Flower of the Far East: "South Korea" | March 07 – March 14, 2027
THE FLOWER OF THE FAR EAST: "SOUTH KOREA"
SEOUL (3 NIGHTS) - BUSAN (2 NIGHTS) – NAMISEOM ISLAND - GYEONGJU
ALL TOURS AND ENTRANCE FEES INCLUDED
KORAIL HIGH-SPEED TRAIN TRAVEL EXPERIENCE BETWEEN SEOUL-BUSAN-SEOUL INCLUDED
Istanbul Q Seoul > March 7, 2027 Sunday
Meeting at 14:10 in front of the Turkish Airlines counter at Istanbul Airport's international departures terminal. After our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, we will fly to Seoul on Turkish Airlines flight TK20 at 17:10. We will spend the night on the plane.
SEOUL NAM ISLAND SEOUL > March 8, 2027 Monday
Arrival at Seoul Incheon Airport at 09:05 local time. After passport and baggage procedures, we proceed directly from the airport to Nami Island, one of Korea's most famous nature routes. This island is known worldwide for its tree tunnels, lake views, and immersive natural atmosphere, especially due to the "Winter Sonata" drama. After walking on the island, we move to Morning Calm Garden, where we spend a peaceful time among colorful themed gardens. These two routes are ideal for experiencing the serene side of Korea. At the end of the day, we return to Seoul, complete our check-in procedures, and settle into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Seoul.
Seoul ð Gyeongju ð Busan > March 9, 2027 Tuesday > (K)
After having breakfast at our hotel, we complete our check-out procedures. We leave our large suitcases at the hotel and take only what we need for two days with us before heading to the train station by vehicle. We depart for Gyeongju, most of which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, via the KTX high-speed train. First, we visit Bulguksa Temple, one of South Korea's most famous temples. The temple serves as the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and includes six National Treasures, such as the Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo (Blue Cloud Bridge), and two gilded bronze Buddha statues. Next, we visit Cheomseongdae, built during the Silla period in the 7th century, which is Asia's—and possibly the world's—oldest surviving astronomical observatory. After free time for lunch, we take a stroll through Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, a former crown prince's palace renowned for its spectacular illuminated views. At the end of our tour, we are transferred to Busan. We complete our check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Busan.
BUSAN > Wednesday, March 10, 2027 > (K)
After having breakfast at our hotel, our first stop is the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea, built in memory of soldiers from 16 countries who lost their lives during the Korean War between 1950 and 1953. Next, we visit Gamcheon Culture Village, representing Busan's artistic side with its colorful streets. This village is like an open-air photo studio, featuring graffiti walls, art cafes, and vibrantly painted houses. After free time for lunch, we experience the thrill of being above the sea on the Songdo Cable Car, traveling from Songlim Park east of Songdo Beach to Amnam Park west of Songdo Beach, enjoying unique views of Songdo Beach, Busan Yeongdo and Namhang Bridge, and the Songdo Coastal Dulle Trail. Following this tour, we visit Jakalji Fish Market, one of the city's major tourist centers showcasing a wide variety of seafood, before returning to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Busan.
BUSAN to SEOUL > March 11, 2027 Thursday > (K)
After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we visit Haedong Yonggungsa, one of Busan's most impressive seaside temples. This temple blends traditional Korean architecture with a natural landscape where you can hear the sound of waves. After our tour, we return to Seoul via the KTX high-speed train. In the evening, during our walking tour in Myeongdong, one of Seoul's most popular shopping and entertainment districts, we have the opportunity to get up close with globally renowned Korean cosmetic brands and go shopping. Our guide will provide a brief introduction to Korean cosmetics, known for their skincare, masks, sunscreens, and makeup products, and free time for shopping will be given for guests who wish to do so. Overnight at our hotel in Seoul.
SEOUL > Friday, March 12, 2027 > (K)
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the DMZ (Korean Border Zone) tour. In this tour, we visit the military zone established on the border between North and South Korea, gaining insight into Korean history and culture. Following the military zone, our second stop is Imjingak Park. Inside the park, we visit the Freedom Bridge, used by North Korean war prisoners who were repatriated to their country. We then explore Tunnel 3, discovered in 1978 and dug 73 meters below the border by North Korea. After exiting the tunnel, we head toward the slope of Dorasan Mountain and visit the Dorasan Observatory built there. From the observatory, we have the opportunity to view North Korean territory and the border line. In the afternoon, we return to Seoul and ascend N-Seoul Tower, which has become a symbol of the city. From the summit, offering panoramic views of all Seoul, guests who wish can leave their wishes by attaching locks in the "Love Locks" section. Overnight stay at our hotel in Seoul.
Note: Due to the DMZ being a military zone, it may be closed on the tour day without prior notice. In such cases, an alternative program will include a visit to Aegibong Ecopark.
SEOUL > Saturday, March 13, 2027 > (K)
After having breakfast at our hotel, we begin our Seoul city tour. We take a journey through time with Gyeongbokgung Palace, which best reflects Korea's traditional architecture, and the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. Then, we travel back in time at Namsangol Hanok Village, which houses some of the finest examples of traditional Korean architecture. After a pleasant walk through Insadong streets, famous for art, handicrafts, and tea houses, we visit the War Memorial Museum. After the tour, we are transferred to the airport at the time announced by our guide.
SEOUL Q ISTANBUL > Sunday, March 14, 2027
After our passport and baggage procedures, we depart from South Korea and complete our return flight to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines' TK91 flight at 00:10. We land at Istanbul Airport at 05:55 local time, marking the end of our tour. We say goodbye, looking forward to meeting again on our next enjoyable journey.
Abbreviations explanations >>> (K): Breakfast | (A): Dinner | (Ö): Lunch
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia forming the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. The name Korea originates from Goguryeo, one of the powerful kingdoms of ancient East Asia that ruled over most of the Korean Peninsula, Manchuria, parts of the Russian Far East, and Inner Mongolia under King Gwanggaeto the Great. Its capital, Seoul, is a major global city, and more than half of South Korea's population of over 51 million people live in the Seoul Capital Area, which has the world's fourth-largest metropolitan economy.
Official language: Korean
Currency: Republic of Korea Won (KRW)
Climate: Continental and oceanic climates
Plug type: Commonly Type C/F (compatible with Turkey)
Visa Information
A K-ETA application is mandatory for travel to South Korea. Since the K-ETA application includes personal information, it must be completed by the traveler themselves via the link below. Please note that any spelling errors, missing characters, or other mistakes in the K-ETA application may result in denial of boarding on the flight. This applies to all travelers, including those holding green passports. Payment is made via credit card; on the final screen, the site automatically converts the fee into the user's local currency.
All passengers must possess an electronic passport. Old dark blue chipless passports are not accepted. For this tour, a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the tour is required. Travelers whose passports do not meet this validity requirement may be denied boarding by the airline. Passport control authorities have the right to refuse entry to the country. In such cases, all responsibility lies with the passenger.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Our tour program operates under a minimum participation requirement. If sufficient participants are not secured for the package tour, it may be canceled up to 30 days before departure. Cancellations due to insufficient participation will be communicated to you.
In cases where the tour program provides only category information without specifying hotel names and/or offers options for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be notified by our agency no later than 48 hours before the tour begins.
This price list and program remain valid until a new price list is issued, at which point this version becomes entirely invalid.
The prices in all our package programs are limited to quotas for groups of up to 10 persons. For group sizes exceeding this number, there may be a price increase. Please inquire about pricing details.
If the issue date on ordinary passports is more than 10 years ago, or more than 5 years ago for other passport types, travelers acknowledge that Sora, acting solely as an agent and not as the service provider, bears no liability for any faulty services related to passport issuance. All international departures requiring customs clearance must have travelers present at the port of departure 3 hours prior to the scheduled tour departure time. Guests arriving from other cities via domestic flights to the port or airport must adjust their flight schedules accordingly to ensure timely arrival. Consequently, any delays or failure to join the tour due to late arrival are the sole responsibility of the passenger, and Sora shall have no obligation to pay compensation to the passenger. It is recommended that passengers personally complete check-in and seat selection on the airline's website at least 24 hours before the tour departure time.
Sora acts as an intermediary between the airline and its passengers and is subject to the Hague Protocol of September 28, 1955. Flight times may change prior to departure. All flight times must be confirmed by the passenger at least 48 hours before the scheduled tour departure. Passengers purchase the tour acknowledging and accepting that flight details may change.
Triple rooms are assigned based on hotel availability. In such rooms, the third bed is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of one large bed and one additional bed. Since these additional beds are foldable or sofa-type beds (coach beds), participants booking triple rooms (including third adults and/or children) are deemed to have acknowledged and accepted potential crowding and the type of bedding.
Child discounts apply to one child per room traveling with two adults, provided the child falls within the appropriate age group. Due to limited availability of TWIN rooms (two separate beds) in hotels, please verify your TWIN room request prior to booking.
Children under 18 who are not considered legal adults must travel with at least one parent. In cases where they participate in the tour without either parent, the necessary consent letters must be carried by the accompanying individuals throughout the entire journey.
Panoramic city tours are 2–3 hour sightseeing tours designed to introduce cities and do not include entrance fees to museums or historical sites unless otherwise specified. These tours may be scheduled on different days, provided the content remains unchanged. Optional extra tours are conducted based on a minimum number of participants determined by the tour leader. If this minimum is not met, extra tours may incur additional charges and their dates may be adjusted by the tour leader according to the tour schedule. Tours may be canceled due to weather conditions. No visits or tours will be conducted if local authorities prohibit access for any reason. Sora cannot be held liable for the inability to conduct such tours.
Travelers must carry documentation regarding any health issues, pregnancy status, medications they regularly use, and relevant medical reports for those medications.
Tour details, airport representative information, tour leader contact, and hotel notifications will be provided 48 hours before the tour departure.
A passport is an official document. If it is damaged, soiled, torn, or otherwise compromised, passport control authorities have the right to deny entry to the country. In such cases, all responsibility lies with the passenger.
A visa requirement exists for Turkish citizens traveling under this tour program. Even with a valid visa, passport control authorities retain the right to deny entry. In such instances, all financial and legal responsibilities rest with the passenger. Please carefully review your passport details and information.
When departing through Turkish border crossings, regardless of citizenship (Turkish or foreign), all passport holders must have a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of travel. Our agency will not approve bookings for passports that do not meet this requirement. Sora bears no compensation liability to passengers who are unable to join the tour due to insufficient passport validity.
Guests who do not participate in tours explicitly included in the program are not eligible for any refund.
What's Included
Round-trip economy class air tickets on the IST-ICN/ICN-IST route with Turkish Airlines scheduled flights
Airport taxes
Airport – hotel – airport transfers
High-speed train tickets between Seoul-Busan-Seoul
Total 5 nights accommodation at specified or similar hotels
All breakfasts as specified in the program
All tours specified in the program;
Travel by high-speed train between Seoul-Busan-Seoul
Seoul Tour
Busan Tour
Nami Island Tour
Gyeongju Tour
Morning Calm Garden Tour
Visit to Bulguksa Temple
Visit to Cheomseongdae Observatory
Tour of Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond
Visit to UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea
Gamcheon Culture Village Tour
Songdo Cable Car experience
Visit to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
DMZ (Korean Border Area) tour
Namsangol Hanok Village Tour
War Memorial Museum
English local guide service
Turkish language guide service
Professional liability insurance (as required by Law No. 1618)
Not Included
Exit tax
K-ETA South Korea electronic travel authorization
Personal expenses
Travel health insurance
All services not explicitly included in the tour program
Tips (5 EUR per person per day, to be collected by the guide)