This trip is different from my other
trips in that we will use public transport i.e. trains, subways, buses and
taxis to move about. Cost of private transport is prohibitive and one also
has to content with bad traffic jams. We do hire a private van in Gjeongju
for a full day and the cost is Rm400, which has been included in the cost.
Therefore its essential that participants pack light and preferably use
backpacks. I have backpacks to lend if required.
Day 1 Sat KLIA: Meet at airport for morning flight to Seoul arriving
at night. Overnight Seoul..
Day 2 Seoul City: We visit neighbouring
Jogyesa Buddhist Temple, Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Folk Musuem. We adjorn
in the late afternoon to Insadong Market, the premier place for antiques,
arts and crafts. ON Seoul.
Day 3 Sokcho: We bus to Sokcho 4.5 hours,
which is a coastal town. This pleasant fishing town has good but expensive
seafoods. ON Sokcho.
Day 4 Seoraksan NP: We bus to the small
village of Yongdae-ri which is gateway to the Inner Seoraksan National Park.
Here we bus/trek to Baekdamsa (Hundred Pools Temple) with its abundance
of beautiful pools scattered along the valley. We return to Sokcho for the
night.
Day 5 Soreaksan NP: We depart for Seorak-dong (30 mins) to begin
a second day in this National Park. We trek to Heundelbawi (Tottering Rock)
and ride the cable up to Gwongeumseong for amazing views of the park. There
are a couple of waterfall treks if time permits. Overnight Soerok-Dong.
Day 6 Gjeongju: In the morning we bus
to Sokcho (30 mins), then to Gangneung (1hr). The train to Gjeongju leaves
at noon for the 6 hours journey. Overnight Gjeongju.
Day 7 Gjeongju: This is a historic town
and is described as a living museum. We'll visit the tombs of the Silla
kings in Tumuli Park. We visit the town museum, reputed the best in the
country for Silla artifacts. We'll go over to Bohmun Lake in the evening,
a popular resort among local tourist. ON Gjeongju.
Day 8 Gjeongju:
A private van will take us to the folk village of Yangdong on the outskirts
of Gjeongju. This is a living working village with many centuries old buildings
and dwellings. Later we'll visit Bulguksa Temple and Sokuram Grotto, which
are on the Unesco World Heritage list. In the evening we walk about Namsan
National Park, which is dotted with hundreds of Buddhist temples and shrines.
ON Gjeongju.
