10-Nights Highlights of South Korea - Tailormade Journey — CALL

Abercrombie & Kent

OFFER ID 1675824

Thousands of years of history come alive in South Korea, from the sweeping curves of temple roofs to the walls of sacred Buddhist caves. Blended with a vibrant dose of pop culture, one of Asia’s most thrilling destinations reveals itself. Expect a captivating mix of futuristic cityscapes and time-honored traditions on this bespoke journey. A&K’s experts can tailor experiences to every interest, from tea ceremonies to guided cultural tours, with overnight stays in luxurious, centrally located hotels – or even a historic Buddhist temple.

10 nights | Call for pricing

Itinerary

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Itinerary Details

1 Arrive Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is a phoenix — all but destroyed in the Korean War, it is now a towering, electric capital, glinting with bright lights and brimming with self-confidence.

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2 Seoul – Diving Into Korean Culture
Begin your exploration with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of Seoul's five historic palaces, its compound housing a wealth of museums, gardens and architectural wonders. Browse the revealing cultural exhibits of the National Folk Museum and visit Bukchon Hanok Village, a collection of hundreds of hanoks (traditional houses) dating back to the 14th century. After a traditional Korean barbecue lunch, stop at bustling Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest and largest traditional street markets in South Korea, and home to over 5,000 shops. This evening, take in a NANTA show, a performance that cleverly blends acrobatics, martial arts, comedy and culinary flair set to traditional folk rhythms.

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3 Seoul – A Peninsula Divided
Explore the tunnels and watchtowers of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the highly fortified line between the free South and communist North. With unique insight from a North Korean defector, gain a deeper understanding of life in the mysterious North, as well as the history that binds these two greatly differing nations.

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4 Seoul – Connecting With Nature
Escape the city with a visit to scenic Nami Island, a popular filming location renowned for its lovely tree-lined paths. Explore the Garden of Morning Calm, its 70-plus acres hosting some 5,000 plant species, or take a bike ride along a disused railway that snakes through forested mountains along the Bukhangang River.

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5 Gyeongju – Sacred Wonders
Coming from the bustle of Seoul, Gyeongju is another world, a riveting look into Korea’s still, sacred waters. Begin your exploration at Seokguram Groto, entering a cave where you pass beautifully carved stone reliefs depicting the guardians of Buddha before reaching the large granite domed ceiling protecting a large Buddha statue. Move on to the Bulguksa Temple, the finest example of the golden age of Buddhist art during the Silla period. Also visit Donggung Palace, a Silla dynasty complex of elegant pavilions mirrored in the placid waters of Wolji pond. Proceed overland to Busan, a dynamic city that packages the best of the nation with the golden sands of the southeast. The home of a proud filmmaking culture, it promises seaside temples, jade-green mountains and charming cafés.

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6 Busan – A Market Day Unlike Any Other
Start your day amid the soaring seaside cliffs of Taejongdae Park, visit the bustling Jagalchi Fish Market and take in the lively vibe of BIFF Square, the heart of Busan’s movie district. Later, explore Gukje Market, a massive shoppers’ paradise overflowing with everything from cosmetics to kimchi. Ascend the iconic Busan Tower and peer out from its 400-foot-high observation deck. Finally, explore the Gamcheon Culture Village, an area of formerly low-income housing transformed by residents into a rainbow-colored sea of cafés, studios and playful art installations.

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7 Beomeosa – Mountain Views And A Temple Stay
Head out to Igidae Park, where you take in the towering rock cliffs of Jangsanbong Peak. If you’re feeling adventurous, step out onto the Oryukdo Skywalk, a translucent walkway affording butterfly-inducing views down the cliffs to the ocean below. Conclude with a visit to the UN Memorial Cemetery Park, a solemn memorial that marks the final resting place of more than 2,000 Korean War veterans. This afternoon, proceed to Beomeosa Temple for your overnight stay. Once settled in, walk a forested mountain path, perhaps visiting the legendary Golden Well, and then reverently explore the serene seventh-century stone temple, Korea’s original seat of Seon Buddhism, built by the great master Uisang. As the sun sets over the temple's historic pagodas, join monks in meditation, chanting and communal meals. Later, receive a lesson in making prayer beads, as monks living here have done for hundreds of years.

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8 Beomeosa – Immersive Buddhist Temple Experience
Devote your morning to activities that offer a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the tranquil rhythms of Korean Buddhist monastic life. If the spirit moves you, rise very early for a Buddhist ceremony. After breakfast, partake in a Seon-meditation, a tradition aimed at vanquishing distracting thoughts by focusing on direct experiential awakening. As you depart, you may opt to visit the Beomeosa Museum to peruse its fascinating collections of Buddhist artifacts, historical paintings, and wooden and metal art treasures. Afterward, fly to Jeju, a volcanic island of lava tubes and mountain-side caves, thick forests and hidden waterfalls.

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9 Jeju – Meet The Free Divers
Linger on the coast to meet Jeju’s famous haenyeo, local women who free dive to harvest fish and seaweed from the ocean by hand. Watch as they plunge into the sea to gather its bounty by hand, a practice passed down through generations. Gain firsthand insights into their fascinating way of life and browse historic haenyeo artifacts at the Jeju Haenyeo Museum. Later, dive deeper into Jeju culture at Seongeup Folk Village, a living museum of traditional houses, schools and the ruins of a historic fortress.

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10 Jeju – Hiking The Highest Peak
Today, take in the towering majesty of Hallasan, the nation’s highest peak, its slopes scored with hiking trails that lead to a summit crowned with a gleaming crater lake. Pick a trail that suits you and head for the peak to take in stunning views you’ll never forget — a fitting climax to your South Korean adventure.

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11 Depart Seoul

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Featured Destinations

Jeju Island

Large Jeju Island 60 mi/100 km off the coast of the mainland and 300 mi/485 km south of Seoul has a distinctive history, dress, architecture, language and tradition. Jeju is an extremely popular tourist destination for Koreans, especially honeymooners. Millions of won have been pumped into building deluxe hotels and modernizing infrastructure. Although development has somewhat ended the island's isolation, it hasn't eroded its charms—it is still a great place to visit. Jeju seems a world away from the mainland, even though it's relatively easy to reach—only an hour's flight south of Seoul or a several-hour ferry ride from Busan, Mokpo or Wando.

If you have a choice of when to go, visit in late spring, when Jeju is covered with beautiful yellow yuchaehwa flowers. The island's primary attractions are beaches, fishing, casinos, scuba diving, a weavers' village (Hallim), hot springs and three stunning coastal waterfalls, particularly the Jeongbang Falls at Seogwipo, which plunge almost directly into the sea.

In friendly and festive Jeju, the largest city on the island, there's a Folkcraft and Natural History Museum and an interesting market. About 4 mi/6 km from the city is Moksuk-won, a natural sculpture garden of stone and wood. On the south side of the island, Jeju Folk Village Museum, a collection of traditional houses with musical performances and displays, is well worth a visit.

Also on the island is the tallest mountain in South Korea, Hallasan, which is topped with snow in the winter. There are hiking trails on this extinct volcano, and it has an impressive crater lake. Be sure also to visit some caves: According to legend, three gods emerged 2,500 years ago from the Samseonghyeol (literally "three clans' holes") to create the Jeju Island people.

On a drive around the island, note the black-lava statues of old men, called harubang: Their origin is unknown and the subject of much debate among anthropologists. You can also watch as divers (traditionally women) hunt for clams, pearls and abalone. A dying breed, these incredible women dive into the ocean's depths for long periods of time without using any scuba or snorkeling gear.

Other attractions include saltwater baths (in Sinyang, Hyeopje and Jungmun), the Bijarim nutmeg forest, tangerine groves, the Sanbanggul Buddhist Grotto, the Jungmun beach-resort area and Manjang Cave (the world's longest lava tube). Plan at least two to three days to explore the island.

Pusan (Busan)

Gyeongju

If your schedule permits stopping at only one city other than Seoul, that city should be Gyeongju, 165 mi/265 km southeast of Seoul. It was the capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935) and has a high concentration of temples, statuary and burial mounds, as well as an excellent historical museum.

One of the highlights of your visit will be a walk through Tumuli Park, where you'll stroll among the burial mounds of 20 kings, some several stories high and looking more like hills covered with soft green grass than the royal tombs that they are. (Oddly enough, the park was only dedicated in the 1970s. Before that, the area was residential.) Just a few have been excavated, and the interior of only one is open to the public. Inside, an exhibit re-creates what it looked like when the mound was first explored, and some of the original contents are on display. Most of the finds, however, are exhibited in the Gyeongju National Museum, along with other artifacts from Gyeongju's golden age.

Outside of town is Bulguk Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in the country. It's a large complex with wonderful architecture, pagodas and statuary. There are other temples and mounds near Gyeongju (some have larger-than-life stone soldiers and bureaucrats to guard and guide the departed kings in the afterlife) as well as the Seogbinggo (where ice was kept long before refrigeration), Anapji Pond (a part of the royal pleasure garden), a very early star-gazing tower and other relics.

Also within easy driving distance are the Seokguram Grotto (containing an exquisite stone Buddha image surrounded by friezes) and the Poseokjeong Pavilion. In the mountains surrounding the city are thousands of Buddhist temples, inscriptions and pagodas (the roads to some are impassable without a four-wheel-drive vehicle). You could spend weeks driving around, but two or three days will give most travelers a taste of the area.

One other nearby attraction merits mention, though it is difficult to get to: the underwater tomb of King Munmu (AD 661-681). The tomb is submerged in shallow water in the middle of a little island about 300 ft/90 m offshore. Legends say that King Munmu asked to be buried there so he could return as a dragon to protect his people from invasion. Visitors must bargain with a local boat owner to get to the tomb.

If time permits, visit the village of Yangdong, just south of Pohang. Ignored by most tourists, the village seems immune to all forms of modernization.

Seoul

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

09/01/2025 - 09/01/2027

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* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

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Length

10 Nights

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Vacation Rating

Luxury

Remarks

Prices are per person, double occupancy and include internal air where applicable. Holiday surcharge may apply. Departure dates, prices and availability may change at any time. Some restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1675824

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10-Nights Highlights of South Korea - Tailormade Journey — CALL

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