Splendours of South Korea & Japan 15 Days $3,599

~~$3,899.00~~ $3,599.00

Seoul, Andong, Daegu, Gyeongju, Busan, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, Mt. Fuji, Tokyo

Tour Highlights:

In South Korea:

Stroll through Changdeokgung Palace grounds
Gaze into North Korean territory at the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)
Immerse yourself in the bustling crowds of Myeongdong
Explore the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, Gyeongju
Experience the serenity of Seokguram Grotto
Visit South Korea’s picturesque southern port city, Busan

In Japan:

Discover Osaka, with a day free at leisure and a selection of optional activities
In Nara, visit the Great Eastern Temple with its Great Buddha Hall – the world’s largest wooden building
Feed the gentle sika deer at Nara Park
Visit Nagoya’s Inuyama Castle, and explore Osu Shopping Street’s 1200 shops and restaurants
Drink from clear springs at the foothills of Mount Fuji
Enjoy optional activities or free time in Tokyo

Immerse yourself in an incredible journey covering two fascinating countries, Japan and South Korea. Discover South Korea’s capital city, Seoul. Seoul is Korea’s financial, political, commercial, and cultural centre with over 600 years of history. Travellers can explore the many archaeological sites and temples before enjoying the beautiful natural landscapes this country has to offer. After an enchanting tour of South Korea, you will explore one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Japan. Discover a new level of cool with a journey through cherry blossoms, mountains, bustling cities and ultimately, history. The combination of places visited in these two countries will provide you with an unforgettable life-time experience. Time to start packing!

South Korea: South Korea is a dream destination for many travellers. The capital, Seoul, is a fast-paced cosmopolitan centre with an appetite for fashion, pop culture and the latest in high-tech gadgets. Yet just an hour away from the city, travellers find themselves enjoying the peace and tranquillity of national parks encompassing gorgeous hiking trails and dense mountain landscapes. With ancient cultural traditions retaining a strong presence throughout the country, travellers seeking a cultural experience are sure to be satisfied.

Friendly people, delicious food, and delightful contrasts between the modern and the traditional ensure that the indomitable spirit of South Korea will absorb and inspire travellers from all walks.

Japan: Starting your tour of Japan in Osaka, you’ll visit Kyoto and Nara – famous for their well-preserved ancient castles, temples, and monuments. In Nagoya, visit Inuyama Castle, and explore the 1200 shops and restaurants of Osu Shopping Street. Japan’s stunning natural endowments are on the itinerary too, in the form of sacred Mount Fuji and the surrounding region. Your trip wraps up with time free in Tokyo, for sightseeing, shopping, or your choice of a diverse range of optional activities.

From the end of March through early April, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, people gather in parks in a Japanese tradition known as hanami (flower viewing).

From the end of October through early November is the best season of the year for viewing the vibrant crimson maple leaves in Japan. You can feel the fragile beauty of the changing seasons from observing nature. The fiery red is a true spectacle.

NOTE: Cherry blossoms and crimson autumn leaves are highly seasonal and subject to climatic conditions. These are historically the best times to view the blooms, but we can’t guarantee they will flower on these dates.

Day 1: Australia Seoul

Fly to Seoul via a connecting city. Note: some flights may depart the next day

Day 2: Seoul

On arrival in Seoul, you will be warmly greeted at the airport by a tour representative and transferred to your hotel.

Day 3: Seoul Andong Daegu (B, L)

Visit the traditional village, Andong, which features traditional houses of the Joseon Dynasty period (1392-1897). In Daegu, take a stroll in Dongseongno Shopping District, a major fashion retail district. The streets are packed with hundreds of stores full of personality that reflect the city’s fast-paced fashion trends. Enjoy magnificent views by taking a cable car to Palgongsan Natural Park.

Day 4: Daegu Gyeongju (B, L)

Today we explore the many archaeological sites and temples, royal tombs, and monuments of Gyeongju, the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom (57 BC – 935 AD). Visit Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory, Royal Tumuli Park, Gyeongju National Museum, Bulguksa Temple, and Seokguram Grotto Temple.

Day 5: Gyeongju Busan (B, L, D)

In Busan, we visit Haedong Yonggungsa (East Sea Dragon Palace Temple), situated on the coast of the north-eastern portion of the city and overlooking the ocean. Afterwards, you will have an opportunity to view the waves while looking down through the transparent floor of the 15 metre high Oryukdo Skywalk, which is set over a 35 meter-high coastal cliff. Travel to Gamcheon Culture Village situated on the foothills of a coastal mountain and nicknamed ‘Machu Picchu of Busan’. You will be thrilled by the many alleys cutting through this village, vibrantly decorated with murals and sculptures created by the local residents. Stop at one of Korea’s largest markets, Nampo Dong Gukje Market for a wide variety of goods at affordable prices. Then visit Nurimaru APEC House, a memorial hall and prestigious international conference hall located near Haeundae Beach, offering visitors spectacular views of the nearby natural landscape.

Day 6: Busan Seoul (B, L)

This morning, visit Changdeokgung Palace, one of the ‘Five Grand Palaces’ built by the Kings of the Jeoson Dynasty, and Insadong, a street full of traditional Korean antique and art shops, restaurants and tea houses. Continue to Cheonggyecheon Stream and admire this urban oasis before visiting Myeongdong, one of Seoul’s main commercial districts.

Day 7: Seoul DMZ Seoul (B, L, D)

Visit North Korea’s 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, located within the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), a 44 km drive northwest of Seoul. In the event of an invasion from the North, an entire infantry division could have move through the tunnel in an hour. View North Korean territory, including the Propaganda Village, People’s School, and Gaeseong City – the old capital city of the Goryeo Kingdom – from the Dora Observation Platform. Also visit Freedom Park, dedicated to the 5 million people who left their families and homes in North Korea. North Hall contains displays of North Korean lifestyle. Later, try on a hanbok, the traditional attire of the Korean people at Namsan Hanbok Culture Experience Centre before experiencing the city’s best night view at Namsan Tower.

Day 8: Seoul Osaka (B)

Board a direct flight operated by a local carrier from Seoul to Osaka. Your friendly tour guide will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to an airport hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Note: Baggage allowance for this sector is 1 piece max weight 15kg per person

Day 9: Osaka Kyoto Nara Osaka (B)

This morning, travel to Kyoto and visit Fushimi Inari Shrine and Nijo Castle before heading to Nara. Visit Todaiji (Great Eastern Temple), with its Great Buddha Hall – the world’s largest wooden building. This impressive building houses the world’s largest (15m) bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana. Wander through Nara Park, where over 1,200 wild sika deer roam free, before travelling back to Osaka.

Day 10: Osaka (B)

Spend today free at your own leisure. You may spend the day visiting one of the most spectacular Japanese aquariums, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan; or taking a day trip to Hyogo to visit Himeji Castle (pictured), an enormous and unique castle decorated in white. An optional day tour is available for some departure dates. Please see optional programs for more information.

Day 11: Osaka Nagoya (B)

This morning, head to Nagoya and visit Inuyama Castle. Then, head to Atsuta Shinto Shrine (covering 200,000 square meters and established almost 2000 years ago) before enjoying some time for shopping it the Osu Kannon Shopping Quarter. Transfer to your hotel in the evening.

Day 12: Nagoya Mount Fuji Tokyo (B)

Today, visit Oshino Hakkai. Known as the springs of Mount Fuji, the eight ponds are fed by melting snow filtering down from the slopes of nearby Mount Fuji, through porous layers of lava, resulting in very clear spring water that is revered by locals. Afterwards, visit Hakone Shinto Shrine. Standing at the foot of Mount Hakone along the shores of Lake Ashi, the shrine buildings are hidden in dense forest. Finally, visit Owakudani – ‘Great Boiling Valley’ is a valley formed by the explosion of Hakone volcano more than 300 years ago, and contains hot springs and steaming sulphur vents – visitors usually eat eggs cooked in the boiling, sulphurous waters. At the end of the day we head to Tokyo.

Day 13: Tokyo (B)

Spend today free at leisure. You may wish to visit Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea (admission $120) or join either the Tokyo or Nikko Day Tour ($250). Alternatively, you can join our wide range of optional programs; tea ceremony, kimono photo shoot, cooking class. NOTE: All activities are not guided and transportation is self-arranged.

Day 14: Tokyo Australia (B)

Spend today free at leisure as time permits before transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 15: Australia (B)

Arrive home in Australia today.

Departure Dates

2019			Price Per Person	Single Supplement
14 Mar*	~~16 May~~	~~15 Aug~~	From ~~$3,899~~ $3,599 Limited time only	$1,350
21 Mar**	~~30 May~~	22 Aug
28 Mar**	~~13 Jun~~	29 Aug**
04 Apr***	04 Jul***	31 Oct*
11 Apr***	18 Jul*
~~02 May~~	01 Aug
* = Shoulder Season Surcharge: $300 = Peak Season Surcharge: $500 * = School Holiday Surcharge: $700

Package Inclusions:

Economy airfares, taxes & fuel surcharges from Sydney or Melbourne with a full service Chinese or other Asian carrier (e.g. Vietnam/Thai/Malaysia Air)
Flight between Seoul and Osaka (operated by a local carrier)
Note: Baggage allowance for the flight between Seoul and Osaka is 1 piece max weight 15kg
14 nights hotel accommodation (twin/double occupancy)
Daily meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Coach transportation
Round trip airport and hotel transfers
Admissions to scenic attractions
English speaking tour guides

Package Exclusions:

Tipping and gratuities prepaid in Australia: $150
Optional recommended programs
Optional tour extensions
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Personal expenditure and anything not stated

Price Guide:

Seasonal Surcharges: * = Shoulder Season: $300, ** = Peak Season: $500, *** = School Holidays: $700
Interstate Surcharge: Brisbane/Adelaide $300, Perth $600 (interstate flights may be via Sydney or Melbourne)
Early Arrival/Stay Behind/Stopover Surcharge: From $300 (subject to availability and applicable fare difference)
If staying behind, upgrade final night group accommodation to hotel in Tokyo CBD: From $250/twin room, transfer to airport is not included
Pre/Post-Tour Accommodation: From $350/twin room/night (subject to availability)
Triple Share: Subject to availability
Child Price: Same as adult
Visa: Australian passport holders are exempt for a stay of up to 90 days
Airline Upgrade (economy class)^: Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines from $500 (subject to availability)
Premium Economy Upgrade^: Cathay Pacific from $2200 (subject to availability)
Business Class Upgrade^: China Southern Airlines from $3000, Singapore Airlines from $4300, Cathay Pacific from $5100 (subject to availability)
Please Note: Flight itineraries are not available until approximately 2 weeks before departure and involve transits

(^) International long haul sectors only.

All prices, itineraries, airlines, hotels and cruise ships are subject to availability and change without prior notice. Nexus Holidays reserves the right to provide substitutes of similar standard and adjust the itinerary as we see fit to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Passengers must remain with the tour group at all times and must not deviate from the set itinerary. The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land. Please check all information before booking.