Korea’s Autumn Colors Tour
October 28th -November 5th, 2021
7nts from: $2395 double or triple
$2895 single
Cancel for any reason up to 60 days prior-FULL REFUND! Maximum Tour size is 24 tour members!
Cool temperatures and colors change from the vibrant greens of summer to a rich palette of red, orange, and yellow, signaling the arrival of autumn. South Korea is renowned for having some of the most beautiful autumn foliage and fall landscapes in the world. Though numerous areas across Korea offer brilliant displays of autumn leaves, the mountains are still considered the quintessential destination.
On this tour, not only can you enjoy the fall foliage in and around Seoul, but we have also included a two-night stay in Sokcho, close by to Seoraksan Mountains and the stunning fall scenery of Seoraksan National Park. There’re also fun items including a visit to the KBS Drama Center, Jeongdong Theatre show and plenty of time for serious shopping in Myeongdong, the shopping epicenter of Seoul, a tour of the DMZ, and the best of Seoul’s shopping.
Come along, join us on this fun filled fall foliage tour!
Itinerary
Day 1 –October 28th, 2021 - Thursday- Departure from Honolulu (D/S)
Please meet your Panda Travel escort at the Hawaiian Airlines check-in counter, located in Terminal 1, Lobby 3, a minimum of 3 hours prior to the departure time.
A dinner and snack will be served on your flight.
Hawaiian Airlines # 459 Departs Honolulu at 1:40pm – Arrives Incheon at 7:00pm + 1
Day 2 – October 29th, 2020 - Friday-Seoul (D)
On arrival at the Incheon, please make your way to the baggage claim area as we need to clear immigration and customs. On exiting our local English speaking guide will be there to meet us. The drive into the city is approximately 1 hour, but first we will give you time to exchange currency. If you do not exchange currency here, there are plenty of opportunities close by to our hotel.
Accommodations in Seoul are at the recently renovated Ibis Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong Hotel, ideally located in the heart of Myeong-dong, the epicenter of fashion and culture. Famous Namdaemun Market and Seoul City Hall are within a 10-minute walk.
The remainder of the evening is free. A dinner bento box with bottled water will be provided on arrival at the hotel
Accommodations: Ibis Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong Hotel Free
Day 3 – October 30th, 2021 - Saturday-Seoul (B/L)
After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby as we are off on a full day of touring.
After breakfast, off on a full day of tour in Seoul. Lunch is also included in today’s itinerary.
The morning begins with a drive by Blue House, named for the blue tiles that cover the roof. It serves as the presidential home, much like the White House in Washington, D.C. Set in an old Joseon Dynasty royal garden, the Blue House sits with Mount Bugaksan as its backdrop in a spot deemed auspicious. Built in the traditional Korean architectural style, the Blue House has more than 150,000 tiles on its roof, each formed and baked individually and thought to be strong enough to last for centuries.
From here we will be visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main and largest of the royal palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace was located at the heart of newly appointed capital of Seoul and represented the sovereignty of the Joseon Dynasty. As the largest palace it served as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty.
While the palace and grounds are beautiful in all four seasons, autumn is exceptional as you can enjoy viewing beautiful foliage on the grounds and along the road outside Sinmumun Gate.
Just inside the palace’s main gate we will stop and take in the entertaining changing of the guard ceremony.
From here, a visit to Bukchon Hanok Village, home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon Dynasty when the aristocratic classes lived here. The name Bukchon, which literally translates to "northern village," came about as the neighborhood lies north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture.
Just steps away is Samcheongdong, home to distinctive cafés, shops, and galleries. Art appreciators have their choice of roughly forty different galleries. The area is filled with European-style cafés and trendy shops that have blended into the traditional landscape, some even taking up residence in renovated hanok that otherwise may have been left to ruin.
Next, a visit to visit to Insadong Antique Street. Insadong-gil is “well known as a traditional street to both locals and foreigners” and represents the “culture of the past and the present”. It contains a mixture of historical and modern atmosphere and is a “unique area of Seoul that truly represents the cultural history of the nation.” Most the traditional buildings originally belonged to merchants and bureaucrats. Some larger residences, built for retired government officials during the Joseon period, can also be seen. Most of these older buildings are now used as restaurants or shops.
The face of Insadong changes three times a day. In the early morning, it is a quiet and peaceful street, in the afternoon it becomes busy with tourists and at night Insadong is a place where people, Korean and foreigners alike enjoy taking a stroll and simply hanging out.
Our last event for today, a performance at the Jeongdong Theatre to enjoy traditional dance and music.
Once back at our hotel, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.
Accommodations: Ibis Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong Hotel Free
Day 4 – October 31st, 2021 - Sunday-Seoul (B/L)
After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby as we are off on another full day of touring.
This morning, a visit to the extraordinary Korean Demilitarized Zone to learn about the war between the North and South and how the demilitarized strip of land came about. Get a rare glimpse of North Korea from the Dora Observatory. **
**If DMZ is not open for tour groups, we will adjust the touring day
After lunch we make our way back to Seoul for afternoon touring, beginning at Cheonggyecheon Stream and Plaza, a public square in central Seoul that commemorates the restoration of this stream which was once an elevated highway.
Restored in 2005, Cheonggyecheon is a cool respite from Seoul’s summer heat. It is one of the best places to go for a spring or summer stroll. On weekends from April to November, the plaza hosts events for the Cheonggyecheon Cultural Festival. We may be in luck!
Lastly, a visit to Gwangjang Market, one of Korea's largest traditional markets and is renowned for its quality silk goods, linen bedding and hand-made goods. The market was first established in 1905, is today the oldest remaining daily market in Korea.
Though most visit the market for the street food, many shoppers venture away from the street food to one of the other levels of the market. It is here where you will find a vast selection of vendors selling textiles, silk, linens, bed sheets, hanbok (traditional Korean dress), second-hand clothes, and more.
Many of the vendors stationed here own their own factories which supply fabrics and other goods to nearby markets and department stores including Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, and Pyounghwa Clothing Market.
Now, back to our hotel and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.
Accommodations: Ibis Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong Hotel Free
Day 5 – November 1st, 2021 - Monday-Seoul-Chuncheon-Sokcho (B/L/D)
Please meet your guide in the lobby after breakfast as we are off on a full day of touring.
Our morning begins with a drive to Nami Island, a tiny half-moon shaped island located in Chuncheon. The island was formed from the inundated rising waters of the North Han River as the result of the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam in 1944. The drive is a little more than one hour.
Nami Island attracts lovers and families who come to stroll along its tree lined paths and enjoy a taste of nature outside the city. It is also known as the filming site in a scene of the famous Korean drama, Winter Sonata. This also makes a visit here a must do for lovers and fans of Korean drama.
Access to the island is by ferry. When you arrive, there is a “visa line”, but don’t panic, its only to give this island an imaginary independent country feel. It is also known as Namimara Republic and has its own currency. You can purchase currency here on island and it is accepted at several shops.
Once here we will enjoy a tour as well as their famous Dakgalbi BBQ chicken lunch, spicy chicken and vegetables.
This is also a great place to enjoy beautiful autumn views with vibrant colors of green, yellow and red.
Next, a visit to Gubongsan Mountain Observatory. The drive is one of the most scenic routes in Chuncheon, offering breathtaking views overlooking the downtown area. Interestingly, it does not feature the usual observation deck. Instead, the area is lined with cafés that are great for taking in the sights. In other words, the cafés here are the observatories. Each of the cafés is decorated with different themes and styles, but all of them offer a spot to gaze out on the beauty of Chuncheon. At this time of year, enjoy the colorful fall foliage.
We are now off to Sokcho, a charming coastal town that serves as the gateway to Seoraksan National Park. It’s gorgeous seaside and breathtaking mountainous landscape makes Sokcho a one-of-a-kind gem that can reveal a side of Korea you’ve never experienced before.
Accommodations for our two nights here are at the Ramada Gangwon Sokcho, opened in 2016 and located a short walk from Daepo Port where you can enjoy a variety of shop and restaurants.
Dinner is included in today’s tour and will be at a local restaurant.
Accommodations: Ramada Gangwon Sokcho Hotel Free
Day 6 – November 2nd, 2021 - Tuesday-Sokcho (B/L)
After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby as we are off on a full touring day. Don’t forget to bring along comfortable footwear.
The morning begins with a visit to Seorak National park, offering some of Korea’s most beautiful sceneries. Sit back and enjoy the 6-minute cable car ride to the top. When it comes to autumn destinations, Seoraksan Mountain is usually the first to come to mind, for its rich fall colors. Also keep an eye out for the fascinating rock formations of the Gwongeumseong Fortress, the site of a castle ruins.
The park has been designated as a nature reserve since 1965, due in part that it is home to many plants and animals, including some that are rare. More than 1,000 species of plants and 1,562 animal species have been identified. If we are lucky, just might catch a glimpse of the rare Korean musk deer or Korean goral. Other animals include otters, Siberian flying squirrels and Asian black bears.
Gwongeumseong Fortress was built around 1253 A.D. during the during Koryo Dynasty to fend off Mongolian invasion. There are several accounts of its origin, but the most popular legend goes that two local strong men with last name Gwon and Kim built the fortress together, so the name became Gwongeumseong, meaning Gwon-Kim-Fortress. These days, a large part of the fortress is destroyed, and only some walls remain.
We will also be visiting Sinheungsa Temple, situated on the slopes of Seoraksan. This temple is famous for a Buddha statue in entrance called Great Bronze Buddha Statue, which is well over 33 feet high.
As we make our way back, a visit to Sokcho Jungang Market, to get taste for the city. Join the many daily visitors who come here to try local specialties at affordable prices, while also experiencing the culture of the country. You may want to sample the famous local specialty, squid prepared in one of several ways. Beside a variety of food options, you’ll also find a variety of shops selling clothes, jewelry, or gifts and souvenirs made from dried squid, the local trademark.
Back to our hotel, time to relax a bit before meeting up to visit Daepo Port, just a short walk away and offering over 100 years of history. Once here, free time to explore, shop and have dinner on your own. The promenade has a variety of restaurants, supermarket and shop. Return to the hotel on your own.
Accommodations: Ramada Gangwon Sokcho Hotel Free
Day 7 – November 3rd, 2021 - Wednesday-Sokcho-Suwon-Seoul (B/L)
After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby. We bid good-bye to Sokcho and make our way back to Seoul via Suwon.
The morning begins with a visit at the Korean Folk Village for an introduction on traditional culture from the late Joseon period. Opened in 1974 as an open-air folk museum, it remains one of the best-known of Korea's folk villages.
The village is home to Korean heritage and many features of Korean culture that have been collected and preserved for future generations. A traditional marketplace offers exotic flavors of Korean food from various regions, and numerous shops sell a variety of traditional handicrafts and souvenirs, many of which were made on the premises.
Enjoy free time to experience an authentic atmosphere with over 260 traditional houses. Also included are various household goods from the different regions. All these features have been relocated and restored to provide visitors with a general view of Korean food, clothing, and housing styles from the past. In over a dozen workshops, visitors can see artisans practice their handicraft skills in pottery, basket and bamboo weaving, paper making, and many other traditional arts. Watch as these master craftsmen (and women) create beautiful designs in brass, embroidery, iron, and clay.
Korean Folk Village Souvenirs Farmer’s dance
From here, off to Seoul and a stop along the way to tour the KBS Studio, located within the KBS broadcasting station. Dedicated to the history and evolution of the Korean broadcasting industry, you can experience radio and television broadcasting production firsthand.
The tour starts from the main hall on the second floor and continues onto the fourth and fifth floors. In addition to the small museum, radio drama studio, sound effect instruments, 9 o'clock news corner, hologram corner, stereoscopic media experience hall and chroma key corner, visitors have the chance to observe TV production and radio programming process through a window that looks out into the broadcasting studio.
If you are a fan of Korean drama, the visit here will make for a truly unique experience, especially knowing that there is the possibility of meeting one or more celebrities.
The Drama Gallery consists of drama posters and cut-outs of popular dramas including many favorite actors. Enjoy taking a picture besides a cardboard cutout from dramas like Boys Over Flowers, Dream High and Baker King Kim Tak Goo.
Another fun part of the tour is the Blue Screen Room where you will have the opportunity to become a weather forecaster. Point out to various imaginary locations to indicate the shifting of the rain clouds and predict the weather’s next move.
You will also be visiting the special effects department to see many mannequins and props used in thriller or horror dramas. They have real like features that can be a bit scary.
The last part of the tour is the outdoor shooting sets, houses and streets that look so real. You will feel as though you are walking along an olden day Korean street.
Now, back to our hotel, Ibis Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong. Once we have checked in, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free.
Accommodations: Ibis Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong Hotel Free
Day 8 – November 4th, 2021 - Thursday-Seoul (B)
After breakfast, a complete free day. Shop, sightsee or do both!
Our hotel as you have probably known by now is in one prime location, Myeongdong, one of the primary shopping streets in Seoul. Besides shopping, there are so many dining options, family restaurants, fast food, Korean, Western and Japanese. Go out and enjoy the day!
Accommodations: Ibis Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong Hotel Free
Day 9 – November 5th, 2021 - Friday-Seoul – Incheon (B)
After breakfast, enjoy free time until out check-out time of 12:00 noon.
Before we make our way to Incheon, a visit to Namdaemun Market, the largest traditional market in Korea with over 10,000 stores. Due to the wholesale nature of the market, the prices are attractive and competitive. It a popular destination for both locals and international visitors alike.
The market sells nearly every item under the sun including clothing, food, living essentials, etc. So, it comes as no surprise that Namdaemun Market is always bustling day and night. Retailers from all over the nation flock to the market at night and local consumers flock to the market during the day. Many tourists come during the day as well to experience the charm of a traditional Korean market. The market's success is largely due to its independent distribution system. Although the shops are small, most of them produce the goods they offer themselves, allowing customers to purchase goods directly from the manufacturers at wholesale prices.
Now, off to Incheon Airport to begin our check in for our flight home. Our arrival will be by 7:00pm.
Hawaiian Airlines #460 Departs Incheon 9:25 pm – Arrival Honolulu 11:15 am