8 DAYS ON THE TRAIL OF SOUTH KOREA’S ANCIENT KINGDOMS

Upon arrival at Seoul Incheon Airport, meet your driver at the arrival hall for your transfer to your hotel in Seoul.

Note: at time of writing, you will need to take a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at the airport, and will need to isolate in your hotel room until you receive a negative test result. Your Travel Specialist will be able to advise on the entry procedures into Seoul.

After breakfast, depart for Gongju (approx. 2.5hrs), the capital of the Baekje Kingdom from 475 to 538. Your first stop is Magoksa Gongju-si, one of the 7 Sansa UNESCO Heritage temples built during the unified Shilla Period.

After lunch (on own expense), continue on your tour to learn more about the Baekje period, stopping at Gongsanseong Fortress, which stretches over 2.6km long above the Geumgang riverside and makes for a nice walk while learning about its rich history and culture. Next, visit the Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri, which showcases the different tomb designs as well as reveals the cultural exchanges of the time, and finish with the Baekje History Museum before continuing on your drive to Buyeo (approx. 30min) where you will check-in to your hotel. Buyeo, the site of Sabi, which is the capital of the Baekje Kingdom for the later period (538 to 660).

Kickstart your day with a visit to the Royal Tombs in Neungsan-ri, which houses the kings of Sabi Baekje and members of the Royal Family, before entering the Jeongnimsa-ji Temple Site, one of the most well-known temples of that time.

After lunch (own expense), continue to gain insight to the Baekje dynasty at the Archaeological Site in the Gwanbuk-ri Ruins and Busosanseong Fortress, which are located on the grounds of the royal palace of the Sabi Period. End the day browsing the rich collection of relics and artifacts in the Buyeo National Museum.

Depart Buyeo and drive to Gyeongju (approx. 3.5hrs), where you will enjoy lunch (own expenses) before discovering two UNESCO sites of strong Buddhist importance: Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto on the slopes of Mount Tohamsan.

After dinner (own expenses), take a stroll to Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond and enjoy the evening lights, with the buildings’ reflections in the pond.

Kick start your day with a cultural and scenic hike (approx. 2 – 3hrs) up Mount Namsan in Gyeongju National Park – an open-air museum with scared sites from the Silla period and features temples, Buddha statues, stone pagodas amidst unique rock formations and picturesque trails.

After lunch (own expense), visit the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, where the Tomb of Cheonmachong is located. Apart from its unique architecture, this is also famous for numerous artifacts and artwork that have excavated. We stop at the Cheomseongdae stargazing tower, the oldest astronomic observatory in Asia and declared a National Treasure in 1962. End the day with a visit to Gyeongju National Museum displaying the Silla Dynasty’s cultural artifacts which puts into perspective the understanding of this important era of South Korea’s history.

Drive to Busan (approx. 1hr). En route, you will stop at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, one of the few temples along the coast with scenic sea views.

After lunch in Busan (own expenses), enjoy a panoramic tour, first stopping at Gamcheon Culture Village, often called the Machu Picchu of South Korea, with labyrinth-like alleys and houses that are beautifully painted in pastel colours, and used as a cultural space today. Visit Kukjae Market, with a bustling atmosphere of hundreds of vendors selling all kinds of merchandise from food to industrial goods. End the tour at Haeundae Beach, one of the city’s popular spot with a beautiful beach backed by luxury hotels, and where various cultural events and festivals are held throughout the year.

After breakfast, a transfer will be arranged to Busan Train Station for your high speed KTX train back to Seoul. Upon arrival, a transfer will be arranged to your hotel for check-in.

The day is at leisure to do some last minute shopping.

Meet your driver at your hotel lobby for your transfer to Seoul Incheon Airport (approx. 50min), for your onward journey.