Highlights
- Soak in the panoramic views of a wintry Seoul from atop Mount Namsan
- Admire the otherworldly rock formations at Yongmeori Beach on Jeju Island
- Discover the thatch-roofed, lava-rock homes of Jeju Island's Seongeup Folk Village
- Visit the snow-covered Sinheungsa Temple in the rocky Seoraksan National Park
- Take a break from the slopes in a chalet on Yongpyong's Dragon Peak
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Seoul, Snowy Seoul Highlights Tour | Seoul |
| Day 2 | Fly to Jeju Island, Jeju Scenery Tour | Jeju Island |
| Day 3 | Explore Jeju Island: Mountains, Beaches, Gardens & Museums | Jeju Island |
| Day 4 | Fly to Seoul, Day Trip to Nami Island, Transfer to Sokcho | Sokcho |
| Day 5 | Visit Seoraksan National Park & Sinheungsa Temple, Transfer to Pyeongchang | Pyeongchang |
| Day 6 | Skiing at Yongpyong Resort, Day 1 | Pyeongchang |
| Day 7 | Skiing at Yongpyong Resort, Day 2 | Pyeongchang |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Incheon, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Snowy Seoul Highlights Tour
Welcome to South Korea! Touch down in the dizzying capital, Seoul, where your driver will be waiting to take you on a one-hour transfer to your hotel. Enjoy your first glimpse of this futuristic metropolis, a sprawling mass of towering skyscrapers set against ancient Buddhist temples, landscaped sculpture parks, and mazelike street markets. Fashion, tech, and karaoke loom large in Seoul, alongside historical palaces and museums.
Settle in and then head out on a full-day guided city tour. Begin at Gyeongbokgung palace, the residence of the Joseon Dynasty's royal family from the late 1300s to 1910 CE. Watch the changing of the guard ceremony at the Gwanghwamun area and stroll through the palace's ornate pavilions and halls. Next, continue to Bukchon Hanok Village, which showcases hanoks (traditional Korean houses). You can visit the village's numerous themed museums and galleries, stylish cafés, and teahouses there.
Join local crowds at Gwangjang Market to taste some of the city's best street food for lunch. Take your pick from dishes such as dak gangjeong (fried chicken), mandu (dumplings), and kkochi (skewers). After lunch, hike up to the snowy Namsan Park, the largest park in Seoul. Take a cable car ride or hike to the top of Mount Namsan to enjoy a 360-degree unobstructed view of the city, the iconic N Seoul Tower, and the icy Han River.
Day 2: Fly to Jeju Island, Jeju Scenery Tour
Start your day with a one-hour flight to Jeju Island, a volcanic atoll where you'll spend the next two nights. This island, celebrated for its natural beauty, citrus fruit, ancient cultural traditions, and temperate climate, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After settling into your hotel, join your guide to explore Jeju's natural attractions on a full-day tour. Begin at the Sangumburi Crater, a National Monument that measures 2,100 feet (650 m) wide and 328 feet (100 m) deep, known for its many plant species, such as colonies of silver grass, which turn golden in the winter.
Next, travel to Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), a peak that seems to emerge directly from the sea on the island's eastern side, for spectacular ocean and sky views. Stop by the picturesque Seopjikoji coastline for more photo opportunities, and then learn about the island's culture at Seongeup Folk Village, a town of 3,000 thatch-roofed and lava-rock homes passed down through generations. Afterward, head to Dongmun Traditional Market to try local specialties such as haemul ttukbaegi (hotpot seafood stew), hallabong (tangerines), black pork barbecue, and abalone porridge for dinner.
Day 3: Explore Jeju Island: Mountains, Beaches, Gardens & Museums
Join your guide to explore more of Jeju Island today. Stop on the mind-bending Mysterious Road to experience the optical illusion of the tilted road, meet the adorable Teddys at the Teddy Bear Museum, then head to Sanbangsan Mountain, which stands tall on the Jeju plains and can be seen from miles away. Climb to Sanbanggulsa Grotto for the views and spiritual vibes, then head down the mountain to the coast and wander along Yongmeori Beach to appreciate the serene winter waves. In the afternoon, you'll walk through paths dotted with Bonsai trees, waterfalls, and ponds at the Spirited Garden.
Afterward, travel with your guide to O'Sulloc Green Tea Plantation, the largest tea field on the island, which is one of South Korea's most important tea production areas. Stroll through rows of fragrant tea bushes, learn how tea is harvested from an expert guide, explore a small museum, and soak up sweeping views of tea fields. End the tour with a tea ceremony, savoring a cup of fresh tea as you take in the panoramic views of Jeju's tallest peak, Hallasan, before returning to your hotel.
Day 4: Fly to Seoul, Day Trip to Nami Island, Transfer to Sokcho
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Say farewell to Jeju Island and jet back to Seoul on a 2.5-hour flight this morning. After you arrive, you'll meet your guide for a half-day winter scenery tour beginning at the Garden of Morning Calm, which is spectacular in all seasons, including winter. Wander the paved paths connecting 20 different themed gardens, home to around 5,000 plants within its flowerbeds and hedgerows.
Then, make a trip to the famous Nami Island, which lies in the middle of the North Han River. Beloved for its spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage, winter transforms the island into a wonderland, with snow covering the pagodas, birch trees, ginkgo trees, and redwoods. At the end of the tour, your driver will transfer you on a three-hour drive to Sokcho via scenic Gapyeong and Chuncheon. Once you arrive in Sokcho, check into your hotel and settle in for the night.
Day 5: Visit Seoraksan National Park & Sinheungsa Temple, Transfer to Pyeongchang
After breakfast at your hotel, explore the beauty of Seoraksan National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Preservation District, with a private guide today. Start by riding a cable car up to Gwongeumseong Fortress Peak to view the park's diverse snow-covered landscapes. When you arrive, admire the beautiful scenic vista of Mount Seoraksan, one of Korea's highest mountains.
Visit the historic seventh-century Buddhist Seoraksan Sinheungsa Temple on the mountain slopes and marvel at the Tongil Daebul (Great Unification Buddha) statue, which symbolizes the Korean people's wish for reunification. Take photos of snowy valleys, frozen waterfalls, and rare flora and fauna throughout the park, which is beautiful in every season. After exploring, head down the mountain to meet your driver again for a two-hour transfer to your hotel in Pyeongchang, a snow bunny's paradise.
Day 6: Skiing at Yongpyong Resort, Day 1
Wake up in Pyeongchang and get ready to hit the snow on today's thrilling winter adventure at South Korea's largest ski resort, Yongpyong. The resort was the official venue for the technical alpine skiing events of the 2018 Winter Olympics and is home to 14 cable lifts. Enjoy panoramic views of Balwangsan Mountain as you ride the gondola up the course—the longest in Asia.
You can take part in expert-led ski and snowboard lessons with an English-speaking coach and try out the Mega Green route for beginners or explore the 28 different slopes that cater to all abilities. If you're a seasoned skier, try Rainbow Paradise, the second-longest slope in South Korea. During the resort's annual ski festival, usually between mid-December and early April, you'll enjoy competitions, performances, and hands-on snow-sport programs. After a day on the slopes, relax in your cozy alpine hotel with drinks and dinner.
Day 7: Skiing at Yongpyong Resort, Day 2
Day 8: Transfer to Incheon, Depart
Today, your winter adventure in South Korea comes to an end. Your driver will transfer you 2.5 hours to Incheon International Airport near Seoul in time to board your homebound flight. Safe travels!
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