1. Day 1 Briefing & Train Departure Day

   Train Departures

   At 10:00, all those departing Beijing by train to North Korea will join us for a pre-tour briefing followed by a Question & Answer session covering all the important aspects of travelling in the DPRK as a foreign tourist. Here you’ll meet your tour leader and be able to ask any important questions prior to the start of the tour.

   At 17:27 our train will depart Beijing Railway Station as we begin the almost 24-hour train journey to Pyongyang via the Chinese border city of Dandong and the North Korean border city of Sinuiju.

    

   Flight Departures

   We’ll meet at 16:00 for our pre-tour briefing followed by a Question and Answer session so you’re confident in how the tour will run and understand the basic do’s and don’t’s of travelling in North Korea as a tourist. You’ll alsp get the chance to meet your tour leader and other travellers before setting off.

   The flight doesn’t depart until the following day, so post-briefing, feel free to enjoy a free evening out and about in China’s capital city.

    

   Accommodation: Beijing Accommodation Not Included – Optional Addon

   Included Meals: N/A

2. Day 2 Flight Departure & Arrival Day in Pyongyang

   Train Departures

   Waking up early on the overnight sleeper train from Beijing to Dandong, we’ll disembark, collect our tickets for our onward journey and pass through Chinese customs. Once all the checks are complete we’ll board the train headed for the shining lights of Pyongyang.

   Once our train has trundled across the Amnok (Yalu) River Bridge, we’ll pass through DPRK customs on the North Korean side of the border before setting off on a 6-hour journey to the capital of North Korea: Pyongyang. We’ll arrive in the city at 18:45.

   Flight Departures

   Our flight from Beijing International Airport (PEK) to Pyongyang Sunan International Airport will depart from Terminal 2 at 14:05. We’ll fly onboard Air Koryo Flight JS252 on an hour and a half before arriving in Pyongyang at 16:05 where we’ll pass through customs.

   Since we’ll have an hour or two to spare before our train-bound friends arrive in Pyongyang, we’ll check out Kim Il Sung Square in the heart of the city before meeting up with our colleagues once the train arrives at 18:45.

    

   With both groups now together in Pyongyang, we’ll head out for an evening stroll along Mirae (Future) Scientists Street. One of the city’s most modern districts, this street has a distinctively modern, yet noticeably North Korean architectural style.

   Mirae Street has the added benefit of being close to our hotel, the Yanggakdo International Hotel; the most famous hotel in the country, the Yanggakdo boasts a swimming pool, revolving restaurant, casino, bowling alley and much more. The perfect home-from-home for us during our tour.

    

   Accommodation: Yanggakdo International Hotel, Pyongyang

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3. Day 3 Day of the Sun: 110th Anniversary of the Birth of President Kim Il Sung

   Today is the highlight of the North Korean calendar. The Day of the Sun marks the birthday of the President Kim Il Sung, founder of the country, the DPRK’s paramount leader from 1945 until 1994, and since then, immortalised as the ‘Eternal President’ of the country.

   Since it’s a jubilee year, a military parade is likely. If this occurs, we’ll modify our itinerary to include the chance to see military vehicles as they pass through the city.

   But first, a trip to where it all began; the Mangyongdae Native House. This modest traditional-style Korean building in south Pyongyang is the birthplace of the aforementioned President. We’ll visit this most important revolutionary site alongside locals paying their respects to the Great Leader followed by a six-stop tour of the Pyongyang Metro, a tourist attraction in itself.

   The Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang is 2m taller than it’s Parisian counterpart and was built to celebrate the victory by President Kim Il Sung over the Japanese who occupied Korea until 1945.

   Next on our itinerary is a trip to Pyongyang’s most iconic landmark, the Mansudae Grand Monument. First however, we’ll stop at the beautiful Mansudae Fountain Park where we’ll have the chance to buy flowers before heading up to the 22m-high statues of the President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il, followed by a picnic lunch in Pyongyang’s Moranbong Park.

   After lunch, a trip to the Tower of the Juche Idea. This tower is dedicated to the DPRK’s guiding political and cultural ideology. For 5 EUR, we’ll be able to ride the elevator up and take in the panoramic view of the city before heading to a holiday-only event, the Kimilsungia Exhibition.

   This exhibition, only held on important holidays, shows off two flowers named after the leaders. Kimilsungia orchids and Kimjongilia begonias are national symbols in their own right. Next, we’ll visit another famous monument, the Worker’s Party Foundation Monument, dedicated to the founding of the ruling Korean Worker’s Party. It’s either here, or elsewhere in Pyongyang where we’ll be able to catch a Mass Dance display, put on by local students, to celebrate the holiday. As tourists, we’re not limited to watching from afar – feel free to join in the fun!

   We’ll end the day with a visit to the Pyongyang Circus (or other available performance) followed by a sunset boat cruise along the Taedong River for dinner.

    

   Accommodation: Yanggakdo International Hotel, Pyongyang

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4. Day 4 Nampo City Visit & Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum

   Today we’re up bright and early as we depart Pyongyang following the route of the mighty Taedong River as we head to the port city of Nampo at the river mouth. Along the way we’ll stop at the Tae’an Glass Factory to get a glimpse of heavy industry in North Korea.

   Upon our arrival in Nampo we’ll head straight to the West Sea Barrage. This 8km-long dam stretches the width of the Taedong River mouth and was built in 1986 with the express purpose of keeping seawater out of the river allowing the water to be used for agriculture in the surrounding region. The barrage is one of the DPRK’s most famed engineering achievements and is therefore an important stopping point on our tour of the region.

   Next, we’ll swap engineering from agriculture as we visit the Chongsam-ri Cooperative Farm to learn how farming is organised in North Korea. This farm in particular was visited hundreds of times by the late President Kim Il Sung and is the birth of the ‘Chongsam-ri Farming Method’ which will no doubt be explained by our local guide! Following our farm tour, it’s time to head back to Pyongyang along the Youth Hero Motorway just in time for a picnic lunch at Mt. Ryonggak followed by a spot of light hiking.

   After our busy morning, it’s time for a spot of retail therapy at the Kwangbok Department Store. A rare chance to shop alongside local Pyongyangers using local currency. This is one of the only chances you’ll have to exchange foreign currency for Korean Won which we’ll be able to use to buy all manner of things from Kwangbok.

   Next up, we’ll travel to the centre of the city to visit the enourmous Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum which documents the events of the Korean War (1951 – 53) complete with ruined US military vehicles and aircraft. We’ll also board the USS Pueblo, a captured US Navy spy ship caught off the DPRK coast in 1968 and since turned into a museum within a museum.

   Following on from the museum, we’ll cool off with a visit to the Mansugyo Beer Bar for a taste of local Korean beer before heading back to our hotel for the evening.

    

   Accommodation: Yanggakdo International Hotel, Pyongyang

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5. Day 5 Pyongyang City Tour & Drive the Unification Highway to Kaesong

   This morning is a departure from the usual, if you can call anything about our trip so far ‘usual’. We’ll dress up smartly and respectfully as we prepare to head to one of the DPRK’s most important sites; the Kumsusan Memorial Palace. This building once served as the Presidential Palace, however, since 1994 and the death of President Kim Il Sung, the building has become a mausoleum where the President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il lie in state. All men will need to wear a shirt, tie and dress pants whilst women will need to have their shoulders, legs and feet covered.

   Once we depart Kumsusan, we’ll head back into central Pyongyang for a trip to the Foreign Languages Bookshop where you’ll have a chance to buy North Korean publications in English as well as other foreign languages followed by a trip to the Okryugwan Restaurant for lunch.

   After lunch, we depart Pyongyang, heading south down the Unification Highway on our way to Kaesong and the DMZ. However, first we’ll stop at a slightly lesser-known city: Sariwon. Upon our arrival in this beautiful city, the regional capital of North Hwanghae Province, we head straight to Sariwon Folk Village – a mockup of a traditional Korean town where we’ll be able to taste a Korean delicacy, Makkolli, a type of rice wine, as well as enjoying a view over the city.

   Whilst in Sariwon we’ll visit the Migok Collective Farm to learn how agriculture works in the DPRK as well as finding out about the collectivisation system – the bedrock of any socialist country (if you’re not distracted by the beautiful view that is!).

   Waving goodbye to Sariwon, we’ll continue down the highway until we reach Kaesong. Once the capital of the entire Korean peninsula during the Goryeo dynasty, the city changed hands during the Korean War and is located just 10km from the DMZ – the de-facto border between North and South Korea.  The city is famous for its Ginseng production, something we’ll get to experience as we visit the Kaesong Ginseng Factory before heading to our hotel.

   The Minsok Folk Hotel is set deep in the heart of Kaesong’s ‘Old City’. These buildings date back far beyond the country itself and, to top it all off, we’ll be treated to a kayagum performance over dinner.

    

   Accommodation: Minsok Folk Hotel, Kaesong

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6. Day 6 Kaesong: Korea’s Ancient Capital & DMZ Visit

   Another early morning awaits us as we walk from our hotel to the centre of the city to see the magnificent South Gate – the only surviving gate from the old city wall, it sits at the heart of the Old City which we’ll walk through to get to get there. Far from being a museum piece, this old city is still a bustling part of Kaesong.

   We’re up early this morning to beat the crowds at the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom – the only point on the Korean De-Militarised Zone where troops from both North and South stand face-to-face. After a brief lecture from an officer of the Korean People’s Army and a trip to the Panmunjom Museum hosted in the building where the 1953 armistice was signed between the DPRK and United Nations, we’ll arrive at the Military Demarcation Line – the only tourist hotspot that accessible from the South and the North.

   Departing the DMZ, we’ll drive back the short distance to Kaesong to visit the Kaesong Koryo Museum; the traditional Korean campus was once the home of Songgyungwan Academy, once one of dynastic Korea’s most prestigious educational institutions. At the entrance of the museum is a small stamp shop selling stamps and other knick-knacks; a great place for some off-the-beaten-track souvenirs.

   Lunch will be a grand affair. We’ll enjoy a traditional Korean Royal Lunch in the heart of what was once the royal city. 12 brass bowls full of food will create a banquet fit for a king, and fill us up for a busy afternoon. Just outside the restaurant is Janam Hill – the centrepiece of Kaesong. This hill is topped with statues of the Great Leaders as well as beautiful views over the old city.

   Next up on the itinerary is another DMZ visit, this time however we’ll travel to a military lookout frm where we’ll peer into the 4km-wide gap which has remained uninhabited since 1953 and splits Korea in two. Our guides will point out the Concrete Wall on the southern side, supposedly built by the US to permanently divide Korea.

   Driving back through Korea’s beautiful countryside, we’ll pass back through Kaesong on our way to Pyongyang, stopping at the Arch of Reunification, officially, the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, which almost serves as a gate into Pyongyang. We’ll finish our day in Pyongyang’s Duck BBQ Restaurant, enjoying a filling meal of grilled duck.

    

   Accommodation: Yanggakdo International Hotel, Pyongyang

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7. Day 7 Pyongyang City Tour & Travel to Mt. Myohyang

   Today, we’ll spend our morning continuing to explore Pyongyang and heading out of the city in the afternoon. First, we’ll visit the Chilgol Revolutionary Site in Pyongyang. This site is the native home of Kang Pan Sok, the mother of Kim Il Sung and often referred to as the ‘Mother of Korea’. We’ll visit her native home as well as the school which her husband and father-in-law taught.

   We’ll return to central Pyongyang in style, riding one of the city’s trams (a rare treat for foreigners) from Kwangbok Street in west Pyongyang to Pyongyang Station in the city-centre.

   Next up, it’s time to depart Pyongyang once again for another long drive, this time however we head northwards on a journey to Mt Myohyang, one of Korea’s most incredibly beautiful mountainous regions. On the way, we’ll stop off in the rarely-visited city of Anju.

   For all those keen to get a glimpse of local life outside Pyongyang, Anju is ideal. A small industrial city, Anju sits on the banks of the Chongchon River and was almost entirely obliterated during the Korean War. During our brief visit, we’ll stop by the Paeksang Pavillion, referred to once as the most beautiful in all of Kwanso (this region of Korea), as well as Anju’s old city walls before rejoining the highway once again.

   Upon our arrival in Mt Myohyang, we’ll have time to enjoy some time to hike in the Manpok Valley region. There are many different routes separated by skill level, time and distance – but all beautiful. Passing waterfalls, hermitages, forests and lookouts, we enjoy a more slow-paced afternoon before heading to the hotel.

   Our hotel is located in the city of Huichon in Chagang Province. Staying here is the only opportunity for western tourists to enter this province – it’s the only province with no open sites for tourists and so a stop at this hotel is a must for any traveller looking to tick off all the provinces!

    

   Accommodation: Huichon Hotel, Huichon

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8. Day 8 Mt. Myohyang (Myohyangsan) & International Friendship Exhibition

   Our first port of call this morning is the awe-inspiring International Friendship Exhibition. This stunning complex was built into the side of a mountain to serve as a storage and display facility for the hundreds of thousands of gifts sent to the leadership of the DPRK over the decades from foreign governments, international organisations and world leaders. Keep an eye out for the copy of Space Jam on VHS, Michael Jordan’s signed basketball and the plane gifted by the USSR. This visit will dominate our morning, even so, there’s no way to take time over every object, that would take decades!

   Leaving the Friendship Exhibition, we’ll venture to the Pohyon Buddhist Temple. This temple, set in the mountains of Myohyangsan, has been around for almost 1000 years and has outlived countless monarchs, occupations and governments. A fitting end to our adventure in Myohyangsan.

   We’ll rejoin the Pyongyang-bound highway after lunch, stopping to explore the Ryongmun Caves. Led by an experienced guide we’ll head underground into these limestone caves to hear the myths and legends surrounding the strange and wonderous shapes caused by millenia of erosion. Some rock shapes may be a tad suggestive however!

   Once back in Pyongyang, we’ll visit the June 9^th Middle School where we’ll be able to see a normal school day taking place. We’ll get to take a glimpse at the students learning the national curriculum and maybe even join in ourselves – engagement between students and tourists is especially welcome if there’s a kickabout going on out on the football pitch.

   Finally, it’s time for our farewell dinner. After 8 days together, the trip has reached its end. We’ll all enjoy a dinner at the Pyongyang Pizza Restaurant whilst sharing stories from our trip before heading back to the hotel for our final night.

    

   Accommodation: Yanggakdo International Hotel, Pyongyang

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

9. Day 9 Departure Day

   Flight Departures

   We’ll drive you to Sunan International Airport for your departure on Air Koryo flight JS251 – departing at 10:15, you’ll arrive in Beijing Capital International Airport (Terminal 2) at 11:35.

   
   Train Departures

   Your train will depart at 10:25 from Pyongyang Station – after passing through customs at Sinuiju on the DPRK side and Dandong on the Chinese side, you’ll arrive at Beijing Railway Station at 08:40 the following morning (April 22^nd).

    

   END OF TOUR

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