South Korea Family Holiday

Intrepid Travel · 8 days

5.0

3 Reviews

Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

From ancient Korean traditions to current K-pop culture, this eight-day trip will surely make the list of the best family holidays ever!.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (3), Dinner (1)
Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights), Hanok (1 nights)

Highlights

Witness the effects of the Korean War first-hand at the border between South and North Korea on an eye-opening tour of the DMZ with a knowledgeable local guide.
Discover delicious flavours and new favourite foods for the kids with a walk through a night market in Seoul, then learn to make kimchi and kimbap in a family-friendly cooking class in Busan.
Step back in time in Yongin with a visit to the Korean Folk Village, then stay overnight in a hanok (traditional Korean house) in Gyeongju.
Chat to a monk and hear Korean folk tales (the inspiration behind K-pop groups and films like K-pop Demon Hunters!) before making your very own mala (Buddhist rosary).
Visit the colourful Gamcheon Cultural Village for some great photo ops, ride the coastal beach train and enjoy plenty of free time to relax on the sandy beaches of Busan.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle, KTX train

Guide Language

English

Starts

Seoul, Korea, Republic Of

Finishes

Seoul, Korea, Republic Of

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Family, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Seoul

Hwan-yeong! Welcome to Seoul – South Korea's vibrant capital of high-tech gadgets, impressive skyscrapers and delicious eats. A metropolis that blends bold innovations with a rich history ready for you to explore, Seoul is one of Asia's great cities. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 4 pm this afternoon. After, join your leader and the other families for a short walk up Naksan Mountain for a view of the city skyline. Tonight, take a stroll around Gwangjang Market with your leader and have some delicious local food for dinner – maybe try tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) or some hand-cut noodles.

Included Activities:

Seoul - Naksan mountain walk
Seoul - Gwangjang market

Accommodation:

Prima Hotel Jongno (or similar) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Seoul

After breakfast this morning, join a local guide for a tour of the fascinating Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). From the South Korean side of the Zone, you’ll learn how the Korean Peninsula has been divided since the devastating Korean War. You’ll visit the Third Tunnel of Aggression, the Unification Bridge, Imjingak Park and the Dora Observatory. After lunch, visit Gyeongbukgung Palace – an impressive royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Explore Seoul’s many sights or simply relax at the accommodation or a nearby cafe. Make sure to ask your leader for their recommendations on the best place for dinner tonight.

Included Activities:

Seoul - DMZ visit
Gyeongbok Palace

Accommodation:

Prima Hotel Jongno (or similar) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Seoul

Today is a full free day for you and your family to explore Seoul and choose from the many optional activities on offer. Try to keep up with the kids in a fun Taekwondo or K-pop dance class or visit some of the many museums, parks or kids’ cafes dotted around town. Venture into nearby districts like modern, upscale Gangnam for some shopping, or Hongdae – a popular area with the young locals that’s full of urban art. Here, you can see street musicians and artists, wander through the many shops and cafes or, if visiting in summer, cool off in one of the outdoor swimming pools along the Han River. With so much to see and do, it's guaranteed to be a fun-filled day.

Optional Activities:

Seoul - K-pop dance class (50 USD)
Seoul - Taekwondo class (50 USD)
Seoul - Trick Eye Museum (10 USD)

Accommodation:

Prima Hotel Jongno (or similar) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Gyeongju

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Seoul and head east towards the city of Gyeongju – the ancient capital of the Silla kingdom. On the way, you'll step back in time at the Yongin Korean Folk Village, where tradition is not just showcased but lived. Stroll past charming hanok houses that whisper stories of the past and watch dynamic folk performances that bring history to life before your eyes. Dress in a colourful hanbok (traditional clothing) and capture the perfect moment, take aim with a bow at the traditional archery range and discover hands-on experiences that bring you closer to the spirit of Korean culture. Your day comes to a close in Gyeongju with a peaceful hanok stay.

Included Activities:

Yongin - Korean Folk Village

Accommodation:

Hwangridangil Hanok stay (or similar) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Busan

Step out this morning to explore Gyeongju – commonly known as the Golden City because of its 1000-year history and many important cultural sites. On your guided walking tour, you'll visit the Royal Tombs and the world’s oldest surviving astronomical observatory to learn more about the rich Silla heritage. Then, visit Girimsa Temple for a talk with a monk over tea – you’ll hear Korean folk tales and learn how these stories have inspired the super popular K-pop Demon Hunters kid’s film. There will also be an opportunity to get crafty and make your very own Buddhist rosary. Later, head to South Korea's second-largest city, Busan, where you'll spend the next three nights.

Included Activities:

Gyeongju - Girimsa Temple
Gyeongju - Silla Heritage site

Accommodation:

Felix Hotel by STX (or similar) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Busan

Explore the highlights of Busan today, starting with a visit to Gamcheon Culture Village – known for its tiered streets, twisted labyrinthine alleys, brightly painted houses and street art. Then, visit a local family home for an introduction on how to prepare Korean dishes like kimbap and kimchi. After a delicious lunch, set off for a scenic train ride that features views of the Haeundae coast. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. You might like to take a ride on the Sky Capsule or just spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach and watching the sun set. Make sure to ask your leader if there are any baseball games in town at the nearby stadium – going to a Korean baseball game is a fun local experience you won’t want to miss!

Included Activities:

Busan - Haeundae beach train
Busan - Gamcheon Culture Village
Busan - Korean cooking class

Optional Activities:

Busan - Baseball Game (Apr-Sep - prices from) (20 USD)
Busan - Night cruise (40 USD)

Accommodation:

Felix Hotel by STX (or similar) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Busan

This morning you'll take part in a Korean calligraphy class where you'll leave with a keepsake to remind you of your family adventure in Korea. Lunch is included, then the rest of your day is free for you to enjoy all that Busan has to offer. You might like to visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple – it sits on the coastline, making for a picturesque scene that’s even more beautiful during cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April). Maybe take a ride on a cable car, visit the nearby amusement park to get the adrenaline pumping or take a walk along the Busan Green Railway – a 4.8 km coastal walking trail. For a more relaxing day, there are plenty of beaches nearby for a swim – Songjeong in particular is well-loved by families and surfers in the summer. This evening, you might like to join your group for dinner to celebrate your final night in Korea.

Included Activities:

Busan - Family Motto calligraphy class

Optional Activities:

Busan - Green Railway coastal walk - Free
Busan - Haedong Yonggung Temple - Free

Accommodation:

Felix Hotel by STX (or similar) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Seoul

Today after breakfast, make the speedy journey back to Seoul on a KTX high-speed train – the kids will love watching the views fly past! Your adventure comes to an end upon arrival at Seoul Station at around 2 pm. If you'd like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. Alternatively, if flying out today, there’s a non-stop service from Seoul Station to Incheon International Airport that takes around an hour. It’s recommended that you don’t book a flight that departs earlier than 7 pm to allow for travel time and potential delays.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $3,995

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

From ancient Korean traditions to current K-pop culture, this eight-day trip will surely make the list of the best family holidays ever!.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 03 Apr 2027

View Map

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

5.0

Jay

Traveled, April 2024

04/17/2024

Fantastic introduction to Korean food and culture. This trip had a great mix of walking, eating and chillin. If you’re an expert in Korean food, this may not be the best tour since it’s an intro with slightly more western tastes in mind, but we did try exotic things like murder hornet soju! Haha everything was good and the group was awesome. Everyone got along well, and the guide Michelle made the tour go very smoothly. Some days were >20k steps so def being comfortable walking shoes. One thing to remember is that the dmz visit is not a part of the tour, and in general the dmz is not available on Mondays… so if adding on, you’d have to stay until Tuesday or do it Sunday before tour starts.

5.0

Andrew

Traveled, September 2023

09/25/2023

I have way to many positive things to mention about this trip. First of all Jacob our tour guide went beyond being an amazing leader. The first few days by myself in in Seoul were overwhelming but having Jacob who knew what he was doing in the city made it feel like our group was part of the city, and we felt safe and comfortable walking the streets Jacob's amount of knowledge about the food , history and hidden gems made the days fly by. All accommodations and restaurants were fantastic. I absolutely recommend this tour. The only problem with the tour was that it ended too early. Because of this tour I am absolutely coming back to South Korea and hope Jacob can be my tour guide. Thanks for an amazing trip.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

Book Now