Seoul to Andong

Day 1: Arrival
Day 2: Seoul - Namyangju, 42 miles (68 km)
Day 3: Namyangju - Chuncheon, 44 miles (71 km)
Day 4: Chuncheon - Yeoju, 48 miles (78 km)
Day 5: Yeoju - Chungju - Sangju, 44 miles (71 km)
Day 6: Sangju - Andong Hahoe (Folk) Village, 43 miles (70 km)
Day 7: Andong Hahoe Folk Village
Day 8: Andong Hot Spring - Seoul (no cycling) 
Day 9: Departure

*All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Arrival
Upon your arrival at Incheon International Airport, you can travel to your first hotel by taxi or public transportation or take advantage of the optional transfer. Upon settling in to your hotel, there will be opportunity to participate in a city tour of Seoul at 1 pm.  On the agenda, is a visit to the largest palace in Seoul followed by free time in Insadong, an area well famous for its traditional; crafts shops. Dinner is scheduled at 7 pm. (D)

Day 2:  Seoul - Namyangju, 42 miles (68 km)
After enjoying a lovely breakfast at the hotel or nearby, the cycling adventure begins and leads almost entirely along the Han River Bike Path, past Yeouido, the heart of politics, banking and finance of South Korea, and through different parks located along the Han River. Among them, are Yeouido Park and Ttukseom Park.  These parks are the local's favorite place to stroll along the river. Along the way, there is a stop scheduled at the Dasan Heritage Site to learn about Dasan Jeong Yak-Yong (1762~1836), one of the greatest scholars from the late Joseon Dynasty.  (B,L,D)

Day 3: Namyangju - Chuncheon, 44 miles (71 km)
The cycling begins early today! You will be on the bike just after 8 am and will continue to follow the Han River. This is a vast waterway, nearly two kilometers wide in places, that winds its way from the mountains to empty into the Yellow Sea. Millions of dollars have been invested to restore the river ecosystem, improve access to the riverside parks, and to create recreational facilities. Lunch will be on Jara Island, in a simple and peaceful setting, with a lovely 4 km riverside walk, variety of wild flowers such as cosmos, cockscomb, etc. and sports facilities. It is also a popular camping location, which is a very trendy activity in Korea.
For dinner, you will enjoy Dakgalbi, the local dish of Chuncheon, on the infamous Dakgalbi Street, where all the restaurants serve only this dish. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Chuncheon - Yeoju, 48 miles (78 km)
Once again, an early departure on bikes (approximately 8 am) for a short ride to Chuncheon Station. From here, you will enjoy a train ride to Daeseongli Station, followed by a ride along a different path, the South Han River Bike Path, considered to be one of the most beautiful of the newly developed bike path system. The route leads through Dumulmeori, or 'two water area,' the place where Bukhangang River and Namhangang River meet. There is a rustic beauty here, graced by weeping willows and the three 400-year-old Zelkova trees that appear as one giant tree!  (B, L, D)

Day 5: Yeoju - Chungju - Sangju, 44 miles (71 km)
First on the agenda today is the Silleuksa temple, built during the Silla dynasty and located deep in the forest of Mt. Bongmisan. This Korean Buddhist temple is a sacred pilgrimage site and a repository of seven treasures, set amidst a 500-year-old juniper tree and a 600-year-old ginkgo tree. After lunch a visit to Jungangtap Historical Park followed by a bus transfer from  Chungju to Sangju. Tonight you are free to explore Sangju and enjoy dinner on your own. (B, L)

Day 6: Sangju - Andong Hahoe (Folk) Village, 43 miles (70 km)
On a 37-mile stretch of the Nakdong River Bike Path, cyclists pass the Sangju Bicycle Museum, a Confucian school founded in 1606, and Gyeongcheondae Terrace, a rock cliff prized for its view of the Nakdong.  The day's destination is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Andong Hahoe Folk Village. Hahoe Village (translated to “Village Enveloped by Water”) gets its name from Nakdong River, which flows around the town’s perimeter. The village is located at the foothills of Hwasan Mountain, an offshoot of Taebaek Mountain that rises up to the east. The night will be spent in Andong Folk Village traditional house.  Famous personalities have passed this way. Queen Elisabeth II  spent her birthday in Andong and Mark Lippert, and American ambassador,  visited the village as well. (B, L, D)

*Please note that Hahoe Village is a UNESCO World Heritage and modern accommodations are not available within the village. You accommodations this evening are in Bukchondaek House, that offers exclusive accommodations to this operator. You will sleep on a thin mattress on heated room floor, which is the Korean style. Both rooms/shower are modern but shared among 4~7 persons. Although this sounds awkward and quite foreign to our western perspective, this is a truly authentic experience! 

Day 7: Andong Hahoe Folk Village
Today you will have a day of respite and rest from the bikes but will have opportunity to explore Andong.  This traditional village from the Joseon Dynasty is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has preserved the Joseon period-style architecture, tiled and thatched roof houses, and folk traditions of clan-based villages. In the morning, a guided tour will be offered  After the tour village, we will visit Andong Hahoe Mask Museum to learn about the different masks in Korea but also all over the world and use this new knowledge to understand the mask show performance which will be offered at 2:00 pm.
After the performance, you will cross the river in a small ship (if available) and hike to the top of Buyeongdae cliff (15min of easy hiking). Upon arrival to the summit, you can enjoy the views over all the village.  (B, D)

Day 8: Andong Hot Spring - Seoul (no cycling) 
You are transferred via public bus from village to nearby Andong Hot Springs and opportunity for bathing in the various pools, a perfect antidote for your legs after four days of riding. Lunch will be on your own and then transport back to Seoul. After visiting the hot spring,  there is a transfer to Andong Bus Terminal and return to Seoul. Farewell dinner at buffet restaurant, then night walk along the Han River (optional).  (B, D)

**Please note: In Andong Hot Springs, men and women are in separate areas and it is not permitted to wear clothing in the hot springs.

Day 9: Departure
Tour finishes after breakfast. Hotel airport transfers are available with frequent departures throughout the day.

*Unique to this tour is the opportunity to collect stamps in your souvenir Korean Bike Passport. Each day you will pass certification points where you can stamp your passport. When your passport is complete you will have an awesome souvenir to remind you of your achievement and to relay your stories and experiences to anyone who will listen!

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Hotels used on this tour are good 3 * hotels, many with Wifi available. On Day 6 and Day 7, you will be accommodated in Hahoe Village is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Modern accommodations are not available within the village and you will sleep in simple Korean style with shared facilities. Sample hotel list will be provided upon request.