1. Day 1 Briefing 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: Accommodation in Beijing not included

   Included Meals: N/A

2. Day 2 Arrival in Pyongyang

   For those travelling by plane, we’ll depart Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) at 13:05, arriving in Pyongyang Sunan International Airport at 16:05, local time. Here, we’ll meet our guides and travel into the nation’s capital, Pyongyang.

   Arriving in the heart of the city, we’ll stop at Kim Il Sung Square, the centre of Pyongyang and one of its most famous and distinctive locations. Having enjoyed the square, taken some photos with the beautiful Grand People’s Study House and enjoyed a spot of people-watching, we’ll head down Victory Street to meet our fellow travellers arriving by train.

   The train will arrive into Pyongyang at 18:45. Upon arrival, those travellers coming in by rail will link up with the rest of the group and we’ll head to the architectural marvel that is Mirae Future Scientists Street. We’ll enjoy an evening stroll through this, one of Pyongyang’s newest neighbourhoods, before heading to the nearby Yanggakdo International Hotel, our accommodation for tonight.

    

   Accommodation: Yanggakdo International Hotel, Pyongyang

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3. Day 3 Historic Kaesong & DMZ

   This morning, it’s up and out early as we leave Pyongyang, bound for the ancient Koryo-era capital of Kaesong – the DPRK’s southern-most city. Passing beneath the Arch of Reunification, we’ll drive down the Unification Highway for 3 hours to reach this historic marvel of a city.

   Before we visit the city itself however, our first stop is perhaps one of the most famous spots in all of Korea – the Panmunjom Joint Security Area on the DMZ. This is the only spot along the border where the two sides stand face-to-face. After a briefing by our military guides, we’ll visit the village of Panmunjom where the 1953 armistice was signed, today, the meeting hall is the site of the Panmunjom Museum which holds the original armistice agreement under glass.

   From Panmunjom, we’ll trundle down the road until we reach the Joint Security Area – home to the distinctive blue conference buildings which straddle the Military Demarcation Line. After experiencing the inter-Korean border first hand, we’ll depart towards Kaesong itself.

   Our first stop in this ancient city is, fittingly, the Kaesong Koryo Museum. Due to the city’s location so close to the North-South divide, Kaesong avoided much of the bombing that plagued all other cities in the DPRK during the Korean War, and so, the museum houses many artefacts from the dynastic era of Korea. The building itself was once a major university in Koryo-era Korea – the Songgyungwan Academy.

   Outside the museum, we’ll stop at the Stamp Shop, a great place to pick up knick-knacks and souvenirs of Kaesong. Then, with our appetite for history almost full, we’ll head for a traditional Korean royal lunch – hosted in the heart of Kaesong.

   After our meal, consisting of multiple brass bowls of food – a meal-style often reserved for the highest in society, we’ll head back up the Unification Highway, stopping at the city of Sariwon – the Capital of North Hwanghae – to visit the local Migok Collective Farm to experience a bit of rural life in the DPRK and learn about collectivisation of agriculture in Korea.

   To cap off the day, we’ll head to the port city of Nampo, past Mt. Kuwol, a scenic mountain on the western coast of Korea, before arriving at the Ryonggang Hot Spa for a traditional Petrol Clam BBQ to round off the evening.

    

   Accommodation: Ryonggang Hot Spa, Nampo

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4. Day 4 Nampo & Pyongyang City Tour

   Waking up in Nampo, our first stop will be this city’s premiere tourist attraction – the West Sea Barrage. This enormous 4km long dam sits at the mouth of the Taedong River and was built to create a reservoir of fresh water for the locals and to support local agriculture. A dam, railway bridge, lock system, road bridge and engineering marvel all rolled into one, this is certainly something that can’t be missed.

   Following on from the barrage, we’ll make a stop at nearby Pi Island, which the barrage runs across, the join locals for a dip in the West Sea or just lazing around on the beach.

   Having enjoyed the coast, we’ll head inland, our first stop will be the Tae’an Glass Factory, our first taste of the backbone of Korea’s economy – heavy industry. We’ll get the chance to watch the whole glass-making process, while standing well back of course!

   Next up, a visit to the Chongsan-ri Cooperative Farm, another example of rural life in Korea – this farm is Korea’s most famous model farm and we’ll learn about the development of the Chongsan-ri Method, a system of farming that has spread across the DPRK.

   As we zoom back to Pyongyang along the Youth Hero Motorway, we’ll make our first stop at Mangyongdae – one of the most important sites in Korea, this is the birthplace of the President Kim Il Sung. Born here in 1912, the President would leave his hometown in 1925 and not return until the nation had been liberated 20 years later.

   Next, we’ll head to one of Pyongyang’s most architecturally stunning streets, Kwangbok Street, to visit the Kwangbok Supermarket where we’ll be able to stock up on snacks and other goodies alongside local Koreans. This is the one place where you’ll be able to use local Korean currency – the Korean Won.

   To end this action packed day, we’ll visit the Kaeson Funfair to enjoy the evening on roller coasters and other rides alongside locals as the sun sets over the skyline of Pyongyang around us.

    

   Accommodation: Yanggakdo International Hotel, Pyongyang

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5. Day 5 Pyongyang City Tour

   Today, we’ll finally get to explore the capital of the DPRK, Pyongyang. A city we’ve skirted around and dipped in and out of until now. Our first stop will be one of the most revered places in Korea – the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. A mausoleum for the two paramount leaders of the DPRK; the President Kim Il Sung and the General Kim Jong Il.

   Please note formal dress is required. Men require collared shirt with tie, dark non-jean pants, and dark shoes. Women require covered shoulders, knee-length dress or pants, and closed toed shoes. The visit will take most of the morning and visitors are asked to bow a number of times inside.

   Following our solemn visit to Kumsusan, we’ll travel into the heart of the city to the Mansudae Fountain Park where large marble statues make up the centrepieces of numerous fountains. We’ll also be able to buy flowers here for our next stop.

   Heading up the hill from the fountain park, we’ll visit the Mansudae Grand Monument, these two 22-metre bronze statues depict the Great Leaders. It’s customary to bow and lay flowers at the feet of these famous statues, after which we’ll peer over to the nearby Chollima Statue, visible from Mansudae.

   After a busy morning, we’ll grab some lunch at Okryugwan, famed for its Pyongyang Cold Noodles, before making our way to Kim Il Sung Square – the true centre of the city. From here we’ll be able to make a stop at the Foreign Language Bookshop for those wishing to buy Korean literature in English, Russian, Chinese and other selected languages.

   Following on from or visit to the square, we’ll board the Pyongyang Metro alongside hundreds of locals. Riding six stops along the Chollima Line, we’ll emerge at Kaeson Station to visit the Arch of Triumph. A monumental arch, 2 metres taller than it’s French counterpart, dedicated to the journey of President Kim Il Sung from Mangyongdae in 1925 to his triumphant return in 1945.

   To round out the day, we’ll visit the Mansugyo Beer Bar to taste a little of the local beer before retiring to the Yanggakdo Hotel.

    

   Accommodation: Yanggakdo International Hotel, Pyongyang

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6. Day 6 Liberation Day

   It’s Liberation Day! A national holiday in the DPRK commemorating the liberation of Korea from the Japanese. With locals celebrating throughout Pyongyang, we’ll make sure to hit the key spots and spend time with citizens of the capital as the celebrate Liberation Day.

   Top of our itinerary is a spot heavily linked with the national holiday, the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery – the resting place of many who fought against the Japanese during their brutal occupation, each headstone is topped with a bronze bust of the deceased and the views from this mountainside cemetery over Pyongyang are incredible.

   Following on from the cemetery, we’ll head to Pyongyang’s most distinctive monument, the Juche Tower. Riding the elevator up to the top of the world’s largest stone tower, we’ll have amazing views over the city centre before descending to visit yet another major monument. The Monument to Party Founding was erected in 1995 to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the Worker’s Party of Korea. The monument consists of a hammer, for the workers, sickle, for the farmers, and a Korean writing brush, for the intelligentsia.

   After a busy morning, we’ll head to Mt. Ryonggak to enjoy a picnic lunch in the park alongside locals celebrating the national holiday and enjoying their day off.

   This afternoon, a rare treat, we’ll board a tram and trundle through the city from Kwangbok City all the way to the Pyongyang Railway Station.

   Next up, a trip to the Pyongyang Circus. Performances are not announced very far in advance, and so if the circus isn’t operating, we’ll visit an alternative performance in the city. After which, we will become the performers, attending a Mass Dance – these public dances are put on by students around the city and we’ll have the chance to join in alongside the dancers.

   As Liberation Day draws to a close, we’ll board a boat along the Taedong River, enjoying a relaxing dinner as the sun begins to set.

    

   Accommodation: Yanggakdo International Hotel, Pyongyang

   Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7. Day 7 Departure Day

   Flight Departures

   We’ll drive you to Sunan International Airport for your flight, departing at 08:35; you’ll arrive in Beijing Capital International Airport (Terminal 2) at 09:55.

    

   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 (Wednesday, August 17)

    

   END OF TOUR

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