Untouched North Korea Tour

What's it all about?

This is a big one – for first time visitors and returners alike. Our Untouched North Korea Tour is a perfect mix of standard North Korean attractions and the lesser seen sights of the country. It will also take in the big National day celebrations in Pyongyang!

We’ll kick off the tour with a trip to the lesser seen East coast and the cities of Wonsan and Hamhung. Both places we’ll take in the beaches, schools, factories and more.

During our tour in Pyongyang we’ll be visiting Kim Il Sung Square, stopping by a local fun fair, exploring every single station on the Pyongyang Metro, visiting the Mausoleum where Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lay in state, checking out the Korean War Museum, and much more!

Then we head to the southern city of Kaesong. Here we visit the Joint Security Area of the DMZ with a colonel from the Korean Peoples Army.

Also likely to happen but not confirmed yet is the Mass Games. The Mass Games is the world’s largest performance with over 100,000 people participating. Now is your chance to watch this incredible performance! Ticket prices are on-top of tour cost and are available to be purchased in Pyongyang. Ticket prices will be announced closer to the event. We highly recommend securing your spot on tour early as we expect spaces to fill up very quickly.

The Untouched North Korea Tour is the most in dept tour of North Korea you can do so book fast!

Where?

Beijing – Pyongyang – Hamhung – Wonsan – Pyongyang – Kaesong – Sariwon – Beijing.

When?

September 3rd – 12th, 2021

Visa?

We will take care of every detail of the North Korea visa application and we’ll hand you the physical visa card at the pre-tour meeting in Beijing.

We’ll also help you with your China visa application by supplying an invitation letter. If you are planning to apply for the 144 hour China transit visa on arrival then we will send you your DPRK visa and flight ticket to Pyongyang so you can apply on arrival in Beijing.

The Itinerary

September 3rd - Beijing

Meet your Rocky Road guide at 2pm at a Beijing Hotel near Beijing Railway Station. During this meeting, we’ll go through the tour’s itinerary, receive your North Korean visas and tickets, and meet your fellow travellers. It’s a great opportunity to ask any last questions you may have.
The train departs Beijing Central station at 5:25pm. There will be a chance to stock up on supplies for the journey. There’s also a restaurant car on the train.
The train is a full sleeper with all bedding and pillows provided
Overnight on the train.

September 4th - Dandong / Pyongyang

Train group arrive in Dandong at 7:00am for Chinese border control then departs again for Sinuiju at 10:00am.
Flight takers depart Beijing Airport Terminal 2 on Air Koryo at 12:00pm (Meet group at Air Koryo check in counter).
Flight group arrive in Pyongyang at 3:00pm to a warm welcome from your Korean guides.
Train group arrive at 6:45pm to an equally warm welcome and transfer directly to the hotel.
In the evening your guide will show you around the hotel before taking you for drinks and to get to know your Korean guides
Dinner and overnight at the Yanggakdo Hotel.

September 5th -Hamhung

Morning

Check out of our hotel and drive to Hamhung – this is North Korea’s second largest city and a centre of industry on the east coast. It was only recently opened to foreigners.
On the way we’ll stop at Sinphyong Lagoon for a quick rest stop.

Afternoon

Picnic lunch at Ulim Waterfall – one of the most famous waterfalls in North Korea.
Visit the Tongbong Co-operative farm – here we’ll see a working farm with their latest machinery. We’ll also visit a family’s home and a kindergarten.
Visit the bronze Statues of President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il in the main square of Hamhung city.
Check out the pagoda on the hill that overlooks the city.
Dinner, drinks and overnight at the Majon beach Resort.

September 6th - Hamhung / Wonsan

Morning

Visit the Hungnam Fertiliser Factory – this factory produces the much-needed fertiliser for the entire east coast of North Korea.
See the Hamhung Grand Theatre (exterior) – the largest theatre in North Korea
Ancient home of Ri Song Gye – one of the founders of the Ri Dynasty

Afternoon

Lunch at a Hamhung hotel
Drive south to Wonsan City – North Korea’s most famous holiday town!
Trip highlight! – Swim at Wonsan beach and chill with the locals!
Walk along Wonsan pier to Chok Islet where the locals will be fishing, drinking and enjoying BBQ. Optional 5 euros extra to join in for a seafood feast!.
Dinner at the famous Wonsan seafood restaurant. Our favourite restaurant in North Korea.
Drinks and overnight in Tongmyong hotel overlooking the bay.

September 7th - Wonsan / Pyongyang

Morning

Early stroll around the main square and port in the city. See the Mangyongbong-92 cruise ship which once ferried Koreans to and from Japan.
Visit a former Railway Station where an old Japanese built steam engine is on show.
Songdowan International Children’s Camp– This renovated camp was designed as a summer camp for both international and North Korean kids. It features a small water park, dorms, water park, aviary & Aquarium!

Afternoon

Lunch at a local Wonsan restaurant
Drive back to Pyongyang (5 hours) stopping along the way for snacks and drinks.
Stop by the Tomb of King Tongmyong
Dinner at the famous lamb BBQ restaurant on Reunification District.
Drinks and overnight at the Yanggakdo Hotel.

September 8th -Pyongyang

Morning

Stroll through Mansudae fountain park taking in the Grand Peoples Study House and see the mosaic pictures of the leaders.
Visit Mansudae Grand Monument – the two large bronze statues of President Kim Il Sung and Leader Kim Jong Il.
Kim Il Sung Square – The central square of Pyongyang City and a popular meeting point.
Foreign Language Bookshop – right next to the square and the best place for pins, stamps, books and other souvenirs!

Afternoon

Lunch
Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum. This incredible museum features dioramas, captured weapons, the Victory Monument, and the USS Pueblo: the only American military vessel captured by another nation.
Unique Highlight – Explore 13 of the 16 incredible Pyongyang metro stations. You will become one of only a handful of foreigners to see this many stations.
Visit Kwanbok department store. Here we can shop with the locals and have access to the local North Korean currency!
Monument to the Party Foundation – The hammer sickle and brush built in 1995.
Dinner
Overnight in the Yanggakdo Hotel.

September 9th - Pyongyang

Morning

Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – This is where the Leader’s Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lay in state.
Revolutionary Martyr’s Cemetery – The resting place of the greatest of the anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters. It offers great views over the city. (TBC)

Afternoon

Lunch
The Juche tower (€5 extra to go all the way to the top) Amazing views over Pyongyang!
Special celebratory events (optional: €20) – Yet to be confirmed but we will take part in any holiday events that are possible to attend.
Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace. The largest extra curricular place of leaning in North Korea. We’ll take in a tour and a live performance!
Gentle stroll on Moran Hill and mingle with the celebrating locals.
Expected mass dance for Victory Day, join in or just watch for excellent photography opportunities!
Drop into the Mangsugyo beer bar for a pint or three! Lots of local and cheap beers, coffee’s and tea’s available.
Dinner at the National Restaurant with performance
See the Mass Games (TBC)
Fireworks display (TBC)
Overnight at the Yanggakdo hotel.

September 10th - Kaesong / DMZ

Morning

Early drive south to Kaesong.
The DMZ – tour Panmunjom with a friendly army officer who will give you the look around. You can even take photos with the army here! We should be the first ones here thus avoiding all the crowds!
Koryo Museum – Korea’s first university and now a UNESCO museum of history and culture. There’s also a wonderful stamp and postcard shop here so you can send postcards to your friends and family. Don’t forget to write down the address before you travel!

Afternoon

Lunch in Kaesong City – on the menu will be traditional Korean Pansangi, a series of dishes served in bronze bowls. (Optional extras- Dog Soup €5)
Visit the concrete wall section of the DMZ – this is off the usual tourist route and gives us a glimpse at the wall which was erected by the south side during the 70’s. We can even spy on the South Korean watch towers along the DMZ.
Stop by Sariwon city and check out the stunning view point from a hilltop pagoda.
Stop at the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification that stands over the Thongil (reunification) Highway.
Back to Pyongyang in time for dinner at the Duck BBQ restaurant.
Overnight in Yanggakdo Hotel.

September 11th - Departure

Flyers depart Pyongyang at 9:00am on Air Koryo, arriving in Beijing at 9:55am local time
Train members depart at 10:30am for Beijing, arriving in Dandong at 16:30 local Chinese time. We’ll have time to stock up on supplies before our 18:30 onward departure to Beijing.

September 12th - Beijing

Train takers arrive in Beijing Railway Station at 9:00am.
End of Tour

Inclusions

Exclusions

Hotels in Korea

Twin share accommodation (single supplements are available for an extra €40 per night).
Train travel

Return train in and out from Beijing-Pyongyang-Beijing. Contact us if you want to join the tour from the border town of Dandong.
All Meals

Three meals per day in the DPRK unless specified in the itinerary. (food on the train in & out not supplied).
Guides

Korean guides in North Korea and a western guide all the way from Beijing to guide you through border customs & immigration.
Transport

Air-conditioned bus and driver.

Flights

Optional extra flight from Beijing to Pyongyang or Pyongyang to Beijing. (Conditions apply, more info below)
Extra purchases

All meals are included (unless otherwise stated) with water and some beer. Any extra drinks or souvenirs that you buy are extra cost.
Visa

We arrange the DPRK visa for you at a cost of €50.
Tips

Tips are expected for your Korean local guides and driver. Normally this is calculated at €10 per day. For example, on a 5 day tour the total tip expected is €50. All tips go directly to both guides & driver.
Events

Sometimes special events pop up on when we are on tour and we may decide to attend. It's up to you whether or not to attend but usually these are extra cost. Examples include the circus or a music concert.

You’ll be in the experienced hands of our expert English speaking North Korean guides and Rocky Road Travel guide. Your itinerary may change slightly but we will always go above and beyond with added extras to the itinerary. We always put an emphasis on visiting real everyday life places such as local cafes, bars and amusement parks, bowling alleys etc.

Before & after each tour we will add you to dedicated email and social media groups so you can share photos easily with your travel mates. Let us know if you want to opt out of this.

To book simply get in touch below to start the conversation today.

by train

September 3rd - 12th (Beijing - Beijing)

flight option

Extra €255 one way & €355 return

standard hotel

7 nights in North korea

the price

Only €1450 + visa €50 all inclusive

Dates don’t work?

More great options

August 13 – 22nd

Description
Itinerary
Inclusions
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Untouched North Korea Tour

What's it all about?