6D South Korea Cheery Cherry Blossom Ride

HIGHLIGHTS

~ Visit Namsan Park and Bukchon Hanok Village on arrival;

~ Cherry Blossom viewing at Yeouido Park;

~ Kimchi making experience at local Ajuma’s home;

~ Visit the three weirs of Han River;

~ Cherry Blossom viewing towards Binaesum Certification Centre;

~ Cultural temple stay with included yoga stretching class.

Included:

~ arrival group transfer at scheduled timing;

~ 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners;

~ 3 nights hotel stay, 1-night home stay in communal ondo-style living & 1-night temple stay in communal ondo-style living;

~ luggage transfer;

~ provision of Merida mountain bike during cycling days;

~ service of a Cycling Lead and a cycling support assistant;

~ service of a support vehicle with snacks and drinking water for consumption during cycling days.

Excluded:

~ air travel to Seoul, South Korea;

~ visa arrangement;

~ personal travel insurance;

~ expenditure of personal effects;

~ provision of cycling helmet;

~ tipping, W 50,000 for lead and support assistant(s);

~ anything not specified in the itinerary.

Recommended Airlines:

Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways (via Bangkok), Malaysia Airlines (via Kuala Lumpur), Vietnam Airlines (via Ho Chi Minh City) and/or Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong).

NOTE: Contact us if you are unsure of which flights to book.

ITINERARY

Day 1    Arrive Incheon – Seoul

Upon arrival into Incheon International Airport, you will be met and transferred in a group. Transfer will leave airport at 10.00 AM.

First visit of the day will be to Namsan Park. Atop Mt. Namsan, there is the Palgakjeong Pavilion, which has a fantastic view overlooking Seoul.  This is where you will find N Seoul Tower, the symbol of Seoul now. It is also Korea’s first general radio wave tower from 1969, delivery TV & radio broadcasting in the metropolitan area.

Next, visit Bukchon Hanok Village, home to hundreds of traditional houses (hanok) dating back to Joseon Dynasty. Many of these hanoks now operate as cultural centres, guesthouses, restaurants, and tea houses.

Satisfy your shopping craving with a visit to to Myeongdong before checking into your hotel and bike check.

Meals:  Lunch

Hotel:   Holiday Inn Express, Marigold Hongik or similar

Day 2      Seoul – Bukhangang

Our first day of riding brings us to Bukhangang, a tributary of the Han River that flows through both North and South Korea.
Your first encounter of cherry blossom brings you to Yeouido Park – famous for having the loveliest cherry blossom in Seoul. Continue to pedal past Banpo Bridge and Gwangnaru Park, one of the many recreational eco-friendly parks for sports and leisure dotted along Han River.  The Gwangnaru Park is formed naturally through rich silt that flowed in from the upper Hangang River that was then filled with reeds, creating an ideal habitat for groups of migratory birds.
Visit Neung Nae Station, with its pretty red postbox situated in Joan-myeon, Namyangju-si. Now a closed station, it houses a café on a train and a bicycle rental shop. Ride on the railway, tunnel, and iron bridge.
Arrive at Ajuma’s farm in the countryside where we will be putting up a night. Learn how to make a classic Korean dish from Ajuma, kimchi! Retire the evening in her large communal room in ondo-style sleeping (on heated flooring).

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel:   Green Fragrance Local Farm Stay or similar (communal stay)

Day 3    Bukhangang – Yeojubo
Today’s ride takes us to Yangpyeong Museum of Art. Take a breather and admire some of the interesting art pieces on display around the compound of the museum.
Pedal along picturesque countryside to Ipobo Weir, an interesting structure with dam-eggs lined along the bridge. Ipobo is the most beautiful of three low head dams built on the Namhangang River as part of a government construction project.
Continue riding to Yeojubo Weir which is shaped like a cheugugi, the world’s first rain gauge invented by King Sejong the Great before proceeding to our hotel for the night.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel:   Sun Valley Hotel or similar

Day 4    Yeojubo – Seokjongsa

Start the day with a ride to the last of the 3 low head dams, Gangcheonbo weir. There is a Hangang River Culture Pavilion with exhibits of artworks created with inspiration drawn from Certification Centre. the river and water.
As you continue riding along the river, admire rows of cherry blossom trees to Binaesum.
Next, cycle to Tangeumdae Terrace and Park, a lovely park of significance history. It was here that General Shin Rip and his troops fought fierce battles against the invading Japanese forces, hence the monument of fallen heroes was built at this site.
End our ride at Seokjongsa Temple where you will be staying for the night. Loosen and stretch your muscles with a yoga master after dinner. You will be imparted yoga moves beneficial for cyclists.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel:   Seokjongsa Temple Stay (communal stay)

Day 5    Seokjongsa – Seoul
Today’s scenic ride will be slightly challenging, starting with Suanbo Ohceon, and an uphill climb to Ihwaryeong.
End off in Mungyeong Buljeong Station. Mungyeong area is home to a mountain pass connecting Mungyeong City and Goesan County.
The ride may be challenging, but the views and the immense satisfaction will make up for it.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel:   Hotel Kukdo, Courtyard Namdaemun or similar

Day 6    Depart Seoul
Simply rest and relax until check out time, 12 pm. Or depart at your own timing for your onward arrangement/flight back home.

Meals:  Breakfast

REMARKS

~ A 10% deposit (non-refundable) is required within 7 days of booking. Balance payment will be collected 2 months prior to departure.

~ This trip requires minimum 12 cyclists to depart. We take up to a maximum of 20 cyclists only.

~ Should you require a visa to enter South Korea, it is your responsibility to obtain such document before departure.

~ Please only book your air ticket to Seoul, South Korea when you have been informed to do so.

~ Because cycling requires certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for members with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Members must ensure they are medically and physically able to cycle.

~ Trip grading is an indication on the difficulty of the activities included. As is always the case, engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries. 

~ If circumstances (such as bad weather for example) beyond our control make changes to the rest of the itinerary necessary, we reserve the right to make change to the inclusion of the itinerary. There will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip takes place during the proposed blooming period of the cherry blossoms, however the specific blooming dates are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variation which is not within the control of Travel Wander. Although you may get to see the cherry blossoms in bloom, we cannot guarantee the sightings.

~ All cyclists are required to wear helmets (compulsory, no helmet no ride) and covered shoes when cycling. Helmet can be rent for W 10,000.

~ On day 2 & 4, cyclists will share a night in communal living, ondo-style with other cyclists. There is no single room on this night for cyclists who are booked on single supplement. The rooms will be separated by gender.

~ There is no refund should you wish not to take part in any of the included experiences as per illustrated in the itinerary.

~ Cyclist(s) is/are allowed to bring their own bicycle(s) and required to bring appropriate spare parts or tools suitable for their own bicycle(s). Travel Wander & its Operator cannot be held responsible for breakdown and repair of cyclist’s own bicycle. In the event of a breakdown which results in trip not being completed, Travel Wander & its Operator shall not be liable to refund any tour cost. Travel Wander & its Operator will do their best to help get the client to the next hotel or to a bicycle shop. Any cost incurred shall be the responsibility of the cyclist. There is a reduction of S$ 80 in the tour price.

~ Please advise in advance the type and model of bicycle that you will bring to know if they could fit into the support vehicle.