This tour is now closed ... wishing the participants an amazing journey !!
April 12 - 19, 2014 : Educational tour - A multitude of "firsts" !!!
We are pleased to announce that we are now offering the first ever educational tour for school administrators, teachers, students and parents, with the specific aim of learning more about the educational and experiential opportunities that tours to North Korea can provide to adults and students alike.
The 7-night program is packed with excursions and outings that will appeal to an audience of administrators, teachers, students and parents who want to get to know the DPRK better by visiting most of the cultural and natural highlights that the country has to offer. This trip also ensures that the participants get to spend as much time as possible with Koreans of all ages, so that everyone can share experiences and gain a better insight in their way of life, their hopes and aspirations, and their daily routines.
HOT OFF THE PRESS !!! We have just received approval to take this group to the recently-opened Mansik Ski Resort just outside Wonsan. Not just to go and look at the slopes and the snow, but to do some real skiing right there. This is an absolute first - the resort only opened in January of 2014, and is perfectly equipped to satisfy the physical prowess of experienced and not-so-experienced skiers.
Furthermore, there is a specific focus on opportunities for creativity (arts, music), action (hiking, sports and games) and service (we hope to spend at least half a day in a local cooperative farm, helping out the local farmers in their daily work). There will be two visits to secondary schools, where there will be ample time to exchange information about lifestyles and to ask many of the questions that we all have about life in the DPRK.
Participants will visit the capital city, Pyongyang, then head to beautiful Mount Myohyang in the centre of the country, then on to Sinchon, Kaesong and the Demilitarized Zone in the South, and the Kuwol mountains and the city of Nampo in the South-West.
There will also be opportunities to experience the various cultural forms in which the North Koreans express themselves (watch mind-blowing performances at the School Children's Palace, enjoy a visit to the Opera or orchestra, indulge in a bowl of Pyongyang cold noodle, spend an evening in a local coffee shop, department store or bowling alley, go for a splash at the recently opened water park, and of course make the most of your time to discuss matters of interest with the local guides.
For logistics of this tour, please click here.
For the cost of this tour, please click here.
Trip program*
Day 1 - Saturday April 12th
Meet at Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 2 at 10.30 am for Check-in
13.00 Flight from Beijing to Pyongyang, arrival in Pyongyang at 16.00 (local time; two-hour flight)
Customs at Pyongyang Airport, meet guides and driver, Mansudae Grand Monument, Mansudae Fountain Park,
transfer to Yanggakdo Hotel.
Accommodation : Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Dinner : Yanggakdo Hotel (revolving restaurant) or outing to a "carbohydrates" restaurant to stock up on energy for the marathon.
Day 2 - Sunday April 13th
Morning : This morning is the Mangyongdae Prize Marathon (half marathon / 10 km run). Special program as per Koryo Tours' arrangement. Those not running can watch start and finish, plus some football, in Kim Il Sung stadium.
Afternoon : Visit Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, USS Pueblo, War Victory Monument, Foreign Languages Bookstore, Moranbong Park (time permitting)
Drive to Mount Myohyang
Dinner in Mount Myohyang
Accommodation : Chongchon Hotel, Mount Myohyang
Day 3 - Monday April 14th
Morning : Visit the International Friendship Exhibition, Pohyon Buddhist temple, hike in Manpok Valley
Afternoon : Drive to Pyongson, visit the town (town square, revolutionary site, former university), guided tour of the food factory
Visit the newly accessible Pyongsong secondary school, with great opportunity to spend time with the local students and play some sports (football!). Return to Pyongyang.
Alternatively, return to Pyongyang after lunch, and visit Kang Bang Suk School. Same program of activities.
Accommodation : Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Rungna Fun Fair after dinner (entry fee 1 euro per person, cost for the rides between 1-4 Euro, visitors need to pay on the spot).
Day 4 - Tuesday April 15th
Early morning run along the Taedong river
Morning : Today is a National Holiday - the birthday of Kim Il Sung. There will be a number of activities/events/festivities around the country. The guides will advise which ones are not to be missed ! The morning program can include visits to 'open' places such as Kim Il Sung square, the Party Foundation Monument, the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery and others.
Afternoon : Attend afternoon program of celebrations, activities, events (to be advised by the local guides).
Drive to Kaesong along the Reunification Highway, arrive in Kaesong in the evening. Check in Minsok Folk Hotel. Possibly have a Korean cooking demonstration / class in the hotel (Euro 5 per person).
Accommodation : Minsok Folk Hotel, Kaesong (traditional hotel where you sleep on relatively thin mattresses on the heated floor - a great night's rest guarateed !)
Traditional dinner in the Minsok Folk Hotel
Day 5 - Wednesday April 16th
Morning : Panmunjom (DMZ), Koryo Museum (former Confucian University). Shop in stamp shop and ginseng shop. Return to Pyongyang via Sinchon (Museum of US War Atrocities) and Sariwon (Folklore Street).
Lunch in Sariwon
Afternoon : Return to Pyongyang over Reunification Highway (2.5 hours), in Pyongyang visit the Tower of the Juche Idea (Euro 5 for the lift to the top), visit School Children's Palace
Accommodation : Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Evening : Golden Lane Bowling Center (optional: EUR2.5 per round) and/or visit to Pyongyang Fitness Centre and/or Kaeson Fun Fair (entry fee 1 euro per person, cost for the rides between 1-4 Euro, visitors need to pay on the spot) and/or ice skating.
Day 6 - Thursday April 17th
Morning : Depart for Masik Pass Ski resort near Wonsan. Approximately 3 hours drive. arrive at the ski resort, prepare for skiing (remainder of the day). those who do not want to ski can either hike or visit the farm (and work there). If skiing is not possible because of a lack of snow, then the group can go for a hike before the farm visit.
Lunch in Masik Pass Ski resort or in Wonsan
Afternoon : Skiing / hiking at Mansik Ski resort, and/or work in cooperative farm, Wonsan
Accommodation : Masik Ski resort or Wonsan
Day 7 - Friday April 18th
Morning : Brief visit of Wonsan (docks, railway station, square). Return to Pyongyang, arrive around 2 pm.
Lunch in Pyongyang
Afternoon : Visit Grand People's Study House. Visit Kang Bang Suk School (brief guided tour, then extended one-on-one time with local students, then performances and sports match).
Attend a circus performance (optional, to be paid on the spot) / Water park
Paradise Department store, Pyolmuri Coffee Shop
Accommodation : Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Farewell dinner in Pyongyang
Rungna Fun Fair after dinner (entry fee 1 euro per person, cost for the rides between 1-4euros, visitors need to pay on the spot) / Fitness centre / Squash
Day 8 : Saturday April 19th
Morning : Transfer to airport for flight to Beijing, depart Pyongyang by Air Koryo at 9 am, arrive Beijing 10 am local time.
Alternatively : Depart Pyongyang by train at 10.15 am, arrive in Dandong (China) at 18.00. Stopover in Dandong is possible (please enquire for details), otherwise continue to Beijing, arrival at Beijing West Station at 8.00 next morning.
End of trip
* Participants are advised that the schedule of the day to day program may undergo changes up to the day of arrival in Pyongyang. However, the content of the program will not be affected.
For details on the cost and the conditions, click here.
To register for this tour, please click here.