Young Pioneer Tours
DPRK Scuba Diving Tour
In 2014, YPT brought in the first SCUBA diver to the DPRK, and we are now pleased to announce not only our first ever scheduled SCUBA diving group tour, but also our first trip into the North-East to originate and finish in Russia!
The trip starts with us arriving by our own means in Vladivostok before a day of diving in the Russian Far East. From there, we enter the Rason Special Economic Zone of North Korea by train. After two days checking out the SEZ we head to the lovely Mt. Chilbo area and the East Sea of Korea for two days of serious diving.
This is the first scheduled trip of its kind into the country and will be run at a very strict maximum of 12 participants. We will not be taking you on your average dive – all joiners to the trip must have at least a PADI open water certificate, and if you are in two minds about your diving skills we can take a look at your dive log book and make recommendations. But for divers everywhere, this will also be a chance of a lifetime!
Thursday 6th July
- Arrival at your own leisure into Vladivostok and transfer to our accommodation for the following 2 nights.
- At night, we head into the city for a welcome dinner, drinks, and to review our itinerary for the following week.
- Overnight in Vladivostok.
Friday 7th July
- We get up early to go pick up our diving equipment and then head out to the Russian East Sea.
- Board our boat and head out for a day of sea diving!
- Highlights include the numbered torpedo boat 308 from the Russian-Japanese war and some incredible sea life!
- Return to Vladivostok.
- Dinner, drinks, and overnight in Vladivostok.
Saturday 8th July
- Picked up early by our bus for the few hours transfer to the Russian/DPRK border where we will jump on the quick train transfer into Rason.
- We’ll be picked up by our guides at the train station and transfer into the Rason Special Economic Zone.
- Welcome lunch in Rason City!
- Following lunch we will hit the more tried and tested DPRK tourist trail by taking a visit to the two large bronze statues of President Kim Il Sung and Leader Kim Jong Il overlooking the city. This day is also the 23rd anniversary of the death of President Kim Il Sung, so there will be many locals visiting the statues to pay their respects on this day.
- Tour highlight! – We now head to the Golden Triangle Bank, changing our foreign money into local Won, and then we’ll head off to the only private market in the DPRK open for foreigners to buy local goods! Here we’ll take the opportunity to buy lots of fresh seafood to be prepared for our dinner that night.
- Head back to our hotel situated right on the sea where our seafood will be cooked for us and where we can enjoy some drinks that evening overlooking the sea.
- Overnight at the hotel.
Sunday 9th July
- We get up early to start the next part of our journey into the far north-east of North Korea proper.
- The journey takes about 5 hours with us stopping for lunch on arrival in Mt. Chilbo.
- We spend the afternoon hiking in the beautiful and picturesque Mt. Chilbo area.
- Check into our hotel, situated on the mountain in the Inner Chilbo area.
- Dinner, drinks and overnight surrounded by beautiful scenery with a great view of the stars!
Monday 10th July
- We take the drive down to the sea in the Mt Chilbo area, and to the only homestay available for foreigners to stay at in the whole country.
- We head down to the beach area to start our main tour highlight – a full day of diving in the East Sea of Korea from the beach side!
- We enjoy a picnic/barbecue lunch on the beach before continuing with diving.
- Back to our homestay for home-cooked Korean food washed down with lots of Soju whilst we befriend the Korean family hosting us.
- Overnight at the Home Stay Village (guests travelling on USA or Japanese passports will return for overnight at the Outer Chilbo hotel).
Tuesday 11th July
- Up nice and early for another day of diving in Sea Chilbo.
- Today we take a local boat further into the sea and do some deeper sea diving as well!
- Picnic lunch on the boat.
- Back into the water for more diving!
- Head back to the beach for drinks and sunset before again going back to our hosts in the homestay.
- Home-cooked dinner, drinks and drinks in the Home Stay Village.
- Overnight at the Home Stay Village (guests travelling on USA or Japanese passports will return for overnight at the Outer Chilbo hotel).
Wednesday 12th July
- Up early for the return drive back to Rason through the beautiful scenery of the Chilbo Mountain range.
- Lunch on arrival back into Rason.
- We check into the iconic Rajin hotel, originally built during the Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula.
- We head for a walk around the sea-front, and stop for some beers in the only Czech draft beer bar in the country.
- Dinner and drinks in Rajin square consisting of a delicious Korean BBQ!
- Overnight in Rason.
Thursday 13th July
- We begin the journey back into Russia by first driving along to 3 points pass where Russia, China, and the DPRK borders converge.
- We then take the train back into Khasan and transfer to Vladivostok.
- End of tour.
Price Inclusive Of:
- Shared accommodation (single room supplement available upon request for an extra charge)
- All meals unless otherwise specified in the itinerary
Price Exclusive Of:
- Diving Equipment
- Russian visa fees
- DPRK visa and travel permit fees
- Beer, soju, and other extra drinks
- Tips for local guides
Tour Extensions
Want to extend your YPT adventure? Join one of our great tour extensions
