Hwacheon Trout Ice Festival Tour
1 DaySeasonal & Winter ToursDay Trips from SeoulPrivate Day Tours

Hwacheon Trout Ice Festival Tour

Overview

Experience one of Korea's most iconic winter festivals at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, a unique seasonal event held every January in the pristine mountain town of Hwacheon. Set on a frozen river surrounded by snowy landscapes, this festival offers an unforgettable day of winter fun for visitors of all ages. The highlight of the festival is ice fishing for sancheoneo (mountain trout) through holes drilled into the thick ice. For those looking for a bigger thrill, you can even try bare-handed trout catching, diving into an icy pool to catch the fish yourself. After your catch, enjoy the freshest mountain trout grilled over charcoal or prepared as sashimi at the festival grounds. Beyond fishing, the festival features a variety of exciting winter activities, including snow sledding, traditional ice sledding, and other family-friendly attractions. Whether you're fishing on the frozen river, racing down snowy slopes, or savoring freshly grilled trout, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival offers an authentic Korean winter experience that combines adventure, local culture, and delicious food in one unforgettable day. The festival attracts over one million visitors each year and has been recognized internationally as one of the world's premier winter festivals.

Tour Highlights

Ice Trout Fishing

The highlight of the festival — ice fishing for sancheoneo (mountain trout) through holes drilled into the thick ice of the frozen river.

Ice Trout Fishing — Hwacheon Trout Ice Festival Tour

Bare-Handed Trout Catching

For a bigger thrill, try bare-handed trout catching, diving into an icy pool to catch the fish yourself.

Bare-Handed Trout Catching — Hwacheon Trout Ice Festival Tour

Winter Activities

A variety of exciting winter activities, including snow sledding, traditional ice sledding, and other family-friendly attractions.

Winter Activities — Hwacheon Trout Ice Festival Tour

Fresh Mountain Trout

After your catch, enjoy the freshest mountain trout grilled over charcoal or prepared as sashimi at the festival grounds.

Fresh Mountain Trout — Hwacheon Trout Ice Festival Tour
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Itinerary

08:00Pick up from your hotel in Seoul and depart for Hwacheon
10:30Arrive at the festival and receive your admission ticket. Enjoy the famous ice fishing experience and explore the various winter attractions
12:30Free time for lunch. You may have your freshly caught trout grilled or prepared as sashimi, or choose from a variety of local food stalls (at your own expense)
13:30Continue enjoying the festival with optional activities such as snow sledding, bare-handed trout catching, traditional ice sledding, and other winter games
16:30Depart Hwacheon and begin the return journey to Seoul
19:00Arrive back in Seoul and drop-off at your hotel.

Private Tour Pricing

Price per person based on group size

Group SizePrice per Person
2 guestsUSD 256
3 guestsUSD 182
4 guestsUSD 145
5 guestsUSD 127
6 guestsUSD 111
7+ guestsOn request

Inclusions

  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Roundtrip transfer service with private vehicle
  • Fishing equipment

Exclusions

  • Personal expenses
  • Every meal

Important Information

  • •Festival admission is included. However, all optional activities, trout dishes, and other personal expenses inside the festival are not included and must be paid for individually.
  • •The itinerary and travel times may vary depending on traffic and festival conditions.

Interested in this tour?

Enquire or ask us to customize it to your travel style.