From Seoul to DMZ – The Demilitarized Zone Between North and South Korea

Pick up at your hotel and Seoul and drive 50km North to Paju county to explore one of the most secured area on the planet with your guide. We start with The Freedom Bridge that crosses the Imjin river, a former railroad bridge which was used by repatriated Prisoners of War/soldiers returning from the North. We continue with Imjingak - a unification and security tour complex which consists of Imjingak and North Korea Center, Unification Park, and several monuments and memorial sites. Pyeonghwa Nuri Park, located next to the resort, also hosts many events, performances, and exhibitions to promote peace and reunification. We move to the 3rd Tunnel, discovered in 1978, the third infiltration tunnel was dug by the Northern army to spy on their Southern counterparts - 1,635 meters long, with a height and width of 2 meters. It is estimated that over 30,000 soldiers would have been able to pass through the tunnel in just one hour.
We have a look at Dora Observatory, the northernmost observatory on the western section of the DMZ. The binoculars offer views of the city of Gaeseong, Songaksan Mountain, and the Statue of Kim Il-sung in North Korea. NB: as the area beyond the observatory is within a military outpost command, photography is strictly prohibited here. The Dorasan Station is one of the northernmost railway stations on the Gyeongui Line, connecting Seoul to Sinuiju - a symbol of effort for a unified Korea. After lunch, we walk around Dorasan Peace Park -an ecological park featuring a pond in the shape of the Korean peninsula with a boardwalk around it. The park’s exhibition hall showcases information and materials related to the history of Dorasan Station and DMZ’s ecosystem. Next is the Unification bridge: located in the Joint Security Area (JSA), the so-called "Bridge of No Return" crosses the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) between North Korea and South Korea. It was used for prisoner exchanges at the end of the Korean War in 1953. And we end the day with Panmunjeom; this is where the Armistice Agreement was signed on July 27, 1953. Panmunjeom is within the Joint Security Area (JSA) secured by UN and North Korean military and is beyond the jurisdiction of North and South Korea.
We drive back to the historic heart of Seoul, for an evening in your Hanok, in Bukchon. Dinner will be prepared for you at the Hanok.

After breakfast in the courtyard of the hanok, today an itinerary has been prepared for you to visit on your own to explore the cultural and historic center of Seoul. No guide, no car, you will start with a walk around Bukchon (northern village),the neighborhood located north of Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Bukchon Village was resided mostly by relatives of royal families and powerful authorities while Namchon Village (Southern village) was settled by middle class government officials during the Joseon period. Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because its location is furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace) Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful, and remains the largest of all five palaces. We have booked a place for you to have lunch, then you can continue with Changdeokgung Palace -the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden. Known as a place of rest for the kings, the rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond and a pavilion. You shall be back at Rakkojae by 2.30pm, collect you bags and go to your next destination