Holm/AAAW tour: Mt Seorak and Jeju Island
This tour is open to all IKAA Gathering participants (no association affiliation necessary!), and is an opportunity for adoptees and their families (spouses and children) to continue the camaraderie of the IKAA Gathering 2007. The last time Gathering participants went on a Post-Gathering Tour with us, they didn’t want the feeling of the Gathering to end…so having a tour where you can see other parts of Korea, led by adoptees such as yourself, is a perfect way to continue this amazing experience! It will put a cap to a perfect time in Korea, the end to a wonderful beginning. We have 15 years of experience planning and leading tours in Korea!
This tour will concentrate on two of South Korea’s most amazing destinations – the East Coast and Mt Seorak, for breathtaking hiking, majestic scenery, warm ocean water and sandy beaches, and Jeju Island, blessed with scenic beaches, waterfalls, rocky coastlines, lava caves, and much more. These two locations allow the traveller to participate in a variety of activities such as hiking, swimming, cycling, relaxing on one of the sandy beaches, or enjoying the tropical climate, with cool breezes, sunshine, and a wide range of food, drinks, and culture.
The tour leaves Seoul on the day after the IKAA Gathering, August 6th, at 10 AM. We will return to Seoul on Sunday morning, August 12th – and flights into Seoul will be early enough so that those flying back to their homes can book flights for the late afternoon or evening of August 12th, if they choose to do so.
What will your tour include?
This tour will include all of your group transportation within Korea - buses to and from Mt Seorak & the east coast, domestic flights to and from Jeju Island, and tour buses in Jeju and to sites around Mt Seorak and the East Coast. It will include hotel rooms for 6 nights, based on double occupancy (triple or single can be arranged, too – singles at a slightly higher rate), and including taxes and tips/service. Both hotels are air-conditioned and in great locations. The hotel by Mt Seorak is the closest to the mountain and is a Deluxe Hotel. The hotel in Jeju is a 1st Class hotel with an unbeatable view of the ocean and Mt Halla. Your tour price will include three days of guided activities with volunteer adoptee guides/leaders, which you can join in or not – one day at Mt Seorak, one day at a beach on the East Coast, and a one day tour of Jeju Island. Meals will be on your own, except for a lunch during the Jeju Island tour, which will be provided. Other activities can be suggested at the various locations, including group social activities, favourite restaurants, etc.
We will try to accommodate special requests as much as possible, too. You can either identify a roommate for your travel, or have us match you with a roommate…at your own risk, of course!
Daytime group activities will not start too early, except where necessary – after all, this tour is supposed to be about fun, socializing and getting to know as many other adoptees as you can, from all over the world!
What will your tour cost you?
Your cost is $700 per person, for all of the above. Your “other” costs will be money for food, drinks, shopping, and separate activities (scooters, snorkelling, taxis, etc). Add $200 for a (requested) single room.
Place your reservation and roommate requests by emailing
tim@tremperco.com
with your name(s), address, age(s), phone and email. Also let us know of any personal requests you'd like us to be aware of. Your place can be guaranteed with a $150 deposit, or you can pay the entire tour price. If making the deposit, your balance will be due by July 1. Cancellations will be accepted up to July 1, less a $50 cancellation fee.
Payments may be made by check, Pay Pal account or bank transfer:
- Checks should be made payable to AAAW and mailed to Tim Holm, PO Box 19647, Seattle, WA 98109-6647.
- Pay Pal payments may be made through the Adoptee Gathering Pay Pal account in the amount of $720 (includes a $20 fee).
- Bank transfers can be made to the Adoptee Gathering account at Bank of America, Shoreline Branch, PO Box 94022, Seattle, WA 98124 - Routing #125000024 and Account #18836411, or SWIFT/BIC is BOFAUS3N. Make your wire transfer payment for $725 (includes a $25 fee) and identify your name and "Post Gathering tour" on your transfer.
SCHEDULE
Preliminary Day 1: Monday August 6:
Bus from Seoul to Mt Seorak, through scenic countryside and into Korea’s Alps. There is an outlook into North Korea that we will stop and see, time permitting. A stop along the way for lunch will also be an experience, as Korea’s “Truck Stops” are famous. The evening is free to explore the area around the hotel, find a great restaurant for dinner, or enjoy some of the local pubs.
Preliminary Day 2: Tuesday August 7:
The day can be spent hiking the myriad of trails, of varying difficulties, on and around Mt Seorak. There also is a tram to the top of one of the peaks, with a breathtaking view of the valleys surrounding the area. And there’s a temple with one of the largest Buddha’s in Korea. The hotel typically has free movies and other specials for guests in the summer evenings.
Preliminary Day 3: Wednesday August 8:
We’ll take a bus to one of the amazing, warm, beautiful sandy beaches, and/or the new Water Park near there – or people can stay and continue hiking the trails on and around Mt Seorak.
Preliminary Day 4: Thursday August 9:
Bus from the hotel to Daegu, where we will catch flights to Jeju Island. The scenic beauty of Korea will come to life, showcasing the natural beauty, coastline and interior of the eastern side of the Korean peninsula. Evening will be in Jeju, where people can enjoy the waterfront nightlife, music at the outdoor amphitheatre, the outdoor amusement park, or any of a dozen clubs and pubs in the area.
Preliminary Day 5: Friday August 10:
A free day to relax and enjoy all the things that Jeju Island has to offer – swimming, snorkelling, bike or scooter, hiking Mt Halla, golfing, and much, much more. Your options will seem endless in this island paradise.
Preliminary Day 6: Saturday August 11:
The day will be spent touring the western half of the island, with lots of stops and a chance to lay on the beach and swim in the ocean. Sights include the amazing waterfalls, interesting fishing villages, lava caves, hiking to a hillside grotto, or just relaxing on the white sand beaches and enjoying the soothing ocean water – you’ll think it’s an ideal day and perfect way to end an amazing trip.
Preliminary Day 7: Sunday August 12:
We’ll head back to Seoul, on a couple of morning flights – if you need to catch an afternoon flight back to Europe, the US or Australia, it shouldn’t be a problem to coordinate that for you. Most flights returning to the US or Europe leave later in the afternoon or early evening. If you can spend more time in Seoul, we can help you with ideas for shopping or individual sightseeing, or just kicking back and relaxing. If you want to stay at the Sofitel Ambassador Hotel when you return, remember to let them know - they will honor the IKAA Gathering special price through August 15th.
Other morsels of information
Meals:
You can choose to eat with a group or by yourself…but this tour is all about enjoying the comaraderie of other adoptees such as yourself, so make a point of enjoying the different foods with different groups of people. There are so many things to choose from, and many specialities of the two areas where we will be. Other than the one lunch on Jeju, meals are not included - although discounts will be provided for breakfasts at the hotels.
Weather:
August is hot and humid, which is why you will enjoy the mountains of Mt Seorak and the beaches on the East Coast and Jeju Island. Come ready to swim and enjoy the outdoors, and bring plenty of sunscreen! If there is any rain this time of year, it will be warm and won't interrupt what we are doing.
Cell phones and email:
If you must keep in contact with others, cell phones can be rented for a nominal fee at the airports, and there are internet cafes around…as well as business offices in the hotels, with limited free access.
