Day 1: Seoul
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.
Day 2: Seoul
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.
Day 3: Seoul
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.
Day 4: Seoul - Suwon - Jeonju
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.
Day 5: Jeonju - Damyang - Haeinsa - Busan
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.
Day 6: Busan
In the morning, we’ll depart from Busan to visit Haedong Yonggung, a 14th-century Buddhist temple beautifully located by the sea. Afterward, we’ll return to Busan to explore the UN Memorial Cemetery, the resting place for people from many nations. Next, we’ll visit the country’s largest fish market, located by Nampo Port, followed by an included lunch. We’ll then stroll to Yongdusan Park, home to the towering 120-meter pagoda. Later, we’ll head to Songdo Beach, where you can ride the country’s first marine cable car (ticket included, weather permitting) and take in the breathtaking views of the bay. Our journey will continue to the Gamcheon Culture Village, known for its vibrant, colorful buildings, maze-like alleyways, art galleries, pottery workshops, and beautiful cafes. Afterward, we’ll return to Busan for an overnight stay.
Day 7: Busan - Seokguram - Bulguksa - Gyeongju - Daegu
We’ll depart for the Seokguram Buddhist Grotto, an 8th-century site nestled on the slopes of the Tohamsan. Afterward, we’ll visit the Bulguksa Temple, considered one of the most beautiful temples in the country. Next, we’ll arrive in Gyeongju, the Korean capital that endured the longest in the nation’s history, with a reign of 992 years under 56 kings. You’ll have the chance to photograph the stunning wooden Woljeonggyo Bridge along the banks of the Namcheon River. Lunch will be included. We’ll then head to Tumuli Park, home to the burial mounds of kings from the ancient Silla Kingdom, which are over 1,500 years old. We’ll visit one of their tombs before walking to the Cheomsongdae Astronomical Observatory, the oldest in East Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our journey will continue with our arrival in Daegu, the fourth most populous city in Korea. Before heading to the hotel, we’ll see Dongsan Cheongna Hill, a historic area once home to Christian missionaries, and the commercial street of Dongseong-ro, the city’s liveliest street, with its trendy shops, cafes, and restaurants. Overnight stay in Daegu.
Day 8: Daegu - Andong - Hahoe - Seoul
We’ll begin our day with a tour of Daegu, with a visit to the Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine, renowned for its history of medicinal herbs. Afterward, we’ll take a stroll through the surrounding streets, known as the Herbal Medicine Market, famous for its abundance of herbal shops and the high quality of their products, particularly ginseng. We’ll then head north to Andong, where we’ll visit the outskirts of the traditional Hahoe Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll have time to wander through this rural village, which feels frozen in time. We’ll also visit the Hahoe Mask Museum, showcasing masks from around the world used in dances, medical practices, religious ceremonies, and theatrical performances. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. Next, we’ll visit the Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, founded in the 16th century and set in a peaceful, idyllic landscape along a river. We’ll arrive in Seoul in the evening. Weather permitting, we’ll stop at the Banpo Bridge over the Han River, famous for its fountain that creates a rainbow of water and lights along the bridge’s path. Overnight stay in Seoul.Note: The visit to Banpo Bridge is subject to weather conditions.
Day 9: Seoul - Tokyo
After breakfast, we’ll provide a transfer to the airport for the flight to Tokyo (included). Welcome to Japan! After completing border procedures, an assistant (usually Spanish-speaking, though sometimes English-speaking) will be waiting for you. You’ll then be transferred by shared shuttle bus to the hotel. Free time.
Day 10: Tokyo
In the morning, we take part in a 5-hour trip with our guide to see this amazing city, with its hustle and bustle and extremely modern districts that coexist with quiet, peaceful areas. Brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to make a beautiful photograph of the Tokyo Tower. Pay attention to the hundred of Jizos, stone traditional protecting deities who guide us on our travels, give power to those who are weak (such children) and those in dangerous places, and who are dressed including hats, robes and windmills. Then we head to the junction of Shibuya, a junction that is said to be the most crowded in the world. The Meiji Temple is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, his wife, and their spirits. We continue on our bus along the elegant street of Omotesando. We will edge the most beautiful part of the Imperial Palace and the gardens. Stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. We will pass through the district of Akihabara, the “electric town” with icons from the popular Japanese Manga and Anime culture and then see Kokugikan, the Sumo stadium, home of this Japanese sport. We will also visit the Buddhist temple of Sensoji, the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo, with its 55-metre high pagoda. Then we will have some free time to visit the traditional commercial street of Nakamise in the district of Asakusa. Lunch included in a local restaurant. Return to hotel.Free time in the afternoon.Late in the afternoon, we will pay a visit to this fascinating country by taking a trip on the metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku district and see the crowds of people who use this modern and efficient collective transport system. Shinjuku is one of the most important nightlife districts. Dinner included and return to hotel by metro with our guide.
Day 11: Tokyo - Kyoto
After breakfast transfer to the station to take the BULLET TRAIN to KYOTO. Arrival to Kyoto after almost 500 km in just over two hours, more or less. We spend the whole day in the city, which was the capital of Japan between 794 and 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. During World War II the city was the only major Japanese to escape the bombardments, and so it still preserves its wealth of artistic heritage; the famous protocol restricting greenhouse gas emissions was signed in Kyoto in 1997. The visit includes a trip to one of the most important parts of the city. We will see the marvellous Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji temple, “the golden pavilion” and its wonderful gardens. Free time before visiting GION, a busy traditional quarter famous for its Geisha. Free time.
Day 12: Kyoto - Nara - Osaka
We leave for NARA and visit Todaiji, a magnificent Buddhist temple built in 752, which has a giant Buddha and where passengers can take photos and touch and feed the deer that wander through the park. Lunch included. After the visit, we will see HORYUJI Buddhist temple, a World Heritage Site that includes a seminary, monasteries and temples. Its main pagoda temple is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world and is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan and an important place of worship. We continue to OSAKA, where we arrive in the evening. Accommodation in this modern city (Japan’s second city). We will visit Dotonbori, a colourful district filled with nightlife.
Day 13: Osaka - Himeji - Korakuen gardens - Okayama
We’ll depart for Himeji, where admission to its immense complex, showcasing the architecture of Japanese castles, will be included. After lunch at a local restaurant (included), we’ll continue to Okayama, where we’ll visit Korakuen, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, with its lakes, waterfalls, and traditional teahouses. By crossing a pedestrian bridge over the river, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Okayama Castle, a sixteenth-century Japanese fortification rebuilt in 1966 after being destroyed in a World War II bombing (visit inside the castle not included). Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore the city, an active provincial capital with just over 700,000 inhabitants.Note: On some dates, we may stay in Fukuyama or Kurashiki. The visit to Kurashiki may take place on the same day in the afternoon.
Day 14: Okayama - Kurashiki - Itsukushima - Hiroshima
We leave for KURASHIKI, a city with a very well preserved historical centre. Time for a stroll in this charming place with its atmosphere from the past. We continue on our way to HIROSHIMA, a city sadly known for the atomic bomb that fell on it in 1945 and which levelled the city. We will stroll around the Peace Memorial, the Dome of the bomb and we will visit the impressive Museum of Peace. After the war we will seek peace by embarking on a ferry to the island “where men and gods live together”, with the sanctuary of ITSUKUSHIMA dedicated to the guardian of the seas, built partially over the sea. Time to visit the temple, to stroll around its pretty centre and have lunch. Return to our hotel in Hiroshima. Dinner included.Note: The order of the visits in Hiroshima may vary without affecting their content.
Day 15: Hiroshima
After breakfast, our services will come to an end, hoping to leave you with wonderful lasting memories.
