6D Active Wellness In South Korea

HIGHLIGHTS

~ Wondaeri Birch Forest Bath Walk;

~ Temple cultural experience stay with soft trail hiking and temple activities;

~ Visit to Alpaca World, largest forest experience farm in South Korea;

~ Traditional Korean public bath experience;

~ Historic Seoul City Wall Hike;

~ Photo stop at Ihwa Mural Village;

~ Korean temple food cooking experience;

~ Visit to Bukchon Hanok Village.

Included:

~ arrival transfer from Incheon International Airport;

~ 4 nights stay in hotels;

~ 1 night temple stay;

~ 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners;

~ all attraction admissions;

~ local mandarin-speaking guide;

~ bilingual (English/Mandarin) Travel Wander Trip Facilitator.

Excluded:

~ air travel to Incheon, South Korea;

~ departure airport transfer;

~ tourist visa arrangement;

~ personal travel insurance;

~ expenditure of personal effects;

~ tipping for the trip guide & driver;

~ anything not specified in the itinerary.

ITINERARY

Day 1    Arrive Incheon – Chuncheon

Welcome to South Korea! You will be met on arrival and transferred as a group to Nami Island in Chuncheon, Gangwon province. Spend some time strolling through rows of chestnut and poplar trees on the island, which is also the film set of popular Korean drama, Winter Sonata, which kicked off the Korean wave since 2003.

Next, stop by Gubongsan Mountain Observatory, one of the most scenic driving courses in Chuncheon. Immerse in the coffee culture through the various cafes that line the street. Perhaps grab a coffee (own expense) and enjoy the panoramic views of Chuncheon from the observatory.

Check in to your hotel and rest early for an interesting day tomorrow.

Meals:  Lunch, Dinner

Stay:    Inje Speedium Hotel or similar

Day 2    Chuncheon – Inje

Take a morning forest bathing walk in Wondae-ri Birch Forest, a beautiful sanctuary with over 700,000 birch trees planted across 138 hectares of land. This forest is one of the top 100 must-go destination as cited by Korean Tourism Board. The peacefulness of the sanctuary and calming presence of the birch trees makes the hike very enjoyable and relaxing.

Make our way to Seoraksan National Park where we will spend a night in Baekdamsa Temple for our temple stay cultural experience. Nested within inner Seorak, Baekdamsa Temple is surrounded by exquisite natural scenery, the perfect place to relax and destress from the hustle of city living.

This evening, take part in some cultural activities like meditation or lotus lantern making as part of the immersive experience.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay:    Baekdamsa Temple Stay

Day 3    Inje – Hongcheon
Have an early breakfast before we embark on a soft trail hiking around the compound of the temple, taking in the tranquil scenery and fresh mountain air. Go slow and immerse in the serenity of the nature.

Check out of the temple and make our way to Hongcheon.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay:    Hongcheon Vivaldi or similar

Day 4    Hongcheon – Seoul

Meet the cute alpacas in Alpaca World, South Korea’s largest forest experience farm. Interact with these lovely animals and see other resident animals such as rabbits, mountain deer and eagles.

Make our way to Seoul to learn more about the growth and cultivation of ginseng, providing you a greater understanding of this power root.

Indulge in some retail therapy time in the bustling streets of Myeongdong before enjoying a relaxing bath in a traditional Korean bath house, otherwise known as jimjibang.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay:    Travelodge Seoul Hotel or similar

Day 5    Seoul

Take joy in a walk along the historic Seoul City Wall this morning. Originally built in year 1396, the wall stretches 18.6 KM along the ranges of Bugaksan Mountain, Naksan Mountain, Namsan Mountain, and Inwangsan Mountain. Our walk ends at Ihwa Mural Village where you will be able to appreciate the wall murals created by 70 artists meant to transform the once slum and down-trodden area into a bustling neighbourhood.

Learn how to prepare and cook your lunch at the Korea Temple Food Experience Centre, providing a deeper perspective into the temple culture of South Korea. Time for more retail therapy as we visit a local Korean cosmetic and skincare shop that is popular among the Koreans but not widely promoted elsewhere in the world.

We end our day with a visit to Bukchon Hanok Village, a Korean traditional village dating back 600 years ago. There are plenty of alleyways and shops selling local handicrafts and souvenirs.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay:    Travelodge Seoul Hotel 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 deposit of 10% if required at the time of booking. Balance payment will be collected 60 days prior to departure.

~ 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.

~ All hikers need to be appropriately dressed in the right footwear (covered shoes). Participants may be denied hiking if not dressed appropriately.

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

~ Trip grading is an indication on the difficulty of the activities included. There are no trips that are not suitable for anybody if you prepare for it. 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. Often it is a journey of self-discovery. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

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

~ For hikers who has opt for twin sharing basis, Travel Wander will do our utmost to pair you with another hiker of the same gender to share the room. If this is not possible, hiker is required to top up the difference for a single room. Should you choose not to go on this trip, there is no refund to the deposit paid. 

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

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