Ultimate North Korea Group Tour 2008 (16 Days)

ARRIVE BEIJING
Arrive Beijing and transfer to the Novotel Xinqiao Hotel.

BEIJING TO PYONGYANG
Meet with the rest of the group and transfer to the airport for flight to Pyongyang. ArrivePyongyang, meet with guides and begin with a short introductory tour of Pyongyang. Transfer to Yanggakdo Hotel for 2 nights.

PYONGYANG TO MT. PAEKDU
Fly to Samjiyon on a chartered flight. This region is home to Mt. Paekdu - a peak of great spiritual symbolism to the Korean people. In the morning visit The Samjiyon Grand Monument and in the afternoon travel to Mt. Paekdu. Next, visit thePaekdu Secret Camp, the base of the army, Kim Jong Il's birthplace and Kim Il Sung's headquarters during the war against the Japanese. Overnight stay in Hotel Begebong.

MT. PAEKDU TO MT. CHILBO AREA
Morning visit to Samjiyon Town (where we may be allowed a walk through the town) followed by the attractive Rimyongsu falls, where, we can also have a quick look at the village. After lunch transfer to the airport for the short flight to Orang Airport on the east coast. On arrival drive south to the Chilbo area for an overnight stay at the Inner Chilbo Hotel.

CHILBO AREA
Spend the day exploring the Chilbo area, a beautiful coastal area of attractive valleys, forests of evergreen and maple trees and unusual rock formations (formed by long term erosion of various eruptive rocks). The main sites include the Kaesim Temple (built in 826) on Mt. Pothak, one of the few remnants of the Palhae Dynasty, Inner Chilbo (which arguably contains the area’s finest natural scenery) and the sea of Chilbo. In the afternoon spend time relaxing on the beach and (weather permitting) enjoy a barbecue on the beach before spending the night in North Korea’s only homestay facility.

CHONGJIN CITY
Depart by road to Chongjin City, the administrative capital of North Hamgyong Province. Chongjin City is a port which receives extremely few foreign visitors. En-route stop to appreciate the dramatic coastal views before having lunch in Kyongsong. In Chongjin visit the main city square and enjoy a performance at a kindergarten. Overnight stay in Chongjin Hotel.

Day 8

NAMPO
Depart for the West Sea Barrage, a most impressive 8 kilometres long barrage built in the 1980’s along the estuary of the Taedong River. From here visit the nearby beach to relax and spend some time mingling with the locals. After lunch in Nampo City we visit the city Dockyard and Orphanage before returning back to the hotel for dinner and free time to relax.

NAMPO TO KAESONG
Today depart Nampo and head via Mt. Kuwol to the Sinchon War Crimes Museum, which exhibits the atrocities conducted in this area during the Korean War. Moving on, head via Sariwon City to Kaesong, where we will visit the Koryo Museum and Tomb of King Kongmin before spending the night at the Folkcustoms Hotel.

KAESONG AND DMZ
Morning visit to the Concrete Wall and the DMZ, followed by lunch in Kaesong. This afternoon return to Pyongyang, where we will spend the next five nights.

PYONGYANG
This morning visit Mangyondae, the birthplace of President Kim Il Sung, followed by the city Embroidery Institute. Before lunch visit the Fatherland Liberation War Museum. This afternoon have a leisurely time, enjoying bowling and then a visit to the Circus.

MT. MYOHYANG
Today take a day trip from the capital north to Mt. Myohyang, where we will visit the International Friendship Exhibition and Pohyon Temple, having lunch in the Hyangsan Hotel. In the afternoon return to Pyongyang.

PYONGYANG
Our last full day will start with a visit to the Grand People’s Study House, followed by the nearby Central History Museum. Before lunch, we will also visit the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital. In the afternoon visit the War History
Museum and the tunnels where Kim Il Sung worked during the Korean War. Our last visit of the day will be to the June 9th Secondary School. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner in one of the finest restaurants in Pyongyang.

PYONGYANG TO BEIJING
You can either fly or take the overnight train back to Beijing. Alternatively it is possible (for a supplementary payment) to travel onto Moscow by train.Those who depart by rail will arrive into Beijing the following morning.

1. To confirm a booking we require a deposit of £250 per person plus a signed booking form.
2. *You must have a North Korean visa before entering North Korea. This is arranged in London (for British Citizens, residents in the UK and those living in the EU) and the visa fee is included in the price. For clients who will be collecting their visas in Beijing/elsewhere the visa fee is not included and the client will need to pay this direct to the Embassy.
3. We ask that clients book on these tours no later the 8 weeks prior to the trip commencing.
4. You will need a double entry Chinese visa which costs approximately £75. This is processed in the UK before departure.
5. No journalists or photographers are to visit North Korea.
6. We cannot accept bookings from U.S or South Korean passport holders on this trip.
7. The itinerary will vary depending on special events inside North Korea; additionally other places of interest may be included in the itinerary and the order of the itinerary may be altered due to factors beyond our control.
8. This tour requires a minimum of 10 persons to operate and will be escorted by a representative from Regent Holidays.
9. Air Koryo is an airline blacklisted from operating within the EU. Their fleet is made up of ageing, yet well maintained Soviet built aircraft. As the only airline regularly serving North Korea we have been happily using Air Koryo for over 20 years.
10. This trip spends a good length of time in remote areas in North Korea. Whilst clients are not required to be particularly physically fit days can be long and tiring. Facilities outside Pyongyang, particularly whilst in the Paekdu, Chilbo and Chongjin area are a little basic, and some hotels do not offer hot water. In these remote areas power cuts can also be common.
11. We are still awaiting confirmation as to whether the Arirang Mass Games will take place in 2008 – but if it does take place we anticipate that both departures will coincide with the performance dates (traditionally from early August to early October).