InsideAsia has brought out its first small group tour of South Korea after delaying the launch due to political events in the destination.
Since launching the destination in 2022, the tour operator has offered tailormade trips rather than group tours. The change follows ‘huge growth’ in bookings and enquiries, according to the company.
Its new 10-day Soul of Korea small group tour is billed as the “ultimate introduction” to South Korea, travelling to Seoul, Busan, Jeonju and Gyeongju.
The tour, which will run in 2025, offers the chance to see some of the destination’s better-known sights as well as off-the-beaten-track locations, with experiences to showcase local life and culture.
A spokesman said the launch had been planned earlier this year but was postponed after a short-lived state of martial law was declared in the destination. This was followed by largely peaceful protests and resulted in the impeachment of the country’s president.
InsideAsia’s first dedicated South Korea programme was in 2022 and the operator said the addition of small group tours was the obvious way to capitalise on continued ‘significant interest’ in the destination as a tourist destination.
Inside Travel Group co-founder Alastair Donnelly said: “The launch of our new South Korea small group tour seemed like the next logical step.
“Bringing in our expertise of creating pioneering small group tours with InsideJapan, this tour marks the next phase of growth for our InsideAsia brand.”
He added: “South Korea is rapidly becoming one of Asia’s ‘hottest new destinations’, and this tour gives travellers the opportunity to uncover both the iconic landmarks and lesser-known districts in Seoul and beyond, all while being guided by insightful Insiders who have made Korea their home.”
Senior South Korea product executive Rebecca Barry said the new tour was designed to give a well-rounded and diverse experience of South Korea, particularly for first-time visitors and solo travellers.
“The tour will showcase the must-see highlights and off-radar sights of Seoul, Busan and Jeonju, with craft activities in Bukchon Hanok Village, Bibimbap making classes in Jeonju (home to the famous dish), and market food sampling in Busan to unveil Korea’s unique and delicious culinary culture,” she said.
The tour also extends to Gyeongju – the ancient capital of the Silla kingdom for over a thousand years and cultural capital of the country – known as a ‘museum without walls’.
Barry added: “From Gyeongju, the tour will take travellers out to discover Korea’s largest traditional yangban village dating back to the 15th Century, Yandong Folk Village, an active village community that accepts a small entrance fee to support the upkeep of the community.
“The tour will stroll through this beautifully kept village, full of traditional thatched buildings in a rural setting, and a chance to eat local food at the village restaurant. It feels like stepping back into old Korea.”
The tour has a maximum of 16 people and is led by a tour leader, known as an Insider. It includes local guides, travel on the high-speed KTX train across the country, a stay in a traditional Korean house, known as a hanok, in the old capital of the Silla Kingdom.
The tour also features a trip to Korean’s largest fish market; the Gamcheon ‘culture village’ in Busan, previously a Korean war refugee slum town and a visit Jeonju, known as the city of gastronomy.