South Korea and the best of Japan during the magical red leaves "momiji" season
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Price$3256+ flight to Seoul and from Osaka back home
- Physical grade 2/5
- Service grade Standard
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Duration22 day
Megacities and charming provinces - such contrasts will amaze us during this fascinating journey. We will study super-modern Seoul, Busan, Osaka and Kyoto, as well as visit village museums, karst caves, stroll through the colorful Seoraksan mountains, and climb to the highest point of South Korea.
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Day 1Arrival in Seoul. Checking into a traditional Korean house - hanok. Walk in the historic center.
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Day 2We begin in 15th century Changdeokgung palace with a secret garden. Then visit Insa-dong neighbourhood, famous for galleries, art shops and tea shops. We will also observe the city from the 236 meters tall N Seoul Tower. In the evening we visit Dongdaemun Design Plaza - a major urban development landmark.
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Day 3In the morning we take off to the city of Sokcho (2,5 hours on the way). Here we will do an easy trek in Seoraksan National Park. It is also possible to use a ropeway instead.
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Day 4Morning bus ride to Danyang, a town near the lovely Sobaeksan national park (4,5 hours on the way). We will enjoy tranquil nature, visit carst caves.
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Day 5We explore huge Buddhist Guinsa temple situated in the middle of national park. Here we will learn about Korean Buddhism and enjoy traditional food. Then we visit Gosu Cave - so large and lovely it is known as an underground palace. Bus to Andong.
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Day 6Andong is known for it`s open-air heritage museums. In one of traditional villages we will visit a face mask festival. In the evening we take a train to the former capital of ancient Silla kingdom, Gyeongju (1.5 hours on the way).
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Day 7In Gyeongju we will stay in a traditional house-hanok, to experience how Koreans lived in antiquity. Take a walk among the majestic mounds, visit the royal tomb-museum Cheonmachong, one of the oldest observatories in the world, Sokkuram grotto and the 6th century Bulguksa temple.
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Day 8One hour bus ride to Busan-megapolis on the bank of Korea Strait. This city boasts ultra modern architecture, rich cultural life, parks and beaches. We will explore Jagalchi Fish Market and enjoy fresh seafood there. Later we will visit the Dongbaek park and enjoy Haeundae beach, one of the best beaches of South Korea.
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Day 9We will visit Gamcheon culture village, ropeway in Geumgang park, a fort and Seokbulsa temple, known for it`s amazing stone carvings.
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Day 10Morning flight to Jeju island. After checking into a hotel we will explore the local parks and visit the only beach waterfall in Asia!
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Day 11We will get acquainted with the culture of Haenyeo - traditional female divers by visiting their museum and watching them work from the beach. Then we will climb the Seongsan Ilchulbong volcano.
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Day 12We hike to the highest point of South Korea - Hallasan volcano 1950 meters above sea level. This hike will take us 8-9 hours.
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Day 13Morning flight to Seoul ( 1 hour) where we will visit Itaewon district known for restaurants and shopping. In the evening we will relax in Korea's largest spa complex Dragon Hill Spa.
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Day 14Free day. Those interested can travel to Korean demilitarized zone - the border between South and North Korea.
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Day 15Flight to Osaka in Japan. We will check into a capsule hotel and explore a five-story samurai castle. We will walk along the Dotonbori area, known for restaurants and cafes and enjoy Japanese cuisine.
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Day 16We go to Kyoto (about 1 hour on the way). We check into a hotel and visit the city's famous temples - Fushimi Inari shrines, the famous Golden Temple of Kinkakuji, Reanji, and the Taizo-in traditional stone garden.
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Day 17Arashiyama Bamboo forest, the mountain with macaques, temples of Tenryuji with a magnificent garden and Otagi Nenbutsuji with thousands of statues of Arhats - we continue to explore the pearls of Kyoto! In the evening we attend a geisha performance.
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Day 18Free day in Kyoto. You can continue exploring the city, taking photos of a geisha, or go on your own to Himeji (40 minutes by train), which boasts the famous White Heron Castle and the beautiful Kokoen Garden.
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Day 19In the morning we go to Nara (about 2 hours) to feed famous deers in parks. We will also visit Kasuga-taisha shrine, known since the year 768, and the biggest wooden structure in the world - the Buddhist temple of Todai-ji. On the way back, we will stop in the town of Uji, known as the home of Japanese matcha tea.
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Day 20We go to Arima-onsen, one of the most famous villages with hot springs in Japan, and spend the night in the traditional house.
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Day 21Train to Okayama (1 hour and 15 minutes on the way). Okayama is the capital of the prefecture of the same name, which boasts one of the three most beautiful gardens of Japan, Korakuen. We will also visit the nearby town of Kurashiki with its picturesque canals and factories turned into galleries. Night at the hotel in Okayama.
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Day 22Train to Osaka (1 hour) or Tokyo (4.5 hours). Flight home.
| Group tour | |
|---|---|
| 2020 | |
| 21.10 - 11.11 | Available for booking |
| Individual Tour | |
|---|---|
| You can choose your date | |
| Book |
| Departures | Availability | Price | Deposit | This group speaks | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | |||||
| 21 October - 11 November | Available for booking | $3256 | $1256 | Rus. | |
| Departures | 21.10.2020 - 11.11.2020 |
| Availability | Available for booking |
| Price | $3256 |
| Deposit | $1256 |
| This group speaks | Rus. |
| Book | Book |
Megacities and charming provinces - such contrasts will amaze us during this fascinating journey. We will study super-modern Seoul, Busan, Osaka and Kyoto, as well as visit village museums, karst caves, stroll through the colorful Seoraksan mountains, and climb to the highest point of South Korea.
Is this trip for you?
This trip is of light physical grade. It includes three short flights, and short bus and train rides. We will also walk in national parks and hike up the 1950 meters tall mountaint for 8-9 hours. (It will be possible to change this hike for one of the easier ones in the same area). Accommodation in double/twin rooms of tourist class hotels and guesthouses. All will have wi fi internet. One night will be spent in capsule hotel.
The price of the trip includes:
- Two domestic flights in Korea;
- Accommodation in double/twin rooms of hotels and guesthouses;
- Almost all breakfasts;
- All transportation, including buses, trains, subway;
- Professional guiding services.
To be paid separately:
- Flight to Seoul and from Osaka back home;
- Flight from Seoul to Osaka (apr. $150);
- Insurance (mandatory);
- Entrance tickets to temples, parks and other places of interest (from $200);
- Visa;
- Food ($20-50 per person per day).
| Group tour | |
|---|---|
| 2020 | |
| 21.10 - 11.11 | Available for booking |
Megacities and charming provinces - such contrasts will amaze us during this fascinating journey. We will study super-modern Seoul, Busan, Osaka and Kyoto, as well as visit village museums, karst caves, stroll through the colorful Seoraksan mountains, and climb to the highest point of South Korea.
| Group tour | |
|---|---|
| 2020 | |
| 21.10 - 11.11 | Available for booking |
South Korea and Japan are visa free for citizens of most countries.
Citizens of some countries do need visa which should be applied for in the country of residence before the trip.
We provide free visa consulting for our clients.
| Group tour | |
|---|---|
| 2020 | |
| 21.10 - 11.11 | Available for booking |