4 Nights – from €1295
Celebrate May Day (International Workers’ Day) in North Korea on this special 4-night tour. Join a mass dance event and explore Pyongyang’s major political sites, ride the world’s deepest metro, and visit iconic monuments like the Tower of Juche Idea. You’ll also venture to the Korean Demilitarized Zone to see where the peninsula is divided.
This tour is a highlight reel of North Korea during a major holiday of festivities!
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 13:05pm. 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.
After dinner, take an optional visit to the Kaeson Youth Amusement Park where the thrillseekers among us can brave the rides with Pyongyang locals on a night out.
Overnight at the Koryo Hotel
(Meals: L, D)
DAY 2 – KAESONG & THE DMZ
Take a morning drive through the countryside to the historic city of Kaesong. We will head for the Korean Demilitarized Zone (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. Stop at the original Sonjuk Bridge, a UNESCO site.
Overnight at the Koryo Hotel.
(Meals: B, L, D)
DAY 3 – MAY DAY!
Begin the day with a visit to 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.
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.
Stroll through the nearby Mansudae Fountain Park, a serene meeting spot for students in their free time and an often used backdrop for wedding photos.
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, head to Mt. Taesong, where every year on May Day there are folk activities such as music performances, sports, and games enjoyed by families on their day off. This is a great chance to interact and a lot of 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!
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!
Cap off the festivities with a chance 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 CITY
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.
Visit 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!
After lunch, 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.
Stroll through a park to the Mangyongdae Native House, a modest straw-thatched house in a serene park setting which is the birthplace of President Kim Il Sung.
Take a look through 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 the Party Foundation Monument, built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Workers’ Party of Korea, recognisable by the communist hammer and sickle but with an added North Korean twist.
Let your hair down and show off your curveball to the locals at the retro Golden Lane Bowling!
Overnight at the Koryo Hotel.
(Meals: B, L, D)
DAY 5 – 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 14:00pm 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.
What’s included in this tour:
- DPRK visa fees and handling
- Round trip ticket from Beijing to Pyongyang on Air Koryo
- 4 nights’ DPRK hotel accommodations (twin occupancy, 4 stars)
- Meals as indicated
- Coach/car transportation in DPRK
- Two local English-speaking Korean guides
- One local driver
- Admission fees (except those listed under exclusions)
What’s not included in this tour:
- Round-trip airfare to Beijing from home country
- Beijing hotel accommodations
- Chinese visa fees and processing, if applicable
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, etc.)
- Souvenirs
- Extra drinks during meals (one complimentary beer included)
- Beer at microbreweries (1-3 EUR per mug)
- Extra a la carte items incurred during meals
- Tips for guides and drivers
Excluded Entrance Fees for Optional Events
Entrance fees are priced in EUR but RMB and USD accepted.
- Elevator to the top of the Juche Tower, 5 EUR
- Elevator to the top of the Arch of Triumph, 5 EUR
- Flowers to be laid at the Mansudae Grand Monument, 3-5 EUR
- Pyongyang circus (if playing): 20 EUR
- Taedonggang Dining Boat: 10 USD
- Meari Shooting Range: rifle and per bullet fees apply
- Kaeson Amusement park entrance and rides, approximately 1-3 Euros each
For more information on the booking process, see How to Book a North Korea Tour
See Terms and Conditions for our refund policy and other disclaimers.
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