1. Day 1 Train Departure from Beijing

   Today we will all gather in Beijing for our pre-tour briefing in preparation for the journey ahead. During this briefing you’ll meet you’re fellow travellers for the first time, along with your Absolute Nomads Tour Leader.

   The briefing is your opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the country and/or the tour; your Tour Leader will also run through any important information that you need to know before travelling into the DPRK.

   Post-briefing, we’ll head off to Beijing Railway Station to catch the 17:27 train from Beijing to the Chinese border city of Dandong – the gateway to Korea. Be prepared for an overnight stay on-board the train!

   Included Meals: N/A

    Accommodation: Overnight Train [K27/No.52]

2. Day 2 Arrival in Pyongyang and City Walk

   After a night on the rails, we will arrive at Dandong. After passing through Chinese customs, we’ll board the 6-hour train to Pyongyang; first stopping at the Korean border city of Sinuiju for a DPRK customs check.

   We’ll arrive into Pyongyang at 18:45 – just enough time for an evening stroll along one of Pyongyang’s newest streets; Mirae (Future) Scientists Street, built to house North Korea’s top scientists and one of the most modern districts in Pyongyang.

   From here we’ll head to the Yanggakdo Hotel, our home during our time in Pyongyang.

   Included Meals: N/A

   Overnight: Yanggakdo International Hotel. The premier international hotel for foreign guests in Pyongyang. Often wrongly assumed to be the ‘only’ hotel which caters to foreigners. In reality, there are plenty of hotels in Pyongyang (although the Yanggakdo is the best of the best!).

3. Day 3 Celebrate May Day and Drive to Kaesong

   This morning we’ll hit the ground running with a tour of the capital’s most significant sites. First we’ll head to the Mansudae Fountain Park in the centre of the city. A beautiful public space just off to the side of Kim Il Sung Square.

   From the fountain park, we will visit perhaps the most famous site in Pyongyang – the Mansudae Grand Monument. Here, it is customary for visitors to present flowers and bow to the bronze statues of the President Kim Il Sung and the General Kim Jong Il (Flowers can be purchased for 5 EUR on-site for laying at the base of the statues).

    Next, our tour takes us into subterranean Pyongyang with a trip on one of the deepest metro systems in the world. We’ll get the chance to ride six stations along the ‘Chollima Line’ before heading off to the Taesongsan Folk Park to join in the May Day celebrations alongside the Pyongyang locals.

   After our lunch, we’ll head to the true heart of Pyongyang; Kim Il Sung Square. This enormous public square sits on the bank of the Taedong River and is dominated at the far-end by the traditional looking architecture of the Grand People’s Study House.

   On the opposite bank from the square is the Tower of the Juche Idea which, funnily enough, is our next stop. The tower was built to honour the philosophy of ‘Juche’ which is the ideology which has guided the DPRK since its inception – you’ll get a chance to head up to the top for breathtaking views of the city. Next we’ll pop up the road to the Worker’s Party Foundation Monument, built to celebrate the Worker’s Party of Korea.

   After this, we’ll trade the bright lights of Pyongyang for the ancient heritage of Kaesong. After a 3 hour drive down the Reunification Highway, we’ll reach Kaesong, a historical capital of the Korean Peninsula, where we’ll enjoy dinner along with a Kayagum performance.

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

   Overnight: Minsok Folk Hotel. This hotel truly matches its surroundings. Situated in the ‘Old City’ of Kaesong, the hotel is designed in traditional Korean style with small rooms, Korean architecture and a river running through the middle – an incredibly beautiful overnight stay.

4. Day 4 Visit Kaesong, the DMZ and Haeju

   After waking up bright and early, our tour continues with a walk through the Old City of Kaesong culminating in a visit to the ancient South Gate. Kaesong, unlike most other cities, was not heavily bombed during the Korean War, hence much of its original architecture still remains.

   From here we’ll depart Kaesong and head south to the Demilitarised Zone which splits the Korean Peninsula into north and south. A visit to the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom will allow us to see the split with our own eyes as we visit the buildings where the Korean War armistice was signed as well as seeing the famous ‘blue huts’ which straddle the Military Demarcation Line between South and North.

   After returning to the historic capital of Kaesong, what could be more appropriate than a visit to the Kaesong Koryo Museum? A collection of artefacts from the city’s dynastic past. We’ll also visit the Stamp Exhibition Hall in the same complex, a chance to buy some beautiful Korean stamps or some other cool souvenirs.

   After our traditional Korean Royal Lunch, known as ‘Pansanggi’, we will return to the DMZ to a viewing post where we will be able to look across the divided peninsula. See if you can spot the Concrete Wall which was erected on the southern side!

   Our last stop in Kaesong will be a visit to Janam Hill. The hill is at the heart of the city with picturesque views of Kaesong and statues of the President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il overlooking the whole area.

   Next we’ll wave goodbye to Kaesong as we head west on an hours drive to Haeju – the capital of South Hwanghae Provice and a city very rarely visited by tourists. We’ll pay a visit to the Puyong Pavilion (the largest in the country!) before visiting the city square and statues of the leadership.

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

    Overnight: Haeju Hotel. A very functional hotel rarely used by foreigners due to lack of regular foreign travellers. This hotel is also open to locals visiting the city and is sure to provide a memorable experience.

5. Day 5 Explore Haeju and Return to Pyongyang

   Our first stop today is the Koryo Fortress, an ancient fortification built atop the stunningly beautiful Suyang Waterfall. We’ll then move swiftly from the days of dynasties to the modern era as we visit Gyenam Farm, a cooperative farm outside Haeju which specializes in rearing livestock. A rare chance to get up-close and personal with life in rural North Korea, away from the city centre.

   After our picnic lunch at Sokdam Ravine, we’ll hop back in the bus for a 2 hour drive back to the capital, Pyongyang.

   Upon arrival in the capital we’ll head straight to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum – an enormous museum complex detailing the events of the Korean War, including captured American military vehicles; the most notable of these being the USS Pueblo, a US spy ship captured in 1968 in the DPRK’s territorial waters which has become a major tourist attraction at the museum.

   After a long day of adventure, we’ll take on a slower pace as we head to the Mansugyo Beer Bar for some local beers. A great chance to try the DPRK’s signature beer, Taedonggang, as well as other brands and variations that are hard to come by outside the country. From here we’ll head to the Potonggang Lamb BBQ restaurant for a group meal before heading back to the Yanggakdo Hotel for the night.

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Overnight: Yanggakdo International Hotel

6. Day 6 Drive to Mt Myohyang via Anju City

   We’ll spend our morning continuing our exploration of the capital, starting with the Mansudae Art Studio – the premier art studio in the DPRK which is responsible for many of the incredible paintings, statues and monuments you’ll see throughout the country. Not only will we get a tour of the facilities, we’ll get to see some of the nation’s most talented artists at work.

   For those sporty travellers, our next stop will be an absolute treat – the Pyongyang International Football Academy. We’ll get a tour of these facilities where they train young athletes and maybe even get to try out our footballing skills against some of the pupils. If you’re good enough, you could one day get to play at our next destination; the May Day Stadium.

   The May Day Stadium has an official capacity of 150,000 people making it the largest stadium on earth. As well as serving sporting events, the site is famous for hosting the Mass Games – the huge mass gymnastic displays which have become synonymous with the DPRK.

   After a hearty lunch we’ll leave Pyongyang once more as we head north to the small industrial city of Anju which sits on the banks of the Chongchon River. This city makes a handy rest stop on the way into the Myohyang Mountain Range. Whilst in Anju we’ll visit the Old City Walls and the Paeksang Pavilion which was rebuilt after the Korean War and once considered the greatest Pavilion in the region.

   After our stop in Anju we must press on! We’ll head further north deep into the mountains. Upon arrival, you’ll have the opportunity to hike around the beautiful Manpok Valley – there are a range of trails which vary in difficulty and skill level.

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Overnight: Huichon Hotel. The only place tourists can visit in Chagang Province. This hotel is located just across the border from North Pyongan Province and is a must-visit for any tourists looking to visit every province in the DPRK.

7. Day 7 Visit to the International Friendship Exhibition

   Today we’ll visit the International Friendship Exhibition – an enormous facilities built into a mountain which is filled with gifts from foreign countries, leaders and organisations which have been presented to the leaders of the country since its inception. The sheer number of gifts in the museum is a wonder in itself, hence the need for a mountain-based storage system!

   After this overwhelming visit, we’ll slow things down as we head back in time 1000 years and visit the Pohyon Buddhist Temple. Buddhism has long been a dominant religion in this part of Asia, particularly in Korea.

   From here we’ll bid goodbye to the mountains and travel back to Pyongyang, with a short detour to see the Ryongmun Limestone Caves. As we arrive back into the capital for the final time, we’ll head directly for the small district of Mangyongdae for a visit to one of the DPRK’s most important sites.

   The Mangyongdae Native House is the site of the birth of President Kim Il Sung, the first leader, and Eternal President, of the country. The traditional-style Korean house is surrounded by greenery along the banks of the Taedong River – a truly stunning way to spend the afternoon.

   As our final day begins to draw to a close, we’ve saved an incredible experience for last. The Kwangbok Department Store will be your first, and only opportunity to spend Korean Won in the DPRK. This department store gives us the chance to shop alongside local Koreans and find yourself a souvenir from your trip. There are always some genuine oddities in Kwangbok so keep your eyes peeled!

   For our farewell dinner, we’ll head to the Pyongyang Pizza Restaurant for some Italian cuisine, DPRK style!

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Overnight: Yanggakdo International Hotel

8. Day 8 Departure Day

   This morning it’s a short drive to Pyongyang Railway Station from our hotel. After saying goodbye to our local guides, we board the train bound for the Chinese border.

   After the 6 hour journey, we’ll pass through DPRK and Chinese customs once again before boarding our train to Beijing from Dandong.

    Included Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Overnight Train [K28/No.51]

9. Day 9 Arrival in Beijing

   Our train will arrive into Beijing Railway Station at 08:40, at which point our tour ends.

   From here it’s easy to connect to Beijing International Airport or Daxing Airport via the Beijing Metro, the bus network or a taxi. Feel free to ask your Tour Manager for advice on making connections after your trip.

    END OF TOUR

Accommodation on the May Day Tour