Second ever hiking + camping tour in North Korea - be part of history !
May 25th - June 2nd/4th, 2018
A brand new tour opportunity for all you outdoors-types ! We are proud to be the first to offer hiking and camping trips in North Korea. On this amazing journey you will scale the heights of some of the most iconic mountains in the DPRK, and see some stunning and rarely-experienced views. You will even spend a couple of nights sleeping out in tents under the stars in these unspoiled areas (or go to a local hotel of you prefer a bit more comfort). This is the first time such a tour is being offered and we’re excited to see the heights, the sights and the stars at night with anyone wanting to cover some serious ground on foot in the deep mountains, as well as seeing some of the highlights of Pyongyang and beyond!
This tour calls for a certain degree of fitness in its participants, with hikes that cover up to 28 km in one day (see the itinerary below for more details) and that are quite strenuous at times. Please contact us if you are concerned whether or not this is a suitable tour for you.
Total hiking: 79 km (approx. 50 miles) as the crow flies … but with lots of uphills and downhills !
Please note that the itinerary may differ slightly to what is stated below. However, your tour leader will do their best to ensure that as much is covered as possible. They will also add in extras when there is time, such as a visit to a local bar or a funfair. We visit the DPRK regularly and know all the best places to go to make your trip even more unique. We will help you make the most of your time in the DPRK to guarantee the experience of a lifetime.
Day 0 - Thursday 25th May
4 PM – the group assembles in the Koryo Tours office in Beijing for a pre-tour briefing which will last approximately 1 hour and is designed so that you will get the best out of your tour. Please be punctual - you can even come early, pay any outstanding tour fees and browse our art gallery and merchandise.
*************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Day 1 - Friday 26th May
AM : This morning we will meet outside the Koryo Tours office (time to be confirmed) and together head to Beijing Airport Terminal 2 for our flight from Beijing to Pyongyang (1.5 hrs) - the showcase capital of the DPRK with a population of approximately 2 million.
PM : Upon arrival in Pyongyang (approximately 4pm – the DPRK is one hour ahead of China), we proceed through immigration and customs and meet our guides who will accompany us throughout our stay. On our way to the hotel we will visit the Arch of Triumph – similar to the French version but bigger. Its location is important in Korean history as the first place where Kim Il Sung gave a speech to the Korean people after the surrender of the Japanese in 1945. We will take the short drive to the Mansudae Fountain Park and the Mansudae Grand Monument – two giant statues of North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, flanked by powerful sculptures telling the story of the anti-Japanese War, the rebuilding of the country and finally the Korean War. Kim Il Sung's statue has been here since 1972 but Kim Jong Il's was added in 2012 on the occasion of Kim Il Sung's 100th birthday. This is a very important place for Koreans, and visitors are requested to follow the local custom and bow in front of the statues after placing down a bouquet of flowers.
OVERNIGHT : Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang (one of the deluxe-class hotels in the country, located on an island in the Taedong River which runs through the city)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 2 - Saturday 27th May
AM : We visit the Foreign Languages Bookstore and take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Pyongyang. On our journey, we walk through the heart of the city, and stop by Kim Il Sung Square, which is Pyongyang's largest. This is where the capital's mass dances take place and where the military parades pass through. Next we take a short drive to the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery – a collection of superb individually crafted bronze busts of the anti-Japanese heroes including one of Kim Jong Suk - the mother of Kim Jong Il. The cemetery was designed to overlook the city, giving the martyrs a view of the re-building of their country. We’ll head next to the 150 m tall Tower of the Juche Idea, the highest stone monument in the world (topped with a flickering red torch). We are given an explanation of the country's guiding Juche philosophy, often translated as 'self-reliance'. Take the lift to the top for stunning views over Pyongyang (costs EUR 5, to be paid on the spot).
PM : After lunch we drive to Mount Myohyang - the Mountain of Mysterious Fragrance, two hours north of Pyongyang. It is said that the air here is so fresh that regardless of how much alcohol you drink while staying here, provided you sleep with your window open you won't have a hangover the next day. We'll leave that up to you to test out ! First thing on arrival though is to take a hike – we’ll follow a 15.5 km trail in the Manpok Valley, taking in various scenic views, waterfalls, pavilions, and much more. Many of the spots along the route, such as Kumgang waterfall and Bison Rock, are very well known in the DPRK. At the end of the hike we will visit the thousand year old Pohyon Buddhist Temple. It was destroyed during the Korean War but soon rebuilt as a working temple, complete with North Korean monks. We will have a tour here and then have dinner all together at the campsite. We will set up tents for those who wish to camp out under the stars (tents, sleeping bags etc. all provided) on the first camping trip ever organised and run in the DPRK ! A singular experience enhanced by a campfire, marshmallows and the sound of the Arirang songs!
Hiking Total: 15.5 km
OVERNIGHT : Camping in Mount Myohyang area. Alternatively you can stay at the nearby Chongchon Hotel, Mt. Myohyang (basic but comfortable hotel surrounded by beautiful scenery; intermittent hot water). Please inform us of your choice of accommodation when you book the tour.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 3 - Sunday 28th May
AM : Our first visit of the day is to the cultural highlight of the area – the International Friendship Exhibition. Built in 1978, these two huge subterranean halls are filled with gifts to the leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, presented to them by people from all over the world - from heads of state to ordinary citizens. The gifts are divided by region and they estimate that if you spent one minute in front of each gift, it would take more than one year to see the whole exhibition - we will only be shown a small sample ! This year, they have opened a new room showcasing gifts presented to the new leader, Kim Jong Un. Halfway through the visit, we take a short tea break on the balcony, affording beautiful views of the stunning mountains surrounding us. We will then follow this visit with a hike in a different part of the range of hills and valleys than the day before. This 11.5 km trail will once again take us up into the hills past a wide range of waterfalls and scenic rocks. You can expect to run into a good number of local hikers here as well, it’s a very popular route, so feel free to interact and mingle as much as you can ! We’ll take lunch to eat along the trail, as the locals do !
PM : We return to Pyongyang in the afternoon and have time to see one of the highlights of the city, the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum (Korean War Museum). Fully renovated and reopened in 2013, it tells the history of the Korean War from the North Korean perspective, complete with rooms explaining the origins of the conflict, highly impressive dioramas, tanks, planes, and much more. Then onto the USS Pueblo – the American spy ship captured by the DPRK navy in 1968 and retained ever since as a trophy. The ship was originally moored on the Taedong River but moved in 2013 to the site of the new War Museum. We then head to the War Victory Monuments. Built at the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the end of the Korean War on 27th July 1993 (in North Korea referred to as the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War and the end of the war as “Victory Day”) - it comprises of a series of stunning monuments commemorating scenes that North Koreans see as key battles during the war. We’ll head then for a well-deserved drink at a local bar and then have an exclusive city walk through the centre of town to see some of the street life that is so elusive !
Hiking total : 11.5 km
OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 4 - Monday 29th May
AM : This morning after breakfast we will check out of our hotel and drive to the east coast of the country. After about 2 hours we stop at Sinpyong Lake where there is a rest-house with bathrooms and refreshments. There's also the opportunity to go for a dip if you're feeling brave ! We will stop for lunch in Wonsan and have a short walk around the city’s central square, docks and park, where there is the customary statue of President Kim Il Sung. We'll also stop by the Wonsan Central Art Gallery before lunch, where we will find the best seafood in the city. On the docks of Wonsan we will find the local people fishing, and the youth will greet you whilst whizzing past on their roller blades.
PM : after lunch we drive south for approximately 2 hours to the Mount Kumgang area. We visit an area that was only opened up to tourists from the north a few years ago. This area used to be the Hyundai Asan Tourist Resort and catered exclusively to tourists from South Korea who wanted to see this stunning area. However, in 2008 the resort was shut down after a South Korean tourist was shot after straying into a military zone. The area is now back up and running but only to tourists who visit from the DPRK-proper. Upon arrival we stretch the legs by taking a 3 km walk round the very scenic and lovely Samil Lagoon –some interesting stories about this place will be told by the local guide as well. We’ll finish this hike in the evening and settle into our hotel for the night.
OVERNIGHT : Kumgangsan Hotel, Mount Kumgang (a deluxe class hotel in a beautiful setting amidst the mountains; selected foreign tv channels and internet access available in the telecommunications centre)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 5 - Tuesday 30th May
AM and PM - Today we embark on an amazing experience. We hike a very long trail among some amazing views and scenic vistas. This path has actually only been hiked twice before (by our inaugural hiking group in 2013, and by our first Hiking and Camping tour in June 2014 - see the photos on this page) since the closure of the area to South Korean tourists in 2008. You can expect to get a great work-out hiking the rocky steps, the luscious paths, the wooden bridges and metal ladders, the breath-taking slopes and the stunning hills in this area. You will get a vast amount of wonderful photo opportunities too. For the keen hiker and photographer this is a very special treat, getting photos where practically nobody has stood in years, of the mountain range known throughout all Korea as the most beautiful one on the peninsula. Lunch will be taken along the route and at the end of the day, with the 24 km course behind us, we can either camp out for the night under the skies or head for the hotel for another night there, your choice ! Western tourists have only ever camped once before in Mount Kumgang - this is a great opportunity to relax after a strenuous hike in some unspoiled nature, and we are very much looking forward to the opportunity !
Hiking total : 24.0 km
OVERNIGHT : Camping in Mount Kumgang area. Alternatively you can stay at the nearby Kumgangsan Hotel
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 6 - Wednesday 31st May
AM and PM : Make sure you stretch and eat a hearty breakfast because today we are heading off on another long hike into the Diamond Mountains. This time we will see a number of temples, waterfalls, peaks, and pools (almost all of which have interesting stories associated with them, the local guides will gladly relate these tales along the way). We will cover 28 km on this trail today and eat lunch along the way once again. At the end of the day of hiking and seeing some unforgettable sights and going to areas hardly anybody has been for many years, we’ll have a final night in the Kumgangsan area, having hiked it properly and taken advantage of the clear trails, imaginative routes, and stunning natural and man-made sights along the paths. You will be amazed, exhausted and refreshed all at the same time!
Hiking total: 28.0 km
OVERNIGHT : Kumgangsan Hotel, Mount Kumgang
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 7 - Thursday 1st June
AM : After breakfast we make our way back up the coast to Wonsan and on to the Masik Pass Resort. In winter this is a ski resort, but at this time of year it's a great place for hiking and mountain biking. We will have lunch in the Masik Ryong Hotel.
PM : This afternoon we will pack up our camping gear and start hiking from the hotel. Prepare yourself for a steep climb but with some rewarding views. We will hike around 15 km and find a good spot to set up camp and have dinner.
Hiking total : 15 km
OVERNIGHT : camping in the Masik Resort
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 8 - Friday 2nd June
AM : After breakfast we pack up our tents and spend the morning hiking the Masik Pass. We will make our way back to Wonsan for lunch in the famous Wonsan fish restaurant.
PM : After lunch we drive back to Pyongyang and upon arrival stop off to visit the Mansudae Art Studio - the DPRK centre of artistic excellence where most of the paintings, mosaics, statues, etc are all made. It is possible to visit several workshops and see the artists at work - ink painting, oil painting, embroidery and ceramics. They also have a very good shop with some quality pieces of art and ceramics for sale. Across the road is the start of the next stop : a ride on the Pyongyang Metro - the deepest underground system in the world. The designs of the main stations are stunning, with superb lighting and mosaics. We start at Puhung (Rehabilitation) Station, then take the train to the next station, Yonggwang (Glory). Here we get off to take pictures before getting back on the train and going through 3 stops and getting off at the fourth, which is Kaeson (Triumphant Return). We will visit a total of 6 stations. During this extended metro visit, you will have a great chance to have interaction with the locals if you are prepared to learn basic greetings in Korean - and if you meet students you can get them to greet you in English! Finally in the evening we will see one of the most popular public entertainment venues in the city; the Kaeson Youth funfair. Located near the Arch of Triumph, this funfair was renovated in 2010 and all the rides are from Italy. It is one of the most popular nightspots in Pyongyang. Entry costs EUR 1 and the rides are between EUR 1.5 and EUR 3. Even if you can't summon up the courage to try any of the rides, it is still a great place for people watching, and the locals are generally more than happy to have their photos taken here - bear in mind that a group of foreign tourists provides just as much of an attraction for them as the rides themselves!
OVERNIGHT : Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 9 - Saturday 3rd June
Today is departure day. For those taking the flight out option, the flight departs Pyongyang at 09:00 and arrives in Beijing at approximately 10:00. End of tour ... unless you decide to take an exteeeeeension in the DPRK - see below.
Those taking the train out option depart from Pyongyang Railway station at 10:40. The journey to Sinuiju (border city) takes around 5 hours and lunch is served in the dining car for those who want it (EUR 5). The immigration/customs procedures on the DPRK side take between 1.5 to 2.5 hours and there is no need to get off the train at any time. The international carriages then continue over the Friendship Bridge which spans the Yalu River. As you cross look to the left to see the bridge damaged in the Korean War. The train then continues on to Dandong, China. The immigration/customs procedures here are much quicker - around 30 minutes.
Those doing the Dandong option alight here, and the train (the carriages attach onto a Chinese domestic train) departs at 18:30 local time. Dinner can be eaten in the Chinese dining car (costs RMB 80).
OVERNIGHT : On train
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 10 - Sunday 4th June
AM : The train arrives into Beijing Central Railway Station just after 08:30am - this is the end of the tour.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
OR…Extend the tour to include a few more fascinating sights of the DPRK.
Hiking and Camping Tour (OPTION 2 Extension)
Highlights of this extension
- Panmunjom/DMZ - the border with South Korea
- Be one of the very first westerners to climb Mount Jangsu, the setting of the martial arts movie Hong Kil Dong – famed throughout North Korea - www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2dG5BQOVhI
- The rarely seen city of Sariwon and its cultural centre
- Pakyon Waterfalls – one of the highest in the country, set just a few km from the DMZ; a serene spot in very close proximity to a zone of great tension
Day 9 - Saturday 3rd June
AM : this morning we first drive one hour to Sariwon city where we visit the Sariwon Folk Village - a mock-up of traditional Korean architecture. You can walk up the hill for a great view over the area. It is also possible to climb to a pavilion that sits atop a nearby hill offering a panoramic view over the city. After a quick driving tour of the city (with maybe a walk thrown in) and a visit to a nearby co-operative farm where we can learn about the agricultural system in the DPRK, we will arrive at the interestingly decorated March 8th Hotel in Sariwon where we will have lunch.
PM : Drive on to Jangsu Mountain, first visited by Koryo Tours in 2013 and open to tourists only since then. An hour or so of hiking and climbing brings us to the hermitage atop this peak, famous for being the site of much of DPRK martial arts epic movie, Hong Kil Dong, one of the most famous movies in North Korea and a film seen by almost everyone in the country. Get zen by doing some breathing exercises and yoga moves atop the precipitous cliffs that make up much of this mountain, before descending back to ground level again to drive onwards to Kaesong; a historical city near the DMZ which avoided being destroyed in the Korean War as it was chosen as the place for armistice talks. Kaesong is also the only city that changed countries after the Korean War : before the War the city was in South Korea, but since 1953 it has been in North Korea. We will be in Kaesong for dinner and overnight.
OVERNIGHT : Minsok Folk Hotel, Kaesong, where we are treated to a traditional Korean dinner whilst seated on the floor, and we then have an amazing night in the traditional Korean-style rooms, sleeping on thin mattresses on the heated floor.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 10 - Sunday 4th June
AM : after breakfast we take a short drive (approx 20 mins) to Panmunjom/DMZ where North and South Korea continue their decades-old face-off. It is possible to go into one of the huts that straddle the Military Demarcation Line and actually cross over into South Korea ! This is one of the few places you can take pictures of - and even with - members of the DPRK military. Next we head back into Kaesong and visit the Kaesong Koryo Museum, which is a beautiful old Confucian University, to learn about the history of the area. There is also a collection of steles and pavilions from around the area. The stamp and souvenir shop here is excellent too. We’ll visit Sonjok Bridge - site of the 1215 assassination of Jong Mong Ju by Ri Song Gye (the 1st King of the Ri Dynasty, which brought an end to the Koryo Dynasty).
PM : this afternoon we opt for a spot of nature appreciation and a brief hike at the stunning Pakyon Waterfalls, the highest in this part of the DPRK and a wonderful spot for a one hour walk and some relaxation next to the deep plunge-pool. Feel free to jump in for a swim if you desire ! We then head back along the Reunification Highway to Pyongyang. We will arrive in time for one final walk, this time along the Taedong River in central Pyongyang, a popular spot for young lovers and groups of friends to hang out on pleasant evenings. We’ll then head for our farewell dinner spot and begin to say our goodbyes to our hosts who have brought us this far and hiked deep valleys and high mountains with us over the last week!
OVERNIGHT : Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 11 - Monday 5th June
Today is departure day. For those taking the flight out option, the flight departs Pyongyang at 09:00 and arrives in Beijing at approximately 10:00. End of tour ...
Those taking the train out option depart from Pyongyang Railway station at 10:40. The journey to Sinuiju (border city) takes around 5 hours and lunch is served in the dining car for those who want it (EUR 5). The immigration/customs procedures on the DPRK side take between 1.5 to 2.5 hours and there is no need to get off the train at any time. The international carriages then continue over the Friendship Bridge which spans the Yalu River. As you cross look to the left to see the bridge damaged in the Korean War. The train then continues on to Dandong, China. The immigration/customs procedures here are much quicker - around 30 minutes.
Those doing the Dandong option alight here, and the train (the carriages attach onto a Chinese domestic train) departs at 18:30 local time. Dinner can be eaten in the Chinese dining car (costs RMB 80).
OVERNIGHT : On train
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 12 - Tuesday 6th June
AM : The train arrives into Beijing Central Railway Station just after 08:30am - this is the end of the tour.
May 25th - June 2nd/4th, 2018
A brand new tour opportunity for all you outdoors-types ! We are proud to be the first to offer hiking and camping trips in North Korea. On this amazing journey you will scale the heights of some of the most iconic mountains in the DPRK, and see some stunning and rarely-experienced views. You will even spend a couple of nights sleeping out in tents under the stars in these unspoiled areas (or go to a local hotel of you prefer a bit more comfort). This is the first time such a tour is being offered and we’re excited to see the heights, the sights and the stars at night with anyone wanting to cover some serious ground on foot in the deep mountains, as well as seeing some of the highlights of Pyongyang and beyond!
This tour calls for a certain degree of fitness in its participants, with hikes that cover up to 28 km in one day (see the itinerary below for more details) and that are quite strenuous at times. Please contact us if you are concerned whether or not this is a suitable tour for you.
Total hiking: 79 km (approx. 50 miles) as the crow flies … but with lots of uphills and downhills !
Please note that the itinerary may differ slightly to what is stated below. However, your tour leader will do their best to ensure that as much is covered as possible. They will also add in extras when there is time, such as a visit to a local bar or a funfair. We visit the DPRK regularly and know all the best places to go to make your trip even more unique. We will help you make the most of your time in the DPRK to guarantee the experience of a lifetime.
Day 0 - Thursday 25th May
4 PM – the group assembles in the Koryo Tours office in Beijing for a pre-tour briefing which will last approximately 1 hour and is designed so that you will get the best out of your tour. Please be punctual - you can even come early, pay any outstanding tour fees and browse our art gallery and merchandise.
*************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Day 1 - Friday 26th May
AM : This morning we will meet outside the Koryo Tours office (time to be confirmed) and together head to Beijing Airport Terminal 2 for our flight from Beijing to Pyongyang (1.5 hrs) - the showcase capital of the DPRK with a population of approximately 2 million.
PM : Upon arrival in Pyongyang (approximately 4pm – the DPRK is one hour ahead of China), we proceed through immigration and customs and meet our guides who will accompany us throughout our stay. On our way to the hotel we will visit the Arch of Triumph – similar to the French version but bigger. Its location is important in Korean history as the first place where Kim Il Sung gave a speech to the Korean people after the surrender of the Japanese in 1945. We will take the short drive to the Mansudae Fountain Park and the Mansudae Grand Monument – two giant statues of North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, flanked by powerful sculptures telling the story of the anti-Japanese War, the rebuilding of the country and finally the Korean War. Kim Il Sung's statue has been here since 1972 but Kim Jong Il's was added in 2012 on the occasion of Kim Il Sung's 100th birthday. This is a very important place for Koreans, and visitors are requested to follow the local custom and bow in front of the statues after placing down a bouquet of flowers.
OVERNIGHT : Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang (one of the deluxe-class hotels in the country, located on an island in the Taedong River which runs through the city)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 2 - Saturday 27th May
AM : We visit the Foreign Languages Bookstore and take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Pyongyang. On our journey, we walk through the heart of the city, and stop by Kim Il Sung Square, which is Pyongyang's largest. This is where the capital's mass dances take place and where the military parades pass through. Next we take a short drive to the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery – a collection of superb individually crafted bronze busts of the anti-Japanese heroes including one of Kim Jong Suk - the mother of Kim Jong Il. The cemetery was designed to overlook the city, giving the martyrs a view of the re-building of their country. We’ll head next to the 150 m tall Tower of the Juche Idea, the highest stone monument in the world (topped with a flickering red torch). We are given an explanation of the country's guiding Juche philosophy, often translated as 'self-reliance'. Take the lift to the top for stunning views over Pyongyang (costs EUR 5, to be paid on the spot).
PM : After lunch we drive to Mount Myohyang - the Mountain of Mysterious Fragrance, two hours north of Pyongyang. It is said that the air here is so fresh that regardless of how much alcohol you drink while staying here, provided you sleep with your window open you won't have a hangover the next day. We'll leave that up to you to test out ! First thing on arrival though is to take a hike – we’ll follow a 15.5 km trail in the Manpok Valley, taking in various scenic views, waterfalls, pavilions, and much more. Many of the spots along the route, such as Kumgang waterfall and Bison Rock, are very well known in the DPRK. At the end of the hike we will visit the thousand year old Pohyon Buddhist Temple. It was destroyed during the Korean War but soon rebuilt as a working temple, complete with North Korean monks. We will have a tour here and then have dinner all together at the campsite. We will set up tents for those who wish to camp out under the stars (tents, sleeping bags etc. all provided) on the first camping trip ever organised and run in the DPRK ! A singular experience enhanced by a campfire, marshmallows and the sound of the Arirang songs!
Hiking Total: 15.5 km
OVERNIGHT : Camping in Mount Myohyang area. Alternatively you can stay at the nearby Chongchon Hotel, Mt. Myohyang (basic but comfortable hotel surrounded by beautiful scenery; intermittent hot water). Please inform us of your choice of accommodation when you book the tour.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 3 - Sunday 28th May
AM : Our first visit of the day is to the cultural highlight of the area – the International Friendship Exhibition. Built in 1978, these two huge subterranean halls are filled with gifts to the leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, presented to them by people from all over the world - from heads of state to ordinary citizens. The gifts are divided by region and they estimate that if you spent one minute in front of each gift, it would take more than one year to see the whole exhibition - we will only be shown a small sample ! This year, they have opened a new room showcasing gifts presented to the new leader, Kim Jong Un. Halfway through the visit, we take a short tea break on the balcony, affording beautiful views of the stunning mountains surrounding us. We will then follow this visit with a hike in a different part of the range of hills and valleys than the day before. This 11.5 km trail will once again take us up into the hills past a wide range of waterfalls and scenic rocks. You can expect to run into a good number of local hikers here as well, it’s a very popular route, so feel free to interact and mingle as much as you can ! We’ll take lunch to eat along the trail, as the locals do !
PM : We return to Pyongyang in the afternoon and have time to see one of the highlights of the city, the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum (Korean War Museum). Fully renovated and reopened in 2013, it tells the history of the Korean War from the North Korean perspective, complete with rooms explaining the origins of the conflict, highly impressive dioramas, tanks, planes, and much more. Then onto the USS Pueblo – the American spy ship captured by the DPRK navy in 1968 and retained ever since as a trophy. The ship was originally moored on the Taedong River but moved in 2013 to the site of the new War Museum. We then head to the War Victory Monuments. Built at the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the end of the Korean War on 27th July 1993 (in North Korea referred to as the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War and the end of the war as “Victory Day”) - it comprises of a series of stunning monuments commemorating scenes that North Koreans see as key battles during the war. We’ll head then for a well-deserved drink at a local bar and then have an exclusive city walk through the centre of town to see some of the street life that is so elusive !
Hiking total : 11.5 km
OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 4 - Monday 29th May
AM : This morning after breakfast we will check out of our hotel and drive to the east coast of the country. After about 2 hours we stop at Sinpyong Lake where there is a rest-house with bathrooms and refreshments. There's also the opportunity to go for a dip if you're feeling brave ! We will stop for lunch in Wonsan and have a short walk around the city’s central square, docks and park, where there is the customary statue of President Kim Il Sung. We'll also stop by the Wonsan Central Art Gallery before lunch, where we will find the best seafood in the city. On the docks of Wonsan we will find the local people fishing, and the youth will greet you whilst whizzing past on their roller blades.
PM : after lunch we drive south for approximately 2 hours to the Mount Kumgang area. We visit an area that was only opened up to tourists from the north a few years ago. This area used to be the Hyundai Asan Tourist Resort and catered exclusively to tourists from South Korea who wanted to see this stunning area. However, in 2008 the resort was shut down after a South Korean tourist was shot after straying into a military zone. The area is now back up and running but only to tourists who visit from the DPRK-proper. Upon arrival we stretch the legs by taking a 3 km walk round the very scenic and lovely Samil Lagoon –some interesting stories about this place will be told by the local guide as well. We’ll finish this hike in the evening and settle into our hotel for the night.
OVERNIGHT : Kumgangsan Hotel, Mount Kumgang (a deluxe class hotel in a beautiful setting amidst the mountains; selected foreign tv channels and internet access available in the telecommunications centre)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 5 - Tuesday 30th May
AM and PM - Today we embark on an amazing experience. We hike a very long trail among some amazing views and scenic vistas. This path has actually only been hiked twice before (by our inaugural hiking group in 2013, and by our first Hiking and Camping tour in June 2014 - see the photos on this page) since the closure of the area to South Korean tourists in 2008. You can expect to get a great work-out hiking the rocky steps, the luscious paths, the wooden bridges and metal ladders, the breath-taking slopes and the stunning hills in this area. You will get a vast amount of wonderful photo opportunities too. For the keen hiker and photographer this is a very special treat, getting photos where practically nobody has stood in years, of the mountain range known throughout all Korea as the most beautiful one on the peninsula. Lunch will be taken along the route and at the end of the day, with the 24 km course behind us, we can either camp out for the night under the skies or head for the hotel for another night there, your choice ! Western tourists have only ever camped once before in Mount Kumgang - this is a great opportunity to relax after a strenuous hike in some unspoiled nature, and we are very much looking forward to the opportunity !
Hiking total : 24.0 km
OVERNIGHT : Camping in Mount Kumgang area. Alternatively you can stay at the nearby Kumgangsan Hotel
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 6 - Wednesday 31st May
AM and PM : Make sure you stretch and eat a hearty breakfast because today we are heading off on another long hike into the Diamond Mountains. This time we will see a number of temples, waterfalls, peaks, and pools (almost all of which have interesting stories associated with them, the local guides will gladly relate these tales along the way). We will cover 28 km on this trail today and eat lunch along the way once again. At the end of the day of hiking and seeing some unforgettable sights and going to areas hardly anybody has been for many years, we’ll have a final night in the Kumgangsan area, having hiked it properly and taken advantage of the clear trails, imaginative routes, and stunning natural and man-made sights along the paths. You will be amazed, exhausted and refreshed all at the same time!
Hiking total: 28.0 km
OVERNIGHT : Kumgangsan Hotel, Mount Kumgang
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 7 - Thursday 1st June
AM : After breakfast we make our way back up the coast to Wonsan and on to the Masik Pass Resort. In winter this is a ski resort, but at this time of year it's a great place for hiking and mountain biking. We will have lunch in the Masik Ryong Hotel.
PM : This afternoon we will pack up our camping gear and start hiking from the hotel. Prepare yourself for a steep climb but with some rewarding views. We will hike around 15 km and find a good spot to set up camp and have dinner.
Hiking total : 15 km
OVERNIGHT : camping in the Masik Resort
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 8 - Friday 2nd June
AM : After breakfast we pack up our tents and spend the morning hiking the Masik Pass. We will make our way back to Wonsan for lunch in the famous Wonsan fish restaurant.
PM : After lunch we drive back to Pyongyang and upon arrival stop off to visit the Mansudae Art Studio - the DPRK centre of artistic excellence where most of the paintings, mosaics, statues, etc are all made. It is possible to visit several workshops and see the artists at work - ink painting, oil painting, embroidery and ceramics. They also have a very good shop with some quality pieces of art and ceramics for sale. Across the road is the start of the next stop : a ride on the Pyongyang Metro - the deepest underground system in the world. The designs of the main stations are stunning, with superb lighting and mosaics. We start at Puhung (Rehabilitation) Station, then take the train to the next station, Yonggwang (Glory). Here we get off to take pictures before getting back on the train and going through 3 stops and getting off at the fourth, which is Kaeson (Triumphant Return). We will visit a total of 6 stations. During this extended metro visit, you will have a great chance to have interaction with the locals if you are prepared to learn basic greetings in Korean - and if you meet students you can get them to greet you in English! Finally in the evening we will see one of the most popular public entertainment venues in the city; the Kaeson Youth funfair. Located near the Arch of Triumph, this funfair was renovated in 2010 and all the rides are from Italy. It is one of the most popular nightspots in Pyongyang. Entry costs EUR 1 and the rides are between EUR 1.5 and EUR 3. Even if you can't summon up the courage to try any of the rides, it is still a great place for people watching, and the locals are generally more than happy to have their photos taken here - bear in mind that a group of foreign tourists provides just as much of an attraction for them as the rides themselves!
OVERNIGHT : Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 9 - Saturday 3rd June
Today is departure day. For those taking the flight out option, the flight departs Pyongyang at 09:00 and arrives in Beijing at approximately 10:00. End of tour ... unless you decide to take an exteeeeeension in the DPRK - see below.
Those taking the train out option depart from Pyongyang Railway station at 10:40. The journey to Sinuiju (border city) takes around 5 hours and lunch is served in the dining car for those who want it (EUR 5). The immigration/customs procedures on the DPRK side take between 1.5 to 2.5 hours and there is no need to get off the train at any time. The international carriages then continue over the Friendship Bridge which spans the Yalu River. As you cross look to the left to see the bridge damaged in the Korean War. The train then continues on to Dandong, China. The immigration/customs procedures here are much quicker - around 30 minutes.
Those doing the Dandong option alight here, and the train (the carriages attach onto a Chinese domestic train) departs at 18:30 local time. Dinner can be eaten in the Chinese dining car (costs RMB 80).
OVERNIGHT : On train
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 10 - Sunday 4th June
AM : The train arrives into Beijing Central Railway Station just after 08:30am - this is the end of the tour.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
OR…Extend the tour to include a few more fascinating sights of the DPRK.
Hiking and Camping Tour (OPTION 2 Extension)
Highlights of this extension
- Panmunjom/DMZ - the border with South Korea
- Be one of the very first westerners to climb Mount Jangsu, the setting of the martial arts movie Hong Kil Dong – famed throughout North Korea - www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2dG5BQOVhI
- The rarely seen city of Sariwon and its cultural centre
- Pakyon Waterfalls – one of the highest in the country, set just a few km from the DMZ; a serene spot in very close proximity to a zone of great tension
Day 9 - Saturday 3rd June
AM : this morning we first drive one hour to Sariwon city where we visit the Sariwon Folk Village - a mock-up of traditional Korean architecture. You can walk up the hill for a great view over the area. It is also possible to climb to a pavilion that sits atop a nearby hill offering a panoramic view over the city. After a quick driving tour of the city (with maybe a walk thrown in) and a visit to a nearby co-operative farm where we can learn about the agricultural system in the DPRK, we will arrive at the interestingly decorated March 8th Hotel in Sariwon where we will have lunch.
PM : Drive on to Jangsu Mountain, first visited by Koryo Tours in 2013 and open to tourists only since then. An hour or so of hiking and climbing brings us to the hermitage atop this peak, famous for being the site of much of DPRK martial arts epic movie, Hong Kil Dong, one of the most famous movies in North Korea and a film seen by almost everyone in the country. Get zen by doing some breathing exercises and yoga moves atop the precipitous cliffs that make up much of this mountain, before descending back to ground level again to drive onwards to Kaesong; a historical city near the DMZ which avoided being destroyed in the Korean War as it was chosen as the place for armistice talks. Kaesong is also the only city that changed countries after the Korean War : before the War the city was in South Korea, but since 1953 it has been in North Korea. We will be in Kaesong for dinner and overnight.
OVERNIGHT : Minsok Folk Hotel, Kaesong, where we are treated to a traditional Korean dinner whilst seated on the floor, and we then have an amazing night in the traditional Korean-style rooms, sleeping on thin mattresses on the heated floor.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 10 - Sunday 4th June
AM : after breakfast we take a short drive (approx 20 mins) to Panmunjom/DMZ where North and South Korea continue their decades-old face-off. It is possible to go into one of the huts that straddle the Military Demarcation Line and actually cross over into South Korea ! This is one of the few places you can take pictures of - and even with - members of the DPRK military. Next we head back into Kaesong and visit the Kaesong Koryo Museum, which is a beautiful old Confucian University, to learn about the history of the area. There is also a collection of steles and pavilions from around the area. The stamp and souvenir shop here is excellent too. We’ll visit Sonjok Bridge - site of the 1215 assassination of Jong Mong Ju by Ri Song Gye (the 1st King of the Ri Dynasty, which brought an end to the Koryo Dynasty).
PM : this afternoon we opt for a spot of nature appreciation and a brief hike at the stunning Pakyon Waterfalls, the highest in this part of the DPRK and a wonderful spot for a one hour walk and some relaxation next to the deep plunge-pool. Feel free to jump in for a swim if you desire ! We then head back along the Reunification Highway to Pyongyang. We will arrive in time for one final walk, this time along the Taedong River in central Pyongyang, a popular spot for young lovers and groups of friends to hang out on pleasant evenings. We’ll then head for our farewell dinner spot and begin to say our goodbyes to our hosts who have brought us this far and hiked deep valleys and high mountains with us over the last week!
OVERNIGHT : Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 11 - Monday 5th June
Today is departure day. For those taking the flight out option, the flight departs Pyongyang at 09:00 and arrives in Beijing at approximately 10:00. End of tour ...
Those taking the train out option depart from Pyongyang Railway station at 10:40. The journey to Sinuiju (border city) takes around 5 hours and lunch is served in the dining car for those who want it (EUR 5). The immigration/customs procedures on the DPRK side take between 1.5 to 2.5 hours and there is no need to get off the train at any time. The international carriages then continue over the Friendship Bridge which spans the Yalu River. As you cross look to the left to see the bridge damaged in the Korean War. The train then continues on to Dandong, China. The immigration/customs procedures here are much quicker - around 30 minutes.
Those doing the Dandong option alight here, and the train (the carriages attach onto a Chinese domestic train) departs at 18:30 local time. Dinner can be eaten in the Chinese dining car (costs RMB 80).
OVERNIGHT : On train
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 12 - Tuesday 6th June
AM : The train arrives into Beijing Central Railway Station just after 08:30am - this is the end of the tour.