Historical & Cultural Immersion Tour of South Korea with Temple Stay: Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Incheon, Transfer to Seoul

Welcome to Seoul, the dynamic South Korean capital with over nine million residents. Meet your driver at Incheon International Airport to transfer directly to your hotel, which is approximately an hour's drive away. Depending on your arrival time, spend the day exploring the city's modernity and history or resting after your journey. Explore the narrow streets of the Bukchon Hanok Village, where more than 900 restored, traditional hanoks (once the homes of the royal family and high society during the Joseon Dynasty) now function as guesthouses, tea houses, and restaurants.  

Stop for a bite to eat and then head to the Insadong neighborhood to explore its tea houses, shops, and restaurants, walking along cobblestone streets lined with ginkgo trees. Or, walk through Myeongdong, a skincare and cosmetics hub. Check out the Gwangjang Market to taste some of the city's best street food while mingling with locals. Choose among dishes such as mandu (dumplings) and kkochi (skewers). Then, see the city skyline views at Seoul Sky, an observation deck with a glass floor above the city. 

Day 2: Korean Demilitarized Zone Tour

This morning, join your guide for a full-day tour beginning with a 30-mile (44 km) drive up to the border between South and North Korea, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Delve into the complex history and tensions between the "two Koreas" that characterize the area to this day and highlight the importance of peace. Your tour starts with a shuttle bus trip to the Third Infiltration Tunnel, an invasion tool dug by North Korea and discovered by South Korea in 1978 CE.

Next, you'll visit the Dora Observatory, where you can look through telescopes at North Korea and see sites including the spooky Propaganda Village, People School, Mount Songak in Gaeseong, a statue of Kim Il Sung, and Geummamgol, a local cooperative farm. Be aware that clothing and camera regulations exist for this tour. Finally, visit the Imjingak Resort Unification Park to gain insight into the history of the Korean War. Afterward, return with your guide to Seoul and spend the evening relaxing at your hotel.

Day 4: Bulguksa & Seokguram Grotto Tour, Golgulsa Temple Stay

Continue your explorations of historic Gyeongju today on a half-day tour, starting at the city's UNESCO-listed Bulguksa temple, regarded as a masterpiece of Buddhist art. The temple houses six national treasures, including the Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas. Next, head to the enchanting Seokguram Grotto on Mount Toham, famed for its monumental Buddha statue surrounded by depictions of gods and disciples. Constructed in the eighth century, this landmark was an engineering feat, with mammoth granite blocks transported along a mountain path.

Take in views of the city and countryside, then join your driver for a quick trip to the nearby Golgulsa Templestay house and your accommodation for the night. Tour the temple, enjoy tea time with a monk (where you can ask questions and gain insight into the Buddhist way of life), then participate in guided meditations and other sacred rituals. Watch a demonstration of the ancient martial art of sunmudo, and learn a few moves yourself before observing afternoon prayer time. Throughout your stay, savor vegetarian meals prepared using fresh, local ingredients and relish the peace of the temple grounds.

Day 5: Transfer to Busan via Tongdosa, Busan Tour with Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Wake up early this morning to observe the Buddhist monks during their sacred morning prayers, followed by a serene walk together through the temple grounds. Enjoy a vegetarian breakfast, then continue your sunmudo training and participate in a relaxing, traditional meditation session guided by an expert (one of the monks). After you check out, join your driver for your one-hour transfer to Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, nestled among mountain ranges by the sea. The port town is loved for its nearby beaches, International Film Festival, trendy cafés, and extensive fish markets.

Make a stop on the way at the UNESCO-listed Tongdosa Temple, one of the "Three Jewel Temples of Korea." Wander the historic, beautifully preserved complex, then continue to Busan, where you'll join a half-day city tour. Begin with a serene visit to Haedong Yonggungsa, a beautiful Buddhist temple on seaside cliffs surrounded by stone bridges and statues. Continue to the picturesque Dongbaekseom Coastal Promenade, an island-turned-peninsula due to years of sedimentation, then hop on the colorful Sky Capsule at Haeundae Blueline Park for a fun ride and far-reaching sea views.

Day 7: Train to Seoul, Transfer to Incheon, Depart

Today, your South Korean adventure comes to an end. Take a two-hour bullet train back to Seoul, where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to Incheon International Airport. Safe travels, wherever the road takes you next!