Changdeokgung Palace, Seoul
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Busan
Korean BBQ food tour, Seoul
Traditional Korean hambok, Jeonju
Food tour in Seoul
Korean BBQ restaurant, Seoul
Gwangjang street market, Seoul
Soul of Korea
Korea’s distinctive dramas have their own section on Netflix, its skin care products are highly prized and you’ll find its famous barbecue cuisine in every major city. But, despite being travel media’s ‘hottest new destination’, it’s still relatively quiet for Western tourists. Introducing our Small Group Tour: Soul of Korea.
Read more- 10 days / 9 nights
- South Korea
- Small Group Tour
- 4*/traditional accommodation
- Activity rating: Active
- Full time services of your InsideAsia tour leader
- Internal travel included
- Maximum group size - 16 people
Trip highlights
No two trips are the same – because we keep a morning free on each tour for your tour leader (we call them Insiders) to show you whatever’s hottest at that very moment, from niche festivals to emerging pop up bars.
Food is the gateway to South Korea’s culture, and on this tour, you won’t stop eating. Tuck into fried chicken and beer in a Seoul back street and taste each of the 30 ingredients in your bibimbap rice bowl in Jeonju.
Korea's blend of ancient sites, stunning natural beauty and energetic modern cities surprises many first-time visitors. On this group tour, you’ll experience it all, from sea temples to folk villages and skyscrapers.
Itinerary
Day 1-3 / Seoul
Highlights:
- Full day walking tour of Seoul: combine the city’s most interesting and famous sights with your Insider’s favourite local spots
- Spend a morning exploring whatever’s currently hot and trending: from niche festivals to galleries to pop up bars
- Get your first taste of communal dining: enjoy a sizzling Korean BBQ dinner with your group
Seoul is the gateway to all things Korea.
Visit Seoul’s hanok village, a time capsule of heritage architecture. You’ll witness pomp, ceremony (and extreme hats) during the changing of the guard at Gyeongbok Palace, the largest and grandest of Seoul’s palaces.
Begin your Korean culinary education at Gwangjang Market, where an elderly Korean imo may bring you a bowl of what she thinks you should eat. Tuck into an evening KBBQ (Korean barbecue) and learn where to put your chopsticks and when to cheers soju cups (always).
Spend a morning with you Insider showcasing what’s hot right now in Seoul: it could be a building transformed into a living terrarium, a festival dedicated to lights, or an emerging neighbourhood with pop-up bars on every corner.
Overnight:
NineTree by Parnas Insadong
Located in one of Seoul’s most traditional neighbourhoods – Insadong – this minimalist hotel offers incredible views from the roof terrace. Pick up some “dragon’s beard” candy on the surrounding streets.
Day 4 / Jeonju
Highlights:
- Create your own bibimbap: a classic Korean dish that builds a bowl from rice, vegetables, meat and pickles, topped with a fried egg.
- Explore South Korea’s most famous hanok village: head down streets just wide enough for two to pass,then get sweeping views of this slate-roofed village from the neighbouring Omokdae Pavillion.
- Take a trip down Makgeolli Alley to eat out like a Korean: share dish upon dish with your fellow group members clinking kettles of makegolli wine (the street’s namesake).
There’s a local saying here: “eat once in Jeonju and be spoiled for life”. We think it’s worth testing that hypothesis multiple times.
Here, you’ll grab an apron and make your very own bibimbap. In Jeonju, they famously build this bowl with 30 ingredients. Don't forget to save room for your meal down Makgeolli Alley that evening!
Traditional slate-roofed hanok houses and tiny cobbled streets provide the perfect opportunity to try on the Korean traditional hanbok dress in a classic setting (and take some fantastic photos).
Overnight:
Lahan Hotel Jeonju
Next to the hanok village, this contemporary hotel is perfect for exploring traditional Jeonju on foot. Catch a view from the roof (holding a cocktail is optional).
Day 5-6 / Busan
Highlights:
- Try hoe (Korean sashimi) or nakji (octopus tentacles) at Jagalchi fish market: the largest in South Korea.
- Explore Gamcheon Cultural Village: where multi-coloured houses are punctuated with street art murals, making for a photographer’s dream.
- Visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: Busan’s sea temple built in 1376 that offers stunning coastal views. It’s deemed to be one of the most beautiful in Korea.
Coastal Busan is the city of colourful neighbourhoods and a whole lot of cool. It’s where South Koreans head for the weekend.
You’ll tour the city with your guide, starting at Jagalchi – where downstairs you’ll find live tanks of otherworldly sea pineapples and giant crabs, and upstairs there are kitchens cooking up the day’s catch.
At Busan’s sea temple, Haedong Yonggungsa, you’ll spot turtle and Buddha statues as you ascend, with epic views to reward your mountain path walk. Back in central Busan, during your free time, we suggest relaxing at Spa LAND, a high end Jjimjilbang with 13 saunas to choose from, and (if you’re feeling brave) a traditional Korean scrub!
Overnight:
L7 Haeundae
Set among the skyscrapers of the Haeundae district, with the beach on your doorstep too, you’ll stay in the thick of some of Busan’s best bars and restaurants.
Day 7-8 / Gyeongju
Highlights:
- Take in one of the most important historical temples at Bulgksa Temple and its neighbouring Seokguram Grotto.
- Enjoy the historical sites illuminated by night, like the Anapji Pond and Asia’s oldest observatory – Cheomseongdae.
- Visit the Yangdong Folk Village in the surrounding hills, where people still work and live today.
Founded in 57 BC, Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly a thousand years. Today, it's fondly known as ‘the museum without walls’, clustered with more historical sites than any other city in South Korea, including UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bulgksa Temple.
Take time to explore Hwangridan-gil, an artsy corner of the ancient city, where you can shop for crafty souvenirs, check out the street art, or sip cocktails on a hanok roof.
Just outside the city, you'll visit a nearby folk village that dates back to the Joseon dynasty, surrounded by juniper trees in the remote foothills. It’s a chance to capture Korean traditional life in a village where people live and work today – it’s not just set up to please tourists.
Overnight:
Hwangnamguan Hanok Village
Stay in a traditional Korean hanok style house without leaving the city centre. Expect typically Korean rooms with futon beds, surrounded by ornamental trees and humpbacked bridges.
Day 9-10 / Seoul
Highlights:
- Shop for K-Beauty products and your favourite snacks from the trip.
- Say geonbae! to your Insider guide and the rest of your group over a final night meal
Return to Seoul for your final afternoon to explore. In contrast to the start of the trip, you’ll stay in Hongdae to see a different side to the city: an up-tempo neighbourhood, where K-Pop hopefuls perform dance routines in the streets.
You’ll sleep in a hotel with a vinyl and magazine library, a Michelin-starred chef menu, and a skate park in the basement (if that doesn’t sell it, we don’t know what will!) Make the most of your last chance to grab some final K-Beauty products and Korean snacks. We'll enjoy our final meal together – to say geonbae before you fly.
Overnight:
RYSE Autograph
Bright, contemporary Korean art pieces fill the walls, a niche vinyl and magazine library and a menu designed by Michelin-starred chef – this final hotel is a real treat to end your trip.
Can’t get enough of South Korea? Extend your stay
This Small Group Tour gives you the highlights, but there’s always room to explore more.
There are plenty of easy additions to this tour. You could head out to Korea’s mountains and temples at Seoraksan National Park. Or, catch a flight to Jeju Island, a Korean holiday hot spot rich in nature, where female free divers bring back the day’s catch.
Availability
- Available
- Limited
- Sold out
| Departing | Ending | Price (per person) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 13 May 2025 | Thu 22 May 2025 | £2,895 | Available |
| Fri 10 Oct 2025 | Sun 19 Oct 2025 | £2,895 | Available |
| Tue 21 Oct 2025 | Thu 30 Oct 2025 | £2,995 | Available |
| Fri 31 Oct 2025 | Sun 09 Nov 2025 | £2,995 | Available |
Is this trip for you
What's great
- This is a classic introduction tour – hitting all the hot spots that made you want to travel in the first place.
- Travelling with an Insider, you’ll also visit places you haven’t heard of, and experience the latest Korean trends.
- Our Small Group Tours are the perfect balance of guided insight and independent adventure.
- Food is a big focus: from fried chicken and beer to fresh octopus and soju, it’s an omnivores paradise.
- Your trip doesn’t have to end here. Fly to Japan or another of our Asia destinations, or explore more of Korea before catching your flight home.
Things to consider
- Korean food is delicious, but it’s meat and fish heavy. Many of the food experiences are not customisable for vegetarians, or other dietary requirements. Speak to us to find out more.
- You’ll be moving a lot. If you want a slower pace, an independent trip may be for you.
- This trip is not accessible for wheelchairs. Please speak to us about Self-Guided Adventures in South Korea where we can find more suitable accommodation and transfers for your needs.
- All accommodation is 4* - apart from the traditional hanok stay in Gyeongju, which classically includes a futon bed.
- You’ll need to be able to carry your own luggage.
Join a Soul of Korea Small Group Tour
Pick your dates and chat to our expert South Korea specialists to book your tour - they're on hand to answer any questions and assist with any special requirements.
Reviews
Just returned from an amazing trip to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Perfectly arranged by Liam giving us a great range of experiences and sights. I can highly recommend Inside Asia.
What's included
9 nights’ accommodation including traditional Korean hanok
Breakfast every day, four lunches and five dinners
Your InsideAsia Tours info pack, T-Monday card with 20,000KRW credit for city transport, shared portable Wi-Fi access throughout the trip
Private transfers to your arrival and departure flights
Full time service from your expert InsideAsia tour leader , a day and a half of private guiding in Seoul, full day private guide and transport in Busan, a day and a half of private guiding and transport in Gyeongju
Entrance to Yangdong Folk Village, entrance to Gamcheon Culture Village
Craft activity in Bukchon Hanok Village, bibimbap making class in Jeonju, food tasting in Gwangjang market
Luggage forwarding from Seoul to Busan
Not included
International flights
Any local transport (subways, taxis, buses) unless covered by the included transport passes (see above)
Any entrances fees (including those for museums, palaces and shrines) unless otherwise specified
Baggage handling and luggage forwarding, unless otherwise specified. You will be expected to carry your own luggage
Hanbok traditional dress hire
Frequently asked questions
How many days should we spend in South Korea?
The Soul of Korea Small Group Tour lasts 10 days.
To ensure you’re feeling fresh for the start of the tour, we recommend booking an additional night before the tour starts.
While this tour gives you a great introduction, it’s also an ideal way to start a longer trip to South Korea (we can help you with your plans to follow the tour) or jump onwards to Japan and join another of our Small Group Tours there.
Whatever you’re thinking, our travel consultants will be happy to support extending your trip. Get in touch to chat through today.
How will we get around? What transport can we expect?
This tour starts and finishes in Seoul for arrivals and departures at Seoul Incheon airport. Please note that the included meet-and-greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is only available from this airport.
There’s a mix of transfers during the trip. Some transfers are by public transport, so you’ll get to experience Korea’s first-rate transport network, but others will be by private car, taxi or coach, where more convenient.
Logistics and Journey Times:
Day 1: Car transfer from Incheon airport to hotel (1 hour)
Day 4:
Subway transfer to Seoul station (15 min)
Train transfer from Seoul to Jeonju (2 hour)
Taxi transfer to hotel (15 min)
Day 5:
Taxi transfer to Jeonju station (15 min)
Trains to Busan (x2) (3 hours in total)
Day 7: Private transfer from Busan to Gyeongju (1 hour 30 min)
Day 9: Transfer to Gyeongju station (20 min)
Train to Seoul (2 hour)
Day 10: Car transfer from hotel to Incheon Airport.
Who will I be travelling with?
In your group: Our Small Group Tours are a maximum of 16 people per group.
Your tour leader: Our tours are led on the ground by our Insiders, your tour leader for the trip. Our Insiders are fluent English speakers and are residents of South Korea – so they can speak fluent Korean. They are there to make sure you get the most out of your trip and the whole adventure goes smoothly. Your Insider travels with the group and stays at the same hotels as you, so please feel free to ask for help or advice at any time.
Your Insider is not a history-focused guide, so may not know every historical detail of every shrine, temple or palace, although they will know a lot! They will be available pretty much all day every day, and will even be happy to accompany tour members out at night on occasion.
Our Insiders reserve the right to deny participation in an activity if they feel that it is in the safety or best interest of you and/or any other members of the group. Similarly, dangerous weather conditions may lead to activities being cancelled.
What if I don't like some of the things on this trip?
Our Small Group Tours have fixed itineraries and accommodation – so if this isn’t quite what you’re looking for, speak to one of our experts to plan a more independent trip (we love these, too!)
Can you accommodate dietary requirements?
South Korean food features meat, eggs and fish heavily. It’s a foodie paradise for omnivores, but can be particularly challenging for vegetarians and vegans because the meals are often shared with no option to order your own dish.
Vegetarians and vegans may feel sensitive to meat cooking in the centre of your table during the Korean BBQ meal, or may wish to skip the fish markets. This means you may feel you’re missing out. Speak to us about a more independent, customisable trip.
What happens to my luggage?
All travellers will need to carry their own luggage throughout, so we highly recommend that you pack reasonably light. Large suitcases will be an inconvenience for you, particularly in some stations which don’t have escalators or lifts.
We’ll forward your luggage between Seoul and Busan and you’ll be without your main baggage for one night in Jeonju. You will need a small overnight bag (e.g. backpack) for this.
What if I arrive on the tour early?
Landing in Seoul, you’ll probably be tired after a long international flight. Your rooms at the Seoul hotel will only be available from 3pm (and hotels in Korea tend to be inflexible about this). If you have an early arrival, you can either book an extra night for any-time check-in, or the hotel will be happy to securely store your luggage for you while you go for a drink or explore the local area. Your Insider will be at your first hotel before the tour starts, so they’ll be available for advice if you choose to book pre tour nights. We recommend booking at least one extra night to check in and relax before the tour begins.
Is this trip suitable for solo travellers?
Yes! Our Small Group Tours are brilliant for solo travellers wanting to travel with like-minded people, unlocking experiences that are best accessed as a group.
Solo travellers will need to pay a single supplement fee (from £740). You will have your own room at each hotel; rooms for solo travellers are the equal of, and sometimes larger than twin share rooms. Singles will get the same rooms as double room couples.
I use a wheelchair/have mobility issues. Can this tour accommodate my needs?
The short answer is, unfortunately not. This Small Group Tour does not focus on accessible accommodation or transfers. South Korea is still a relatively new destination for us when it comes to accommodating accessibility needs. However, we are one of the best UK tour operators for arranging tailor-made travel on a Self-Guided Adventure. Get in touch to discuss possible options.
Why travel with InsideAsia?
Travelling with your Insider guide, fluent in English and Korean, you'll go to places you won't have heard of, as well as the main sights.
From your first call until you arrive home, we're there whenever you want us - and never when you don't.
88% of our customers rate our service as "excellent" - and that's what we always strive to be.
We're working to reduce our footprint as much as possible and offset all unavoidable emissions (including our customer's travel to and from our destinations) through verified renewable energy and nature-based solutions projects in Asia.
Amazing. Great advice on itinerary, listened to our needs, faultless logistics and great hotel choices.