Monday 11^th August

• 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.

Tuesday 12^th August

• Train group arrive at Dandong at 7:00am for Chinese border control then depart for Sinuiju at 10:30am for the extensive border control from the DPRK side
• Flight takers depart Beijing Airport Terminal 2 on Air Koryo at 1:00pm (Meet group at Air Koryo check in counter).
• Flight group arrive in Pyongyang at 4:00pm 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.

Wednesday 13^th August

Morning

• Begin the drive down to Kaesong city (2 and a half hours) stopping for a quick rest and refreshments on the way at a local tea house
• Visit The DMZ – See one of the tensest places on earth complete with a friendly KPA officer who will not only give you a guided tour but also keep you safe. Also, the only place you can take photographs of and even with a soldier!
• Koryo Museum- the oldest university in Korea and now a converted museum of local history. Located next door is the best propaganda and stamp/postcard shop in the DPRK

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Reunification restaurant in Kaesong – try your hand at traditional Korean Pansangi – a series of dishes served in bronze bowls. (Option extra – dog meat soup or as the locals call it sweet soup for 40RMB or 5 euros per person)
• Unique visit – 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
• Drive back to Pyongyang stopping at Sariwon city – the capital of North Hwanghae province, explore the local local folklore park and view the city from the mountain pagoda. Here you’ll also be able to try locally brewed Makkoli from a nearby local brewhouse.
• Photo opportunity at the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, standing over the Reunification Highway.
• Dinner and drinks at the Duck BBQ restaurant
• Overnight at the Sosan Hotel

Thursday 14^th August 

Morning

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

Afternoon

• Lunch at KITC Restaurant in Mangyongdae District to try Pyongyang’s famous cold noodle dish or the traditional Korean Bibimbap dish, as well as many shared Korean dishes with a Korean performance
• 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.
• Korean War Museum – We will be guided around this enormous museum by a local military officer featuring dioramas, Korean used weapons, vehicles, tanks etc, and captured American equipment!
• USS Pueblo – The only US Naval Ship still held captive by another nation.
• Visit Kwangbok Department Store – here you can buy locally made items and exchange your foreign currency into local DPRK Won!
• Mansugyo Beer Bar – usually a very busy and happening bar in Pyongyang, cheap beers with over seven different local brews on tap! Coffee and soda also available
• Dinner at the New Hope Restaurant
• Overnight in Sosan Hotel.

Friday 15^th August – Liberation Day!

Morning

• Morning walk along Pyongyang’s main avenue from Pyongyang Grand Theatre down towards Kim Il Sung Square
• Explore Kim Il Sung Square – the central square of the capital and where previously military parades have taken place
• 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).
• 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.

Afternoon

• Lunch at Moran Hill Restaurant
• Walk on Moran Hill where Korean families gather for outdoor BBQ, singing and dancing.
• Visit the Workers Party Foundation Monument – built in 1995 to signify the 50th anniversary of the Workers Party of Korea.
• Mass Dance – over 3000 Pyongyang university students synchronise dance for an hour – incredible photo opportunities and a great opportunity to jump in and join the locals.
• Juche Tower – The tallest stone tower in the world, it represents the eternally burning Korean Juche Ideology. To visit the top is 40RMB or 5 euros.
• Special celebratory events (optional: approx. 20 euros or 150RMB) – 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.
• Dinner at the National Restaurant located in downtown Pyongyang
• Spectate the Mass Games – The world’s largest performance. Tickets can be purchased with cash only and reserved whilst on tour in North Korea.
• We’ll gather in Kim Il Sung Square with the locals to watch the fireworks amongst the locals to celebrate today’s event – to be confirmed.
• Overnight at Sosan Hotel

Saturday 16th August

Morning

• Begin drive to Nampo city (2 hours) – a port town located southwest of Pyongyang
• Visit Chollima Steel Complex-  One of the DPRK’s most famous industrial sites – named after the Chollima movement it helped lead. Here we’ll see workers in action as we watch the steps on how Koreans forge steel.
• Explore Chongsan Co-Operative Farm – here you’ll have the chance to explore a North Korean farm, visit a local nursery a farmer’s house and learn the difference between a state and co-op farm in the DPRK.

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Hangu harbour hotel – a quiet and less visited hotel in Nampo city
• Unique trip highlight – Visit Nampo Beach for a swim, sunbathe, or to play beach games with the locals whilst overlooking the Yellow Sea (East Korean Sea).
• Arrive and check into Ryonggang Spa Resort – this unique resort was first built for the diplomats and elites of North Korea back in the 80s. Now our guests have full access to the resort and it’s facilities including saunas, swimming pool, ping pong and a North Korean arcade room. Each room has your very own private mineral spa.
• Dinner, drinks and overnight at resort – your YPT guide will prepare an optional petrol BBQ clams for 40RMB per person – great for photos!

Sunday 17^th August

Morning

• Drive to the West Sea Barrage – an astounding example of socialist construction, the 8km long barrage was built to separate salty water of the Yellow Sea from the fresh water of the Taedong River to promote better farmland as well as controlling the tide of the river. We visit the top of this massive Soviet project.
• Drop by Kangso mineral water factory – Home to the DPRK’s most famous sparkling water –you learn how it’s pumped from the ground, bottled and delivered. No visit is complete without samples!

Afternoon

• Before arriving in Pyongyang we enjoy a gentle hike to the top of Mt Ryangak (Dragon Mountain) – here you’ll have a picnic lunch with the most spectacular views of the capital city below you.
• Visit the Mansudae Art Studio where all the art works, portraits and monuments from the government are produced
• Drop by the Korean Film Studio – over a thousand North Korean films were produced here with backdrops of fake locations such as Seoul, China, Japan and even Europe. Koryo dynasty costumes are available as an option to complete the scene of old Korea
• Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace – the DPRK’s largest schoolchildren’s palace. We’ll have a chance to visit classrooms to see students studying their elective subjects including dancing, sports, musical instruments, calligraphy, computer science, embroidery and more. The students of the palace will put on a spectacular performance.
• Drinks at the Taedongang #3 brewery with seven different locally brewed beers on tap! Soft drinks and coffee also available.
• Dinner at the Rakrang Restaurant with views of the Taedong River as the sunsets
• Overnight at Sosan Hotel

Monday 18^th August

Morning

• Group A flight members depart at 9:00am for Beijing on Air Koryo. (Arriving in Beijing at 10:00am Beijing time).
• Group A train members depart at 10:25am for Beijing on train K28. (Arriving in Beijing Railway Station at 9:00am on Tuesday the 19th).

Group B continue on:

• Drive to Mt. Myohyang, one of Korea’s most beautiful mountain ranges located two hours north of Pyongyang
• Visit the International Friendship Exhibition – Two large gift houses holding the gifts presented to both Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un from people, governments and institutions all over the world. Something not to be missed!
• Pohyon Temple – One of the 5 famous temples of Korea and one of the largest Buddhist temples in the DPRK.

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Chongchun hotel
• Hike up the scenic mountain range of Mt. Myohyang (2 hours total), please prepare comfortable hiking shoes and light clothing.
• Head back to Pyongyang and on the way stopping at Ryongmun cavern – one of the most famous cave structures in Korea, it’s well known for its size and the uniqueness of its rock formations.
• Dinner and drinks at Sungri Restaurant
• Overnight at Sosan Hotel

Tuesday 19^th August

Morning

• Breakfast in Pyongyang and drive to Wonsan city (4 hours) stopping at Sinpyong Lagoon along the way for a quick rest and refreshments

Afternoon

• Picnic lunch at Ulim Waterfall – one of the most famous and beautiful waterfalls in the DPRK
• Arrive in Wonsan, check into Songdowon hotel overlooking Wonsan Bay
• Visit Songdowon International Children’s Union Camp – This recently renovated summer camp was designed for children in both the DPRK and for international guests. Its facilities include a waterpark, dormitories, aquatic centre, aviary, track & field and a beach
• Walk along the pier to Chok Islet where the locals will be fishing, drinking and enjoying their own BBQs with friends and family. Here you have the option of trying the fresh catch of the day for 5 euros or 40RMB, this will give you a good mix of everything.
• Dinner at a nearby famous seafood restaurant along the waterfront
• Overnight at Songdowon Hotel

Wednesday 20^th August

Morning

• Take a walk around Wonsan Central Square and the nearby port to see DPRK’s very own cruise ship named the Mangyongbong-92
• Visit the former Railway Station which has now been converted into a Revolutionary site with an old Japanese stream engine left over by the Japanese during the Korean occupation
• Trip highlight – Visit Wonsan Beach for a swim, sunbathe, or to play beach games with the locals (optional seafood BBQ on the beach is available for 40RMB or 5 euros per person)

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local Wonsan restaurant to sample famous local dishes
• Drive back to Pyongyang
• Stop by the Tomb of King Tongmyong – the founder of the ancient Goguryeo Kingdom
• Farewell dinner at Liberation Street Restaurant
• Overnight at the Chongnyon Hotel to experience another hotel in Pyongyang! This hotel was built for the World Youth Games back in 1989, recently renovated, and has Pyongyang’s only outdoor swimming pool!

Thursday 21^st August

Morning

• Group B flight members depart at 10:30am for Beijing on Air Koryo. (Arriving in Beijing at 11:30am Beijing time).
• Group B train members depart at 10:25am for Beijing on train K28.

Friday 22^nd August

Morning

• Group B train members arrive at 9:00am at Beijing Railway Station

Read More