평양번개! 가실분 참조바람

[김뚜기(본명: Don)]

기간:2014-8월 14일-21일

 비용: 약300만원

 인원 최고14명까지

  주체: 고려여행사

 북경출발 평양도착-기차(단동)-북경 자전거(본인소유)

 

 

Tours & Tour dates

Cycling Tour 1 Itinerary 2014

August 14 – 21/22 (Thurs – Thurs/Fri)

Flight / Train

7 nights in DPRK, plus one on the train
2160 EUR

Apply >

Join us for an incredible cycling trip of the DPRK and experience the country as few others do - from the saddle! As well as cycling in the area south of Nampo we also take a charter flight to the sacred Mt Paekdu in the northeast of the country for some stunning routes in countryside reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands. We are also there for Liberation Day which is the anniversary of the end of colonial rule by Japan. One of the highlights in our tour calendar this trip needs 10 to run and is limited to 16 pax so book early to avoid disappointment. We will be using Giant Hunter 2.0 mountain bikes. If you would prefer to bring your own bike we will discount 150 Euros from the tour cost.

Highlights:

1. Cycling!
2. August 15th – Liberation Day – DPRK public holiday
3. Kumsusan Memorial Palace (Mausoleum of leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il) and other Pyongyang highlights
4. Panmunjom/DMZ - the border with South Korea
5. Mt Paekdu - the sacred mountain in the northeast
6. Soaking up the medicinal waters at the Dragon River Hot Spa hotel on the west coast

Please note that the itinerary may differ slightly to what is below but your tour leader will do their best to ensure that as much is covered as possible and will also add in extras when there is time such as a visit to a local bar or a funfair. We visit the DPRK regularly and know all the best places to go to make your trip even more unique. We will make the most
of your stay in the DPRK to guarantee the experience of a lifetime.

Wed 13th Aug

4PM - group assembles in the Koryo Tours office for a pre-tour briefing which will last approximately 1 hour and is designed so that you will get the best out of your tour. Please be punctual - you can even come early, pay any outstanding tour fees and browse our art gallery and merchandise.

Thurs 14th August

AM: This morning we will meet outside the Koryo office (time to be confirmed) and together head to Beijing Airport Terminal 2 for our flight Beijing to Pyongyang (1.5 hrs) - the showcase capital of the DPRK with a population of approximately 2 million.

PM: Upon arrival in Pyongyang (approximately 4pm - DPRK is one hour ahead of China), we proceed through immigration and customs and meet our guides who will accompany us during our stay. On our way to the hotel we will visit the Arch of Triumph – similar to the French version but bigger. Important in Korean history as the first place Kim Il Sung gave a speech to the Korean people after the surrender of the Japanese. Dinner

OVERNIGHT: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang (one of the deluxe-class hotels in the country located on an island in the Taedong River which runs through the city)

Fri 15th August - Liberation Day

AM: After an early breakfast we take a 2.5 hr drive south to Kaesong, an historical city near the DMZ which avoided being destroyed in the Korean War as it was chosen as the place for armistice talks. There is a service station halfway where we will stop for a rest. This is a popular place for tourists to take photos of themselves standing in the middle of this empty highway. Upon arrival in Kaesong we take a short drive (approx 20 mins) to Panmunjom/DMZ where North and South Korea continue their decades old face-off. It is possible to go into one of the huts that straddle the demarcation line and actually cross over into South Korea! This is one of the few places you can take pictures of - and even with - members of the DPRK military. Next we head back into Kaesong and visit the Kaesong Koryo Museum, which is a beautiful old Confucian University, to learn about the history of the area. There is also a collection of steles and pavilions from around the area. The stamp shop here is excellent too. Take a walk in the old city and visit Janam Hill where there is a statue of President Kim Il Sung and great views over the old part of the city.

PM: After our traditional pansanggi lunch - a little like Korean tapas - we take a 20 minute drive to visit the beautiful Tomb of King Kongmin - the twin-domed tomb of the 31st King of the Koryo Dynasty (918 - 1392 AD) and his wife which remained largely undamaged during the Korean War. Ask the guide to tell you the story of how the area got its name of “Oh dear hill”. We’ll then take the beautiful country drive to Pakyon Waterfalls and take a leisurely stroll or a quick swim. We’ll then head back Kaesong city and check into our hotel before dinner. For anyone wanting to supplement their meal tonight you will have the opportunity to sample Korea's famous delicacy - 'sweetmeat soup' AKA dog meat (costs EUR 5).

Overnight:  Minsok Folk Hotel, Kaesong (beautiful courtyard hotel with Li dynasty housing where guests sleep on heated floors in traditional Korean style; basic - sporadic hot water and frequent power cuts but a great experience as you are living literally next door to the local inhabitants)

Please note that the area around Kaesong is considered to be a malarial area by the WHO, however, provided tourists take proper precautions (use good mosquito repellant and mosquito nets – these are provided in the hotel we use) there is very little risk of contracting the disease from the places that we visit. The WHO state that there is no need to take malaria prophylaxis when visiting and in any case, this is not recommended for visits of less than 1-2 weeks. We have never had any cases of our tourists contracting the disease. However, please be warned that most travelers to an area with malaria are deferred from donating blood for 1 year after their return so this may affect you if you are a regular blood donor.

Sat 16th August

AM: After breakfast we return to Pyongyang and take a walk in Fountain Parkand on to Mansudae Grand Monument - statues of North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il flanked by powerful sculptures telling the story of the anti-Japanese War, the rebuilding of the country and finally the Korean War. Kim Il Sung's statue has been here since 1972 but Kim Jong Il's was added in 2012 on the occasion of Kim Il Sung's 100th birthday. This is a very important place for Koreans and visitors are requested to follow the local custom and bow in front of the statues after placing down a bouquet of flowers. Next it’s time to go deep underground for a ride on the Pyongyang Metro - the deepest underground system in the world and the designs of the main stations are stunning with superb lighting and mosaics. We start at Puhung (Rehabilitation) Station, then take the train to the next station Yonggwang (Glory). Here we get off to take pictures before getting back on the train and going through 3 stops and getting off at the fourth which is Kaeson (Triumphant Return). A total of 6 stations. A great chance to have interaction with the locals if you are prepared to learn basic greetings in Korean- and if you meet students get them to greet you in English!

PM: After lunch we visit the newly-opened Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum (Korean War Museum) – fully renovated and reopened in 2013, tells the history of the Korean War from the North Korean perspective, complete with rooms explaining the origins of the conflict, highly impressive dioramas, tanks, planes, and much more, then onto the USS Pueblo – American spy shop captured by the DPRK navy in 1968 and retained ever since as a trophy. Originally moored on the Taedong River but moved in 2013 to the site of the new War Museum. Next we visit the War Victory Monuments. Built on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the end of the Korean War 27th July 1993 (in North Korea referred to as the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War and the end of the war as “Victory Day”) - it comprises of a series of monuments which North Korean’s see as key battles during the war. We’ll visit the 150m Juche Tower, the highest stone monument in the world (topped with a flickering red torch). We are given an explanation of the country's guiding Juche philosophy often translated as 'self-reliance'. Take the lift to the top for stunning views over Pyongyang (costs EUR 5). We then head to the nearby Party Foundation Monument - aniconic sculpture of a hammer, sickle and calligraphy brush commemorating 50 years of the Workers' Party rule. Great view to the Mansudae Grand Monument and on to the Ryugyong hotel. The last stop of the day is a visit to Mangyongdae Native House - the native birthplace of North Korean President Kim Il Sung . If time allows then we walk up the hill (past the mosaic of Kim Il Sung as a child thinking of leaving to fight against the Japanese occupation of his country) to the pavilion overlooking the Taedong River. Dinner will be at a local Pyongyang restaurant.

Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang

Sun 17th August

AM: This morning it is time to dress up as our first visit is to the Kumsusan Memorial Palace of the Sun where North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lie in state. Opened 3 years after the death of President Kim Il Sung in 1994, the building used to be his offices. In 2011 it closed after the death of Kim Jong Il but re-opened at the end of 2012. This is a place of utmost importance for Koreans and tourists should behave accordingly. Men should wear a shirt and tie, women should dress smartly. The entire visit takes around 1.5 hrs and you are not allowed to take your camera in but after visiting the rooms inside we come back out to take photos from the square in front of the impressive building. Next we head back into town for a walk in Kim Il Sung Square - Pyongyang’s largest square in the heart of the city. There used to be portraits of Marx and Lenin on display here but they were taken down in early 2012. This is where the military parades pass through and the mass dances take place - you can see the podium on which the leaders stand to view these incredible displays although they don't happen as often as the western media make out - not even an annual event. From here we walk to the Foreign Languages Bookshop - a good chance to read up on what you are seeing here and buy your gifts and night time reading. After the morning’s sightseeing we return to the hotel to prepare for cycling in the afternoon. Lunch will be a BBQ at Mt Ryonggak and you will have a chance to test out your bike before the afternoon of cycling begins!

PM: We will cycle along the Youth Hero Highway which leads to Nampo. This 10-lane highway was built by student shock brigades during the Arduous March in the late 90's. After cycling around 30km we arrive at our final destination for the day - the Dragon River Hot Spa guesthouse - a complex of guesthouses where each room has a private bath which can be filled with water direct from the hot springs - said to have many medicinal benefits. Time permitting, it is here that we can experience the famous Nampo petrol clam BBQ (costs EUR 5 per person but you can still watch for free if you don't want to have any of the clams).

Overnight: Dragon River Hot Spa Hotel, Nampo

Mon 18th August

AM: After breakfast we take a 45 min drive to the Nampo West Sea Barrage - an 8km long dam separating the Taedong river from the West Sea of Korea. It stops Pyongyang being flooded by preventing tidal surges as well as providing more agricultural land. Regarded as a great feat of engineering, the project was personally overseen by Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. We then cross the barrage and drive south to start our first ride of the day cycling through the DPRK countryside from the border of Unryul and Samchon counties to Dalchon hot springs village (approx 7km). We then get back on the bus to drive through Sinchon town and continue our cycling for approximately 10km from the bridge which crosses Jaeryong River to Sokdang Bridge (approx 10km). We will then stop to have a picnic lunch in the Mt Kuwol area.

PM: After lunch we do some more cycling in this area (be prepared for some hills!) before getting back on the bus to return to Pyongyang for dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang

Tues 19th August

AM: This morning we head to Pyongyang airport for our flight to Samjiyon Airport. Make sure you bring warmer clothes for this part of the trip as the higher elevation means cooler temperatures. Sunscreen is also a good idea. The flight takes around 1 hour and upon arrival we split into smaller minibuses for the drive to Mt Paekdu (around 1 hr). Mt Paekdu is the tallest mountain in Korea (2750m) and is regarded as sacred by both North and South Koreans as it was the birthplace of the mythical founder of the Korean nation - King Tangun (bizarrely, there is a mausoleum with his remains just outside Pyongyang). It is also important to North Koreans as it is where Kim Il Sung based himself when fighting against the Japanese before Liberation and Kim Jong Il was also allegedly born here. Upon arrival at the mountain, the buses will wait at the carpark and we take a hike to the top which takes around 45 minutes. Here we will have stunning views over the area and of the mirror-like Lake Chon - the highest crater lake in the world. We will spend around 1 hour in the area and have a picnic lunch there too.

PM: After lunch, we unload the bikes and start our cycling from Mt Paekdu to the Paegaebong Hotel. This is the longest cycle of the trip (approx 50km) and passes through beautiful mountainous areas. En route we’ll visit Paekdusan Secret Camp. This was the base of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army during the fight against the Japanese occupation. It is also, according to the DPRK, the birthplace of Kim Jong Il and we visit the log cabin where he was born - you can even see the toys he played with as a child. We’ll then continue our cycling, heading back to Samjiyon Town where our hotel is located. Dinner is at the hotel. Make sure you try the local vodka kamchasul- this area is a big potato-growing region so they form the basis of many of the dishes and drinks.

Overnight: Paegaebong Hotel, Samjiyon (basic hotel, no 24 hr hot water, possible power shortages so take a torch!) 

Wed 20th August

AM: After breakfast we cycle from the hotel to a local lumberjacks' settlement to see the beautiful Rimyongsu waterfalls (approx 15km). We put our bikes away and drive to the Samjiyon Monuments - a statue of President Kim Il Sung and sculptures of the guerillas who fought against the Japanese built in 1949 to immortalise his revolutionary exploits in the area. Next we drive to Pochonbo - the site of significant battle between Korean guerilla army and Japanese forces – here you can see the former command post and town hall from Japanese times as well as a statue of Kim Il Sung. Lunch is a picnic at the battle monument.

PM: We drive the 1hr back to Samjiyon for our flight back to Pyongyang and arrive in Pyongyang late afternoon. After checking back into the Yanggakdo Hotel we will go for a farewell dinner and drinks in the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club

Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang

Thurs 21st August

Today is departure day.

For those taking the flight out option, the flight departs Pyongyang at 09:00 and arrives in Beijing at approx 10:00. End of tour (options into the city are taxi (make a note of the taxi number and get a receipt), airport bus or the airport/city train).

Those taking the train option depart Pyongyang station at 10:40. The journey to Sinuiju (border city) takes around 5 hours and lunch is served in the dining car for those who want it (EUR 5). The immigration/customs procedures on the DPRK side take between 1.5 to 2.5 hrs and there is no need to get off the train at any time. The international carriages then continue over the Friendship Bridge which spans the Yalu River (as you cross look to the left to see the bridge damaged in the Korean War) and on to Dandong, China. The immigration/customs procedures here are much quicker - around 30 minutes.

Those doing the Dandong option alight here and the train (the carriages attach onto a Chinese domestic train) departs at 18:30 local time. Dinner can be eaten in the Chinese dining car (costs RMB 80).

OVERNIGHT: On train

Fri 22nd August

AM: The train arrives into Beijing Central Railway Station just after 08:30am - this is the end of the tour.

Below footage from previous cycling tours:

---

Please note that after the tour, we will send out a list of all the tour partcipants' email addresses so you can keep in touch, swap photos, etc. If you do not wish to be on this list then please let us know.

---

TOUR COST: EUR 2160

VISA FEE: EUR 50

PRE-TOUR MEETING: August 13th (Wednesday), 4PM, at our office in Beijing

Room upgrades available – please ask for more information.

TOUR FEE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

1. Flight Beijing-Pyongyang-Beijing/train Pyongyang-Beijing
2. Hotel accommodation
3. All entry fees
4. Two guides and a driver per group
5. All transportation in DPRK
   
   

NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR FEE:

1. Optional single room supplement of EUR 40 per night
2. Spending money for drinks and souvenirs
3. DPRK visa fee EUR 50
4. EUR 50 surcharge for the plane/train to Beijing
5. Tip for the guides (approx EUR 5-10 per day total)
6. Entry tickets for special events if applicable – for example Revolutionary Opera if being staged, or a visit to the funfair
7. The lift up the Juche Tower EUR 5
8. Meals will have a complimentary beer but you will have to pay for extra drinks above those provided. If you are vegetarian or have special dietary requirements then please inform us beforehand
9. SINUIJU EXTENSION: RMB 50 for the bus across the bridge to Dandong to be paid on the spot to the local guides
   
   

APPLY FOR THIS TOUR >

<Back

© Koryo Group

As recommended in Bradt Guide, Lonely Planet, and Rough Guide
           

   

[테라(신형철)]

여기 가면 다시는 돌아 올수 없을것같은 예감때문에 당황하지안고 패스 ~~ㅋㅋ

[김뚜기(본명: Don)]

김정은한테 초청받으면 초대소 가서................그냥 죽여줘요...........

ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[테라(신형철)]

ㅋㅋ

[김뚜기(본명: Don)]

리차드님 은 "헐리웃드" 배우이쟌아요!! ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[불꽃짐승]

리차드 기어~ (갤럭시 아님)

[♥돈가스♥마성열♥]

정말 가고싶다
하지만 조금은 무섭기도 몬돌아올까봐ㅋ

[김뚜기(본명: Don)]

돈가스님! 한번죽지! 두번죽나요
설마 김정 은이가 죽이면 영광이지요!

가볼까 하는데 ....