Life / Travel
6 P- DMZ: exclusive private tour of the demilitarized border zone between North and South Korea with a former Swiss officer of the NNSC.
- Visit Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest traditional markets in South Korea.
- Bukchon Hanok Village, in the middle of Seoul with traditional Hanok houses, pagodas, and alleys that provide the perfect setting for unique pictures.
- Haeinsa Temple is one of the most impressive Buddhist monasteries in South Korea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site – slow down during temple stay.
- Gyeongju, time travel into the past, 5000 years of history, visit of the former capital of the Silla Empire.
- Stay overnight in a traditional Korean guest house.
- Gamcheon, a colorful area of Busan that has been transformed by artist and residents into a living outdoor museum.
- Sunrise at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, which is located right by the sea.
- Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan, one of the most important fish markets in Asia.
- Haenyeo – Seeing the incredible women divers of Jeju Island.
- Jeju Island, visit Yakcheonsa, the temple of the healing spring.
- Climb the extinct volcano Seongsan Illchulbong on Jeju Island and marvel at the Manjanggul Lava Cave.
- Seoul, Stroll through the Secret Garden of Changdeok Palace.
- Dongdaemun and Gyeongdong, important markets for clothing wholesale, as well as largest ginseng and herbal medicine market in Korea.
Discover
Korea
Discover Korea
Gain new perspectives of life in a country where the clash of tradition and modernity couldn’t be more interrelated.
Korea, namely Seoul, has caught the world’s attention. Creativity, in short, is boiling over in what is now one of the world’s hottest “It” cities. Korea is shining bright in the limelight on the global stage while boasting advanced digital technology and cultural content – from K-pop and K-cinema to K-food.
There is probably no other country this fascinating, a place where millennia-old tombs, pagodas, and temples, meet a technology-driven, future-oriented nation.
Seoul displays a deep level of sophistication in various fields from gastronomy to culture and wellness. Immerse in the vibrant and exotic beauty of Jeju’s natural landscape.
“South Korea is one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world!” says Daniel Thomas Faller. He should know, after all, he has been living, working, and photographing in his adopted country South Korea for more than seven years now.
Travel with Daniel Thomas Faller right into the heart of a country that, despite K-Pop, K-Drama, and the Netflix series Squid Game, is still an insider tip. Listen to the impressive prayer of the monks, who loudly express their connection with nature with the help of drums and bells. Explore Seoul with its modern and vibrant Gangnam district and get exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into the demilitarized zone on the border with North Korea. Admire the work of the Haenyeo, the female divers who dive up to 20 meters without oxygen tanks to harvest seafood on the volcanic island of Jeju. Crystal blue sea, great cafes, and mountain landscapes of lave rock provide variety on the subtropical island of Jeju.
Highlights of tour
Itinerary
Seoul guard
DAY 1
Seoul | South Korea, "Land of Morning Calm"
Welcome to the “Land of the Morning Calm”! After individual arrival, your journey through the tiger State begins in the capital Seoul, where we will greet you in the morning in the hotel lobby. After a short introduction to the city, you will learn about the preservation of the Hanok houses and the city development during a guided walk through the oldest parts of the city with an insider. This includes a visit to one of the five imperial palaces, the Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is the main attraction today. In the evening, your host welcomes you for a casual Korean dinner. Overnight stay in Seoul.
Seoul Market
DAY 2
Seoul | Markets and K-Pop
We start the second day with a visit to Gyeongdong market, apart from the vegetable and fruit wholesale market there is the biggest Ginseng and Medicinal Herb market in Korea. Before we head over to Jamsil we visit the Gwangjang market and pay a visit to the HiKR GROUND where you can immerse yourself in the authentic market hustle and bustle of the oldest and largest covered market in South Korea and marvel over the famous cultural export success K-Pop and Media art. Optional you can visit the Dongdaemun market, which since its opening in 1905 marks one of the most important markets for wholesale of fashion and clothing. Overnight stay in Seoul.
DMZ
DAY 3
Seoul | DMZ
Today we visit the demilitarized zone at the border between North and South Korea. Since 1953, Swiss and Swedish officers have been in South Korea as neutral observers. As a former officer, Daniel Thomas Faller has lived and worked in Panmunjeom, Korea for 3 years in the service of the NNSC (Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission). We will start with a short introduction about the Korean War, the Armistice Agreement, and developments that radiate into today. After lunch, you will visit the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel and peek at the “other side” while visiting the Dora Observation Platform. A very special highlight of this tour is a visit to Camp Greaves. It served as a military base for the 506th US Second Infantry Division for about 50 years after the Korean War Armistice Agreement. Today it is a site of postwar remembrance. Overnight in Seoul.
Cheomseongdae Observatory
DAY 4
Gyeongju - History | Ancient capital of the Silla Empire
We start the day with two impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites; the Bulguksa Temple, which represents the temple architecture of the ancient Silla Empire at its best. In the middle of Gyeongju city center is Tumuli Park, where the burial mounds of 23 rulers of the Silla period rise. We walk among the green hilltops and visit one of the huge tumuli, where there are over 11,000 burial objects and royal crowns inside. Nearby is also the Cheomseongdae Observatory, the oldest observatory in East Asia. And how about an evening stroll through the exotic garden landscape along Anapji Pond. Sleep traditional in the Korean Hanok guesthouse.
Haeinsa Temple
DAY 5
Haeinsa Temple Stay | Nature and place of silence
Around noon we arrive at Haeinsa Temple. The temple is one of the most important legacies of the country’s Buddhist roots and houses the Tripitaka Koreana, the oldest Buddhist scriptures. Located within the Gayasan National Park, it is so well nestled in its surroundings that it gives the impression that the mountain and the temple are one. You will experience the daily life of the temple together with the monks and peek behind the scenes. After an introduction and tea ceremony, we will have dinner together early in the evening. We spend the night in Haeinsa Temple
Haeinsa Temple
DAY 6
Busan | South Korea's gateway to the world
Today early morning at 4 am you will attend the morning prayer and the Yebul ceremony at Haeinsa Temple. After breakfast and a temple tour, we leave Hapcheon at noon for Busan, the famous port city of South Korea. After an hour’s train ride along the east coast, we reach the port city of Busan. Towards evening, a spectacular skyline of Busan awaits us, which you can enjoy by the famous Haeundae Beach. Spend the afternoon at Haeundae Beach, probably the most famous beach in Busan, and let our tired feet rest in the fine sand and sea waves. Overnight stay Busan.
Jagalchi Fischmarket
DAY 7
Busan | Jagalchi fish market and Gamcheon
Early in the morning, at sunrise, we discover the Yonggunsa Temple, which is located just a few meters from the surf. Later in the afternoon, we visit the Jagalchi fish market. A special feature of the Jagalchi fish market is that you can choose your meal directly from the water tank and it is prepared on the spot. In the afternoon, we visit the artists’ quarter Gamcheon with its colorful houses and winding alleys. Overnight stay in Busan.
Jusangjeolli cliffs
DAY 8
Jeju-do | Volcanic Island
Today we fly from Busan-Gimpo airport to Jeju Island in less than an hour. After arriving in Jeju-do, we drive west across the island with our personal driver, heading south past Hallasan National Park. A stop at one of the 368 flank volcanoes is a must, as is a drive along the coast and a stop at Hyeopjae Beach. This quiet stretch of white sand beach is known for its clear turquoise waters and views of Biyangdo Island. Arriving in the south of the island, we explore the Jusangjeolli cliffs. The Jusangjeolli were formed from lava from the Hallasan volcano and have a cube or hexagonal shape. We round off the day with a visit to Yakcheonsa, the Temple of the Medicine Spring. Overnight stay in Jeju.
Haenyeo
DAY 9
Jeju Island | Haenyeo - Daughters of the sea
On today’s day tour, we will leave the southern part of Jeju and explore the east of the island. We will climb the extinct volcano Seongsan Illchulbong at the eastern end of Jeju-do. From there we will experience an impressive view of the overgrown volcanic cone and the surrounding sea. Afterward, we admire the work of the Haenyeo, the divers who dive without oxygen tanks up to 20 meters to harvest seafood. Here, fish and seafood lovers get their money’s worth, but also numerous other local specialties such as omegi-tteok (rice cake with millet) and hallabong juice (a type of mandarin orange) are offered at the local markets on the island. We end our day tour with a visit to the lava cave Manjanggul, the longest in the world (over 13 kilometers long). Overnight with sea view near Seogwipo town
Seoul
DAY 10
Seoul | Myeong-dong, Gangnam and Shopping
We leave Jeju Island in the morning and arrive in Seoul around midday. The afternoon is at your leisure. You can explore the lively Myeong-dong neighbourhood. Or you can go to the Namdaemun market, which is just a stone’s throw from your hotel. Gangnam is probably the most famous and craziest neighbourhood in Seoul. Lively streets, beautiful people, fashion and trends – why not enjoy the last sunset with a drink on the Lotte World Tower, the tallest building in Korea? From there you have a unique view of Seoul. Overnight stay in Seoul.
Incheon Airport
DAY 11
Seoul | Departure
After breakfast at the hotel and an organized transfer to Incheon Airport, our tour ends. Individual journey home.
Currency/Price per person
CHF 4’150.00 per person in double room
Extra charge for single room: CHF 1’150.00
Price and program changes expressly reserved!
Costs included
- Transfer Incheon Airport – Hotel Seoul – Incheon Airport.
- Private gyided tour by Daniel Thomas Faller during the entire tour (from/to Seoul).
- 8 nights in a middle-class hotel incl. breakfast (on bases of double room occupancy).
- 1 night in a traditional Korean guesthouse incl. breakfast.
- 1 night temple stay as per program (share room) incl. breakfast.
- Domestic flights Busan - Jeju / Jeju - Seoul in economy class.
- All transports partly by rental car or minibus.
- KTX Train Seoul Gyeongju / Gyeongju - Daegu / Daegu - Busan in the 2nd class.
- Sightseeing and entrance fees according to the program
- 2 lunch and 2 dinner
- incl. taxes and fees
Not included
- International flight to/from Seoul
- Meals and alcoholic beverages
- Cancellation/travel insurance
- Extra charge for single room and personal expenses and tips
Additional Information
- The photo tour starts and ends in Seoul. We can help you with flight bookings to and from Seoul
- Citizens of EU and Schengen countries can enter the Republic of Korea (South Korea) visa-free, short-term stays (less than 90 days and no gainful employment) are possible without a visa. However, all visa-free entrants must apply for an “electronic travel authorization” (K-ETA: Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) online via the K-ETA website or app at least 24 hours prior to departure. Further information is provided by the K-ETA website or the relevant South Korean mission abroad.
- Time difference: CET summer +7 hours, winter +8 hours.
- Best travel times: April-June and September-November. The summer months are very warm and humid. South Korea can be easily traveled throughout the year.
- Fun facts: Population: 50.4 million / Area: 2.5 times that of Switzerland / Capital: Seoul / Language: Korean. English is not widely spoken outside the major cities.
- The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 6 people. The photo trip takes place with a minimum of 2 participants.
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