjae Arpia, renamed in 2007 to commemorate the 15th anniversary after opening and to renew the garden as an international garden. Hundreds of potted plants are located in Nature Garden with a theme of oreum and water. The history of the garden started in 1963 when Seong Beomyeong, a director, came to Jeju and cultivated the wasteland full of rocks. The garden came into the international spotlight as the beautiful garden was created from the wastelands by a single farmer. The garden has been visited by many honored public figures such as Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao from China, Nakasone from Japan, Kim Yongsun from North Korea and others. Currently, about 400 planted trees are on display. Also, visitors can see various facilities including stone walls and stone towers stacked with Jeju volcanic stones, the largest artificial waterfalls in Jeju, and a pond meeting the waterfalls with large-sized carp.

  • enjoy high quality teas and the observatory provides good landscape of green tea fields

  • is a place where Sanbangsan Mountain stretches into the ocean and it looks as if a dragon’s head is going underwater.

  • is the result of violent volcanic activity some 700,000 to 800,000 years ago and is in fact a huge body of lava.

  • The architectural style of Yakcheonsa Temple

    The architectural style of Yakcheonsa Temple is reminiscent of that of Buddhist temples of the early Joseon Dynasty. Measuring an impressive 30m high and spanning a total area of 3,305 meters squared, it is the largest temple in the East.
    Upon entering Yakcheonsa Temple, guests will be greeted by a 5m-tall statue of Vairocana, the tallest of such statues in Korea, on a 4m high pedestal. The walls on both the right and left have been sculpted into large altar portraits of Buddha and in front of the Dharma Hall is a giant Buddhist temple bell, weighing 18 tons. Beloved for its size and grandeur, the temple consists of a main temple (2,652 meters squared) and a 3-story residential structure for the Buddhist monks.
    Other notable sites are the Gulbeopdang (the Dharma Hall, built inside a natural cave), the Samseonggak Shrine, and the Sarira Pagoda. Yakcheonsa Temple is not only popular among Buddhists but is also a well sought after tourist destination.

  • a 3 star hotel

Day 4

BUSAN

  • The 72.5m long and 20m high observatory in the shape of a blue dragon stretches out impressively over the ocean. Visitors are able to see the ocean under their feet from the transparent glass floor for the thrilling experience of walking on the sea.

  • is a burial ground for United Nations Command (UNC) casualties of the Korean War. It contains 2,300 graves and is the only United Nations cemetery in the world.

  • a 3 star hotel

Day 5

GYEONGJU

  • Cheomseongdae

    Cheomseongdae is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia.
    Constructed during the reign of Queen Seon-deok (r. 632-647), it was used to observe stars in order to forecast the weather. This stone structure is a beautiful combination of straight lines and curves, and was designated as National Treasure No.31 on December 20th, 1962.
    Cheomseongdae was built in a cylinder shape with stones 30cm in diameter. 362 stones were piled up to make 27 levels. Roughly 4.16m up from the bottom there is a 1㎡ square entrance and a space to hang a ladder under it.
    The inside is filled with soil up to the 12th level, and the 19th, 20th, 25th, and 26th levels all have long rocks hanging on two areas, shaped as the Chinese letter '井' (jeong).
    It stands 9.17m high and the base stone on each side measures 5.35m.
    The Vernal Equinox, Autumnal Equinox, Winter Solstice, Summer Solstice and the 24 solar terms (also known as the astronomical solar year) were determined by observating of stars. The pavilion stone is believed to have been used as a standard of deciding directions, north, south, east and west. The 362 stones used to build Cheomseongdae represented the 362 days in a lunar year.

  • Seokguram, located on Tohamsan Mountain

    Seokguram, located on Tohamsan Mountain, is the representative stone temple of Korea. The official name of Seokguram, National Treasure No. 24, is Seokguram Seokgul. Designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995, it is an artificial stone temple made of granite. The construction was started by Kim Dae-Seong (700-774) in 751 during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742-765) of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC - AD 935) and it was finished twenty-four years later in 774, during the reign of King Hye-Gong (765-780).
    Seokguram is known to have been built at the same time as Bulguksa Temple. According to the history book Samgukyusa of the Goryeo Dynasty (the country that unified the Korean peninsula at the end of the Silla Kingdom, 918-1392), Kim Dae-Seong had Bulguksa Temple built for his parents in his current life, and Seokguram Grotto for the parents of his former life.
    Inside the round-shaped main hall are the Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-sattva and his disciples. The Bonjon figure wearing a generous smile is seated on the stage engraved with a lotus flower design. The rounded ceiling looks like a half-moon or a bow and has a lotus flower decorated cover on it. The view of the sunrise is quite beautiful and many people hike the mountain at daybreak.

  • BULGUKSA TEMPLESTAY

    BULGUKSA TEMPLESTAY - Unesco World Heritage Breathing in the Millennial air - Overnight program - One night / over 3 people (minimum)- Bulguksa Tour, Tea time with a monk, Morning ceremony and Meditation, Listening to four Dharma instruments, 108 Prostrations with making prayer beads or Making Lotus flower lantern, Circling around the Pagodas, Temple meals 

  • a 3 star hotel

Day 6

ANDONG

  • a 3 star hotel

Day 7
  • JSA/DMZ

  • Panmunjeom

    Panmunjeom is located in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), 50 km north of Seoul and 10 km east from the city of Gaeseong, a city which now belongs to North Korea. This area is most notably known for the peace talks that were held here on October 25, 1951 and on July 27, 1953 when the Armistice Agreement was signed. It is now beyond the jurisdiction of both the North and South.
    The conference center in Panmunjeom is surrounded by the Joint Security Area (JSA) and measures 800 meters in diameter. It is the only portion of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where North and South Korean forces stand face-to-face. It was used as a filming location of the movie "JSA (Joint Security Area)." It was also the site of military negotiations between North Korea and the United Nations Command (UNC). It has now become one of the most visited tourist sites of the DMZ.

  • You will see North Korea from Dora observatory and visit 3rd invasion tunnel, Dorasan station, Unification village.

  • a 3 star hotel

Day 8

SEOUL Mountain

  • Bukhansan Mountain was officially designated as a national park in 1983

    Bukhansan Mountain was officially designated as a national park in 1983. The Bukhansan National Park covers both Bukhansan and Dobongsan Mountains, and spans the total area of 80.699㎢. At the top of Bukhansan Mountain are Baegundae Terrace (836.5m), Insubong Peak (810.5m) and Mangyeongdae Terrace (799.5m), which gave the mountain the nickname "Samgaksan" or the "three-horned mountain". The mountain had other names: Sambongsan (mountain with three peaks), Hwasan (flower mountain), and Buaak (mountain shaped like a person giving a baby a piggyback ride). The current name, Bukhansan, was given as the Bukhansanseong Fortress was built under King Sukjong of Joseon Dynasty.

  • The Yongsan Dragon Hill Spa

    The Yongsan Dragon Hill Spa is a charcoal sauna permeated with an oak fragrance created by traditional heating techniques.
    The jjimjil-bang and spa facilities offer sweating rooms/sauna, an open-air bath, seawater bath, salt room, swimming pool, and health center. The main hall of Yongsan Dragon Hill Spa boasts a Chinese-style design and a luxurious interior that has been used as a filming location for various Korean television broadcasts.

  • Majang Meat Market

    Majang Meat Market is the largest meat market in Korea. It is equipped with Korea’s most modern and cleanest facilities. The butchers here are proud of the market's size and hygienic facilities.
    The market sells fresh meat arriving every hour from all over the country and from overseas. The prices are overtly marked for each meat along with the country and place of origin. For the market's efforts to provide quality products, the market is recognized by the Korean Medical Association (KMA).
    Traders are able to trade easily thanks to the market's state of the art systems. At Majang Meat market, high quality meats are available at up to 30% less than at supermarket chains.

  • a 3 star hotel

Day 9

SEOUL Palace

  • Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace

    Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because its location is furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace) Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful, and remains the largest of all five palaces.
    The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, [ ]). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong ([ ]).
    Remarkably, the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond have remained relatively intact. Woldae and the sculptures of Geunjeongjeon (The Royal Audience Chamber) represent past sculptures of contemporary art.
    The National Palace Museum of Korea is located south of Heungnyemun Gate, and the National Folk Museum is located on the eastern side within Hyangwonjeong.

  • Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city

    Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries and traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.
    The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.
    The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. At first they might be hard to find, but if you take the time to stroll around the twisting alleyways, the window shopping in itself can be very entertaining. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.

  • Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. The name Bukchon, which literally translates to "northern village," came about as the neighborhood lies north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture.

  • Jongmyo Shrine was a primary place of worship for kings throughout Joseon Dynasty. The memorial service, called Jongmyo Jaerye, is said to be the oldest complete ceremony in the world, and was carried out in obedience to the king’s order. The ceremony was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in December 9, 1995, for its well-preserved ancient customs, such as memorial services and traditional music, which is National Intangible Cultural Asset No.56.
    During the Joseon Dynasty, it was held when the season changes and the twelfth month of the lunar year, but was stopped during the Japanese colonial period. Now, it is annually reenacted on the first Sunday of May. Jongmyo Jaeryeak, the musical part of the ceremony, is produced by instruments, songs, and dances that originated over 500 years ago. In May, the Korean Royal Palace Culture Festival is to be held with a variety of other cultural heritage festivals.

  • Gwangjang Market was the first permanent market in Korea and continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination today. The second floor of the market is filled with silk, satin, and linen bed-sheet stores, which are the largest and most famous in Seoul.
    Many of the stores in the area even have their own factories supplying fabrics to the Namdaemun Market, Pyoung Hwa Market, and even to some department stores. Even though the goods are not brand-name products, the wide selection of high quality goods at inexpensive prices makes it an enjoyable shopping experience.

  • Namsan Seoul Tower was the first tower-type tourism spot in Korea

    Namsan Seoul Tower was the first tower-type tourism spot in Korea. The top of the tower is at almost 480m above sea level, including Namsan Mountain (243m) and the tower’s own height (236.7m), making it one of the tallest towers in the Orient. It is comprised of Seoul Tower Plaza, recently opened to public access after 40 years, and N Seoul Tower, operated by CJ Foodville since 2005. The tower was first established as a broadcast tower to send out TV and radio signals in 1969. As of now, it has become one of the representative landmarks and multi-cultural venues in Seoul.

  • Myeong-dong

    Myeong-dong is one of the primary shopping districts in Seoul. The two main streets meet in the center of the block with one beginning from Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 4) and the other from Lotte Department Store at Euljiro. Many brand name shops and department stores line the streets and alleys. Common products for sale include clothes, shoes, and accessories. Unlike Namdaemun or Dongdaemun, many designer brands are sold in Myeong-dong. In addition, several major department stores have branches here, including Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore, Noon Square and M Plaza. The department stores carry many premium labels and other fashionable goods at reasonable prices.
    Myeong-dong also has family restaurants, fast food, plus Korean, Western and Japanese dining options. Many restaurants in Myeong-dong specialize in dongaseu (pork cutlet) and kalguksu (noodle soup). Other businesses in the area include hair salons, banks and theaters.

  • a 3 star hotel

Day 10
  • Transfer to Airport

  • sending service to airport by a driver

Please Note

  • Stroller or pram accessible
  • Not wheelchair accessible

Know Before You Go

  • Animals or pets allowed
  • Public transportation nearby
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Infant seats available
  • Passport required