Tues 24th Aug
AM: Bus from office to airport.
PM: Flight JS152 from Beijing to Pyongyang (business class if available), 13:00 departure, arrive Pyongyang 16:25, meet your Korean guides who will accompany you during your stay. En route to the hotel stop off at the Arch of Triumph - similar to the French version (but bigger) - commemorates the liberation from Japanese rule - where you can go to the rarely visited top level, the Fountain Park - a picturesque area in the centre of Pyongyang (an opportunity to mix with locals), and the Mansudae Grand Monument - statue of DPRK President Kim Il Sung. Check in hotel. MASS GAMES
OVERNIGHT: Potonggang Hotel, Pyongyang
Wed 25th Aug
AM: Drive to Kaesong (2.5 hrs) - a historical city near the DMZ which avoided being destroyed in the Korean War, visit the Panmunjom/DMZ - boundary between North and South Korea, Kaesong Embroidery Institute - where the finest embroidery in Kaesong is produced. Lunch in ‘Reunification’ restaurant.
PM: Local park, pavilion and Kim IL Sung Statue, return to Pyongyang (2.5 hrs), USS Pueblo - tour the American espionage ship captured in the 1968 and meet one of the sailors who captured the ship, Kim Il Sung Square - Pyongyang’s largest square in the heart of the city, features portraits of President Kim Il Sung as well as Marx and Lenin, Pyongyang diplomatic club - popular expat hangout, dinner at the club
OVERNIGHT: Potonggang Hotel, Pyongyang
Thurs 26th Aug
AM: Kumsusan Memorial Palace - Mausoleum where President Kim Il Sung lies in state, private boat trip down the Taedong river to the Pyongyang suburb of Mangyongdae, lunch and entertainment on the boat
PM: Mangyongdae Native House - birthplace of the DPRK founder Kim Il Sung, Pyongyang Metro - the deepest in the world, take a ride with the locals (extended ride to 5 stations), Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace tour and performance - centre of extra-curricular excellence with study rooms and a breath-taking children’s performance, drive to Mt Myohyang (2 hrs)
OVERNIGHT: Hyangsan Hotel, Mt Myohyang
Fri 27th Aug
AM: International Friendship Exhibition - a series of enormous subterranean exhibition rooms housing gifts given to the DPRK’s leaders by foreign political figures, notable figures and organisations, light hiking in the mountains
PM: Return to Pyongyang (2 hrs), department store, White Tiger Art Studio - boutique art studio where one can see and purchase oil paintings, watercolours, posters, and even full-body waxworks, Juche Tower - 150m stone tower with lookout platform at the top and great panoramic views of the city. Dinner at National Restaurant
OVERNIGHT: Potonggang Hotel, Pyongyang
Sat 28th Aug
AM: Flight JS151 from Pyongyang to Beijing (business class if available), 09:00 departure. arrive Beijing 10:00. End of Tour.
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TOUR COST: $3,290
DPRK VISA FEE: $50 (to be paid at the pre-tour meeting)
PRE-TOUR MEETING: Monday 23rd August, 4PM, at our office in Beijing
EXPECTED WEATHER: It will be hot and humid around this time with frequent rain showers, around 25° C Raincoat/umbrella advised!
Room upgrades available – please ask for more information.
TOUR FEE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR FEE: