%20(2).png)
9-day Tasty Journey Round Korea
This 9 days tour will take you to beautiful fishing villages, mountain villages, and big cities such as Busan and cities with thousands of years of history. Korea has a perfect combination of mountains and beaches. Historical sites and beautiful scenery can be found not only in the small coastal towns but also in the remote forested mountains. 9 days tasty journey around Korea is a tour around Korea to uncover the many flavors and delicacies that define the very identity of a region, the lifestyle of its people as well as the many ways in which eating habits and cities give shape to one another. Enjoy the adventure of exploration when traversing around South Korea. The tour allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature, energetic trendy big city, peaceful rural areas, and tasty Korean local foods.
Day 1 Geumsan - Mt. Daedunsan / Overnight in Gunsan
Geumsan ginseng market - Mt Daedunsan Suspension Bridge
Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje
Meet your guide at your place in Seoul and move to Geumsan by spacious van. Geumsan is widely known as the largest ginseng market in Korea, holding 80% of the nation’s ginseng trade. Along with its enormous ginseng industry, Geumsan is also rising as the largest herbal medicine market in the country. The Geumsan Ginseng & Herbal Medicine Market is a traditional market with a long-standing history, offering a variety of health products.
Daedunsan Mountain is defined by the grandiose rock peaks of Macheondae Summit, Janggunbong, and Ambong Peaks, as well as surrounding strange rocks and lush trees that fill the area. Daedunsan Provincial Park has served as a scenic site equipped with recreational facilities including cable cars and suspension bridge. A 5-minute cable car ride followed by a walk up the steep stairs leads to a suspension, stretching 50 meters from Imgeumbawi Rock to Ipseokdae Pedestal.
Ginseng chicken soup and deep-fried ginseng-
The ginseng chicken soup and deep-fried ginseng are the most popular menu items in this town. The ginseng chicken consists primarily of a whole young chicken (poussin) - filled with garlic, rice, jujube, and ginseng, while the deep-fried ginseng is eaten in a dip of red ginseng extract and tastes delicious. This is what ‘food like medicine’ is all about.
Day 2 Gunsan and Gogunsan Islands / Overnight in Gunsan
Gunsan Modern History Museum - Jinpo port - Iseongdang Bakery
Gochang Dolmen Site
Gochang Dolmen Site
Following the opening of its port in 1899, Gunsan became a hub of modern cultural heritage from the Japanese colonial era (1910–1945). After the nation’s liberation from colonial rule in August 1945, however, the city’s seemingly unstoppable prosperity came to a halt and went into limbo. All transactions at the port that relied on Japanese capital were completely cut off. In addition, during the industrialization period after the 1960s, the city fell far behind in terms of development, as it relied on only primary industries and the food processing industry. Although the city is a symbol of the painful history of Japanese exploitation through its shipping of rice to Japan, it has now transformed into a fascinating cultural destination, offering a wide variety of things to see and do in addition to retaining traces of its colonial past. You will go to the Modern history museum, Jinpo Maritime Theme Park; on display at the park are vintage tanks, historical artillery, combat planes, and warships including the Wibongham Ship, a vessel that was used in combat during the Vietnam War. Iseongdang bakery which is the oldest bakery in Korea.
You can relax and enjoy Korean-style shabu shabu. Fresh vegetables, meat, and seafood are parboiled in the pot and then eaten with chili, soy or lemon sauce. You need to grab some Korean shabu while your visiting!
Gogunsan islands tour - Saemangeum sea wall and its Exhibition Hall
Saemangeum seawall connects Gunsa, the Gogunsan islands, and Buan. It is the longest seawall in the world. The one-hour ride takes you to the Gogunsan islands from the Gunsan city.
Gogunsan islands consist of 4 big islands, 3 of them are connected with bridges and 58 islands altogether. You will go to the Sunyudo island to see the two very different beach. Okdol beach is the secluded pebble beach. Tucked away behind a small row of houses, the sound of the waves hitting the pebbles is one of the most relaxing sounds you can imagine. Another great place on the island is the main sandy beach. Seonyudo’s main beach is a great place for swimming, catching shellfish, or Zipline activity.
Then, you go to Jangjido island for hiking. Just 20 minutes hike to the peak, the summit still provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the many islands that dot the western coast of Korea.
Day 3 Jeonju / Overnight in Jeonju
Jeonju Hanok Village & Hanok Stay
Let's explore Jeonju, a city of Bibimbap. Jeonju Hanok Village is located in the city of Jeonju and overlaps Pungnam-dong and Gyo-dong. There are 735 traditional Korean hanok houses. While the rest of the city has been industrialized, Hanok Village retains its historical charms and traditions.
The Jeondong Catholic Church was completed in 1914 It is the largest and oldest western-style structure in the Jeollanam province and is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Korea.
Gyeonggijeon is the hall where the portrait of Lee Seonggae, the founder of Joseon dynasty is enshrined. It was built in 1410. The portrait of Lee Seonggae itself is designated as the National Treasure #317.
Pungnam Gate is the south gate of the city wall that enclosed Jeonju during the Joseon Dynasty. It was the only remaining gate after the destruction of the wall.
Jeonju Hyanggyo Confucian school Since Goryeo Dynasty (918-1329) and throughout Joseon Dynasty (1329-1910), Hyanggyo had been installed as the public educational institution in provinces. Therefore, Hyanggyo is likened to today’s national universities installed in major regional cities.
Geumsansa Buddhist temple - Hanjiwon (Traditional Korean paper factory) - Hanok Stay
Geumsansa Buddhist temple
During the Baekjae reign of King Beop (599 C.E.), the temple was built to pray for the king’s prosperity and
good fortune. Later it was expanded and established as the Head Temple for the worship of Maitreya. Maitreya, regarded as the future Buddha. When you step in Geumsansa, you would see valuable relics and cultural assets. The most eye-catching among all undoubtedly is the three stories Mireukjeon (Maitreya Hall). From the outside,
it seems like a three-story building, but inside is completely open all the way up to the high ceiling.
Jeonju Jeontong Hanjiwon
Jeonju Jeontong Hanjiwon sells various types of Hanji(Korean traditional paper) from the ones for calligraphy, oriental painting and to the crafts. This place is not just a Hanji shop but it a workshop where people can experience how to make Hanji. You can also get a glimpse and experience the process of making hanji here.
Hanok Stay refers to staying in a traditional Korean house. It is a good opportunity for you to experience traditional Korean lifestyle and culture. The traditional houses available for hanok stays are decades to hundreds of years old. They have been somewhat renovated for the convenience and safety of its guests, but the
traditional Korean style and sentiment are still retained.
Jeonju is considered as the home of bibimbap, the famous Korean dish of rice with vegetables and beef.
Bean sprouts, a key ingredient in Jeonju bibimbap, are usually cooked in the last stage of rice cooking, and Jeonju bibimbap is usually served with clear bean sprout soup. Other vegetables like spinach, balloon roots,
drop water and shiitake mushrooms are also included along with beef and red pepper paste.
This makes the dish healthy food, providing all the key nutrients in one bowl.
Day 4 Tongyoung - Busan / Overnight in Busan
Tongyoung Jungang Market - Mt. Mireuksan by Cable car
You will arrive in Tongyeong, a beautiful little port city, after a two-and-a-half-hour journey from Jeonju. Hallyeo Waterway Observation Cable Car is the longest (1.975m) cable car in Korea installed on Tongyeong Mt. Mireuksan (461m above the sea), one of the 100 celebrated mountains (the Office of Forestry) in Korea. Visitors can reach the top of Mt. Mireuksan in this Gondola and there waits for jewelry-like islands of Hallyeo Waterway, Tongyeong Harbor.
The Tongyeong Jungang Market is formed along a long stretch of quay-side kiosks. Visitors can easily see that the city is one of the busiest ports in Korea with its abundant fishery products. The market is full of noise as merchants and visitors try to make a deal while live fish try to jump out of their tanks, splashing water everywhere. In Tongyeong, people can eat the freshest fish at a very reasonable price. Stroll around the market to see various Korean foods including fish, seafood, meat, vegetables and ingredients that play important roles in Korean cuisine. Enjoy tasting fresh raw fish cut in slices, spicy fish soup, fish cake, traditional honey bread.
At the end of the tour, you will be escorted to Hwangnyeongsan Mountain in Busan. The mountain is the second highest mountain in the Geumnyeon Mountain Range. So it is really easy to catch the beautiful night view of Busan city on the Hwangnyeongsan Mountain. The guide will escort you to your hotel in Busan after Mt Hwangnyeongsan.
Day 5 Busan / Overnight in Busan
Haewundae beach and Dongbaekseom - Haedongyonggungsa temple - UN memorial park
Explore Busan with your private guide to see thriving metropolis and experience the vibrant local neighborhood. Haeundae Beach is the most popular beach in South Korea, with 1 million visitors a day during the summer season. Offering various water sports activities, festivals, concerts, and parties, Haeundae Beach is a destination worth visiting for an exciting getaway. There is Dongbaek Island at the western end of Haeundae beach. Dongbaek is translated into Camellia which is growing in islands of southern provinces of Korea, blossoming around March. There is Nurimaru APEC house in the island, around three-story building exclusively built for the final summit meeting for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in the island.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is situated on the coast of the north-eastern portion of Busan. This superb attraction offers visitors the rare find of a temple along the shoreline; most temples in Korea are located in the mountains. UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea is a memorial park established to glorify the help & sacrifice by UN Forces soldiers who fought in the Korean War.
Among Busan’s famous locales is a magical place called Gamcheon Culture Village. During the height of the Korean War in the 1950s, this area was where refugees from all over the country made their home.
Tombstones village - The stairs and the walls in this village are different from what you normally see. They are all tombstones. That's why the village is called Tombstone culture village. People began living here in tents since 1951. When it became more settled, the tents became too small, so people began building on top of Japanese graves.
Trying Korean pork bbq is a must-do activity on any visit to South Korea, whether it’s a casual dinner after a long day of sightseeing or lunch on the town. Our guide will take you to the best restaurants in Busan to grill up tasty pork bbq dishes such as galbi and samgyeopsal.
Day 6 Gyeongju / Overnight in Gyeongju
Gyeongju Bulguksa temple and Sukgulam grotto
Today, on a tour to the two-thousand-year-old ancient city, you will first tour temple and grotto constructed during the mid-7th century. Bulguksa Temple is the most famous Buddhist temple in Korea and the home to a number of important relics from the Silla period, including most obviously the two stone pagodas Dabotap and Soekgatap. It also dates from the 8th century but has been rebuilt on a number of occasions.
Seokguram Grotto is a hermitage that is part of the Bulguksa temple complex. The grotto overlooks the East Sea and rests 750 meters above sea level. It holds some of the best Buddhist sculptures in the world, including the main Buddha. Construction lasted from 742 to 774.
Inside the round-shaped main hall are the Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-sattva, and his disciples. The Bonjon figure wearing a generous smile is seated on the stage engraved with a lotus flower design.
Gyeongju National Museum - Anapji palace site - Cheomseongdae observatory - Tumuli Park
Arguably the best history museum in Korea, the Gyeongju National Museum is where you can appreciate the significance of this ancient city in one fell swoop. The main archaeological hall has dazzling displays of jewellery, weaponry and other ceremonial items from the Shilla dynasty, including a 5th-century gold crown
Visit the Tumuli Park. It has more than 20 large and small tombs from the Shilla period. The tombs are presumed to be those of kings and court officials. As those excavated were all found to be stone-pilled wood-lined chamber type, most of the tombs here are presumed to be of the same type. During the excavations of chenmachong and Hwangnamchong , numerous artifacts were uncovered.
Anapji Pond was built in 674 after the unification of the Korean Peninsula. Small mountains were created inside the palace walls, beautiful trees, and flowers, as well as rare birds and animals were brought from all over to the islands and hills surrounding the pond. Also, a number of pavilions were constructed around it and used for state festivals and banquets and as a prince’s palace.
Hanjeongsik is served with many side dishes using local produce, and dishes harmonized in different recipes, seasonings, temperatures, and colors come out at once on a table. These requirements fully reflect local food characteristics of Gyeongju.
Day 7 Andong - Hahoe Village / Overnight in Andong
Andong Hahoe village - Andong traditional market
.jpg)
Today you will visit a village of 500 years, leaving behind the thousand-year-old city. Hahoe is the village where the members of Ryu family which originated from Hahoe Village have lived together for 600 years. It is a representative village for one family where tile-roofed houses and thatched-roofed ones have been quite well conserved for a long time. The Korean Hahoe mask show takes place in the village.
Hahoe Pyolshin-Gut T'al-Nori (mask dance) is one of Korea's most traditional folk plays.
Handed down at Hahoe village, the mask dance drama has been performed for centuries as a village ritual, the performance began on lunar New Year's Day and continued at various places around the village until midmonth.
drama combines shaman rituals and popular entertainment. The village ritual was intended to please the local goddess and exorcise evil spirits. The village prayed for an abundant harvest and for peace and prosperity while enjoying themselves performing the play. The whole village took part in the event and enjoyed the satirical story revealed in the drama.
Like other Korean Confucian academies, Dosan Seowon serves two purposes: education and commemoration. The site was well known in Korea as one of the leading academics and was home to the Toegye School of Thought for over 400 years. Although the educational function of the facility has long since ceased, the commemorative ceremonies have been and are still held twice a year.
There is one popular dish that everyone visiting the city of Andong is guaranteed to taste! Andong Jjim-dak, a seasoned and simmered chicken, is a combination of sweet and mild flavor of sensation with plump meat, potatoes and glass noodles in all good balance. The best part of this delicious dish is probably the sauce, where you can mix it with rice and enjoy the dish to the very last bit.
In order to experience this Andong’s ingenuity, visit Jjim-dak Golmok, the food alley located inside of Andong Traditional Market. The alley is specifically known to be packed with jjim-dak specialty stores and most of them will offer a good hearty meal at a similar price range.
Day 8 Mountain Range Canyon Train(V-Train) - Teabeck - Gangneung / Overnight in Gangneung
Mountain Range Canyon Train - Taebeck
You will leave for Youngju from Andong to take V-train in the morning. The ‘V’ in V-Train stands for "valley," as it travels through the beautiful valley of Cheoram in Gangwon-do as well as Buncheon in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Riding on the V-Train is especially refreshing as the windows can be opened to feel the breeze. Traveling at a leisurely speed that is slower than regular trains, passengers can easily enjoy the changing views of the mountains and valley. After an hour's train trip, you move to Taebaek city, which was famous for the coal industry in the past.
The town of Taebaek is a unique mountain paradise. It is part closed mine area, part ski town, and a relaxing place to getaway. The area has so much! From caves and hiking to museums and scenic drives; Taebaek is a wonderful place. While coal has declined in use due to the growing use of clean energy, the resource served an important role in the modernization of the nation. You can see the flourishing traces of the past in a small city in the closed mine area. For your lunch, you will taste the famous hanwoo-Korean beef roast in this area for lunch.
Gangneung, Gyeongpo Lake and Beach
Gyeongpo Lake and Beach is a sandbank formed between Gyeongpo Lake and the ocean. This beautiful beach extends to a length of 6 km and is covered with fine sand. It is a very well-known tourist attraction in Korea: a flawless combination of nature and cultural relics.
Day 9 Sokcho - Mt. Seorak - Seoul
Jujeongol valley at Mt Seoraksan
On the last day of your nine-day tour, you will trek along the beautiful valley and go up one of the peaks by cable car in Mt. Seorak. Jujeongol got its name from the fact that bandits made counterfeit coins at this valley. Jujeon in Korean means coin minting and gol means valley. An easy hiking course even for children and senior. The valley is filled with wildflowers in spring. In summer, the heat is washed away by the clean and cold water of the valley. In the fall, the changing colors of the leaves make a fantastic scenery. Also during this hike, you will stop at Yongso waterfall. A short, wide waterfall surrounded by greenery.
Shinheungsa temple at Mt Seoraksan - Gweongumseong peak by cable car
Upon arrival, you will ride the Seorak cable car to Gweongumsung peak(670m above sea level), which provides bird's eye view of Mt. Seorak, Ulsnbawi rock, and the East Sea. Located about 5 minutes from the entrance is the cable car ride. The ride itself is ten minutes long and displays heavenly views of the park and mountains.
You can view beautiful Buddhist temples hidden with the mountain, most notably Sinheungsa.
Sinheungsa is a short 10min walk away from the entrance to Sogongwon. In fact, many visits because of its close proximity to Sogongwon. You also can see a local landmark such as the 33-foot-high bronze Buddha statue at shinheungsa temple.
For your lunch, Donghae Makguksu and Suyuk is the place for proper makguksu (buckwheat noodles) at Sokcho. Donghae Makguksu's menu is filled with buckwheat-focused foods, including makguksu, suyuk (boiled pork slices) with buckwheat sprouts and buckwheat makgeolli (rice wine).
Noodles here are made in-house and carefully placed among dong-chimi (water-based radish kimchi) broth and garnished with buckwheat sprouts before serving. The marriage of dongchimi and broth provides an excellently-balanced sweet and sour combination. Chilli powder can be added to individual taste.
Experience extraordinary culinary, you’ll want to share it with your friends
Tour Condition
Inclusions
- Local English-speaking tour guide & Vehicle
- All Entrance charges
- Accommodation (8nights) 3 or 4 star Hotel or similar Hotel, 8N/ double, twin, Triple sharing room based)
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Lunch 9 times (the foods on the itinerary)
Exclusions
- Dinner
- Seonyudo Skyline Zipline ticket
- Travel insurance
- International airfare
Terms of Condition
-
All your tours must be paid the deposit 20% of Deposit to confirm your tour.
-
Payment Option - PayPal or Bank Transfer
-
All the tours are based on USD Currency.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation charge will be automatically applied like below.
- 15 ~ 29 days : 20%
- 8 ~ 14 days : 50%
- 1 ~ 7 days : 80%
- No show : 100%
Tour rate
Number of Guest / Price per Person
- 2Persons / USD3,637
- 3Persons / USD2,922
- 4Persons / USD2,471
- 5Persons / USD2,238
- 6Persons / Inquiry
Note
The cost of the tour can vary based on several factors, such as the type of accommodation (such as the level of the hotel), the length of the tour, the number of days you want to spend with a private guide, and the season in which you plan to travel.
If you'd like to receive an accurate quote, please feel free to contact us. Our tour consultants will work with you to create a customized plan that fits your specific preferences and budget. We'll provide you with a detailed breakdown of the costs involved and answer any questions you may have.