12 Oct 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,890pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £8,340
Escorted tour
Scenic South Korea with Flights: Seoul, Busan & Mount Seorak – 13 Days
Seoul, the green tea fields of Boseong, Busan, Gyeongju's Silla treasures and Mount Seorak, with UK flights and all meals included.
13 days
From £6,290 incl. flights
Tour overview
This 13-day escorted tour travels the length of South Korea, from the palaces of Seoul to the southern coast, the ancient capital of Gyeongju and the mountains of the east, with return flights from the UK and every meal included. A national escort leads the group throughout, with local guides at the main sites, and you travel by coach and by train from Gangneung back to Seoul. You stay in comfortable three- and four-star hotels with private bathrooms. Groups are typically between 12 and 28 travellers, and the tour is suitable from age 12.
In Seoul you visit Gyeongbok Palace, watch the changing of the guard, explore the royal Jongmyo Shrine and ride up N Seoul Tower. Heading south, you walk through the bamboo forest of Juknokwon in Damyang and the 16th-century Soswaewon garden, take part in a bibimbap cooking class, and visit the green tea plantations of Boseong for a tasting. The UNESCO-listed Seonamsa Temple and the walled Naganeupseong Folk Village lead on to the harbour city of Yeosu, where a cable car crosses the water to Dolsan Island.
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Busan, South Korea's second city, combines beaches, temples and the country's best seafood, with views from Busan Tower. Gyeongju, capital of the Silla Kingdom for a thousand years and known as the museum without walls, is home to Bulguksa Temple, the stone Buddha of Seokguram Grotto, the royal burial mounds of Tumuli Park and the Gyeongju National Museum.
Travelling north along the east coast, you visit Naksansa Temple above the sea and spend a day in Mount Seorak National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of granite peaks and pine forest. A train returns you to Seoul for an evening at Nanta, a lively non-verbal kitchen show, and the tour ends with a visit to the DMZ, the heavily guarded border with North Korea, before the flight home. Many travellers combine the tour with a few extra days in Seoul, a city of street food, markets and palaces.
The physical rating is low. This tour suits travellers who want a comprehensive, fully organised introduction to South Korea, with flights, meals and entrance fees taken care of.
Trip highlights
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Gyeongbok Palace and Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul (Day 3)
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Bamboo forests and the Soswaewon garden in Damyang (Day 4)
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Boseong's green tea plantations (Day 5)
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Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju (Day 8)
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Mount Seorak National Park (Day 10)
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A visit to the DMZ (Day 12)
Your route
12 stops from Seoul to DMZ
- Seoul Days 1–3 & 11–12
- Damyang Day 4
- Gwangju Day 4
- Boseong Day 5
- Suncheon Day 5
- Yeosu Day 6
- Busan Day 6
- Gyeongju Days 7–8
- Naksansa Temple Day 9
- Sokcho Days 9–10
- Gangneung Day 11
- DMZ Day 12
Why choose this tour
Flights, all meals, hotels and entrance fees included, with a national escort throughout. A complete loop of South Korea, from Seoul to the south coast and the eastern mountains.
Best suited to
- First-time visitors to South Korea
- Travellers who want everything included
- Food lovers keen to try Korean cuisine
- History and culture enthusiasts
Day-by-day itinerary
13 days from Seoul, South Korea to Seoul, South Korea
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Day 1 · London Fly to Seoul
Board your overnight flight to Seoul.
- Hotel
- Overnight flight
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Day 2 · Seoul Arrive in Seoul
Arrive in Seoul and meet your national escort and group for dinner.
- Hotel
- Fraser Place Namdaemun or similar
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 3 · Gyeongbok Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, N Seoul Tower Explore Seoul
Watch the changing of the guard at Gyeongbok Palace, then visit Jongmyo Shrine and N Seoul Tower.
- Hotel
- Fraser Place Namdaemun or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 4 · Juknokwon, Soswaewon, Gwangju Damyang's bamboo and gardens
Walk through the Juknokwon bamboo forest and the 16th-century Soswaewon garden, with a bibimbap cooking class.
- Hotel
- Holiday Inn Gwangju or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 5 · Boseong, Seonamsa Temple, Naganeupseong, Yeosu Tea fields and temples
Taste green tea at Boseong, visit the UNESCO-listed Seonamsa Temple and Naganeupseong Folk Village, and continue to Yeosu.
- Hotel
- Hidden Bay Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 6 · Dolsan Island, Odongdo, Busan Yeosu to Busan
Ride the cable car to Dolsan Island, visit Odongdo Island and travel to Busan.
- Hotel
- Crown Harbour Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 7 · Busan Tower, Gyeongju Busan to Gyeongju
Take in the view from Busan Tower and explore the city before driving to Gyeongju.
- Hotel
- Suites Hotel Gyeongju or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 8 · Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Tumuli Park Gyeongju
Visit Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Tumuli Park and the Gyeongju National Museum.
- Hotel
- Suites Hotel Gyeongju or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 9 · Naksansa Temple, Sokcho Naksansa Temple
Travel up the east coast to Naksansa Temple above the sea, then on to Sokcho.
- Hotel
- Seorak Kensington Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 10 · Mount Seorak National Park Mount Seorak
A day in Mount Seorak National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of granite peaks and pine forest.
- Hotel
- Seorak Kensington Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 11 · Gangneung, Seoul Train to Seoul
Take the train from Gangneung to Seoul, with free time and an evening at the Nanta show.
- Hotel
- Fraser Place Namdaemun or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 12 · DMZ The DMZ
An early start to visit the Demilitarised Zone on the border with North Korea.
- Hotel
- Fraser Place Namdaemun or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 13 · Seoul Fly home
Fly from Seoul to the UK, arriving the same or the following day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Seoul (2 nights) Fraser Place Namdaemun or similar
- Gwangju (1 night) Holiday Inn Gwangju or similar
- Yeosu (1 night) Hidden Bay Hotel or similar
- Busan (1 night) Crown Harbour Hotel or similar
- Gyeongju (2 nights) Suites Hotel Gyeongju or similar
- Sokcho (2 nights) Seorak Kensington Hotel or similar
- Seoul (2 nights) Fraser Place Namdaemun or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Return flights from the UK
- Accommodation 11 nights in three- and four-star hotels
- Meals all breakfasts, lunches and dinners
- Transport coach throughout and the Gangneung–Seoul train
- Guided visits and entrance fees Gyeongbok Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, N Seoul Tower, Seonamsa Temple, Naganeupseong Folk Village, Busan Tower, Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Tumuli Park, Naksansa Temple, Mount Seorak and the DMZ
- A bibimbap cooking class, a Boseong tea tasting and the Nanta show
- National escort throughout
Not included
- Korean K-ETA travel authorisation, if required
- Drinks
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a small group — groups can reach 28
- You want lots of free time — the itinerary is full
- You want to choose your own meals — all meals are included
- You want to visit Jeju Island — it is not included
Good to know
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for South Korea
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £6,290 per person, including flights. 11 upcoming departures.
Flights from UK airports.
19 Oct 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,890pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £8,340
26 Oct 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,890pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £8,340
02 Nov 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,290pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £7,740
29 Mar 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,390pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £7,880
05 Apr 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,390pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £7,880
10 May 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,390pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £7,880
11 Oct 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,390pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £7,880
18 Oct 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,390pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £7,880
25 Oct 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,390pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £7,880
01 Nov 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,390pp
Flights from UK airports
Single from £7,880
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Are flights included?
Yes, return flights from the UK to Seoul are included.
Are all meals included?
Yes, every breakfast, lunch and dinner on tour, including a bibimbap cooking class.
How many people travel together?
Groups are typically between 12 and 28 travellers, with a national escort throughout.
Do I need a visa for South Korea?
UK visitors do not need a visa for short stays, but may need a K-ETA travel authorisation depending on current rules. Check before travel.
Is the DMZ visit safe?
Yes. Visits are tightly controlled, and tickets are limited, so the day starts early. Passports are required.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring for cherry blossom and autumn for colourful leaves are the most popular seasons.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary