Essential DPRK Winter Tour

What's it all about?

Join us as we draw nearer to the end of the year and as Pyongyang enters its beautiful frosty winter season! This is an action packed little tour. We will be visiting Pyongyang, Nampo, and the DMZ in five days. That’s all the essentials covered and more.

This trip offers us a very insightful look into what the country is like, and how it copes in winter. Plus it gives you the chance to be one of the very few tourists in the country at this time.

During our tour in Pyongyang we’ll be visiting Kim Il Sung Square, a local fun fair, exploring the deep Pyongyang Metro, visiting the Mausoleum, the War Museum, the DMZ and much much more!

Highlights
Where?

Beijing – Pyongyang – Kaesong – Sariwon – Pyongyang – Beijing.

When?

November 22nd – 28th, 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

Map
November 22nd - 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.
November 23rd - 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.
Continue reading
November 24th- Kaesong / Pyongyang

Morning

  • Hit the road for the 3.5 hour drive to Kaesong and the DMZ.
  • Koryo Museum – Korea’s first university and now a UNESCO museum of history and culture. 
  • 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!

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 Sariwon to view the city from the mountain top pagoda.
  • Try locally brewed Makkoli in a local tea house.
  • 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.
  • Overnight in the Sosan Hotel
November 25th - 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace. The largest extra curricular place of leaning in North Korea. We’ll take in a tour and a live performance!
  • 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 Sosan Hotel.

November 26th - Pyongyang

  • 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 Juche tower (€5 extra to go all the way to the top) Amazing views over Pyongyang!

Afternoon

  • Lunch
  • Mansudae art Studio – The central production facility for all North Korean Artworks. Take a tour and pick up a souvenir.
  • Grand People’s Study House. This is the main library and learning center for adult students. This huge building is built in the Korean style and affords a great view over the Kim Il Sung Square.
  • Mansugyo Beer Bar – a popular bar with the locals.
  • Pyongyang Gold Lane bowling alley.
  • Dinner at a traditional restaurant with Korean bibinbap,
  • Overnight in the Sosan Hotel.

November 27th -Pyongyang

  • 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.

November 28th - Beijing

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

Tour Notes

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.

Read More

by train

Nov 22nd - 28th (Beijing - Beijing)

flight option

Extra €255 one way & €400 return

Premium hotel

4 nights in North Korea

the price

Only €895 + visa €50 all inclusive

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