Sat 14th April
AM: Bus from office to Airport
PM: Departure with Air Koryo flight JS152 Beijing – Pyongyang from PEK, Terminal 2 at 13:00 , arrive in Pyongyang at 16:25. Meet guides who will accompany you during your stay, Arch of Triumph – similar to the French version (but bigger), MASS GAMES
OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Sun 15th April
AM: DPRK HOLIDAY: 100th Birthday of President Kim Il Sung. Kumsusan Memorial Palace (Mausoleum where President Kim Il Sung lies in state), Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery - bronze busts of the Koreans who died fighting the Japanese occupation, Kim Il Sung Square - Pyongyang’s largest square in the heart of the city
PM: Mansudae Grand Monument (Giant Statue of President Kim Il Sung), Fountain Park, Moranbong Park (to mingle with the locals on this most-important of national holidays), Kimilsungia Festival (exhibition of flowers named after the
late leader), Evening events including a Mass Dance expected to mark the occasion
OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Mon 16th April
AM: Mangyongdae Native House (birthplace of Kim Il Sung), Pyongyang Metro (extended ride on the world’s deepest
underground system), Juche Tower (panoramic views of Pyongyang from 150m up), Monument to Party Foundation
- commemorates the 50years of Workers' Party rule
PM: Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum (Korean War Museum), Pyongyang Golden Lane (ten pin bowling alley, great for mixing with the citizenry), Foreign Languages Bookshop, Walking in the city centre to soakup the holiday atmosphere. Drive to Kaesong
OVERNIGHT: Minsok Hotel, Kaesong
Tues 17th April
AM: Panmunjom/DMZ (the demarcation line between North and South Korea), Koryo Museum (relics of the ancient city), Local park and pavilions, Tomb of King Kongmin (dynastic king of Korea)
PM: Concrete Wall (observation post deep in the DMZ where you can view South Korean positions and see the anti-tank
barrier which stretches across the peninsular), Return to Pyongyang, Kaeson Youth funfair (best evening entertainment in the city!)
OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Wed 18th April
AM: Museum of Metro Construction (enormous museum showing the efforts to build the underground, contains amazing panoramas and much more), Mansudae Art Studio (where posters, statues, and propaganda are produced) , USS Pueblo (American spy ship captured in 1968)
PM: Drive to Nampo (major port city on the West coast of the DPRK), Chollima Steel Works - New for 2012! Tae'an Heavy Machine Tool Complex, Tae'an Glass Factory,to Hot Spa Resort
OVERNIGHT: RyanggangHot Spa Resort, Nampo
Thurs 19th April
AM: West Sea Barrage (8km long land reclamation project), Mt. Kuwol, Woljong Buddhist Temple, Sinchon Town, Atrocities Museum (museum detailing alleged massacre in this area during the Korean War), picnic in Sinchon
PM: Drive to Sariwon (city in the centre of the country) Sariwon Folk Village, Drive to Mt. Myohyang via Ryongmun Caves (underground grottoes)
OVERNIGHT: Chongchon Hotel, Mt. Myohyang
Fri 20th April
AM: International Friendship Exhibition (subterranean halls of gifts from around the world to the DPRK’s leaders), Pohyon Buddhist Temple (ancient temple in the mountains)
PM: Brief hike in the mountains (not-too-strenuous walk in this popular picnic and day-tripping spot with the locals), Return to Pyongyang via Ryongmun Caves (underground grottoes), Paradise micro-brewery (try the local brew)
OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Sat 21st April
AM: Morning of relaxing at the hotel; sleep in, play golf, use the pool, sauna, etc – you’ll have earned a rest by now, and you’ll need it for the days ahead! ALSO – arrival of people joining just the second half of the tour
PM: Boat trip from central Pyongyang to Mangyongdae area, Mangyongdae Funfair (rides include double-loop rollercoaster), Sports shooting range, Koryo Traditional Medicine Clinic (get treatment if you need it!), Pyongyang Diplomatic club for evening entertainment and dinner, optional second chance to see MASS GAMES
OVERNIGHT: Koryo Hotel, Pyongyang
Sun 22nd April
AM: Drive across country to Wonsan on the East Coast of the DPRK
PM: Wonsan city docks, Central Square walking tour of this popular area), hill overlooking the city, Songdowon Schoolchildren’s Camp (leisure facility for local and international children)
OVERNIGHT: TongmyongHotel, Wonsan
Mon 23rd April
AM: Drive along the coastal road to Hamhung, DPRK’s second largest city and closed to tourists until 2010, stopping at truck stop along the way
PM: Kim Il Sung statue and central park (great views of this unique city), ancient hilltop fort, Hungnam Fertiliser Factory (large industrial complex), Hamhung Grand Theatre (largest building in the city) and local park
OVERNIGHT: Sinhungsan Hotel, Hamhung
Tues 24th April
AM: Drive to Pujon county deep in the North Korean interior (becoming the first western tour group ever to have been here), see stunning mountain scenery and the rural way of life, picnic lunch
PM: Ascend to the top of North Korea’s second highest mountains for an unparalleled view of somewhere that nobody you know has ever laid eyes on, See the spectacular Stone River where thousands of giant boulders form a cascade down the hillside. DPRK’s famous ‘slogan trees’ can also be seen here. Return to Hamhung after an utterly unique day!
OVERNIGHT: Majon Guesthouse, Hamhung
Wed 25th April
AM: Relaxing time at Majon beach, Feb 18th Vinalon Complex (where the North Korean ‘miracle fabric’ is produced)
PM: Drive south down the coast back to Wonsan via Tongbong co-operative farm (for an explanation of the DPRK farming system and a tour of the farm), stopping at scenic spots, etc. On to Lake Sijung
OVERNIGHT: Sijung Motel, Lake Sijung
Thurs 26th April
AM: Drive to Outer Kumgang, former Hyundai resort for South Korean tourists, Guided hike into the Kumgang mountains
for amazing views and scenery
PM: Brief trek around Samil Lagoon, pavilions and islands (it’s possible to swim here too!), Long drive back to Pyongyang
OVERNIGHT: Koryo Hotel, Pyongyang
Fri 27th April
AM: Lazy morning recovering from the exertions of the last few days, we’ll leave late today so a good time for catching
up on sleep, writing postcards, or exploring the hotel and its grounds. We’ll have lunch at Pyongyang’s first Hamburger
Restaurant
PM: Local Senior Middle School (tour the facilities and see a performance), Museum of the Korean Revolution (Showing the history of North Korea from 1945 to the present), Walk in the city along Chollima Street (one of the main streets in central Pyongyang), Kaeson Youth funfair (best place for evening entertainment in Pyongyang), farewell dinner and end of tour party!
OVERNIGHT: Koryo Hotel, Pyongyang
Sat 28th April
Plane option
AM: Flight JS151 departure Pyongyang 09:00AM, arrival Beijing 10:00AM. End of Tour.
Train option (non-US citizens)
AM: Train from Pyongyang departs at 10:10AM
PM: Cross border at Sinuiju/Dandong
OVERNIGHT: On train
Sun 29th April
AM: Train arrives Beijing 08:34AM. End of tour.
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TOUR COST: $4,340
DPRK VISA FEE: $75 (to be paid at the pre-tour meeting)
PRE-TOUR MEETING: Friday 13th April, 4PM, at our office in Beijing
EXPECTED WEATHER: It will be cool in the morning and evening but warmer during the day, around 20 °C so bring layers.
Room upgrades available – please ask for more information.
TOUR FEE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR FEE (all payments paid in cash) :