Essential Korea
A first encounter with South Korea, from Seoul to Busan via Gyeongju.
— Quick facts
Essential Korea
Destination
Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan
Durations
7 days
Recommended
7 days / 6 nights
Ideal period
April – May, October – November
Ideal for
First-timers in Korea, couples, friends
Formula
KTX trains + independent exploration
— Why we chose
Essential Korea
Seven days are enough to truly grasp Korea, provided you choose well. Seoul sets the rhythm, Gyeongju tells you where it all comes from, Busan closes the trip with the sea and a completely different mood. High-speed trains let you move without losing days.
Experiences included
Day by day
Customize your journey
The itineraries on this page are examples, meant to give you a sense of pace and distances. We can add days in Seoul, include the DMZ excursion, a templestay night, Seoraksan or Jeju island, and choose traditional hanok or design hotels together. The journey is built with you, stop by stop.
The Mauna service
- Personalized consultation before departure
- Itinerary designed around the season and your interests
- Careful selection of guides, accommodations and activities
- Dedicated assistance throughout the planning process
- Support before, during and after your journey
Perfect for you if…
- You are fascinated by the contrast between tradition and modernity
- You love cities to explore on foot, between neighbourhoods and markets
- You want an Asian destination that is easy, safe and well organised
- You are curious about food, pop culture and ancient history
- You want to alternate metropolis, mountains and sea
This journey may not be ideal if…
- You are looking for a purely beach-and-relax trip
- You dislike walking a lot and big cities
- You prefer a single fixed base for the whole trip
- You have less than a week available
Always included with Mauna
- Flights to and from Italy
- Carefully selected accommodations
- Car rental or transfers included
- Medical and baggage insurance
- Fully customizable itinerary
- Support before and during the journey
- Destination personally explored by our team
The activities described in the itinerary represent the experiences you can enjoy during the journey. Some may be optional and will always be clearly indicated. If the journey includes domestic flights, they are always included.
Frequently asked questions
From the blog
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5 Things You Didn't Know About South Korea
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Adventure
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In the heart of Ethiopia among active volcanoes and salt lakes.
Can't find your perfect journey?
Every Mauna Journey is a starting point. Tell us how you dream of South Korea and we will build it around you.
Request a custom itineraryPrices are per person, based on double occupancy, starting from, and may vary according to seasonality, availability and customization.