Day 1 Arrival in Seoul
Arrive in Seoul at Incheon International Airport, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Balance of day is free for your own leisure time or rest. Overnight at the Hamilton Hotel
NB: If you arrive in Seoul on other dates pre-tour, transfer is not provided. In case you have pre-extension booking at Hamilton Hotel, please take an airport limousine bus to the Hamilton Hotel from bus stop 4A or 12B. Please look for bus with sign “Hannamdong” and prepare cash KRW15,000 per person (as of May 2013). The bus is available every 10-15 minutes from 04:15am until 21:00 pm
Day 2 Seoul / Seoul City Tour / Seoul
After breakfast, start a morning tour of the city of Seoul including National Museum of Korea. This new museum built in 2005 boasts a fantastic collection of Korean arts and relics.It would take a whole day to see everything in the museum. The next visit is to Changdeok Palace & Huwon (Secret Garden), UNESCO designated World Heritage site. The last visit is to Seoul Tower on Mt. Namsan for a bird’s eye view of the Metropolitan city of Seoul. Come back to hotel at around 15:00 pm. Overnight at the Hamilton Hotel
Day 3 Seoul / Korean Folk Village / Mt. Songnisan Nat’l Park / Daegu
Breakfast at hotel.Pick-up from hotel in Seoul confirmed for each departure. Check-out and transfer to Korean Folk Village outside of Seoul, where the old traditional style houses and life style of 18th-19th century are being practiced by people living in the village. Proceed to Songnisan National Park and Beopjusa Temple where the tallest Buddha Statue in Korea can be found. The forest park is an ideal place for walking. Afterward, drive to Daegu via expressway. Overnight at the Daegu Grand Hotel
Day 4 Daegu / Gyeongju
Breakfast at hotel.Transfer to Gyeongju, the capital of the Shilla kingdom from 57BC – 935AD and the city is also known as the “Museum without walls,” as there are 52 designated sites within this city. Upon arrival in Gyeongju, an afternoon tour of Gyeongju includes Cheomseongdae Astronomic Observatory, Royal Tumuli Park with its Royal tombs. You will have the chance to enter one of the excavated tombs to see the construction and process behind the Royal Kings burial chambers. Last visit is to Bulguksa Temple although rebuilt following destruction by the Japanese during their occupancy, the Temple has been completely restored to its former glory. Overnight at the Kolon Hotel
Day 5 Gyeongju
After breakfast, start your full day tour of Gyeongju by visiting Sokkuram Grotto, established in the 8th century on the slopes of Mt. Toham. The grotto contains a monumental statue of a sitting Buddha looking out to sea and it is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist art in the Far East. 4 faces Buddha, Gwaeneung Royal Tomb and Scenic drive tour to Guryongpo Port. Drive along the seashore for beautiful coastal scenery. Return to Gyeongju. Overnight at the Kolon Hotel
Day 6 Gyeongju / Busan
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Unmoonsa Temple (Buddhist Nun's temple). Proceed to Busan, the second largest city of South Korea. Upon arrival, start half day Busan tour to BusanTower on Mt Yongdusan with its observation deck offering stunning views of the city and beyond, Jagalchi Fishery Market where roadside vendors sell various fishes and Nampodong Street. Overnight at the Busan Tourist Hotel
Day 7 Busan / Haeinsa Temple / Andong / Chungju
After breakfast, transfer to Mt Gayasan National Park via expressway. In Mt Gayasan National Park, visit Haeinsa Temple. Haeinsa Temple has a world famous Korean cultural treasure called Tripikata Koreana, which was made during the Goryo Dynasty to protect the country from the invasion of Mongolian troops by Buddha’s power. UNESCO has World Cultural Heritage designated this Tripitaka Koreana. Proceed to Andong, 2 hours away from Haeinsa. Andong is the best-preserved village with its traditional style noble houses. In 1999, Queen Elizabeth II visited HahoeVillage and was welcomed with a Birthday Party Table decorated in the Korean traditional way. Hahoe Village in Andong is famous for its own mask dance. After a visit to Hahoe Village, proceed to Chungju Lake. Overnight at the Cheongpoong Lake Hotel
Day 8 Chungju / Mt. Sorak National Park / Samhwasa Temple for Temple Stay
After breakfast, take a ride on a Sightseeing Boat for lakeside scenery. (In Winter season, boat tour is subject to weather condition. When the lake is frozen, boat tour will be cancelled.) Transfer to Mt Sorak National Park via Gangneung. In Gangneung, visit Chamsori Gramophone & Audio Museum. This museum boasts an incredible collection of 19th Century gramophones and state of the art audio systems. Proceed to Mt. Doota for a unique temple stay experience at Samwhasa Temple. Upon arrival at the temple, change your clothes to temple uniform prepared by the temple. You will then receive an ‘orientation talk’ of various things to know for staying at the temple regarding regulations and schedules. Attend evening ceremony of Bell-Beating, Evening Chanting Mass and Meditation course with the monks. For one night, you will not have phone or TV in your private Korean traditional style room. Shower room and toilet are shared in common use (male & female separate). No alcohol is allowed at the temple. Accommodation is based on 2 people to a room. Overnight at Samhwasa Temple.
Day 9 Mt Sorak National Park Tour with DMZ area
Wake up at 3 am for Morning Worship (for volunteers only). After a traditional monastic breakfast, transfer to DMZ Unification Observatory at the demarcation line on the East Coast for a very close view of North Korea. Return to Mt. Sorak National Park for cable car ride to Gwongeumseong Fortress and visit Sinheungsa Temple. You will have a chance to enjoy a hot spring swim or sauna at Waterpia Spa Park at your own expense. Return to hotel on your own payment by taxi after enjoying the best water park of Korea at your leisure. In winter season, ski resort visit can be arranged based on your own expense for ski gear rental fee and lift fee. Alps Ski Resort is 40 minutes drive from your hotel. Overnight at the Kensington Hotel
Day 10 Mt Sorak National Park / Seoul
After breakfast, transfer to Gapyeong to visit the Garden of Morning Calm Flower and Tree Park, which displays unique Korean Wild Flowers and trees in a garden located in mountain valley. (* For tours in the months of Jan, Feb, March, April, Nov, Dec,visit Yangpyeong Film Studio with all the movie sets instead of flower park as flowers are not blooming enough in these months.) Transfer to Seoul. After check-in, you will have your own independent activities or shopping at Itaewon shopping District. Overnight at the Hamilton Hotel.
Day 11 Seoul
After breakfast, check-out. No transfer is provided. End of tour.
Airport Limousine bus is departing every 10-15 minutes at the bus stop in front of the Hamilton Hotel.Taxi fare to Incheon Airport is about KRW60,000-65,000 plus one way toll fee KRW7,500 (as of May 2013)
