Autumn colors: Andon Mask Festival, Jinju Lantern Festival

Starting at: $1,790.00
per personmore
Full
Tour Starts: Thu, Oct 1, 26
Day 1
Thu, Oct 1, 26

A group transfer (without a guide) is included in the program. A Korean-speaking driver will meet guests at the airport with a name sign. There may be a short wait for other participants before departure.

You are welcome to arrive in Korea before the official start of the program. Upon request, we can assist with booking extra nights at the hotel prior to the tour.

Free day
Seoul
night at
Day 2
Fri, Oct 2, 26

Seoul City Loop: Heritage & Horizons
09:00
duration, hours: approximately 9
Seoul City Hall

A futuristic glass wave rises above the old City Hall, blending past and future in one bold design.
Powered by nature and home to the world’s largest indoor vertical garden, it’s one of Seoul’s greenest landmarks.
Open to visitors — step inside and see the living wall for yourself.

Cheonggyechon Stream

A blend of nature and urban design, this stream winds through downtown Seoul — though entirely man-made today.
Once a natural river, it was buried after the Korean War and revived in 2005 as a tranquil walkway.
Fountains, illuminated bridges, and the Palgakdam weir make it one of the city’s most beloved evening spots.

Great King Sejong Avenue and the Gwanghwamun Square Ensemble
Pass-by

The complex of the central Gwanghwamun Square in front of the Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace, which is the compositional center of the capital of Korea, offers amazing views of Seoul: on one side is the main residence of the kings of the Joseon state (now a museum). But along the  Sejong-daero Avenue, departing from the square, there are high-rise modern buildings: government, embassies, Kyobo - the largest bookstore in Korea. Further down the avenue we can see the Seoul City Hall and still further - the Great South Gate of Namdaemun (National Treasure No. 1).

Gyungbokgung Palace

The main palace of the Joseon dynasty — rebuilt more than once, but never lost its grandeur.

Its perfect symmetry, royal guard ceremony, and the chance to wear a hanbok turn your visit into a journey through time.

Samchong-dong/Bukchon

Winding lanes, wooden hanoks, hidden cafés — this is where time slows down.
Samcheong-dong charms with its hills and galleries, while Bukchon preserves the everyday beauty of Joseon-era homes.
Together, they offer a quiet, romantic escape — a walk through history lined with soft light and gentle stories.

Insadong. Traditional teahouses, souvenirs, boutiques, galleries...

Insadong is famous for the abundance of souvenir shops, traditional restaurants and tea houses, boutiques.

Insadong-kil Pedestrian Street is the central street of the area.

Often you can see street performances - traditional Korean samul-nori percussion quartet or martial arts tekkyon, taekwon-do or performances of youth groups in the fusion style, etc.

Gwangjang Market

Immerse yourself in the culinary heart of Kwangjang Market, rightfully called a paradise for lovers of traditional food in the heart of Seoul. Here, the rich aromas of Korean street food and more substantial dishes come to life. Enjoy crispy hotteok pancakes, steaming servings of tteokbokki, and juicy Korean dumplings (mandu). The lively atmosphere, filled with the sounds of sizzling and enticing aromas, will give you an unforgettable sensory experience. Whether you're a gourmet or simply looking to explore Korean cuisine, Kwangjang is the perfect place to taste authentic dishes and dive into the culinary culture of Seoul.

Heungin Jimun
Pass-by

The Greate Eastern Gate in the Seoul City Wall (drive by)

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
Pass-by

A futuristic complex by world-famous architect Zaha Hadid, a fashion and design center with flowing lines and modern aesthetics. Located in the Dongdaemun area. A venue for exhibitions, forums, fashion shows, biennales, etc.

Lotte World Tower & Seoul Sky

The tallest building in Korea is Lotte World Tower. 123 floors and 555 meters high. And on the highest floors is Seoul Sky - an observation deck.

Floor with transparent floor; the floor where you can go outside, the floor with cafes and souvenirs. Even the elevator that takes you to Seoul Sky is a separate attraction with Guinness records to boot.

Bongunsa Temple

Temple of Bongeunsa is located in close proximity to the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center.

Originally named Gyeongseongsa, it was built by King Wonseong of the Silla Kingdom in the 10th year of his reign (794 AD).

In 1498, thanks to Queen Jeonghyeon, it was renovated and expanded to the east of King Seongjong's tomb, and at that time it was given its new name - Bongeunsa.

The iconic view of COEX is visible from the Maitreya Buddha statue on the temple grounds.

Gangnam Style Horse Dance Statue

This statue is a must-visit for fans of PSY's global hit "Gangnam Style." It's a playful spot to capture fun and memorable photos, especially if you strike the famous horse dance pose!

Seoul
night at
Day 3
Sat, Oct 3, 26

09:00

We leave Seoul and head to Andong — a city of traditions, masks, and one of Korea’s most famous festivals.

The transfer will take approximately 3 hours.

Andong Mask Dance Festival
12:00
duration, hours: approximately 5

Korea’s leading international mask festival featuring traditional performances, street shows, workshops, and the vibrant atmosphere of a major autumn celebration.

Andong Festival Grounds

It is a lively celebration with a rich history, where traditional Korean masked dances and performances take place alongside appearances by artists from around the world.

You will find yourself at the heart of a festive atmosphere filled with music, movement, and choreography, experiencing a wide variety of street performances, dances, and cultural showcases.
The festival may also offer opportunities to engage in interactive programs, street parades, traditional games, and exhibitions, reflecting the heritage and creativity of both local communities and international performers.

Andong
North Gyeongsang
night at
Day 4
Sun, Oct 4, 26

08:00

Трансфер в Кёнчжу - около 2 часов

Ancient capital of Korea Gyeongju city tour
10:00
duration, hours: approximately 8

The city of Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Korean state of Silla, is famous for its monuments included in the UNESCO world heritage: burial mounds, ancient Buddhist monasteries, and the artificial grotto Seokguram.

Gyeongju is also a unique national park. Korea's only historical national park!

Attention! If the tour ends before dusk, we visit the National Museum of Gyungju instead of the Eastern Palace.

Seokkuram

The Buddha statue in this small temple in an artificial grotto is considered the most elegant in All of Korea! The grotto is located on the slope of Mount Tkhohamsan, where the winding serpentine of the mountain road leads.


The walk to the temple through the mountain forest from the parking lot takes about 15-20 minutes; depending on the weather, either a mysterious foggy landscape awaits us (fogs are not uncommon on this mountain), or breathtaking bird's-eye views of the thousand-year-old Gyeongju.


In the grotto, which is formally the hermitage of the Bulguksa temple, located below the slope, the dominant position is occupied by the above-mentioned statue of Buddha, sitting in a lotus position on a pedestal in the shape of a lotus. Around it at different heights are bas-reliefs and statues of bodhisattvas, arhats, Indra and Brahma, the Four Heavenly Kings.


If the group agrees, we can go down the mountainside to the temple of Bulguksa.

Bulguksa

The main Buddhist temple of United Silla, it is now a place of pilgrimage for many guests of Korea.

The temple was built in 774 under the leadership of the premier of the state of Silla, Kim Taesong. Legend has it that Bulguksa was dedicated to the parents of the current, so to speak, Kim Taesong. While Seokguram, the temple-hermitage under Bulguksa, was intended for Kim Taesung's parents from his previous incarnations.

In 1995, Bulguksa and Seokguram were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Cheomseongdae Ancient Observatory

Cheomseongdae is one of the oldest observatories in the world (7th century). The tower of the observatory is full of symbolism: the total number of hewn stones from which it is built; the number of rows of these stones before and above the small window, the shape of the stones... Reasonable Silakians paid attention to everything.

Cheomseongdae was built under the reigning Queen Seondok - one of three in the history of Silla. The queen ended up in a drama that, of course, was filmed in Gyeongju.

Heavenly Horse Mound

The only mound which inner parts are open to the public (though filled with replicas, it shows the inner construction of a Shilla mound)

Bunhwangsa

The main state Gyeongju temple from the Silla period, the "Temple of the Yellow Dragon", Hwanyeongsa, has not survived; however, we still have a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the pagoda of a hermitage temple of Hwanyeongsa. The hermitage temple is called Punghwansa.

The peculiarity of the pagoda of Punghwansa is that it is built of stones, hewn in such a way that they resemble bricks in shape. What can you not do if you are not familiar with the technology (brick production, in this case)!

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

Though made anew, it is a nice and quite picturesque place, especially at night.

Трансфер в Пусан займет около 1.5 часов

Busan
night at
Day 5
Mon, Oct 5, 26

Busan: the City of Pots Upside Down
09:00
duration, hours: approximately 6

Today we are waiting for a journey through, perhaps, the most dynamic metropolis of South Korea. What awaits us in Busan?

The largest in South Korea Fish market, rich in all kinds of sea creatures, both processed and completely alive, Gamcheon Cultural Village, observation deck on the roof of a department store awarded the Guinness Book of Records, cable car over the sea! The beautiful Camellia Island and the meeting place of APEC 2005 presidents.

Gwangan Bridge
Pass-by

A picturesque 2-storey bridge over the sea in Busan is one of its most exquiste landmarks.

Gamcheon Culture Village

A very piquturesque district in Busan, which was originally founded by some refugees during the Korean War.

 

Songdo Cable Car

Exciting journey above the sea with eye-catching views of the coastal Busan.

Jagalchi Fish Market

The largest seafood market in Korea, where you can see all kinds of marine creatures, both from the plant and animal worlds (and from the border worlds too!).

You can also eat deliciously at the market: fried or raw fish, as well as seafood, is served at the table in numerous restaurants in the market.

If you prefer something less exotic, we recommend the food court at the Lotte department store next door. The observation deck at the department store offers a magnificent view of Busan from a bird's eye view.

Lotte Gwangbok Observatory and Fountain

Breathtaking views of downtown Busan from the seaside Lotte Department Store. The department store, by the way, was included in the Guinness Book of Records: it houses the world's tallest indoor fountain.

Haeundae Beach; Camellia Island

Most popular beach in Busan and a vivid resort district.

Busan
night at
Day 6
Tue, Oct 6, 26

Private park on the island of Wedo
08:30
duration, hours: approximately 4

A beautiful private park on an island in the South Sea of Korea.

Oedo Island

The Island of Geojedo connected to Busan by an amazing under-sea tunnel is the original capital of the Korean shipbuilding industry. However, we are interested in a small island Wedo, which can be reached by a local ferry boat. The island is situated at a distance of four kilometers from the "big" Kochzhe-up.
Wedo Island is part of the first Marine National Park of Korea Hallyo Haesang. Mr. Lee Hanh and his wife turned Wedo into a beautiful private botanical garden in which you will find both Korean, and quite a lot of exotic species.

lunch (Korean style)
13:00
duration, hours: approximately 1

Фестиваль фонарей

Вечером нам предстоит романтическое приключение - посещение фестиваля фонарей на реке Намган, в г. Чинчжу. Традиционно, экспозиция фонарей, живописно расположенная в крепости г. Чинчжу и на берегах реки Намган, а также на самой водной глади реки, включает следующие тематические разделы (возможны небольшие изменения):

  • фонари желаний: желающие могут за дополнительную плату написать свои пожелания на фонаре; фонарь будет повешен на специальной арке; фонари желаний также запускают по реке Намган
  • Выставка фонарей со всего мира. Чудеса света, герои детских книг, викинги и сфинксы, русалки и супермены - здесь вы встретите узнаваемых героев из различных стран.
  • Выставка традиционных корейских фонарей
  • битва у крепости Чинчжу, повторенная в фонарях
  • символы 31 административных единиц Чинчжу в виде фонарей
  • выставка фонарей, изображающих героев мультфильмов
  • выставка буддийских фонарей
  • кисэн Чосон
  • три устоя и пять моральных добродетелей конфуцианства и т.д.
Jinju
South Gyeongsang
night at
Day 7
Wed, Oct 7, 26

09:00

Трансфер в деревню Наган Ыпсон

Nagan Eupseong Fortress and Village
11:00
duration, hours: approximately 2

A unique and extremely picturesque village surrounded by an ancient fortress wall

 
Nagan Eupseong

600-year-old village surrounded by a stone wall

lunch (Korean style)
13:00
duration, hours: approximately 1
Damyang Bamboo Forest
14:00
duration, hours: approximately 1

On the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, bamboo reaches the size of fully grown trees, and bamboo thickets become true bamboo forests. One of the most famous of these forests in Korea is located in Damyang.

Jeonju
North Jeolla
night at
Day 8
Thu, Oct 8, 26

Оказывается, мы ночевали в центре знаменитого города, родины королевского клана последней династии Кореии - Чосон (буквально, "Утренняя свежесть") или Ли (по фамилии королей). Не прогуляться ли нам по старинному городу? После экскурсии по Чончжу мы возвращаемся в Сеул.

Cheonju
09:00
duration, hours: approximately 3

Literally, the city's name, Jeonju, translates to "complete, perfect, untouched area." The fertile lands around Jeonju have long been the breadbasket of Korea and the subject of encroachment by the inhabitants of neighboring Japan, and the cuisine of Jeonju is considered one of the most delicious in the country (Jeonju-style bibimbap - rice mixed with minced meat and vegetables - is one of the most recognizable dishes in Korea).

Let's go down to the historical center of Jeonju; many institutions associated with the Joseon era have been preserved here, such as the Gyeonggijeong Shrine, dedicated to .... a portrait! A portrait of Lee Song, the founder of the Lee/Joseon Dynasty we already know.

Itinerary (content and sequence may vary slightly): Omoktae - Imoktae - Chaman Graffiti Village - Pungnammun Castle Gate - Jeonju Catholic Cathedral - Gyeonggijeong Shrine - Self-guided walk through the village of traditional hanok houses.

Omokdae-Imokdae

Omokdae-Imokdae

Jaman Mural Village

Imokte is in a small area called Chaman Graffiti Village; the walls of the houses here are painted by professionals and amateurs: the world of Japanese manga and Korean manhwa; korean alphabet, fantastic, disney cartoon characters, traditional korean stories.

Jeondong Cathedral
Pass-by

Unfortunately, the Confucians were not very tolerant of Catholicism. We are reminded of this by the Jeonju Catholic Cathedral (built in 1908-1931), located on the site of the executions of Catholics.

Gyeonggijeon

A shrine that houses a portrait of the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo (Lee Songye). An extensive complex of buildings, including the sanctuary itself, the state sago archive, a museum, the burial place of the placenta of King Yechzhon, and a complex of auxiliary buildings.

Why and who made portraits of kings, what is a historical archive, why bury the royal placenta - we will try to find answers to these questions in Gyeonggijeong.

Jeonju Hanok (traditional house) Village

In the very historical center of Jeonju, you will find yourself in a fabulous atmosphere. Traditional Korean hanok houses with tiled roofs line the romantic narrow streets. Here, each house is a unique masterpiece of architecture, reflecting the richness and depth of Korean history.

Walking along these streets, you will notice how each house merges with the surrounding nature and creates a harmonious image. You will see small gardens with flowers, well-kept courtyards, as well as traditional decor elements that recreate the atmosphere of antiquity, and sometimes, on the contrary, remind us of modern design trends.

Recently, it has become fashionable for Koreans and guests of the Land of the Morning Calm to rent stylized costumes - traditional hanbok, or European costumes of the era of the first half of the 20th century, which is closer to us. In Jeonju, you will see many such couples or families looking exotic against the backdrop of historical buildings and traditional hanok houses...

lunch (Korean style)
12:00
duration, hours: approximately 1
Traditional Drum Lesson Master Class
13:00
duration, hours: approximately 1

We will try to feel the rhythm of Korean music with our own hands and body. The rhythm is not complicated, but if you approach it with feeling, it is fascinating and addictive.

If you have accumulated stress - it's time to get rid of it: drums are the best cure for stress!

The journey to Seoul will take approximately 2.5 hours.

Seoul
night at
Day 9
Fri, Oct 9, 26

Free day

A group transfer (without a guide) is included in the program. A Korean-speaking driver will be waiting for guests at the hotel.

You are welcome to extend your stay in Korea beyond the official end of the program. Upon request, we can assist with booking extra nights at the hotel after the tour.

Tour Ends: Fri, Oct 9, 26