Wednesday 3^rd September

• Meet your YPT guide at 1:30pm at the Beijing Zhong Gu Hotel near Beijing Railway Station found here. During this meeting, we’ll go through the tour’s itinerary, receive DPRK visas and tickets, as well as a great chance to meet your fellow travellers and to discuss any other questions you may have about the DPRK.
• Train takers depart Beijing Central station at 5:25pm for the 24 hour sleeper ride to Pyongyang.

Thursday 4^th September

• Train group arrive at Dandong at 7:00am for Chinese border control then depart for Sinuiju at 10:00am for the extensive border control from the DPRK side.
• Flight takers depart Beijing Airport Terminal 2 on Air Koryo at 2:00pm (meet group at Air Koryo check in counter).
• Flight group arrive in Pyongyang at 5:00pm to a warm welcome from your Korean guides.
• Train group arrive at 6:45pm to an equally warm welcome.
• Dinner at a local Korean restaurant on Ryomyong Street
• Check in and overnight at the Sosan Hotel.

Friday 5^th September

Morning

• Up nice and early for the drive to Kaesong city (2 and a half hours)
• Panmunjon DMZ Village – see the DMZ and the treaty and conferences rooms where the armistice was signed all in the company of a friendly KPA officer guide (you can also take pictures of soldiers here!).
• Koryo Museum – the oldest university in Korea and now a converted museum of local history. Also the site of the best propaganda and stamp/postcard shop in the DPRK!

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Thongil Restaurant in Kaesong City – try your hand at traditional Korean Pansangi – a series of dishes served in bronze bowls. (Optional extras- Dog soup 5 euro, Ginseng Stuffed Whole Chicken 30 euro- can be split between several).
• The concrete wall of the DMZ – this is a little off the beaten track and gives us a great glimpse at the wall which was erected by the South Koreans during the 70’s. We can even see South Korean watch towers along the hill from the DPRK post
• Drop by Sariwon city – capital of North Hwanghae province. Explore the folklore park and view the city from the mountain top pagoda. Also if you like you can try Makkoli in a local Makkoli Bar.
• Photo opportunity of the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, standing over the Reunification Highway.
• Dinner at the Lamb BBQ Restaurant.
• Overnight at Sosan Hotel

Saturday 6^th September

Morning

• Morning walk along Pyongyang’s main avenue from Pyongyang Grand Theatre down towards Kim Il Sung Square
• Explore Kim Il Sung Square
• The Foreign Language Bookshop- A great place to buy books, pins, posters and Korean DVD’s
• Walk through Mansudae Fountain Park and see the mosaic pictures of President Kim Il Sung and the Leader Kim Jong Il.
• Visit Mansudae Grand Monument – the two large bronze statues of President Kim Il Sung and Leader Kim Jong Il overlooking the city. (Optional extra – you can present flowers if you wish: 40RMB or 5 euros).

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Chongryu Korean Hot Pot restaurant.
• Visit the recently renovated Korean War Museum – let the expert local guide show you around the enormous museum featuring dioramas, locally used weapons, tanks etc, and captured American equipment!
• USS Pueblo – The only US Naval Ship still held captive by another nation.
• Monument to the Party Foundation – Built-in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the worker’s party.
• Visit Kwangbok department store – here we can buy locally made items and exchange our foreign currency into local DPRK Won!
• Drinks at the Taedongang #3 brewery with seven different beers on tap for 20RMB a pint. Coffee and soft drink also available
• Dinner at the Pyongyang Duck BBQ Restaurant.
• Overnight in Sosan Hotel.

Sunday 7^th September

Morning

• Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – The mausoleum for the Great Leader President Kim Il Sung and the Dear Leader Kim Jong Il.
• Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery – The resting place of the greatest of the anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters each grave features a bronze bust of the hero laid to rest within.

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Pottongang Restaurant.
• Visit Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill – established in 1948, it is the largest textile factory in Pyongyang with over a thousand employees producing fabric. The local workers will demonstrate the spinning, dyeing, and weaving techniques used in the DPRK.
• Afternoon stroll from the east side of Pyongyang to the west crossing over the Taedong River for a perfect photo opportunity of May Day Stadium – the world’s largest seated capacity stadium.
• Visit Mansudae Art Studio – a chance for us to meet local artists where the state’s monuments, portraits, vases are produced for the country
• Head to the Meari Shooting Range which been recently renovated and equipped with rifles, pistols, archery, virtual games and automatic rifles. 3RMB per bullet.
• Dinner at Ji Ha restaurant
• Overnight at Sosan Hotel

Monday 8^th September

Morning

• Grand People’s study House- Library and academic centre for adult learners, this grand building is built in the Korean style and affords a great view over the central Square.
• Pyongyang Metro! Ride from Stop 1 to Stop 2 then on to stop 6! Exiting to:
• The Arch of Triumph- The largest Victory Arch on the planet- it celebrates the victory over the Japanese and the return of the general Kim Il Sung to his home city.

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Moran Hill Restaurant
• Walk along Moran Hill where Korean families gather for outdoor BBQ, singing and dancing. Fantastic for photos.
• Special celebratory events (optional: 150RMB or 20 euros) – Yet to be confirmed but we will take part in any events that are possible for tourists to attend. These may include a circus performance, red orchestra, or possibly some other surprises.
• Juche Tower- The tallest stone tower in the world it represents the eternally burning Korean Juche Ideology. (40RMB or 5 euros to visit the top for panoramic views of the city)
• Dinner at a local restaurant to try the famous Pyongyang cold noodles or Korean Bibimbap with a special performance from the waitresses
• Spectate the Mass Games – The world’s largest performance. Tickets can be purchased with cash only and reserved whilst on tour in North Korea.
• To be confirmed: We’ll gather in Kim Il Sung Square to watch the fireworks amongst the locals to celebrate today’s event.
• Overnight at Sosan Hotel

Tuesday 9^th September: National Day – Fly to Chongjin

Morning

• Depart 10:00am from Pyongyang Airport on an Air Koryo flight to Orang county – this is one of few unique opportunities to fly Air Koryo domestically within North Korea
• Arrive at Orang Airport at 10:50am and drive onto Chongjin (2 hours) – Chongjin is North Korea’s third-largest city with a heavy focus on the steelworks and fishing industry.

Afternoon

• Check-in at Chongjin Hotel – formally a hotel used to accommodate Soviet scientists back in the 80’s
• Lunch at the Chongjin Seamen’s Club – here you can try Chongjin’s best noodle dish
• Visit the newly renovated Chongjin Square to see the statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il
• Spectate and/or join in on the Chongjin university students performing a mass dance at the square
• Explore the square to visit the newly built Electronic Library – here the locals have a chance to use their local intranet for research, practice their typing skills and to play locally made computer games
• Visit the Revolutionary Museum of Chongjin
• Visit the Kim Chaek Steel Complex Kindergarten for a children’s performance – before visiting we can stop by a local store to pick up some stationary or candy for the students
• Chongjin Art Gallery – One of the best art galleries in the country to offer unique propaganda artwork
• Visit the Soviet Martyrs Cemetery – this cemetery was built to commemorate the Russians who landed in Chongjin to battle the Japanese Aggressors during WW2. The cemetery has an incredible view of Chongjin’s east port.
• Dinner and drinks at Namgang Restaurant – during dinner we’ll have the option to dance and sing with the Korean waitresses.
• You can have the option to visit the new Namgang hot spa for a hot bath and swimming. (60 RMB extra)
• Overnight and drinks at Chongjin Hotel

Wednesday 10^th September – North Korean home stay

Morning

• Stop by the Chongjin Foreign Language Institute to greet the students and join in on a class. This is also a fantastic opportunity to speak with the students to get a better understanding of their lives in Chongjin
• Susongchon Foodstuffs Factory – where bread, soju and other sweets are made locally in Chongjin city
• Drive to Mt. Chilbo (3 hours) stopping along the coastal road for some gorgeous scenic views
• On the way stopping at the North Hamngyong Mushroom Factory – Here we can see how mushrooms are produced as well as sample the local product.
• Arrive at the entrance to Mt. Chilbo for an explanation of the area using the world’s largest mineral painting map as a guide.

Afternoon

• Lunch at Outer Chilbo Hotel
• Begin your easy hike through the mountains of Chilbo – this region is the most famous part of North Hamgyong province and has lots of colourful stories to explain the various rock structures.
• On the way stopping by Kaesim Buddhist Temple and meet the local monk
• Trip Highlight – Drive to the home stay village where we’ll be greeted by our families and then taken to our homes. We encourage to bring gifts and photos from your home countries as a nice gesture.
• Dinner and home stay overnight at the village – two guests per family

Thursday 11^th September – North Korean home stay

Morning

• We’ll begin our morning hike, this time up to Tokgol and Gangsonmun areas – these are the highest peaks of the Mt. Chilbo area and we’ll have stunning views of both the land and the sea.
• Picnic lunch once we reach the top

Afternoon

• Spectate or play volleyball with the locals, play with the children, help with some light chores or walk around to meet the neighbours!
• Jump on a local fisherman’s boat and drive out to see to see the magnificent Mt. Chilbo from afar (20 RMB extra)
• Optional Korean wrestling and volleyball tournament with the villagers.
• Dinner at the home stay village
• Bonfire party on the beach with the villagers providing entertainment by singing songs and dancing.
• Overnight with our Korean home stay families.

Friday 12^th September – Return to Pyongyang

Morning

• Morning chores with home stay family such as sweeping, washing dishes, watering vegetables in the front yard, playing with the dog, etc – not a must but a very polite gesture as a thank you for accommodating you
• Drive to Orang county on the way stopping at:
• Yombun revolutionary site – this beautiful scenic site named for being one of the first places on the east coast where villagers discovered a new way to get sea salt despite the east sea being almost tideless.

Afternoon

• Visit Jipsam Revolutionary Site and picnic lunch along the beach
• Arrive at Orang county to board our 3:00pm flight back to Pyongyang
• Arrive in Pyongyang at 3:50pm
• Check into Sosan Hotel to freshen up
• Stroll along the new Mirae Scientist Street to see one of the newest residential areas in Pyongyang
• Farewell dinner at Dongsong restaurant
• Overnight at Sosan Hotel

Saturday 13^th September

• Flight members depart at 8:50am for Beijing arriving 9:50am in Beijing local time
• Train members depart at 10:25am for Beijing.

Sunday 14^th September

• Train members arrive at Beijing Railway Station at 9:00am.

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