History & Culture in South Korea: Seoul, Andong, Gyeongju & Busan - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Incheon, Transfer to Seoul, Optional River Cruise

Welcome to South Korea! A driver will meet you at Incheon International Airport and take you to your hotel in Seoul to check in. You'll have the rest of the day free to relax at your hotel, recovering from the beginnings of any jet lag. Alternatively, head out to explore your surroundings and immerse yourself in city life.

Day 2: Guided Historic City Tour & Free Afternoon

Get to know Seoul today on a guided tour. You'll start at Gyeongbokgung palace, the largest of the five Joseon palaces in Seoul. If you'd like to feel the part while exploring, you could rent a hanbok (a traditional Korean outfit). Next, stroll around Bukchon Hanok Village, once home to Joseon dynasty officials and wealthy nobility, where you can explore the remaining traditional Korean houses called hanoks.

You'll be hungry after sightseeing, so stop at Gwangjang Market to sample authentic Korean street food such as bibimbap (a rice-based dish), mungbean pancakes, and kalguksu (Korean knife-cut noodle soup). Refueled, head to Namsan Park, home to the N Seoul Tower with its observation deck, where you can admire the city from above. End your day by checking out the latest fashions—and picking up a souvenir—on the busy Myeongdong shopping street. 

Day 3: Day Trip to the Korean Demilitarized Zone

On an immersive tour of Korea's Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) today, you'll delve into the complex history and tensions between North and South Korea that characterize the area to this day—highlighting the importance of peace. The tour starts in the Third Infiltration Tunnel, an invasion tool dug by North Korea and discovered by South Korea in 1978. Next, you'll visit the Dora Observatory, where you'll be able to look out over North Korea using telescopes to see sites like Mount Songak in Gaeseong, a statue of Kim Il Sung, the outskirts of Gaeseong, and Geummamgol, a local cooperative farm. 

Return to Seoul for the evening to relax and reflect on everything you've seen and learned during the day.

Day 4: Transfer to Andong via Optional Activities in Jeongseon

It's time to leave Seoul today and set off on a scenic journey to Andong, known as "the capital of Korean spirit." You'll be picked up from your hotel this morning and transferred 2.5 hours first to Jeongseon. Upon arrival, hop on your rail bike to pedal along railway tracks through lush forests and fields. For those seeking more adventure, consider ziplining at the Byeongbangchi Observatory or venturing onto its glass-floored Skywalk for views over the Donggang River. Alternatively, there's the option to gear up for a river-rafting excursion down the river—one of South Korea's top three rafting spots.

When it's time, you'll enjoy dinner in a local restaurant, then continue to your accommodation in Andong.

Day 5: Hahoe Folk Village Tour, Transfer to Gyeongju & Bulguksa Temple & Templestay

Step back in time 600 years this morning on a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Andong Hahoe Folk Village. With your knowledgeable guide, you'll explore the historic village and wander narrow alleys, admiring the traditional buildings and learning about the Ryu clan of Pungsan, whose descendants continue to live here. Next, visit the Hahoe Mask Museum to see the Hahoe Mask, the Byeolsin Gut Mask Dance, and other traditional masks from around the world. You can even try on a mask yourself in the museum's interactive zone. Once you've explored, you'll be transferred 1.5 hours to Gyeongju.

Visit the coastal city's UNESCO-protected Bulguksa Temple, regarded as a masterpiece of Buddhist art and made up of stone pagodas and wooden shrines. After exploring the 1,500-year-old complex, you'll make the short drive to the nearby Bulguksa Templestay house and your accommodation for the night. Tour the temple, enjoy tea time with a monk (where you can ask questions and gain insight into the Buddhist way of life), guided meditations, and other sacred rituals. Throughout your stay, savor meals prepared using fresh, local ingredients and relish the peace of the temple grounds illuminated under the night sky as the sun sets.

Day 6: Explore Gyeongju's Ancient Silla Kingdom Sites & Transfer to Busan

After checking out of your templestay, you'll transfer to the UNESCO-listed Seokguram Grotto to admire the intricately-carved statues here, including one of the Buddha looking out to sea. Continue to the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, home to 23 large tombs of kings and nobles from the Silla Kingdom. You'll explore the most famous of the tombs, Cheonmachong, with its 11,526 artifacts demonstrating the kingdom's royalty's opulence. Next, head to Asia's oldest astronomical observatory, Cheomseongdae Observatory. Dating to the seventh century, this cylindrical structure was originally used for observing stars and forecasting weather.

In the afternoon, relax at sea on a fishing cruise and enjoy eating your fresh catch before meeting your transfer to carry on south an hour to Busan for the night.

Day 7: Explore Busan

Wake up in the relaxed coastal city of Busan and head out to explore, starting at the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. First built in 1376, its picturesque location on a cliff offers rewarding views of the sea. Take them in as you walk down its 108 steps lined with intricately carved stone lanterns. Next, spend a few hours at Haeundae Beach, one of South Korea's best stretches of coastline, before paying your respects at the UN Memorial Cemetery, which honors UN soldiers and UN aids killed during the Korean War from 1950-1953.

Day 8: KTX Train to Seoul, Free Afternoon

Head back to Seoul this morning on the KTX express train, about three hours. Once you've arrived, you'll have free time to explore any neighborhood of the South Korean capital you missed at the beginning of your trip. You could visit Changdeokgung, a well-preserved Joseon palace, and stroll through its Secret Garden before walking to Jongmyo Shrine, dedicated to the Joseon Dynasty's ancestors.

Cap off the day by exploring Jogyesa Temple, the headquarters of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and the center of Korean Buddhism. Admire its exterior, decorated with scenes from Buddha's life, and enjoy its calm atmosphere as a contrast to the hectic pace of the city.

Day 9: Day Trip to Korean Folk Village & Icheon Ceramics Village

Immerse yourself in Korean history and traditions on your final day in Seoul. You'll be picked up in the morning and driven to the Korean Folk Village, where you can look around Joseon-style buildings and learn more about Korean culture. You'll be treated to traditional performances here, such as nongak (the farmers' dance), acrobatics on a tightrope, and martial arts on horseback.

Day 10: Return to Incheon, Depart

It's the end of your South Korea tour today. Check out of your Seoul hotel and wait for your private driver to take you to Incheon International Airport for your flight to your onward destination. Safe travels!