9 Days | The world of K-pop culture, Buddhist temples, high-tech gadgetry and green mountains is calling
![Traveller looks out at colourful facades of pastel houses at an overlook in Gamcheon Culture Village](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt5a7b349cf8ebdfc7/6683bfc8e4aa657b2fc84e39/Intrepid-Travel-South-Korea-Busan-Gamcheon-culture-village-traveller-looking-at-view.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Leader giving a talk to group on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace in South Korea](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt0d95c86ed6ddd496/6683bfc160afc5bb7a98ab60/Intrepid-Travel-South-Korea-Seoul-Gyeongbokgung-Palace-leader-explaining-to-group.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Leader Yong Park dances with group in Seoul during karaoke](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltc11e60b30687aa62/6683bfc2cd80af8f81419416/Intrepid-Travel-South-Korea-Seoul-Nolaebang-Karaoke-Intrepid-leader-dancing.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Top down look at travellers picking from Bibimbap lunch spread in Jeonju](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt20ecfe909b19baa5/6683bfc3b35815b0aa583d73/Intrepid-Travel-South-Korea-Jeonju-food-spread-lunch-bibimbap-top-down.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Leader Yong Park feeds a traveller a delicacy at a seafood barbeque in Busan](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltc5962c83bc7c6b02/6683bfc4b3581562cc583d77/Intrepid-Travel-South-Korea-Busan-seafood-bbq-leader-feeding-traveller.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Experience all the essential sights of South Korea on this nine-day journey through Seoul, Jeonju, Yeosu, Busan and more. From the thriving pop culture to the natural oasis of gleaming gardens, this place really does have it all. You’ll feast on Korean BBQ, noodles and street food, follow in the footsteps of popular K-pop group BTS at some scenic filming locations, take easy hikes through coastal beaches and rolling green mountain landscapes and hit the nightlife in your spare time (coin karaoke anyone?). Stay in a hanok (traditional Korean house), rub shoulders with the locals and enjoy loads of free time to choose your own adventure, whether that’s learning taekwondo or visiting the DMZ along the border of North Korea.
Trip overview
![Map of Essential South Korea including Korea, Republic Of](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt696ccb7b7285ab54/6508057ca6755adfdab8c86d/CJYK_2024.gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Seoul, South Korea
- Finish
- Seoul, South Korea
- Theme
- 18 to 35s
- Destinations
- South Korea
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Basix
- Ages
- Min 18 - Max 35
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- CJYK
Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences
Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time
You book, we donate to help support local communities
- Rub shoulders with the locals at Nambu Market, which recently provided free rent to young entrepreneurs to keep the market alive. Then, stay in a hanok (a traditional Korean house) and experience what it’s like to live day to day in Jeonju.
- Feast on delicious local cuisine, with included dinners where you might be able to try some traditional Korean noodles, Korean BBQ or fried chicken, and plenty of time to wander around street food markets and restaurants.
- Discover Seoul at your own pace with tonnes of free time to explore the various districts throughout the city. Maybe hit up karaoke (or noraebang, in Korean), go bar hopping with your local leader or grab a coffee at one of Seoul's famous themed cafes.
- Experience the natural beauty of South Korea from Ahwon Gotack – with lush, green surroundings, it’s a stark contrast to the big cities Korea is famous for. Soak up the tranquil mountain views and enjoy a moment to enjoy the silence of nature.
- Learn how the community have innovated agricultural growth at the Urban Smart Farm Social Company – a social enterprise backed by the government and local NGOs, focused on sustainability.
- This trip includes accommodation in multi-share dormitories. This means travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to single-gender dormitories used.
- A traditional Korean bed is a futon-like mattress placed on the floor, which may be folded and placed in the cupboard in the morning. This trip includes one night with Korean-style floor bedding in a hanok (traditional house) in Jeonju. Floor bedding can be firm compared to standard western mattresses.
- South Korea is best explored on foot. In fact, most travellers are surprised at how much distance they end up covering! Make sure your shoes are comfy and you are fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet.
- Although this trip starts and finishes in Seoul, we highly recommend you spend some extra time exploring this fascinating city and its neighbouring regions. Please consult your booking agent if you would like to book additional nights. If you are interested in visiting the DMZ, please refer to Day 1 of the itinerary for further information.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
2 dinners
Public Bus, Private Vehicle, Train, Metro
Hostel (Multi-share) (7 nights), Hanok (1 night)
- Seoul - Orientation Walk
- Seoul - HiKR Ground
- Seoul - Gwangjang market
- Jeonju - Orientation Walk
- Jeonju - Nambu Market Visit
- Jeonju - Hanok Village Tour
- Wanju - Ahwon Gotack
- Wanju - Webongsansung Hike
- Yeosu - Hyangilam Temple
- Busan - Gamcheon Art Village
- Busan - Oryukdo Coastal Walk
- Busan - Urban Smart Farm Visit
- Seoul - DMZ Tour - USD80
- Seoul - Painting Class - USD50
- Seoul - Korean Class - USD30
- Seoul - Gyungbokgung Palace - USD4
- Seoul - Hanbok Hire - USD25
- Jeonju - K-Pop Dance Class - USD50
- Yeosu - Cable Car (Return) - USD18
- Busan - Calligraphy Class - USD30
- Busan - Baseball Game (Apr-Sep - prices from) - USD20
- Busan - Spaland - USD20
- Busan - Taekwondo Class (minimum 8 pax required) - USD50
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is possible if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This tour includes accommodation in multi-share dormitories. This means travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to single-gender dormitories used.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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