SEOUL -4ºC - -4ºC

Welcome to Korea! You’ll be transferred to your hotel and have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll receive information about the start of your tour.

SEOUL -4ºC - -4ºC

We’ll depart early for the Cheorwon region and its section of the DMZ, the Demilitarized Zone that marks the division between the two Koreas. We’ll explore the Second Tunnel, secretly dug by the North Korean army and discovered in 1975. We’ll then head to the Cheorwon Peace Observatory, offering panoramic views of the DMZ and the first villages of North Korea. Inside, there is a small museum dedicated to the Korean War. Our route will continue with a visit to the abandoned Woljeong-ri railway station. We’ll also visit the Baek Ma Battle Memorial, which honors the role of a French UN battalion during the battles. Finally, we’ll visit a local producer of Makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice liquor. We’ll return to Seoul in the evening.

Important note: Please remember to bring your passport, as it is required. The DMZ is a military zone and could be closed unexpectedly without prior notice. If this happens, an alternative route will be provided.

With our guide, we go to City Hall, to see this impressive tsunami-looking building. Across from City Hall, we’ll see Deoksugung Palace, beautifully lit at night, allowing us to appreciate the blend of tradition and modernity in this country. From there, we’ll walk to the Myeongdong district, South Korea’s largest shopping and entertainment area, whose name means “bright town.” Dinner will be included at a local restaurant. To return to hotel we’ll take the modern and efficient metro (ticket included). Overnight accommodation.

SEOUL -4ºC - -4ºC

Today, we’ll enjoy an extensive five-hour tour of Seoul. We’ll see the Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, set within a large park and home to a collection of palaces. Afterward, we’ll pass by Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional and historic neighborhood with little homes. Next, we’ll learn about the War Memorial of Korea, an impressive museum that provides a deep insight into the various conflicts that have shaped Korea’s history, with a special focus on the Korean War, where soldiers from many countries fought under the United Nations. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. We’ll then head to the Gangnam District, one of the city´s busiest areas, known for its shopping centers and entertainment venues. To conclude the day, we’ll stop at Lotte World Tower, a stunning skyscraper standing 550 meters tall. You’ll have free time either to go up the tower (ticket not included) or explore the surrounding park and luxury shopping malls. After, we will return to the hotel, and you will have free time.

SEOUL -4ºC - -4ºC - SUWON -5ºC - -4ºC - JEONJU -1ºC - -1ºC

Today, we’ll visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, a stunning palace with over 600 years of history. We’ll have the chance to witness the ceremonial changing of the guard if it takes place at that time. Afterward, we’ll depart from Seoul and head south. Our first stop will be Suwon, the former capital of Korea, renowned for its impressive UNESCO World Heritage walls. We’ll see these remarkable fortifications and visit Hwaseong Haenggung, the summer palace. Lunch will be included. We’ll then continue to Jeonju, where we’ll discover its fascinating historic center (Hanok Village), with its little houses, traditional shops, and art galleries.

JEONJU -1ºC - -1ºC - DAMYANG -1ºC - -1ºC - HAEINSA - BUSAN 0ºC - 0ºC

We’ll depart for the Sunchang Gochujang Village, located at the base of Mount Amisan, with its hanok houses and courtyards filled with clay pots called hang-a-ri. This village is home to master artisans who craft gochujang (Korean chili paste) using traditional methods. We’ll enjoy a hands-on experience learning how to make this famous sauce. Afterward, we’ll continue to Damyang to visit the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest, where the paths are considered some of the most beautiful in the country, perfect for meditation and enjoying the fresh breeze. We’ll also find a variety of bamboo products, celebrated in places like the Bamboo Museum. Lunch will be included, and we’ll taste a local specialty: rice cooked and served inside a bamboo stalk. Surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes and forests, we’ll arrive at Haeinsa, one of Korea’s most important Buddhist temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 802, it houses the Tripitaka, the most complete collection of Buddhist scriptures, carved on 80,000 wooden tablets. We’ll then continue to Busan, Korea’s second-largest city, known for its vibrant atmosphere, for accommodation.

BUSAN 0ºC - 0ºC - BUSAN - SHIMONOSEKI FERRY

In the morning, we’ll depart from Busan to visit Haedong Yonggung, a 14th-century Buddhist temple located by the sea. After returning to Busan, we’ll learn about the United Nations Memorial, where people from various countries are buried. Next, we’ll visit the largest fish market in the country, located next to Nampo Port. Lunch will be included. We’ll then walk to Yongdusan Park, home to the towering 120-meter pagoda. Later, we’ll go to the port to complete boarding formalities (the latest check-in time for the ferry is 5:30 p.m.). The ferry is scheduled to depart from Busan at 9:00 p.m., crossing the Sea of Japan. Night will be spent onboard in double cabins with private bathrooms.

Note: Due to limited availability of double cabins on the ferry, we may take a high-speed ferry departing Busan at 3:00 p.m. and arriving in Fukuoka (Japan) at around 6:30 p.m. (border crossing, free time in Fukuoka, and hotel accommodation).

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Arrival at 08:00 a.m. at Shimonoseki Port (breakfast not included), followed by a border crossing. We’ll head to Iwakuni, a charming town where we’ll pass by the beautiful and historic Kintai-Kyo Bridge. We’ll then take a ferry to Miyajima, the island known as the place “where gods and humans coexist.” It is home to the Itsukushima Shrine, dedicated to the guardian of the seas and partially built over the water. There will be time to explore the shrine, stroll through the picturesque town center, and enjoy lunch. Next, we’ll head to Hiroshima, a city sadly known for the atomic bombing in 1945 that destroyed it. We’ll tour the Peace Memorial, see the atomic bomb dome, and visit the impressive Peace Museum. Dinner will be included.

HIROSHIMA 5ºC - 5ºC - MATSUYAMA 7ºC - 7ºC

Today we will take a ferry to Shikoku Island, on a pleasant crossing that lasts two hours and a half and see the many islands that make up Japan. In MATSUYAMA we will take the cable car up to its impressive castle. Afterwards, we will visit ISHITEJI, a beautiful Buddhist temple and a place of pilgrimage. Lunch included. In the late afternoon, we will visit DOGO ONSEN (admission included), a traditional Japanese bath facility built in the 19th century.

MATSUYAMA 7ºC - 7ºC - KOTOHIRA 3ºC - 5ºC - TAKAMATSU 4ºC - 6ºC - NARUTO 7ºC - 7ºC - KOBE 5ºC - 5ºC

We depart for KOTOHIRA, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the God of sailors and a place of pilgrimage. The shrine stands on Mount Zosu and is reached by climbing 785 steps. Afterwards in TAKAMATSU we will visit RITSURIN, one of the prettiest gardens in Japan. Lunch included. Then, in NARUTO, we cross an impressive bridge over the sea, stopping on the way to admire the construction and walk on its glass floor with the sea 45 metres below us. Our road is surrounded by beautiful scenery and then crosses long bridges between islands over the sea. Arrival in KOBE, accommodation.

KOBE 5ºC - 5ºC - OSAKA 5ºC - 6ºC - MOUNT KOYA

In Kobe, we’ll visit the Earthquake Memorial Museum, which serves to honor the memory of the devastating earthquake that struck the city in 1995 and its remarkable reconstruction.

We’ll then continue to Osaka, before heading to the sacred Mount Koya, the most important center of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. This magical pilgrimage site is home to 120 temples and monasteries. We’ll visit the Okuno Mausoleum, a deeply spiritual place and vast cemetery set in nature with over 200,000 graves. We’ll also visit the Kongobuji Temple, originally built in 1593.

We will spend the night in a Buddhist monastery, where the monks will lead us in a Zen meditation practice (Ajikan). Dinner will be included (vegetarian meal). If you wish, you can also attend the early morning religious ceremony at the temple.

Notes:
-On certain dates, the visit to the Earthquake Museum may be replaced by a visit to the Sake Museum or a trip up Kobe Tower.
-Staying at the monastery is considered a highly valuable experience. The rooms are simple, without private bathrooms, and follow traditional Japanese style with tatami mats. Bathrooms are shared.
-We cannot guarantee the meditation practice during peak tourist dates. Since accommodation capacity in the temples on Mount Koya is limited, in some cases, we may accommodate groups in nearby hotels (with half board included).

MOUNT KOYA - KYOTO 2ºC - 3ºC

We’ll start the day with a traditional Japanese breakfast at the temple. Early in the morning, we’ll depart for Kyoto, a city that served as Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and was home to the Imperial Court. Remarkably spared from bombings during World War II, Kyoto retains its extraordinary artistic and cultural heritage. The city is also famous as the site where the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions was signed in 1997.

Our visit will take us to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. We’ll admire the magnificent Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, explore the historic Imperial Palace, and marvel at the Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the “Golden Pavilion,” with its stunning gardens.

You’ll have free time to explore before we visit Gion, a bustling traditional district renowned for its Geisha culture. Here, you’ll have additional free time to soak in the unique atmosphere.

Note: If you’ve already visited Kyoto as part of your tour, our guide will provide tips and recommendations to help you explore other parts of the city on your own.

KYOTO 2ºC - 3ºC

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.