Luxury Korea Tour: Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan

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  • 9 Days 8 Nights
  • Private Tour
  • Any date, on request

9 Days

A private journey through Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan, designed and run by 8 Birds

3 Cities

Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan

All Ages

Private departures for couples, families and small groups

Meals Included

Daily breakfast plus curated dining experiences

Private Guide

Your own English-speaking guide and driver throughout

VIP Service

Trusted by Hollywood A-list celebrities and US government officials

Tour Overview

Private, unhurried and planned to the detail by our team in Korea.

Korea at its most refined. Walk royal palaces before the crowds, step into Seoul’s design and beauty districts, and trace a thousand years of Silla history in Gyeongju before ending on the coast of Busan. Five-star hotels, private transport and a dedicated guide mean every day runs at your pace. This is the same level of service we provide for our VIP guests, offered as a private departure on the dates you choose.

  • Explore Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, including the UNESCO-listed Secret Garden, with a private guide.
  • Wear hanbok for a portrait session at the palace (optional).
  • Discover Seoul's design side in Seongsu and the Amorepacific headquarters, with a personalised K-beauty skin analysis.
  • Taste your way through Gwangjang Market and the hanok lanes of Ikseon-dong.
  • Travel first class on the KTX high-speed train to Gyeongju, the ancient Silla capital.
  • Visit Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • See Haedong Yonggungsa, Busan's temple on the sea, and ride the Haeundae Blue Line Park sky capsule.
  • Stay in five-star hotels in Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan.
Designed and operated by 8 Birds

Tour Highlights

Five-star comfort with a private guide in every city
Hotel twin room on a Korea food tour

Accommodations

Five-star hotels: Four Seasons Seoul, a luxury hotel in Gyeongju and Park Hyatt Busan (or similar)

Group Korean dinner with many banchan dishes

Group Size

Private tour for your group only

Korean pork belly BBQ on the grill

Meals

Daily breakfast, welcome and farewell dinners, and curated lunches

Private minibuses for group transport in Korea

Local Transport

Private vehicle with driver, first-class KTX. Private airport transfers on arrival and departure.

Map

Day 1 - Welcome to SeoulSeoul

Welcome to Seoul

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul

Your driver meets you at the airport for a private transfer to your five-star hotel. The rest of the day is yours to settle in, followed by a welcome dinner with your guide.

  • Private airport pickup
  • Hotel check-in
  • Welcome dinner

Day 2 - Royal SeoulSeoul

Royal Seoul

Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul with visitors in hanbok

Begin at Gyeongbokgung, the grandest of the Joseon palaces, with the option of a hanbok portrait session in the palace grounds. Continue through the hanok lanes of Bukchon and the galleries and tea houses of Insadong.

  • Gyeongbokgung Palace
  • Optional hanbok photo session
  • Bukchon Hanok Village
  • Insadong tea house

Day 3 - Secret Garden & Market FlavoursSeoul

Secret Garden & Market Flavours

Gwanghwamun gate framing Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul

Walk Changdeokgung and its Secret Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most tranquil corner of the city. In the afternoon, taste your way through Gwangjang Market, then wander the cafés and hanok alleys of Ikseon-dong.

  • Changdeokgung & the Secret Garden
  • Gwangjang Market food tasting
  • Ikseon-dong hanok alleys

Day 4 - Design, Beauty & HanwooSeoul

Design, Beauty & Hanwoo

Korean BBQ dinner in Seoul

Explore Seongsu, Seoul’s creative district of converted warehouses, flagship stores and design-led cafés. Visit the Amorepacific headquarters for a personalised K-beauty skin analysis, then end the day with premium Hanwoo beef for dinner.

  • Seongsu design district
  • Amorepacific HQ & skin analysis
  • Premium Hanwoo dinner

Day 5 - Ancient GyeongjuSeoul → Gyeongju

Ancient Gyeongju

Cheomseongdae Observatory in Gyeongju

Travel first class on the KTX to Gyeongju, capital of the Silla kingdom for nearly a thousand years. Stroll among the royal tombs of Daereungwon and visit Cheomseongdae, Asia’s oldest surviving observatory.

  • First-class KTX to Gyeongju
  • Daereungwon Royal Tombs
  • Cheomseongdae Observatory

Day 6 - Temples of the Silla KingdomGyeongju

Temples of the Silla Kingdom

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond lit up at night, Gyeongju

Visit Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and masterpieces of Buddhist art. In the evening, see Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond reflected in the water after dark.

  • Bulguksa Temple
  • Seokguram Grotto
  • Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond at night

Day 7 - Busan by the SeaGyeongju → Busan

Busan by the Sea

Haeundae Beach and skyline, Busan

Drive to Busan, Korea’s great port city. Visit Haedong Yonggungsa, a temple set on the rocks above the sea, then ride the Blue Line Park sky capsule along the coast to Haeundae.

  • Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
  • Blue Line Park sky capsule
  • Haeundae Beach

Day 8 - Colours of BusanBusan

Colours of Busan

Seafood vendor at Jagalchi Fish Market, Busan

Wander the hillside lanes of Gamcheon Culture Village and the stalls of Jagalchi Fish Market. The evening ends with a farewell dinner overlooking the sea.

  • Gamcheon Culture Village
  • Jagalchi Fish Market
  • Farewell dinner

Day 9 - DepartureBusan

Departure

Incheon International Airport, Seoul

After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to Gimhae International Airport, or to the KTX station for your onward journey.

FAQ

What fitness level is required?

Most days involve light walking at an easy pace. Itineraries can be adjusted for mobility needs.

What's included in the price?

Five-star accommodation, daily breakfast, the meals listed in the itinerary, a private English-speaking guide and driver, first-class KTX, entrance fees and private airport transfers. International flights are not included.

Can you accommodate dietary needs?

Yes. Please let us know about allergies or preferences when you book and we will arrange every meal accordingly.

Can the itinerary be customised?

Yes. This is a private tour, so dates, hotels and activities can all be tailored to you.

Luxury
From$5,000
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Terms and Conditions

Offer Validity

Available year-round on request

Payment Schedule

Secure your tour with a 500 USD deposit (non-refundable).
The remaining balance is paid in two parts: 50% due 60 days before departure and 50% due 30 days before departure.

Cancellation Policy

Please note that the initial 500 USD deposit is non-refundable, unless the operator (8 Birds) cancels the trip.
– Between 15 and 24 days prior to departure: 20% cancellation fee charged.
– Between 0 and 14 days prior to departure: 100% cancellation fee charged.

Additional Discounts

Save an additional 2% by paying by bank transfer in USD to our Korean bank account

Payment Methods

Balance can be paid via credit card via PayPal

Tour Minimum

Private departures run from 2 guests. Prices are per person, based on two people sharing.

Optional Extras

Hanbok photo session
Private DMZ tour
Busan yacht cruise
Prices on request