Itinerary
Make your own way to reach in time at Delhi airport to catch our flight to Seoul
Touching down at Incheon International Airport places you in the heart of Korea. After we clear Passport and Customs control, our tour guide will meet us at the main passenger terminal and we transfer to the Hotel for Check-in & Breakfast.
We dive straight in with our exploration this afternoon begining with a driving tour of Seoul, featuring sites such as Seoul Plaza, City Hall, Cheonggye Square and pedestrian-friendly Gwanghwamun Plaza that is hemmed in on both sides by rushing traffic and office buildings. The plaza is lined on each side with 365m long streamlets, two centimeters deep and one meter across, the stone bed of the plaza's east side waterway engraved with important events in chronological order from 1392 to 2008.
Step back in time to when life was gracefully slow and discover Gyeongbokgung Palace, a particularly charming spot that represents a colorful and turbulent side of the capital's 500-year history. Depending on timing, you may witness the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony featuring parade, password verification, duty shift and patrolling the gate. Accompanied by a court band with its colorful costumes and royal flags, the ceremony is performed on daily basis at 10:00 and 14:00 except Tuesdays, although it is cancelled in case of rain or extremely hot or cold weather.
Time works out, you will enjoy a panoramic view of Seoul over at N Seoul Tower observatory. Perched on top of Namsan Mountain, the tower tops out at 479.7m above sea level. It was constructed in 1975 as Korea's first integrated communication tower, transmitting TV and FM radio signals to the city and has now become a symbolic landmark of the capital. It is the absolute best place to enjoy the most enthralling vistas of Seoul. Near the tower base, you cannot possibly miss time capsule. Buried in 1985 under 15m of the ground, it holds 466 relics representing contemporary Korean lifestyle and culture. The capsule is scheduled to open five hundred years later in 2485. You will also witness thousands of Love Padlocks hanging from all sides, overwhelming the wire fence, without their keys to symbolize that their love for each other is forever. And Love Trees made of hundreds of locks are quite a sight to behold.Here you will also enjoy the Cable car ride, Namsan Cable Car runs from the base of Namsan Mountain up to Namsan Seoul Tower, one of the most representative tourist attractions in Seoul, loved by tourists and residents alike. The new cable cars, which have been in operation since December 6, 2008, have an increased capacity of 48 people per car (up from 38). Unlike the older cars, the new cable cars have glass on all four sides, giving riders a wider view of the surrounding cityscape.
Return and Dinner on Han Cruise River, Han River Ferry Cruise is one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery around the Hangang River, which flows through the heart of Seoul. On the cruise, you can see Hangang River’s beautiful scenery, various small islands, Jeoldusan Park, 63 Square, N Seoul Tower, Jamsil’s Sports Complex, and other famous tourist spots.
Overnight in Seoul.
Meals Included : Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Please note that the DMZ is a politically sensitive area, and is therefore not always open to tourists.
In the event that the area cannot be visited, alternate sightseeing will be arranged.
The 3rd Tunnel tour
Rules and Regulations
* No tour on Monday and public holidays
* Full Name, Passport number, Date of Birth and Nationality must be received at the time of booking
* A current valid passport is required the day of travel
* Picture taking is prohibited upon boarding the tour bus at Imjingak
* Persons who suffer from claustrophobia, heart conditions or asthmatic symptoms cannot enter the tunnel
* Depending on crowd size in the tunnel, the order of the visit may alter
* Walking the tunnels are not required, guests may opt out and choose to stay on the bus, exhibition room or souvenir store
* Visitors are not allowed on an individual basis, it is necessary to join the group
* A moderate amount of walking through a steep and narrow tunnel involved - Comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended
* A private tour is allowed on if 30 or more passengers travelling together on the same bus
Your touring today will be private today until you reach Imjingak, at which time you will board a bus with other tourists as private tours of the tunnel and DMZ area are not allowed. Your private tour guide will remain with you throughout the day. Imjingak is the furthest north point in the area than you can go freely, and a park with an array of monuments and statues that speak to the Korean War (1950-1953). One such monument is Mangbaedan, a memorial site where displaced North Koreans pray for their ancestors. Near Mangbaedan is the Freedom Bridge, and was an important site where 12,773 prisoners of war returned to freedom.
You can also see a derelict locomotive engine shot full of bullet holes and its bent wheels - not particularly special in any way other than it shows the destruction of war.
Then, you board a bus to continue with other tourists on to the Demilitarized Zone which straddles the South and North Korean border. A 4km wide buffer of land stretches the breadth of the Korean peninsula. Although an Armistice came into effect in July 1953, the two Koreas are still technically in an active state of war. Tensions between the two countries remain high, and the border is patrolled by thousands of troops on both sides.
DMZ has strict security measures, passports need to be cleared at the Unification Bridge, the first control line with sentries and photo opportunities will be limited.
The tour stops at DMZ Theater and Exhibition Hall for a short video including old film that takes you back in time to the signing of the armistice and the creation of the DMZ.
The 3rd tunnel is one of the four infiltration tunnels dug by the North that have been discovered by the South on October 17, 1978. It is a 1,635m long, 2m high and 2m wide, and could have accommodated 30,000 soldiers per hour in what was apparently designed for a surprise attack on Seoul.
Afterwards, the tour leads you to The Trickeye Museum is an art gallery with paintings created using 'trompe l'oeil' techniques that give each 2D art piece the illusion of being in 3D. Instead of merely viewing paintings (as in a typical art gallery) visitors can interact with the paintings, posing themselves just right so that they look as if they are part of the original work. To ensure that even its busiest patrons have time to enjoy the fun, the museum stays open each day until 9PM, making it a popular date and hang-out place.
Continue your visit to Nami Island, Namiseom Island was formed as a result of the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam. It is a half moon-shaped isle, and on it is the grave of General Nami, who led a great victory against the rebels in the 13th year of the 7th king of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejo (reign 1455-1468). A special feature of Namiseom Island is that there are no telephone poles. This is because all electric wires were built underground to keep the natural feeling of the landscape. The island is 553,560 square yards with chestnut trees and poplar trees throughout.
Here you will enjoy the Zip-Lining, Namiseom Zip Wire is an eco-friendly leisure facility established by Gapyeong County Office in partnership with Gyeonggi Tourism Organization and Namiseom Inc. It is one of the biggest zipline facilities in Asia. Riders start from an 80 meter-high tower and zoom down along a wire cable to Jaraseom (640m away) and Namiseom / Nami Island (940m away).
Return to Seoul for Shopping & Dinner, Our tour shall at Yongsan electronic market. The Yongsan Electronics Market is an enormous wholesale electronics market located near the Yongsan Train Station, where all needs relating to computers, imported audio systems, game utilities and more are aptly answered. This mall first open in 1988 as part of city's rehabilitation project, and since then provides all the specialized in electronic parts including computers, DVDs, CDs, and many other types of consumer goods. There are more than 3,000 stores currently operating in this area, and shoppers will find all their electronics needs at prices 15 to 30% cheaper than at general retail stores.
Overnight at Seoul.
Meals Included : Breakfast , Lunch & Dinner
Today we shall depart to visit manufacturing site and Hwaseong Fortress, Hwaseong Fortress is an impressive structure from the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and the official fortress of Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do. The fortress (constructed from 1794 to 1796) was built as a display of the King’s filial piety towards his father Jangheonseja and to build a new pioneer city with its own economic power. Hwaseong Fortress was constructed under the guidance of Yu Hyeong-Won (1622-1673) and Jeong Yak-Yong (1762-1836), and is believed to have been constructed very scientifically. The fortress wall was built using Seokjae and Jeondol (bricks) and the holes between the bricks are just big enough to fire guns, arrows, or long spears through in case of an attack.
Return to Seoul.
Overnight in Seoul
Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After this wonderful trip exploring Korea's capital city and with time to reflect on your surprise in your experience, you will return to the airport in time for your flight. By boarding, you are already high above Incheon heading for home.
