9 Days | Dive into the history, culture and cuisine of South Korea
![Intricate and colourful detail on Gyeongbok Palace, Seoul](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltacfd183d7f146c83/64f6926919f3e45f42f5db2e/Intrepid-Travel-korea_seoul_gyeongbok-palace-120960301-ss.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![The entrance gates to Hainsa Temple](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt4f64d8adc0bd0536/64f6926d1279f981768f4b77/Asia-Korea-Hainsa-Temple-Gate-559489935-getty-pa.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![A gazebo in Damyang Bamboo Forest](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt8dbe8f31698836d3/64f692719d39571791a34e61/Asia-Korea-damyang-bamboo-forest-gazebo-548490267-getty-pa.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![The streets of Hanok village at sunset with Seoul Tower in the distance](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltb8c7cbf9e414e5ba/64f69274aced76acd370f600/Asia-Korea-Hanok-village--streets-1446975531-getty-pa.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![The basalt Daepo cliffs of Jeju Island.](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltf68026a3333622b9/64f6927819f3e4367bf5db32/Asia-Korea-Jeju-Island-Daepo-cliffs-670875557-getty-pa.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
On this nine-day Premium adventure, you’ll explore the culture and cuisine of South Korea from unique perspectives with a local leader who has all the insights. Start in Seoul with a bowl of steaming hot pot and meet with a North Korean defector to learn their fascinating story. Wander through Gyeongbukgung Palace before heading to a local home for a private food lecture. Enjoy a bibimbap in Jeonju and learn about the town’s rich art culture. Walk through bamboo forests before heading for Mt Gaya’s Hainesa Temple, where you’ll stay overnight, meditate like the monks, and chat with a local monk over tea. Visit iconic sites in Mokpo and then explore Purple Island at your own pace – before ending it all on Jeju Island – where you’ll chat with a local Haenyno woman and visit UNESCO’s Seongsan Ilchulbong for the most scenic views in Korea!
Trip overview
![Map of Premium South Korea including Korea, Republic Of](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltdaa44bc22ed1093d/64f69264c6270caca6448ade/CJPK_2024.gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Seoul, South Korea
- Finish
- Jeju Island, South Korea
- Theme
- Explorer
- 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
- Premium
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- CJPK
Our best 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service
All must-see locations plus authentic experiences exclusive to Premium
Trips led by our most experienced and highest-rated local leaders
- Visit the home of Daniel Gray – a food expert and food tour pioneer who worked on Netflix’s Street Food Asia Seoul – for a fascinating lecture on local cuisine, food history and a homemade meal.
- Immerse yourself in the local way of life for Korean monks at your Premium Feature Stay in Hainesa Temple on Mt Gaya – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Three Jewels Temples representing Dharma.
- Visit Jeju Island, where you’ll visit Seongsan Ilchulbong or Jeju Seongsan Sunrise Mountain/Castle – a volcanic peak nicknamed Sunrise Peak with sweeping panoramic views that earned Korea its first ever UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Enjoy the vibrancy of Purple Island near Mokpo, where the colours of lilac and lavender fields have spread to the entire town.
- Meet a local Haenyno – one of the local women divers who go diving for shellfish 10 m under the sea on Jeju Island. Learn about the local fishing culture and why these women, some in their 80s, still practice diving.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
- Part of travelling with Intrepid means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. You will visit the Hainesa Temple and the DMZ on this trip, and this requires a level of modesty. Be sure to bring clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees.
- 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.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Public Transit, Private Vehicle, Ferry
Hotel (7 nights), Feature Stay (1 Night)
- Arrival airport transfer
- Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
- Luggage transfer
- Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
- 24/7 on-ground support
- Seoul - Orientation Walk
- Seoul - Gyeongbukgung Palace
- Seoul - Korean Food Lecture and Homemade Lunch
- Seoul - Bukchon Hanok Village
- Seoul - North Korean Defector meeting
- Seoul - DMZ Tour and Imjingak Peace Park
- Damyang - Bamboo Forest Walk
- Jeonju - Hanok Village
- Jeonju - Brassware Workshop
- Haeinsa - Tea with a monk
- Haeinsa - Temple Tour and Dinner
- Haeinsa - Evening Meditation
- Shinan - Purple Island Visit
- Mokpo - Dinner with a local family
- Mokpo - Ferry to Jeju
- Jeju - Orange Farm
- Jeju - Jeju Folk Village
- Jeju - Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) Visit
- Jeju - Osulloc Teahouse
- Jeju - Sanbang-san Mountain
- Jeju - Haenyno Meeting
- Jeju - Farewell Dinner
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. Breakfast culture is quite different in South Korea. Hotel breakfasts are often either not available or quite disappointing. Because of this, hotel breakfasts are not included on this tour. Instead, you will receive a daily $10 cafe voucher to use at local cafes and coffee shops. You may choose to use one voucher per day or save them up and use multiple at once. Your trip leader can assist you with choosing cafes and using vouchers.
3. The trip ends on Jeju Island which is served by an international airport. For your onward journey, direct flights are available to Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Osaka and Singapore, as well as Seoul.
4. Luggage porterage on this trip is limited to your travelling between accommodation. Porterage is not found in South Korean hotels, so it is not available within your accommodation
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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