Basix
18 to 35s
Essential South Korea
9 days • 4.6
4.5
Excellent
circle28 reviews
location_on 9 days
location_on
Start
Seoul, South Korea
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Finish
Seoul, South Korea
tour
Trip Code
CJYK
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Min Age
18
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Trip Size
1 - 16
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Physical Rating
restaurant_menu
Meals
2 dinners
airport_shuttle
Transport
Public Bus, Private Vehicle, Train, Metro
bed
Accommodation
Hostel (Multi-share) (7 nights), Hanok (1 night)
From £1,327(9 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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Rub shoulders with the locals at Nambu Market, which recently provided free rent to young entrepreneurs to keep the market alive. Then, stay in a hanok (a traditional Korean house) and experience what it’s like to live day to day in Jeonju.
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Feast on delicious local cuisine, with included dinners where you might be able to try some traditional Korean noodles, Korean BBQ or fried chicken, and plenty of time to wander around street food markets and restaurants.
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Discover Seoul at your own pace with tonnes of free time to explore the various districts throughout the city. Maybe hit up karaoke (or noraebang, in Korean), go bar hopping with your local leader or grab a coffee at one of Seoul's famous themed cafes.
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Experience the natural beauty of South Korea from Ahwon Gotack – with lush, green surroundings, it’s a stark contrast to the big cities Korea is famous for. Soak up the tranquil mountain views and enjoy a moment to enjoy the silence of nature.
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Learn how the community have innovated agricultural growth at the Urban Smart Farm Social Company – a social enterprise backed by the government and local NGOs, focused on sustainability.
Is this trip right for you?
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This trip includes accommodation in multi-share dormitories. This means travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to single-gender dormitories used.
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You’ll stay in some big and busy cities on this trip, which means noise at unusual hours. If you think this might bother you, we recommend bringing ear plugs.
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This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
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A traditional Korean bed is a futon-like mattress placed on the floor, which may be folded and placed in the cupboard in the morning. This trip includes one night with Korean-style floor bedding in a hanok (traditional house) in Jeonju. Floor bedding can be firm compared to standard western mattresses.
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South Korea is best explored on foot. In fact, most travellers are surprised at how much distance they end up covering! Make sure your shoes are comfy and you are fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet.
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Although this trip starts and finishes in Seoul, we highly recommend you spend some extra time exploring this fascinating city and its neighbouring regions. Please consult your booking agent if you would like to book additional nights. If you are interested in visiting the DMZ, please refer to Day 1 of the itinerary for further information.
Itinerary
The world of K-pop culture, Buddhist temples, high-tech gadgetry and green mountains is calling
Experience all the essential sights of South Korea on this nine-day journey through Seoul, Jeonju, Yeosu, Busan and more. From the thriving pop culture to the natural oasis of gleaming gardens, you'll join a group of travellers looking to forge new connections. Feast on Korean BBQ, noodles and street food, follow in the footsteps of popular K-pop group BTS at some scenic filming locations, take easy hikes through coastal beaches and rolling green mountain landscapes and hit the nightlife in your spare time (coin karaoke really brings people together). Stay in a hanok (traditional Korean house), rub shoulders with the locals and enjoy loads of free time to choose your own adventure, whether that’s learning taekwondo or visiting the DMZ along the border of North Korea.
- DAY 1Day 1 • Seoul
- DAY 2Day 2 • Seoul
- DAY 3Day 3 • Jeonju
- DAY 4Day 4 • Jeonju
- DAY 5Day 5 • Wanju / Yeosu
- DAY 6Day 6 • Busan
- DAY 7Day 7 • Busan
- DAY 8Day 8 • Seoul
- DAY 9Day 9 • Seoul
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
2 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Public Bus, Private Vehicle, Train, Metro
bed Accommodation
Hostel (Multi-share) (7 nights), Hanok (1 night)
festival Included activities
circleSeoul - Orientation Walk
circleSeoul - T-money Card
circleSeoul - HiKR Ground
circleSeoul - Gwangjang market
circleJeonju - Orientation Walk
circleJeonju - Nambu Market Visit
circleJeonju - Hanok Village Tour
circleWanju - Ahwon Gotack
circleWanju - Webongsansung Visit
circleYeosu - Hyangilam Temple
circleBusan - Gamcheon Art Village
circleBusan - Igidae Coastal Walk
circleBusan - Urban Smart Farm Visit
museum Optional activities
circleSeoul - DMZ Tour - USD80
circleSeoul - Korean Class - USD30
circleSeoul - Gyungbokgung Palace - USD4
circleSeoul - Hanbok Hire - USD25
circleJeonju - K-Pop Dance Class - USD50
circleYeosu - Cable Car (Return) - USD18
circleBusan - Calligraphy Class - USD30
circleBusan - Baseball Game (Apr-Sep - prices from) - USD20
circleBusan - Korean Head Spa (subject to availability - from) - USD130
circleBusan - Spaland - USD20
circleBusan - Taekwondo Class (minimum 8 pax required) - USD50
circleSeoul - Painting Class - USD50
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Monday Jun 23, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 1 space left
£1,595£1,436
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Sunday Jul 13, 2025
Monday Jul 21, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 9 spaces left
£1,546£1,391
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Sunday Aug 10, 2025
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left
£1,678
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Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Monday Sep 22, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 8 spaces left
£1,568£1,411
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Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left
£1,590£1,431
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Sunday Oct 12, 2025
Monday Oct 20, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left
£1,810£1,629
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Sunday Oct 26, 2025
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 14 spaces left
£1,744£1,569
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Sunday Nov 09, 2025
Monday Nov 17, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 14 spaces left
£1,474£1,327
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Sunday Nov 23, 2025
Monday Dec 01, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 15 spaces left
£1,474£1,327
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Sunday Dec 07, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 14 spaces left
£1,474£1,327
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Sunday Feb 22, 2026
Monday Mar 02, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left
£1,546
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Sunday Mar 08, 2026
Monday Mar 16, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left
£1,546
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Sunday Mar 15, 2026
Monday Mar 23, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left
£1,612
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Sunday Mar 22, 2026
Monday Mar 30, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left
£1,612
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Sunday Apr 12, 2026
Monday Apr 20, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left
£1,898
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Important notes
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1. A single supplement is possible if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
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2. This tour includes accommodation in multi-share dormitories. This means travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to single-gender dormitories used.
Reviews (27)
5 stars
18
4 stars
9
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Alex
Apr 21, 2025
Throughly recommend this trip if you’re a fan of food and drink.
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William
Dec 15, 2024
I had an incredible time in Korea, the food in particular being a real standout thanks to the recommendations of our guide Yong Su. Accommodation was in general good, barring that in Seoul being far too noisy due to nearby clubs/bars. (Bring earplugs!) For optional activities, I’d particularly recommend the calligraphy class, which I found very enjoyable (and surprisingly relaxing).
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Lucy
Dec 12, 2024
This tour was such a fun experience, we did so many cool activities that expanded my understanding of Korean culture. Our tour guide Yeonsu was fantastic and provided a lot of unique insight into Korean society.
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Nelson
Nov 30, 2024
This trip had a great balance of inclusions and extras for a budget trip and we really got to know South Korea during our time here. We had a fantastic guide in Boram and were impressed with the itinerary, accommodation and organisation on the tour.
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Matthew
Nov 28, 2024
Amazing way to experience South Korea for the first time. Fast paced but able to see a lot of the country in a short time and try many different activities. Would have liked to have an extra day in Seoul and a option for a hike.
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Marcella
Nov 28, 2024
It was a great overview of South Korea and very affordable. We ate delicious food and saw all the highlights. The schedule is very flexible so if there’s any activity you don’t want to do, you just meet up with the group later. Loved this trip!
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Kali
Nov 17, 2024
Excellent tour to introduce yourself to South Korea! Be prepared to be doing and seeing lots in a very short period of time. My tour guide Dennis was excellent!
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Kimberly
Oct 12, 2024
I had the most amazing time in South Korea with Jaeyun (Dennis). 10/10 would recommend! The tour had something for everyone, plenty of opportunities for nights out, delicious food, cultural activities and karaoke!
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Matthew
Sep 12, 2024
Really great experience and insight into South Korean life, past and present. Activities were fun and engaging, lots of local cuisine too. Our tour guide, Peter, was fantastic.
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Allira
Sep 12, 2024
Highly recommend booking this trip!