Day 01: Arrive in Seoul
Arrive in Seoul, South Korea’s dynamic capital and one of the world’s fastest growing cities. The economic, political and cultural centre of the country, Seoul is a fascinating mix of glass towers, historic temples, parks and museums, spanning the banks of the Han River.

For those arriving on time our representative meet you at airport for the welcome meeting and transfer to hotel. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Seoul at any time.

Day 02: Morning orientation tour of Seoul. Afternoon free
This morning we take an orientation tour around the centre of Seoul, walking through the Myeongdong shopping district and down to the market at Namdaemun, before heading past the City Hall to the Gyeongbokgung Palace. The largest of five great palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeongbokgung still remains the grandest and we pay a visit before moving on to the National Folk Museum. Later we walk down into the area of Insadong, famed for its antiques and handicrafts. We stop for lunch here, after which the rest of the day is free to enjoy as we wish.

Day 03: Drive to Samhwasa Temple via Gangneung and the Ojukheon House
A different experience today as we make our way to the Samhwasa Temple where we spend the night. Our journey takes us via Gangneung where we visit Ojukheon House, built during the early Joseon Dynasty and still one of the oldest wooden residential buildings in Korea.

This afternoon we have an opportunity to partake in a traditional tea ceremony and learn a little more about temple life. Please note that the sleeping arrangements at the monastery will be on a Korean style thin mattress on the floor with up to four people sharing in a same sex room and you will be asked to pack an individual overnight bag.

Day 04: Discover the Buseoksa Temple and drive to the Homestay in Andong
For early risers there is a chance to watch the monks perform their morning rituals before we leave our temple home and head for one of Korea’s most beautiful temples. Hidden amongst the wooded slopes of Bonghwangsan, Buseoksa Temple dates back to the latter years of the 7th century and differs from many other temples in Korea because of its huge size. From here we continue to the spiritual capital of South Korea, Andong, via the stone Buddha at Jebiwon, an impressive 11th century carving that sits on top of a rocky outcrop overlooking the Sobaek Mountains. Arriving at our homestay later this afternoon, we enjoy a local specialty meal of marinated steamed chicken along with Soju, the local liquor of the region.

Please note that the sleeping arrangements at the homestay will be on a Korean style thin mattress on the floor and the group may be split between two or three nearby homes.

Day 05: Visit the Hahoe Folk Village and Mask Museum. Drive to Gyeongju
After a relaxing morning we check out and drive on to the Buyeongdae Viewpoint. From here we continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hahoe, where we find the Hahoe Folk Village and its fascinating Mask Museum. We visit the site with a local guide, spending time wandering through the traditional houses of this early Joseon Dynasty village, exploring the museum and the 500 year old Byeongsan Seowon Confucian School. We then continue on our journey to the city Gyeongju, a journey of around two and a half hours.

Day 06: Explore Gyeongju, the Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple
We enjoy a full day tour of South Korea’s second largest city today. Once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla, Gyeongju ruled over much of the Korean Peninsula between the 7th and 9th centuries. Our first visits this morning are to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Seokguram Grotto and the Bulguksa Temple. We also visit the Silla Kiln and the city’s National Museum, a rich repository for the relics and artifacts of the Silla kingdom, one of the longest dynasties in Asian history.

Day 07: Visit Namsan Mountain and Tongdosa Temple. Take the high speed train to Seoul
There is the option to make an early morning visit to Namsan Mountain which provides a beautiful natural setting for hundreds of temples and Buddha statues. There are hiking trails to enjoy, a boating like and cycles to hire to help you make the most of the area.

In the late morning we’ll drive to Tongdosa temple, the largest in Korea and considered one of the country’s ‘three jewels’. It is said that its Beopdeung, or temple candle, has been burning continuously for 1,300 years.

Later, we head for Busan where there’ll be time to visit the Fish market and Interational market before taking the high speed train to Seoul.

Day 08: Visit the Demilitarised Zone
Today we experience one of the last frontiers of the Cold War – the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea – an area where over a million soldiers remain on high alert on either side. Formally the Korean war technically has never ended – and this geo-political fault line is still raw for the people of Korea. We are escorted by the Military right into the DMZ and stand right at the very edge – both sides literally staring at each other just metres apart. Whilst in the Joint Security Area (JSA) you must be respectfully dressed, no jeans or sandals are allowed nor can you make any arm or hand gestures as visitors are closely monitored (and photographed) by the North Koreans for propaganda purposes. Our next stop is underground to explore a tunnel built by the North into South Korea with the aim to breach the border. This was found by accident – the tunnel is wide enough for 2000 troops an hour to pass through and is just 1 of 4 that were subsequently discovered. Military clearance is obtained for all visitors and you will be in a larger group, please be aware that due to the nature of the area visited this excursion may be cancelled at short notice depending on the security situation.

Day 09: Trip ends in Seoul
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Seoul.

Day 01: Arrive Seoul
Arrive in Seoul. Time permitting and depending on the arrival time. The representative will arrange a short orientation tour in proximity of the hotel. In the evening we have the chance to visit the Gwangjang market, one of the oldest food markets in Seoul, where locals meet after work to enjoy traditional foods and liquor. The market also sells vintage clothing and textiles during the day, but comes alive in the evenings when unique foods such as ‘bindaetteok’, a popular pancake with ‘makkolli’, the traditional Korean rice wine, are served.

Day 02: Explore Seoul
Full day Seoul walking tour including Insadong artisan area, Jogyesa Temple and Gyeongbokkung Palace. Today we will enjoy a walking tour of Seoul.We first head towards the Cheonggyecheon, an age old canal in downtown Seoul that was filled with concrete in the 1960’s but reopened in 2005 in its original state. Continue to Tapgol Park, the central point of the Korean independence movement in 1919. From there, we continue on to Insadong, the artisan neighbourhood where traditional teahouses and souvenir shops are lined up in a cosy, welcoming atmosphere.After, we visit Jogyesa Temple, one of the most beautiful temple complexes in the heart of Seoul. At Gwanghwamoon you can admire the impressive statues of Admiral Yi and King Sejong; men who played vital roles in Korean history.The next stop for the day is at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Built by the Joseon Dynasty in 1394, this immense complex was the centre of power up to Japanese occupation at the start of the last century. At the Palace, we may see the changing of guards. Our last visit for today will be Bukchon Hanok Village which is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon dynasty.(Please note that the order of these activities may change).

Day 03: Visit Panmunjom to learn how Korea was divided
Today we will have an excursion to Panmunjom, the only place on the peninsula where North and South Koreans can meet face to face. It was here that the peace treaty was signed in 1953 and where both parties agreed on a Joint Security Area (JSA) in the middle of the border between the two countries, also known as DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). After a short briefing by US army personnel you will enter the JSA; here you will visit Freedom House, the blue barracks sharing a conference room for talks between both North and South Korea, the visitor’s observation post and the bridge of no return. En route you will enjoy a traditional Korean dish for lunch. Please note that due to government restrictions in place this excursion is guided by a local JSA specialised guide and not by your tour leader. Please also note that the Panmunjom tour may be withdrawn at any time and in such cases this trip will be substituted with visits to other key areas in the North/South Korean history, such as the Third Tunnel. We must also mention that some nationalities will not be permitted to take part in the tour (at time of writing this includes nationals from Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan and Syria) and it will be more difficult to obtain permission for South Korean and Chinese nationals to join the tour. Strict rules are in place for DMZ tours and as such passport details must be provided in advance. For dual passport holders, please ensure you provide Exodus with the exact passport details you will be entering South Korea with (and will be required to carry on the day tour).During the tour, it is critically important that you follow instructions from military personnel and guides whilst on the tour. Please refer to the ‘What To Take’ section for information on required attire for this day trip.

Day 04: Transfer to Gangneung; afternoon Korean cooking demonstration
Today will begin with a private transfer to Gangneung on the east coast (approx. 3hrs). In the heart of Gangwon Province we will visit one of Korea’s most picturesque culinary bases, where all the food is produced and processed naturally and according to centuries-old recipes; fermented food such as kimchi, red pepper paste, doenjang (bean paste) and fish sauce is stored and aged in clay vessels, sometimes for over 5 years! Herbs are grown and harvested from gardens, and wild herbs collected from the mountains surrounding the area.Here we learn how bibimbab is made, a traditional dish of rice with vegetables, herbs, meat and several side dishes. You will then lunch on this freshly-cooked, healthy food.In the afternoon we transfer to the hotel in Sokcho, a lively coastal city which belonged to North Korea from 1945 until the end of the Korean.

Day 05: Enjoy an easy walk in Seoraksan N.P.
Situated on the beautiful east coast, the Seorak Mountains are the most famous in Korea. At the foot on the mountains we will find an enormous Buddha statue and from this point one may follow a variety of different trails between 2 and 10 km. The leader will guide those who wish on an easy and short optional walk. A more leisurely option for those not wishing to walk is to take a cable car to one of the mountain tops to enjoy the fantastic views.

Day 06: Transfer to Andong; visit the Andong Hahoe Folk Museum
Transfer from Sokcho to Andong by private minibus (approx. 4hrs). Visit to the Andong Hahoe Village where century old traditions, influenced by the teachings of Confucius, are still alive. The inhabitants live in the same way their ancestors did; in simple houses for the common farmers and in richly decorated houses for the “Yangban” aristocrats.

Day 07: Andong to Gyeongju
Transfer from Andong to Gyeongju by private vehicle (approx. 2.5hrs) stopping en route for a visit to the Dosan Confucian School. In the afternoon Visit the Tumuli Park with the royal tombs dating back to the Shilla Dynasty. The numerous artifacts being found in these tombs show a remarkable technological and cultural advancement in that period (600-900 CE). We also visit Cheomseongdae, the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. The 362 stones used to build the Cheomseongdae represent the 362 days in the lunar calendar.

Day 08: Full day sightseeing including Seokguram Grotto, Bulguksa Temple and Anapji Pond
Seokguram Grotto, which we will visit this morning, was discovered by a postman sheltering from the rain. Inside the man-made cave he found an astonishing beautiful statue of Buddha, constructed during the Shilla Dynasty. The grotto is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. From here we will visit Bulguksa Temple, constructed in the same period.This afternoon we visit the National Museum of Gyeongju, where one can relive the rich and advanced culture of the Shilla Dynasty and see the numerous archaeological findings. Our day ends with a stop at Anapji Pond, an artificial pond constructed in the royal palace grounds, before exploring Gyeongju food market.

Day 09: Gyeongju to Haeinsa Temple
This morning we transfer from Gyeongju to Haeinsa Temple (approx. 3hrs).Haeinsa Temple is one of the oldest in Korea and home to the Tripitaka Koreana, the most complete collection of Buddhist texts, engraved on 80,000 woodblocks between 1237 and 1248 which gained the UNESCO status in 1995.Here we will experience a strict Buddhist lifestyle and meet the monks who dedicate their lives to prayer and meditation. On entering the temple you exchange your own clothes for simple monks’ clothing and after the initial introductions and opening ceremony you have the opportunity to walk around the beautiful temple complex. After the vegetarian Buddhist dinner we will partake in a tea ceremony. Lights out at 9pm this evening, ready for our early morning wake-up.Please note, during our stay at the temple, the program and order in which it runs can be subject to changes.

Day 10: Transfer to Busan; city tour including local markets
Start your day early; wake up at 3.30am to participate at the first ceremony and meditation. After breakfast at 6:00, depart the temple and transfer to Busan (approx. 2hrs).From the impressive Gwangalli Bridge we can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Busan shoreline. We will learn the tragic history of the Korean War (1950-1953) at the UN War Cemetery. Continue the tour and visit the Nurimaru APEC House, a wonderful location with gorgeous views over the ocean. We will also discover Jagalchi Fishmarket, one of the largest markets of its kind, selling a dazzling array of fish. Here you can taste the famous Korean sashimi before heading into the adjacent Gukje Market, where you can shop for souvenirs. After dinner, enjoy an optional visit to the Busan tower (118m high) for some amazing night vistas!

Day 11: Bullet train to Seoul; transfer to hotel. Free afternoon
This morning we take a bullet train back to Seoul (approx. 3hr) and transfer to our hotel. This afternoon is free for some last-minute shopping or to perhaps visit the vibrant Hongdae university district. You may also like to spend your final evening in Seoul exploring lively Itaewon neighbourhood’s nightlife!

Day 12: Depart Seoul
The tour ends this morning after breakfast for land only clients.