The application deadline for this tour
is 1 March 2020. If interested in extending your tour please send
us an e-mail stating how long you would like to extend for and if there
are any specific places / aspects of the DPRK you would like to see.
Important: Accommodation
We will stay at Koryo Hotel
which is one of the best in Pyongyang.
Unlike budget hotels such as the
Sosan Hotel, Haebangsan, Ryanggang and Youth Hotel, the Koryo is
classified as a
Deluxe Hotel and has some of the best conditions in Pyongyang including
24/7 hotwater, something very important in March.
Group Size
Please note that our group tours tend to be small, with an average
of less than 10 people, which we believe is, together with our frequent visits to Korea and long lasting
relationship with our Korean partners and guides, essential in
allowing you having closer rapport with the Koreans, more
flexibility in the official program and an invaluable chance of
interacting more with local people, something that is logistically not
possible with large groups.
If we have 19 people in a group we will divide it into two,
each with their own guides, driver and vehicle in order to keep these
small.
Day 0 - March 24 (Monday)
Meet in Beijing
for the pre-tour briefing - those entering by train leave at
17.27. Those departing by plane leave the next day at 12.55
Day 1 - March 25 (Tuesday)
PM
JS 152 flight from Beijing Capital Airport at 13.05
Arrival in
Pyongyang - 16.05
Arch of Triumph -
brief walk around the area. We can see the Kim Il Sung Stadium from
here and the giant mural showing a young Kim Il Sung giving the
Liberation Speech.
Drive by Chollima
Statue
- the famous winged horse used as a symbol of the national policy after
the Korean War which encouraged Koreans to increase production in order
to reconstruct the country quickly
Welcome Dinner: KITC Number 1
Restaurant, Pyongyang
Hotel check-in: Koryo Hotel
Overnight: Koryo Hotel, Pyongyang
Day 2 - March 26 (Wednesday)
AM
Breakfast: Koryo Hotel, Pyongyang
Depart
to Kaesong (Panmunjom, the DMZ) -
we leave Pyongyang early and will have a break on the 2.5 hour drive
towards the divisionary line. There are several military check-points
on the way and our guides will tell us when we cannot take pictures.
Driving on the empty highway is an experience itself! Our Korean guides
will explain to us the DPRK's principles for the reunification of Korea.
38th
Parallel (DMZ)
- chance to enter the famous blue negotiation rooms where talks between
North & South Korea have taken place. Please note that if these are
closed due to the DPRK and South Korea having any negotiation talks (as
was the case in 2013) we will still have a close up look to the rooms.
A North Korean soldier will hop on our coach and show us around
Panmunjom. They tend to be quite curious about what foreigners think
regarding the Korean War and the political situation of Korea. This is
a unique chance to interact with a DPRK soldier.
PM
Lunch
at a local restaurant (Kaesong)
- chance to enjoy a king's meal! Up to 12 small dishes will be served
to each person, each dish in a covered, golden-plated bowl.
Koryo
Museum (Kaesong) - Kaesong used to be the capital of the Koryo
Dynasty.
Kaesong
Stamp Shop -
apart from stamps in all forms and sizes, we can also purchase DPRK
postcards (these can be mailed home from our hotel in Pyongyang),
artwork, books, etc. Please note that you will also be able to purchase
these at different points throughout the trip.
Drive
to Sariwon City - The capital of North Hwanghae Province is a
lively city in the DPRK.
Walk
around Folk Street
- we will be explained the history of the Korean Peninsula in the folk
street. This area usually has a lot of local children who are always
curious when
seeing a foreigner. There also tend to be locals playing games and we
are always more than welcome to join!
Mount
Kyongnam - we can walk up this hill to the main pavilion and
enjoy great views of the city and of its surroundings.
seeing a foreigner.
Check out our 360° image
taken in Mount Kyongnam by clicking on the round image on the right!
Try
some local Makoli!
- we will ask to have some local Makoli, sweet Korean wine, at a
"Suljib" meaning "winehouse" in Korean. This drink has a very low
volume of alcohol.
Drive back to Pyongyang
Stop
by the Re-Unification Monuments - An important symbol of the
reunification of Korea. A stop here offers us a chance to take some
pictures.
Workers'
Party Foundation Monument - consisting of the Workers' Party of
Korea's symbol; a hammer, sickle and brush, all rising 50 metres high
in the sky.
Local
Bar - time for some well deserved pre-departure drinks
Dinner
- Pyongyang Number 1 Duck BBQ Restaurant
Overnight: Koryo Hotel, Pyongyang
Day 3 - March 27 (Thursday)
Breakfast: Koryo Hotel, Pyongyang
Kumsusan
Memorial Palace -
this is where the Leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il remain in state.
This is a very respectful place in the DPRK and formal clothing is
required. We will fully brief you before your trip to the DPRK.
Revolutionary
Martyrs' Cemetery - dedicated to those fallen for the cause of
the revolution. Situated on a hill, the views of Pyongyang are
spectacular.
PM
Lunch:
Local restaurant, Pyongyang
Fountain Park
- we walk around here before heading to Mansu Hill. Families and
friends usually come here for pictures
Mansudae Grand
Monuments
- Giant bronze statues of the Leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
Please note that we are kindly asked to show our respects to the
Leaders here.
Victorious
Fatherland Liberation War Museum (Korean War Museum)
this was relocated in 2013 and is now a huge museum fully explaining
the DPRK version of the Korean War with extremely explicit details.
USS
Pueblo -
US spy ship, the only US vessel in possession of a foreign country.
This was captured in 1968 and is shown as a trophy. It has now been
moved to the outdoors section of the Korean War Museum.
Juche Tower -
we go up the 150 metre tower (170 metres including the torch) that
offers a panoramic view of Pyongyang.
Ride
on Pyongyang Metro -
one of the deepest in the world - extended ride. Join locals and
explore the Pyongyang subway system. The carriages were purchased from
former East Germany. The metro decoration is amazing as well as the
fact that we will go around 100 metres underground!
Walk
around Kim Il Sung Square -
located in the city centre, this is the places where military parades
and mass rallies (those that we usually see on television) are held.
DPRK
Bookstore - chance to purchase DPRK publications (including the
Pyongyang Times) translated into different languages.
Overnight: Koryo Hotel, Pyongyang
Day 3 - March 28 (Friday)
AM
Breakfast: Koryo Hotel, Pyongyang
Drive
to Mount Myohyang - we head to a truly beautiful area of the
DPRK in the northern interior part of the country
The
International Friendship Exhibition Centre
- presenting thousands of presents given to the founder of the country
President Kim Il Sung, Chairman Kim Jong Il and his Comrade Kim
Jong Suk (wife of President Kim Il Sung and mother of Chairman Kim Jong Il). There is now too a section for Chairman Kim Jong Un. See
what people and organisations from your country have sent!
Pohyon
Temple - ancient Buddhist temple
PM
Lunch at the Hyangsan Hotel, Mt. Myohyang - one of the most luxurious hotels in DPRK
Drive back to Pyongyang
Grand People's Study House - enormous library and study facility home to over 30 million books! It offers too fantastic views of Kim Il Sung Square.
Kwangbok
Store - the only place in Pyongyang where we can exchange
foreign currency into Korean Won and buy goods with locals. It is
always interesting to have a walk around here even if you do not end
buying anything. The bottom floor consists of a supermaket, (why not
stack up with Korean made snacks and drinks for the train ride back?),
the first floor is where clothes are sold and the second floor is the
snack and drinks floor where you can can enjoy some local hot dogs and
beer.
Dinner: Local restaurant, Pyongyang
Overnight: Koryo Hotel, Pyongyang
Day 4 - March 29 (Saturday)
AM
Breakfast: Koryo Hotel
10.40 am train to China - if interested in flying back
please do let us know.
PM
Stopover at Sinuiju train station bordering China - customs
procedures
will
be carried out on the train
