Sat 13th 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)
OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Sun 14th April
AM: Kumsusan Memorial Palace (Mausoleum of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il), Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery (bronze busts of anti-Japanese heroes), Kim Il Sung Square (Pyongyang’s largest square in the heart of the city)
PM: Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum (Korean War Museum), Golden Lane Bowling Centre (where Pyongyangers go for their ten-pin fix, also has some early 90s arcade games), Foreign Languages Bookshop (read up on what you are seeing here and buy your gifts and night time reading), walking in the city centre to soak up the holiday atmosphere,
OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Mon 15th April
AM: DPRK HOLIDAY: 101st Birthday of President Kim Il Sung - Mangyongdae Native House (birthplace of Kim Il Sung), Pyongyang Metro (extended ride with the locals on the world’s deepest underground system), Juche Tower (150m stone monument allowing for stunning views over Pyongyang from the top), Party Foundation Monument (sculpture of hammer, sickle and calligraphy brush commemorating 50 years of the Workers' Party rule)
PM: Mansudae Grand Monument (giant statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il), 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 an expected Mass Dance to mark the occasion
OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Tues 16th April
AM: Drive to Kaesong (an historical city near the DMZ which avoided being destroyed in the Korean War - 2.5 hrs), Panmunjom/DMZ (where North and South Korea continues their decades old face-off), Koryo Museum (former Confucian college, shows history of the area and relics of the ancient city), local park and pavilions
PM: Tomb of King Kongmin (dynastic king of Korea), 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)
OVERNIGHT: Minsok Hotel, Kaesong (beautiful courtyard hotel where guests sleep on heated floors in traditional Korean style)
Weds 17th April
AM: Drive to Sariwon (city in the centre of the country - approx 2 hrs), Sariwon Folk Village, Sinchon Town, Atrocities Museum (museum detailing alleged massacre in this area during the Korean War), picnic in Sinchon
PM: Drive through Mt. Kuwol (approx 2 hrs) to Nampo, West Sea Barrage (8km long land reclamation project), onwards to the Hot Spa Hotel
OVERNIGHT: Ryonggang Hot Spa, Nampo (complex of guesthouses where each room has a private bath which can be filled with water direct from the hot springs - said to have many medicinal benefits)
Thurs 18th April
AM: Return to Pyongyang (1.5 hrs), Military Exhibition Centre (newly opened display of military hardware), Mansudae Art Studio (where paintings, mosaics, statues, etc are made), USS Pueblo (US spy ship captured in 1968)
PM: Pyongyang Folk Village (newly opened park full of scale models showcases Korea’s heritage from the past to the present day), drive to Mt. Myohyang (2 hrs) via Ryongmun Caves (underground grottoes)
OVERNIGHT: Chongchon Hotel, Mt. Myohyang
Fri 19th April
AM: International Friendship Exhibition (giant subterranean halls of gifts to the DPRK’s leaders), Pohyon Buddhist Temple
PM: Brief hike in the mountains (not-too-strenuous walk in this popular picnic and day-tripping spot with the locals), return to Pyongyang (2 hrs), Paradise micro-brewery (try the local brew)
OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang
Sat 20th April
AM: Drive to Mt. Myohyang, 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
Sun 21st April
AM: 09:00 flight from Pyongyang to Beijing. End of tour.
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TOUR COST: $2,690
DPRK VISA FEE: $75 (to be paid at the pre-tour meeting)
PRE-TOUR MEETING: Friday 12th April, 4PM, at our office in Beijing
EXPECTED WEATHER: It will be cold in the morning and evening but warmer during the day, around 15°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) :