The Absolute DPRK – National Day Special – 10 Nights

DAY 1 – DEPART FOR PYONGYANG

At 10:30am, meet us inside Terminal 2 of the Beijing Capital International Airport to check in for our scheduled departure of 1:05pm. We will hand out your DPRK visas at this time. Timings to be confirmed.

We will then fly to Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, home to the most iconic monuments and political sites. Our Korean tour guides will be meet us at the airport with a warm welcome.

Our first stop will be the Arch of Triumph, the world’s largest triumphal arch. From the top, we will get our first panorama view of Pyongyang city!

Check into the Koryo Hotel, our deluxe accommodation in the heart of Pyongyang popular with local residents, foreign diplomats, delegations, NGOs. We will enjoy a welcome dinner in the revolving restaurant.

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel

(Meals: L on flight, D)

DAY 2 – PYONGYANG CITY TOUR

This morning we’ll make a special visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the grand mausoleum where the late leaders lie in state inside glass sarcophagi. This is one of North Korea’s most sacred sites, formal dress is strictly required.

Visit the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery on Mt. Taesong. This hill-top memorial is where decorated figures of the struggle for Korea’s liberation are buried in Pyongyang. Each grave features an individually sculptured bronze bust of the fallen.

Visit the Mangyongdae Native House, a modest straw-thatched house in a serene park setting which is the birthplace of President Kim Il Sung.

Pick up some supplies at the Kwangbok Department Store, a five-story department complex filled with local and imported products. It’s one of only two places in Pyongyang where tourists can exchange and use the local North Korean Won.

Visit Pyongyang’s central square, Kim Il Sung Square, home to many of North Korea’s military parades broadcast internationally. We’ll walk through the city to the Foreign Languages Bookshop, the best chance in the DPRK to pick up souvenirs such as books, stamps, DVD/CDs and posters.

Take an evening stroll on Ryomyong Street, an impressive boulevard home to Pyongyang’s most extravagant apartment complexes. Opened in just April 2017 to international media attention.

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel.

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 3 – NATIONAL DAY!

Begin the day with a visit to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, an elaborate museum depicting the Korean people’s fight against foreign invaders. We’ll have a guided tour of the war remnants, exhibits, and dioramas and learn about the Korean war from the North Korean perspective. We’ll also board the USS Pueblo, the “American Spy Ship” captured in 1968.

We’ll then visit the Mansudae Grand Monument, an important site famous for its large, bronze statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il. It is customary to bow and lay flowers here, and it’s particularly busy on national holidays with locals presenting large wreaths.

Take a stroll through Moran Hill, a central park buzzing with festivities as locals celebrate National Day over a picnic with music and dancing, a great opportunity to join the fun!

Learn about North Korea’s national ideology, the Juche philosophy, on a visit to the iconic Tower of Juche Idea. We’ll take the lift 150-meters to the top for the best views in Pyongyang city!

Visit the Party Foundation Monument, built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Workers’ Party of Korea, recognizable by the communist hammer and sickle but with an added North Korean twist.

As part of today’s festivities, we’ll attend an unforgettable student Mass Dance event held in Pyongyang. Join in the dancing celebration for yourself; the sea of colour makes for magnificent photos!

We’ll then visit the nearby Kaeson Youth Amusement Park where the thrillseekers among us can brave the rides with Pyongyang locals on a night out.

Get the opportunity to taste local Korean draft beers at the Taedonggang Bar Brewery No. 3. 

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel.

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 4 – PYONGYANG, SARIWON & KAESONG

Visit to the Grand People’s Study House, North Korea’s national library and the heart of study on the revolutionary Juche ideology. Check out the local intranet, visit the music appreciation room and flick through a handful of the up-to 30 million books said to be available here!

Tour the Mansudae Art Studio, the most prestigious fine arts studio and gallery in North Korea, the only studio given permission to depict the Great Leaders in monuments, murals and mosaics.

Head deep underground to take a 5-stop ride on the Pyongyang Metro, the deepest metro in the world and filled with mosaics, monuments, and plaques commemorating the DPRK’s revolutionary history.

After lunch, we’ll then begin our drive to Sariwon city. On arrival, visit the Sariwon Folklore Village, a street depicting a romanticized version of Korea’s ancient cultural heritage. Take a look around, try some local specialties such as sticky rice cakes or homebrew makgeolli, and enjoy the slow-paced atmosphere of the city. We’ll climb the stairs up Kyongam Hill to get an iconic panorama view of Sariwon and the rural surroundings from the pavilion here!

Continue our journey on the Reunification Highway south toward the city of Kaesong where we’ll spend overnight. Kaesong is a historic city just shy of the DMZ and the only city that changed hands between North and South during the Korean war.

Overnight at the Chanamsan Hotel

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 5 – KAESONG & THE DMZ

Begin the day with a walk through Kaesong city where we’ll pass the South Gate en route to Janam Hill. At the peak, visit the grand monuments of the Great Leaders before getting a breathtaking view over the Kaesong Old Town. Kaesong was left largely untouched during the Korean War and its traditional dwellings still stand.

We will head for the DMZ where we’ll hear from our military guides a perspective of the Korean War that often gets discredited or unheard. At the DMZ, explore Panmunjom, shake hands at the exact place that the Armistice Agreement was signed between UN forces and the DPRK, and wave hello to the South at the blue houses in the Joint Security Area.

Head to the Koryo History Museum, a UNESCO site, to learn about the Koryo Dynasty (where the name Korea originates). You’ll also have a chance to pick from the most varied range of postcards in the country at the Koryo Stamp Shop.

For lunch, enjoy pansanggi, a historic Kaesong cuisine traditionally served for royalty.

On return to Pyongyang, dinner will be aboard the Taedonggang Dining Boat! Enjoy views of Pyongyang’s most iconic landmarks and an upbeat performance as we cruise the river Taedong.

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel.

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 6 – HIKING MANPHOK VALLEY

Begin the day by joining the locals with a fun and refreshing visit to the Munsu Water Park. This is an indoor/outdoor complex with water slides, wave and lap pools, and saunas. For the non-swimmers, there is a range of activities such as rock climbing, tennis, volleyball or trampolining, get a haircut or simply visit the coffee shop!

We’ll then begin our road-trip to picturesque Mt. Myohyang (Myohyangsan). This is a 2.5 hour drive filled with countryside scenery providing a great window into rural North Korean life.

After lunch, join the scenery as we hike the Manphok Valley trail, an area popular with picnicking locals and filled with dense forest, waterfalls, and temples with great views. Bring comfortable shoes. All hiking is optional and at your own pace. Manphok Valley is a return route, there’s no obligation to reach the peak. Views are beautiful throughout!

Check in to the Hyangsan Hotel, North Korea’s self-confessed best hotel, with striking pyramid design nestled within the mountains. The facilities here are world-class with amenities including swimming pool, spa and massage facilities, barber and a bar with pool tables and ping pong!

Overnight at the Hyangsan Hotel.

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 7 – MT. MYOHYANG

Our day begins with a visit to the International Friendship Exhibition, a massive complex housing the gifts given to the Great Leaders by foreign dignitaries. Gifts are displayed in over 150 rooms, everything from gem-encrusted swords to tea sets, bullet-proof vehicles and basketballs signed by NBA stars Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman.

We’ll then visit the ancient Pohyon Buddhist Temple founded under the Koryo Dynasty and which remains active with practicing Korean Buddhist monks today.

We’ll then begin our drive to Pyongsong. Pyongsong is often referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of North Korea due to its role as a major hub for science and technology research. Our first stop will be Pyongsong Square, the central square of the city headed by two grand monuments of the Great Leaders.

Stop at the Konji-Ri Revolutionary Site, a covert site hidden in the hills that was once the headquarters to the Korean People’s Army during the Korean War.

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 8 – NAMPO

After breakfast, burn some energy and enjoy the fresh air with a morning bicycle ride through the capital! This will take us down the futuristic Mirae Scientists Street and Changjon Street and along the Taedong River promenade right through Kim Il Sung Square. The cycling is route is flat, at a leisurely pace and is optional.

We’ll then begin our drive the Youth Hero Highway to the west coast port city of Nampo. Nampo is best known for its trade and industry and you’ll get a feel for rural coastal life here.

Drop into the Chongsanri Cooperative Farm, a model collective farm catering to the agriculture needs of surrounding communities where we will meet a local farming family and see inside their home.

We’ll have lunch in Nampo, and you’ll be able to taste the local specialty of Grey Mullet Soup if you wish.

Then it’s onward to the jewel of Nampo, the West Sea Barrage, a massive dam and tidal wall built in five years across an 8-kilometer section of the rough sea. This is a major achievement well known to all North Koreans and a common backdrop in official state media.

We’ll visit the Kangso Mineral Water Factory, a famous name within North Korea, to get a glimpse into the workings of the local industry.

On return to Pyongyang, Line up your sights and show off your skills at the Meari Shooting Range, where you can fire a pistol, rifle or try your hand at archery.

We’ll then stop in for a well-earned drink at the Sunrise Coffeeshop, a favourite of ours with a wide range of drinks including smoothies and milkshakes, or ice creams!

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 9 – WONSAN

This morning, we’ll depart for the east coast port city of Wonsan. The countryside scenery becomes increasingly mountainous on the east, and we’ll pass through no less than 22 tunnels on our journey! There will be a rest stop at the Sinpyong Tea House for coffee or tea in the fresh mountain air.

After arriving into Wonsan city, we’ll walk between dozens of fishermen to the Jangdok Islet where you can buy seafood that was caught just seconds ago by local vendors. The view back of the Wonsan city skyline is fantastic here. Lunch will be at a local seafood restaurant.

Walk in the sea breeze along the Wonsan city docks to Wonsan Square, the heart of the city with grand bronze monuments to the Great Leaders. We’ll then visit the Wonsan Revolutionary Site, a railway museum with historic relevance to Kim Il Sung’s victory over Japanese colonial rule.

Drive seafront to Wonsan’s yellow sandy beaches to the Songdowon International Children’s Camp, a typical socialist-style summer camp where we’ll have a guided tour of the facilities.

We’ll head down to Wonsan beach, a hotspot for locals during the warmer months such as September. Those interested can join in leaping off the sea diving platform!

We’ll then drive to our overnight accommodation, the extravagant Masikryong Hotel inside the Masikryong Ski Resort complex.

Overnight at the Masikryong Hotel

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 10 – MASIKRYONG AND RETURN TO PYONGYANG

Wake in the mountains and watch the sunrise from your private balcony before enjoying a hearty breakfast made with locally sourced ingredients. Before we depart, we will take the Masikryong ski lift or cableway to the near 1400m peak for an incredible morning view over the untouched mountain ranges. The ski lift or cableway is optional and there is a $15 USD fee to be paid on the spot.

We will then drive to the stunning Ullim Waterfall discovered relatively recently by the Korean People’s Army, a waterfall you’ll hear well before you see! If it’s a nice day we will enjoy a picnic lunch here. Feel free to throw our frisbees around, it’s a great way to interact with the locals.

After a stop for tea or coffee, we’ll continue to the Tomb of King Tongmyong, a UNESCO site with unique wall paintings showcasing the Buddhist influence of this time.

On return to Pyongyang, we’ll visit the Koryo Stamp Museum, a great place not only for stamps but a wide range of interesting souvenirs.

Overnight at the Koryo Hotel

(Meals: B, L, D)

DAY 11 – FAREWELL

Morning departure to Beijing. Estimated time of arrival is 09:50am local time, although flight times are subject to final confirmation. Please reserve connecting flights departing after 13:30pm local time, to allow sufficient time for immigration/customs clearance, baggage claim and re-check-in. Timings to be confirmed.

(Meals: B)

This itinerary is subject to change at any time.