South Korea tours from Canada – if that’s what you are looking for, then you’ve just found the right company in Laurus Travel. We have been offering premium, small-group South Korea tours from Canada for over two decades. We are a Canadian tour company based in Vancouver with customers coming from all over Canada. In the past 10 years or so, South Korea has become popular among Canadian travellers and we are eager to put our expertise to work for you. In you are looking South Korea tours from Canada, you need to look no further.
We currently offer two South Korea tours. The 17-day Japan & South Korea tour starts in Tokyo and ends in Seoul. If you are looking for a South Korea-only tour, then the 10-day Best of South Korea would be a perfect choice. This 10-day tour begins and concludes in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. In the between, you’ll visit Jeju Island, Busan and Gyeongju (ancient Silla capital).
10-day Best of South Korea
Seoul – Gyeongju – Busan – Jeju Island – Seoul
Day 1/Sun: Departing for Seoul
Your South Korea tour begins with international flight departing from a city of your choice. The tour price doesn’t include international airfare.
Day 2/Mon: Arrival in Seoul
Upon arrival transfer to the centrally located hotel on your own. To cover the 50 km, taxi fare from Incheon International Airport costs between 70,000 and 100,000 Korean Won ($56-$80 US) including expressway toll charge, but many passengers prefer the Airport Railroad Express which costs 9,000 Won ($7 US) one way per person to Seoul Station. Taxi from Seoul Station to the hotel costs only a few dollars. The deluxe limousine bus costing 18,000 won ($14 US) may be an option depending on our final choice of the hotel.
Day 3/Tue: Seoul (B/L)
Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a huge metropolis where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples, palaces and street markets. Notable attractions include futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a convention hall with curving architecture and a rooftop park; Gyeongbokgung Palace, which once had more than 7,000 rooms; and Jogyesa Temple, site of ancient locust and pine trees.
Our sightseeing today includes Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village (traditional residential area on top of a hill inside the city), National Museum of Korea, and the War Memorial of Korea.
Day 4/Wed: Seoul – Jeju Island (B)
Morning flight to Jeju City, capital of Jeju Island. The 1,849 km² Island in the Korea Strait is famous for beautiful beaches, volcanic landscape of craters and cave-like lava tubes. Hallasan Mountain, a dormant volcano, features hiking trails, a crater lake at the 1,950m summit and nearby Gwaneumsa Temple.
Enjoy a half-day sightseeing that includes the Manjang Cave, Seongsan Ilchulbong, Seongeup folk village, and Sangumburi crater.
Day 5/Thu: Jeju Island (B)
Free day to relax or explore on your own.
Day 6/Fri: Jeju – Busan (B)
Free morning to relax or explore on your own.
The late afternoon flight to Busan takes one hour and 10 minutes. Transfer to the hotel on arrival and have the balance of the day at leisure.
Day 7/Sat: Busan (B/L)
Busan, sometimes spelled as Pusan, is the largest port and second largest city in South Korea with a current population around 3.5 million. The city is known for its beaches, mountains and temples.
Today’s sightseeing begins with a visit to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery. Established in January 1951, the 35-acre burial ground contains 2,300 graves of fallen soldiers who fought on the side of the United Nations during the Korean War (Jun 25, 1950 – Jul 27, 1953). The majority of the interred soldiers were from the Commonwealth of Nations including the United Kingdom (886), Canada (378), Australia (281), New Zealand (34) and South Africa (11). A South Korean guard of honour carries out flag ceremonies daily.
We then proceed to Jagalchi fish market, the largest seafood market in South Korea. Today’s schedule ends with a leisurely walk at Haeundae Beach.
Day 8/Sun: Busan – Gyeongju – Seoul (B/L)
Following breakfast we drive 100 kilometres northeast to Gyeongju. The city was the capital of the 1,000-year-long Silla dynasty and is known for its extensive historical remains.
Our sightseeing in Gyeongju begins at the 8th-century Bulguksa, a magnificent Buddhist temple complex featuring stone pagodas, a series of wooden buildings on raised stone terraces, and a large bronze Buddha. A masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla kingdom, the temple is classified as Historic and Scenic Site No. 1 by the South Korean government and is also listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The Gyeongju National Museum is next on our schedule. The museum houses a large collection of relics from the Silla era giving the visitor a deep insight into the ancient kingdom.
The afternoon train journey to Seoul takes just over 2 hours (KTX #40, 15:07/17:14, 300 km).
Day 9/Mon: Seoul – DMZ – Seoul (B/L)
We spend the morning visiting the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), with more than half of the designated time spent on driving there and back.
The DMZ divides North Korea and South Korea and is one of the last remnants of the Cold War. The DMZ runs across the Korean Peninsula and roughly follows the 38th parallel north (popular name given to latitude 38° N) on an angle, with the west end of the DMZ lying south of the parallel and the east end lying north of it. With over a million soldiers on watch each day, this stretch of land measuring 250 kilometres (160 miles) long and about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) wide is the most fortified border in the world.
Free afternoon to explore on your own.
Day 10/Tue: Seoul – Home City (B)
Your memorable South Korea tour ends this morning. Transfer to Incheon International Airport, 50km west of Seoul, on your own. Taxi costs between 70,000 and 100,000 Korean won (US$56 to US$80) including expressway toll charge, but most travellers prefer the Airport Limousine Bus (18,000 won/US$14, 90 minutes) and the Airport Railroad Express which costs 9,500 won (US$7.50) one way per person.
Best Time to Visit South Korea
Korea has four distinct seasons with spring (April – June) and autumn (late September-November) being the best for visitors. Spring flowers in April and May and autumn leaves in late October and early November will intoxicate nature lovers.
Korean winter is cold while summer hot and humid. That said, climate on Jeju Island can be very mild in winter, which is there are lots of Asian vacationers going there in the winter months.
Do I need a visa to enter South Korea?
Canadian and American tourists can enter South Korea visa-free. If there is any change to this, you will hear from us at least 90 days prior to departure before the balance of your tour payment is due.
How do we get around while on your tour?
You’ll get around by chartered luxury vehicles and bullet train.
Where do we eat when meals are not included?
We’ll give you detailed and up-to-date recommendations. The restaurants recommended will be based on your preference and budget. It is very easy to find good and affordable restaurants across South Korea.
What is the typical mix of your travellers?
On most of our South Korea tours, the guest mix is half Canadians and half Americans. Sometimes, we also have guests from the UK, Australia and some other English-speaking countries on our tours.
The average age is around 60. You can be in your 80’s as long as you are in good shape and require no special assistance. Our tours are pretty active and wo do not provide luggage service. This requirement on fitness is always thoroughly communicated to potential customers before they sign to ensure they can enjoy themselves without hindering the pace of group.
