Winter Budget Tour

What's it all about?

This is an off season budget North Korea tour.

North Korea only opened up to tourists during the winter months in 2014. Since then we’ve been leading tours throughout the year. The winter months are fascinating as it gives you a wonderful insight into how the locals deal with the chilly conditions. It’s also low season so we’ll likely be the only tour in town.

This is a budget North Korea tour but you won’t be missing out on any of the “must-see’s”.

During our tour in Pyongyang we’ll be visiting Kim Il Sung Square, exploring the Pyongyang Metro, visiting the Mausoleum where Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lay in state, checking out the Korean War Museum, visiting the DMZ and much more!

Come and see beautifully cold and crisp North Korea during the winter when no one else dares too!

Where?

Beijing – Dandong – Pyongyang – Kaesong – DMZ – Sariwon – Beijing

When?

January 11 – 17th, 2021

Visa?

We will take care of every detail of the North Korea visa application.

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

January 11th - 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.

January 12th - 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 Sosan Hotel. The Sosan was recently renovated so it’s a very good standard for a budget North Korea tour!

January 13th - Pyongyang

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.
Ride the Pyongyang Metro! See three of the stations and Exit to:
The Arch of Triumph- This celebrates the victory over the Japanese and the triumphant return of Kim Il Sung to his home town.

Afternoon

Lunch at a Korean Hot Pot restaurant.
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!
Juche Tower – the tallest stone tower in the world, it represents the Juche Ideology. Central to the teachings of the DPRK(optional extra €5 to go to the top).
Monument to the Party Foundation – The hammer sickle and brush built in 1995.
Drinks at the Taedongang #3 brewery with seven different beers on tap!
Dinner at the Duck BBQ Restaurant.
Overnight in the Sosan Hotel.

January 14th - Pyongyang

Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – This is where the Leader’s Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lay in state.
Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery – Memorial and resting place to the Japanese revolutionary heroes.

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.
Grand People’s study House– main academic center for adult learners. This grand building is built in the Korean style and affords a great view over Kim Il Sung Square.
Mansudae Art Studio – The center of North Korean art production. Here’s we’ll also have a chance to meet some artists.
Pyongyang Gold Lane bowling alley. (€2.50 per game)
Kwanbok department store. Here we can exchange foreign cash into local money and buy North Korean made goods!
Dinner and Drinks
Overnight in the Sosan Hotel

January 15th - Kaesong

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)
Stop by a goat farm in Sariwon where the locals will perform a traditional dance!
Stop by 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.
Visit Kwanbok department store. Here we can shop with the locals and have access to the local North Korean currency!
Last night beers at the Taedonggang Micro Brewery! They have seven different types of beer here.
Overnight in Sosan Hotel.

January 16th - Dandong

Flight takers depart at 8:50am for Beijing arriving 9:55am local time.
Train members depart at 10:25am for Beijing.

January 17th - Beijing

Train members arrive at central 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

January 11 - 17th

by flight

January 12 - 16th. Extra €195 one way & €295 return

standard hotel

4 nights in North korea

the price

Only €795 + visa €50 all inclusive

Description
Itinerary
Inclusions
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Winter Budget Tour

What's it all about?