PAGANELS' TRAVEL TO SOUTH KOREA
11 DAYS
24 PEOPLE
- EURO
11 DAYS
29.04 - 09.05.2026
There are place ✅
DESCRIPTION
For many years, we have dreamed of going on a full-fledged, interesting trip to South Korea. It is a very unusual Asian country where you can see ancient temples, ultra-modern cities, and interesting nature. You can taste famous Korean dishes and get acquainted with the traditions and customs of this part of the world.
Korea will interest all travelers, especially those who love and appreciate Asia in all its diversity. South Korea is a technologically advanced country with powerful manufacturing, highly developed automotive and electronics industries. You are well aware of corporations such as Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and Kia, but now it is also a leading country in weapons production, as well as cosmetology and medical advances.
Korea has also given the world taekwondo and other martial arts, wonderful Korean cinema, and the youth music subculture of K-pop, with millions of fans around the world and billions of dollars flowing into the country.
We will stroll through the ancient royal palaces of Seoul, dressed in beautiful hanbok national costumes; go trekking in the most beautiful mountains of Soraek; meet the famous women of the Sea - the hyeongyo; practice meditation, archery, and martial arts in an ancient Buddhist temple; and we will eat the finest seafood in the interesting city of Busan and on Jeju Island.
We will have a rich, active, and very enjoyable journey in the style of Paganel, where we will see almost all the most interesting things that can be touched, felt, and tasted in a relatively small country.
Welcome to an exciting and comfortable adventure with Paganelli. We have tried to include almost everything in the program: 4-5 star hotels, two domestic flights, travel by high-speed train and comfortable buses; breakfasts and some lunches; all entrance tickets along the route; the services of local expert guides, etc.
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ITINERARY
- KTX high-speed train tickets;
- 2 domestic flights;
- private comfortable buses for all necessary transfers according to the program;
- excursions along the travel route with professional local expert guides who speak Korean and Russian;
- rental of headphones (audio guide) for a comfortable tour along the entire travel route;
- accommodation in 4* - 5* hotels with double occupancy (single occupancy available on request for an additional fee);
- One-day Templestay at Golgulsa Temple with Samundo martial arts training and lunch;
- Meals: breakfasts and lunches as per the program;
- Tickets to the Nanta show in Seoul;
- Rental of hanbok national costumes for photo shoots and a walk through the Royal Palace;
- All entrance tickets to museums, temples, and national landmarks as per the program;
- All entrance tickets to cable cars and funiculars as per the program;
- Services of Paganel Studio guides.
- Flight from your city to Seoul and back;
- Transfer from the airport and to the airport on the day of your arrival/departure;
- Meals not specified in the program;
- Surcharge for single occupancy;
- Additional excursions, as well as optional activities and transportation on days off.
IMPORTANT!
Since our expeditions do not include international flights to the program's starting point, we cannot be held responsible for changes in airline flight conditions or airport requirements. Since our travelers come from different countries and cities, we never participate in the purchase of air tickets and limit ourselves exclusively to advisory services regarding the selection of flights. Airline agents or airlines from which tickets were purchased are responsible for the purchase, rescheduling of flights, loss of luggage, and other technical support in the provision of services.
ITINERARY
Day 1
(29.04.2026)
Arrival at Incheon International Airport in Seoul. Completion of all necessary border and customs formalities. Independent transfer, meeting with tour leaders, and check-in at a cozy 4-star hotel located in the central district of Myeong-dong.
Myeong-dong is the name of an entire district of Seoul. Guidebooks say that you can buy clothes, shoes, and accessories here. Unlike some other shopping districts in the city, Myeong-dong is home to luxury brand stores. It is also here that all tourists arriving in Korea buy famous Korean cosmetics: masks, creams, etc.
After checking into the hotel, we recommend taking a stroll through the streets of Mendon.
We will hold a short briefing with everyone who will be there by evening, rejoicing in the long-awaited meeting of old and new friends.
Starting at 6 p.m., endless rows of stalls with Korean food line the streets of this area. They cook right here, in front of you.
Of course, every traveler should try the famous Korean street food, it's delicious. Dinner on your own. Rest.
Day 2
(30.04.2026)
We wake up quite early. Today we have a big and busy day ahead of us. We have breakfast at the hotel. We drink coffee. We take comfortable shoes for walking, light jackets, and cameras. We meet our local guide in the hotel lobby and receive headphones (audio guide) for the entire trip. We board a large private bus that is waiting for us.
We move on to the royal palace of Gyeongbokgung, where we quickly receive our beautiful national costumes, hanbok.
We change into them and go to watch the ceremonial changing of the guard at the entrance to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Gyeongbokgung is the most important palace in Seoul, built as the main residence of the kings of the Joseon Dynasty by its founder, King Taejo, at the end of the 14th century.
Our colorful walk through Gyeongbokgung Palace in traditional hanbok costumes, combined with a photo shoot and audio tour, will take about an hour and a half.
There will be time to learn a lot of new and interesting things from our expert guide, and take the first hundred vivid, memorable photos that will blow up Instagram in the evening.
In addition to the royal palace, we visit Seoul's central square, Gwanghwamun, then change into our regular clothes, get on the bus, and go to the Dongdaemun area for lunch.
After lunch, we hop back on the bus and rush to see the most famous Korean musical show, Nanta.
The musical has a simple storyline about three chefs who are trying to finish preparing a wedding banquet within a strict deadline, while the manager hires his incompetent nephew to join the kitchen staff. The show features acrobatics, magic tricks, comedy, pantomime, and audience participation. The unifying element of the entire musical is traditional Korean samul nori music, which in this case is performed using improvised instruments such as cutting boards, water jugs, and kitchen knives. The performance is almost entirely nonverbal. There is very little dialogue, and most of it is in English.
After the show, we take a bus to walk along Insadong souvenir street, and then move on to the Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain. The tower is 236.7 meters high, with a total height above sea level of 479.7 meters. We climb the mountain by funicular.
We walk. We take photos. We watch the sunset. Transfer to our hotel in the Mendon area. Free time. Rest.
(Meals included: breakfast and lunch)
Day 3
(01.05.2026)
We wake up and get ready in a relaxed manner. We have breakfast. We drink our morning coffee. We check out of our rooms and load our luggage onto the bus at 10 a.m. We check that our headphones are working. We leave for an excursion to the folk village of Minsokchon.
The traditional Korean village of Minsokchon is a folk complex in South Korea, not far from Seoul. It recreates the life of an ordinary ancient Korean town of the Joseon era. The village is huge, with about 300 buildings demonstrating the lifestyles of different social classes in ancient Korea, from simple peasants to wealthy officials.
In numerous workshops and shops, you can learn traditional crafts such as fan making, pottery, blacksmithing, painting, calligraphy, and many others. You can also learn about ancient professions, such as what apothecaries used to make medicines from.
We walk, take photos, learn many new and interesting things, and after 1 p.m., we have lunch in the village, enjoying traditional Korean cuisine.
After lunch, we board the bus and drive for about three hours to the most beautiful Korean mountains - Soraeksan. Upon arrival at Soraeksan National Park, we check into a beautiful 5-star hotel near the park entrance, and then go for a walk.
Watch the sunset at Sinheungsa Buddhist Temple, one of the most atmospheric and beautiful temples in Korea.
Sinheungsa is the oldest Zen temple in the modern world. Built in 653 AD, it was completely destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 710. Since then, it has undergone several more destructions and restorations. The civil war of 1645 led to the burning of the religious shrine once again. It was restored in 1648 and has survived to this day.
We will also see the majestic bronze statue of Buddha, which is impressive in size. The figure is over 14.5 meters high and weighs 108 tons. For Koreans, the statue symbolizes the “dream of reunification between South and North Korea.”
We watch the sunset and stroll around the ancient Buddhist shrines and the surrounding Soraksan Mountains, then return to the hotel to rest and have dinner.
After dinner, we gather in the lobby for a traditional Pagan evening of introductions, where expedition T-shirts and badges are handed out.
(Meals included: breakfast and lunch)
Day 4
(02.05.2026)
We wake up early. Delicious breakfast. We take our hiking boots and clothes. We leave our suitcases and bags at the hotel reception for storage. Together, we run to the funicular, which will take us to the top of the nearest mountain.
It is important to be among the first to reach the summit in order to get the most out of the morning views of the Soraksan Mountains.
Here we will walk for about 40-50 minutes, take another batch of cool photos, and then get off the funicular and set off on a five-hour trek.
Before trekking, we receive instructions, split into groups, determine routes, and orient ourselves using local maps. It is impossible to get lost in the park because all the trails are laid out as comfortably as possible, numbered, and you can always find your way back, even in heavy fog.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, we gather as a group at the agreed location and go out for lunch. After lunch, we load our belongings onto the bus and take a short trip to Sokcho Beach, where we take a walk and dip our feet in the Sea of Japan.
Next, a three-hour return trip on our private bus to Seoul, check-in at the hotel. Tired but satisfied, we go to bed.
(Meals included: breakfast and lunch)
Day 5
(03.05.2026)
We wake up very early. We scold the organizers for not letting us sleep in, but unfortunately, in order to fit everything into this busy day, we need to get up early. Very early breakfast. At 6:30 a.m., we meet our guide at the reception desk and load our belongings onto the bus. Transfer to the train station, where modern KTK super-fast trains depart.
At 8 a.m., we board the KTX train waiting for us and depart for Gyeongju, which was once the capital of the ancient Korean state of Silla and was considered one of the most developed cities in East Asia. The trip from Seoul to Gyeongju takes only 2 hours. Upon arrival, we all meet up, go to our bus, load our luggage, and continue on to the Golgulsa Buddhist temple for a one-day Templestay program.
The journey takes about an hour. Upon arrival, we check in and receive special clothing in which we will undergo special training and meditation.
Golgulsa Temple was founded on Hamwolsan Mountain by Master Kwangju and his entourage, who arrived in Korea from India about 1,500 years ago. Golgulsa is the oldest cave temple in Korea, built in the likeness of Indian cave temples. Today, the temple is also known for preserving and refining the ancient martial art of Samundo.
Sunmudo is a form of moving meditation and meditative martial arts. The practice emphasizes harmony between body and mind through observation of breathing. It is a traditional Korean Buddhist martial art with a history dating back over a thousand years.
The gentle and meditative movements of qigong develop awareness of our own internal energies, while also leading us to greater sensitivity to the external energies that flow around us.
We change clothes, receive instructions and a map of the Temple locations where we will have classes until evening today, and then immediately go to our first practice session of meditative archery.
Next, we will have a meditation session, then we will watch a performance by monks who practice sanmundo. We will hold several practical classes where we will get acquainted with and learn about the ancient Korean martial art of sunmundo.
The temple lunch is delicious vegetarian food. The total time of our practice at Golgulsa Temple will be about 5 hours. You can bring phones and cameras to the temple, but you cannot bring food with you.
We finish the class at 6:30 p.m. We return our uniforms. We say goodbye to Golgulsa Temple and the warrior monks of Samundo. We take our last group photos. We board our private bus.
The transfer takes about 30 minutes, followed by check-in at a comfortable 5-star hotel on the lake shore, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner at the restaurant, drink coffee, relax, and unwind after a busy but very unusual day.
(Meals included: breakfast and lunch)
Day 6
(04.05.2026)
We wake up slowly. We thank the organizers for giving us a chance to rest this time. We have a delicious breakfast. We drink coffee. We pack our things. We check out. At 10 a.m., we meet our guide in the hotel lobby, board the bus, and go on an excursion to the interesting and authentic city of Gyeongju.
We start our tour at Woljeong Bridge, a wooden pedestrian bridge over the Hyunsan River. It was first built during the Unified Silla period and served as a crossing point for cattle and carts.
During the Joseon period, the badly worn bridge was destroyed. Its restoration began only in the 21st century due to the development of tourism in Gyeongju. Architects restored the historical appearance of the bridge, using other architectural monuments of the Silla era as a basis. The modern Woljeonggye Bridge was completed and opened to visitors in 2018.
On the bridge, you can take some pretty cool atmospheric shots among the bright red columns. Next, we'll take a walk through the traditional village of Kech'on. There, we'll have lunch with some yummy Korean food.
After lunch, we will visit one of the most interesting temples in Korea, Bulguksa, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Seokguram Grotto, which we will also visit today.
The temple is a functioning museum listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It has existed since 528. It is a sacred and very interesting place, and of course, we must see it.
In 1966, a woodblock print of the “Sutra of the Great Incantation of the Untainted Pure Light” was found in the temple, dated approximately 704-751 CE. The scroll is printed on Japanese paper measuring 8×630 cm and is the earliest example of a printed book in the world.
Next, we visit Sokkurama, an ancient cave temple built at the dawn of Korean Buddhism in the 8th century. It is believed that the renowned dignitary who founded Sokkurama Temple built it in honor of his virtuous parents from a past life. A large stone Buddha sits in the grotto. However, photography is not permitted.
The walls of the cave are decorated with numerous sculptures of bodhisattvas, devas, and warrior defenders of Buddhism.
After the tour, we board our bus and drive for an hour and a half to the beautiful and lively city of Busan on the ocean coast. We check into a nice 4-star hotel with a sea view for 2 nights.
If you have the energy, you can optionally take a cable car ride over the sea or go for a walk along the evening promenade. Sit in a café serving seafood or enjoy the famous Korean marbled beef.
Free time. Dinner on your own. Rest.
(Meals included: breakfast and lunch)
Day 7
(05.05.2026)
We wake up slowly. We thank the organizers again for letting us sleep in. We have breakfast. We drink coffee. We grab our cameras and our good mood. At 10 a.m., we meet our guide in the hotel lobby, check our headphones, load up the bus, and head to Yongung Temple.
This temple is considered the most beautiful Buddhist temple in Korea and is probably one of the most visited. It is always crowded with Koreans and tourists who want to experience beauty.
As one of the few Buddhist temples on the ocean shore in all of South Korea, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is also one of the most unique places of worship in the country. With over 600 years of history, the temple is known for its unusual location and the mystical events surrounding its construction.
Next, we will visit the central fish market of Chagallchhi in Busan, which is an amazing and interesting place in itself.
Here we will enjoy the freshest seafood and fish.
After lunch, we will board our bus and head to the cultural village of Gamcheon. Gamcheon Culture Village is considered one of the most visited and beautiful attractions in Busan.
The houses in the village stand close to each other, each painted in a bright color, with neighboring houses always having different colors. The walls of many houses are decorated with paintings, and the parapets with sculptures by local artists and sculptors.
After Kamchong Village, we return to the central areas of Busan. We walk along the beach and visit a few more interesting places.
Return to the hotel. Free time. Rest. Dinner on your own.
(Meals included: breakfast and lunch)
Day 8
(06.05.2026)
We wake up early. We have breakfast. We pack our things. We meet with our guide at 8 a.m., check out, load the bus, and rush to the airport. Upon arrival at the airport, we check in, check our luggage, and fly to Jeju Island. The flight takes about an hour.
Upon arrival on Jeju Island, we meet our guide and load our belongings onto the bus. It is still too early to check in, so we immediately set off to explore the island.
The first stop on today's excursion program is the Spirited Garden botanical garden. It's an incredible place, so you won't regret spending time here. It has a large collection of bonsai trees, and this collection is very interesting and unusual.
After exploring Spirited Garden, we go for lunch. Jeju Island is famous for its seafood and fish, and the local specialty here is swordfish, which we will try for lunch.
After lunch, we continue to explore the island. We visit two interesting Buddhist shrines. The first is the Sanbangulsa Grotto, where the water is considered alive and sacred. The second shrine is the very beautiful and unique Yakchonsa Temple. It is a must-see.
Yakchunsa Temple is relatively new, with construction beginning in the 1980s under the guidance of monks. However, the temple is already quite well known, as it houses the largest Buddhist prayer hall, measuring 3,305 square meters and 30 meters high, as well as a giant bell.
That is why it is one of the most important temples in all of Asia. It is also known for its special “homes” for 80,000 Buddhas and miniature gold statues of Buddha framed in glass, located on the second floor.
The main temple has several floors and balconies with breathtaking views of the magnificent five-meter Buddha, which is the centerpiece of the large prayer hall. It is also filled with frescoes depicting Buddhist legends—true works of art.
We finish our big day of sightseeing. We drive to the hotel for about 45 minutes. We check in for two nights at a cozy 4-star hotel on the seafront in the city center. We drop our things in our rooms and go to dinner either at one of the many seafood restaurants near the hotel or at the central Dongmun Public Market. It is very interesting and colorful here. You can eat very well — the choice is huge. Take wonderful photos and videos. We recommend it)
Return to the hotel. Rest.
(Meals included: breakfast and lunch)
Day 9
(07.05.2026)
We wake up. We have breakfast. We take our shoes and clothes for active walks. We meet our guide at 9 a.m. in the hotel lobby. We get on the bus and leave for the excursion. The first stop is Luh Sopchi Khojji.
Sopchi Khochji is located on the east coast of Jeju Island. “Sopchi” is the old name of this area, and ‘khochji’ means “curved land” in the Jeju dialect. Sopchi Khojji is a wide meadow on a cliff by the sea, near which stands the Sondol rock. Not far from the edge of Sopchi Khojji, where the lighthouse stands, you can see a stone wall that serves as a windbreak.
Climbing the iron stairs to the lighthouse, you can admire the beauty of the Sopchi Khochji meadow from a bird's eye view. On the wide, flat hill of Khochji stands the stone tower of Ponsude, about 4 m high. The tower is 9 meters long and wide. This ancient tower, used to transmit urgent messages by means of fire, has been preserved to this day in its original form. Next, there is a short trip to the peak of Sonsan Ilchulbon.
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak is a low volcanic cone in the eastern part of Jeju Island. It was formed about 100,000 years ago. This rock with a flat, seemingly cut-off top rises 180 m above the sea and is connected to the shore by a small isthmus. The “Sunrise” peak is a crater with a diameter of about 600 meters. The bottom of the crater is located at an altitude of 90 meters above sea level. Around the edges of the crater are 99 sharp stones that form a giant crown.
A well-equipped trail leads to the top of the peak, which is always climbed by those who want to see the views from above. After all, this place, along with the Soraksan Mountains, is considered one of the highlights of South Korea. It will take us about an hour to walk up and back.
Next, we have a delicious lunch of Korean dishes with local nuances. At 2 p.m., we return to Pika and descend to the bay located on its western side.
Here we will meet the famous Korean mermaids, the “Women of the Sea - Haenyeo.”
Haenyeo are traditional South Korean female divers who live on Jeju Island. These women harvest seafood underwater (such as shellfish, sea urchins, and seaweed) without the use of scuba gear or other modern equipment.
The tradition of henyo originated over 1,000 years ago. Previously, divers were mainly men, but over time (around the 17th century), women began to dominate this craft. This is because the female body retains heat better in cold water due to the greater amount of subcutaneous fat.
Today, the number of hanjo is rapidly declining due to urbanization, technological progress, and declining interest in the profession among young people. In the 1960s, there were about 30,000 henyo, but now there are fewer than 4,000, most of whom are older women (many over 60). In 2016, the henyo tradition was added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.
We will see how Henyo women harvest seafood and process shells and mollusks. Those who wish can taste it all in a small restaurant owned by Henyo, either cold as sashimi or in a hot dish.
We will learn more about the women of the Sea on site, as well as during a visit to the special “Museum of Henyo Women.”
In addition, we have planned a visit to mandarin plantations. In September, if the weather is favorable, we may be able to harvest and taste some of the earliest varieties. After all, Jeju Island is also known as “Mandarin Paradise.”
Today is a very busy day, so we are trying to stick to the schedule and timing to get everything done. Towards evening, we will visit the folk village of Sonip to see how life and rural customs were organized on Jeju Island several decades ago.
We return to the hotel. We go to dinner. Some may wish to take a stroll and engage in shopping, while others may choose to revisit Dongmun Public Market to sample fish, seafood, lobsters, mandarin dishes, and the renowned black pork of Jeju Island.
(Meals included: breakfast and lunch)
Day 10
(08.05.2026)
Early rise. Have breakfast. Pack your things. At 7:30 we meet with the guide in the hotel lobby. Early checkout, load your things onto the bus and leave for the airport. Check in for your flight. Around 9:30-9:50 (depending on the exact schedule) we fly to Seoul (Gimpo International Airport). Around 11 we arrive at the place. We meet with our local guide, load onto the bus, transfer to our hotel in the Myeongdong district. We check in. Then free time in Seoul. You can do some shopping, depending on what you want or need, or you can calmly walk around Seoul, sit in cafes or restaurants.
In the evening we can all gather together in some cozy restaurant to have a final Korean-style dinner together. We say goodbye to each other and to South Korea. Hugs and tears of sadness from parting. We exchange photos and impressions. The Paganels' journey through South Korea is over. It's time to go home ((
(Meals included: breakfast)
Day 11
(09.05.2026)
We wake up at the time we want. We have breakfast. We drink coffee. Check out at the hotel. Independent transfer to Incheon International Airport. Flight home...
(Meals included: breakfast)
WHY WITH PAGANEL?
We are unique
For many years, we have been traveling the world to our small planet's most remote and unusual places. We do not use the services of domestic travel agencies. The trips we invent and carry out are always unique and have their unique zest, charm, and adventurous spirit.
Creation
The first thing that interests us is creativity in everything. During the expeditions, we shoot a lot of videos, take pictures, write stories, draw pictures. If you are interested in a creative approach to life and travel, then WELCOME... we are very happy to meet you!
Interest
By joining our team, you join a kind of club family, which already consists of several hundred people who are interested in discovering the world with us.
Since most of the expenses for organizing a trip – air tickets and travel documents for other modes of transportation, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. – are made by us in advance, long before the trip, the prepayment or payment for the trip is non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
Since most of the expenses for the organization of the trip are air tickets and travel documents for other types of transport, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. are not refundable in case of your cancellation of the trip. We simply have no way to return it.
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