Across 15 days and 9 bases, the route runs from Seoul to the east coast, inland through the Confucian heartland, down to Gyeongju and Busan, across to Jeju, then through the southern regions before returning north. Meals, entrances and transport are arranged within the programme, with 1 English-speaking guide throughout.
Three Nights to Settle into Seoul
The programme begins with 3 nights in Seoul. Gyeongbokgung, the guard ceremony, the National Folk Museum, Bukchon, the National Museum of Korea, Gwangjang Market, Cheonggyecheon and Dongdaemun Design Plaza introduce the capital from several angles while the group settles into one hotel and adjusts to the time zone.
Across to the East Coast
On Day 4, the coach turns east. A cable car gives the group a high-level view of Seoraksan's granite landscape before the route continues north to an observatory overlooking the DMZ area. The day finishes in Sokcho on the East Sea coast.
Confucian Korea in Andong
The route continues inland to Andong. Dosan Seowon is associated with the sixteenth-century scholar Yi Hwang, whose portrait appears on Korea's 1,000-won note. The following morning brings Hahoe, a historic village of tiled and thatched houses that remains a living community. Together, the two visits provide context for Korea's Confucian traditions and family culture.
Gyeongju, Capital of Silla
Gyeongju served as the capital of Silla for close to a thousand years. The programme combines Bulguksa and Seokguram with the royal burial mounds, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, and Cheomseongdae, the seventh-century stone structure associated with astronomical observation.
Busan, then Jeju
The programme moves by private coach with 1 KTX leg and 2 domestic flights. The route continues to Busan by KTX for grilled fish at the market where it was landed that morning, followed by Taejongdae and Gamcheon Culture Village. On Day 9, a domestic flight connects the group with Jeju, where the landscape shifts to volcanic rock and coastal scenery.
Bays, Tea and Jeonju
Back on the mainland, the route continues through Suncheon Bay, the stepped approach to Hyangiram, the tea fields of Boseong and finally Jeonju, with its hanok quarter, traditional paper culture and regional food.
Return to Seoul
Korea Unlocked covers 14 nights, 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 13 dinners, and keeps all 15 days guided. The final 2 days close the loop with Suwon Hwaseong and a return to Seoul for the palace garden, shopping streets and Namsan. The final morning is spent in Insadong before the airport transfer.