Walking Through Cherry Blossoms

Welcome to South Korea! Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, you will be met by a local English-speaking guide and transferred to Busan by KTX, a bullet train. Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, is framed by electric blue oceans, lush mountains, and mouthwatering cuisine. It's a city bursting with surprises, a chilled vibe, and the perfect base to start your journey. The remainder of the day is at leisure. If you are interested, why not head to Gamcheon Cultural Village or explore the fish markets right near your hotel? Stay: Overnight at Hotel Noah or similar

Travel time and distances Incheon International Airport to Busan: Approx. 4 hours 40 minutes by KTX

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before you transfer to Changwon (1-hour drive). On arrival, you will visit Anmingogae Hill, a 9-kilometre-long hill stretching from Taebaek-dong in Jinhae to Anmin-dong in Changwon. Six of the nine kilometres are lined with cherry blossoms, forming the famous Jinhae Cherry Blossom Tunnel. The hill is also known for its views of Jinhaeman Bay, Ungsan Mountain (alt. 703m), Sirubong Peak (alt. 630m), and Cheonjabong Peak (502m).

You will also visit the area around Yeojwacheon Stream, renowned as one of the best locations for viewing spectacular cherry blossoms. Each April, the entire city of Jinhae is filled with cherry blossoms, with the Yeojwacheon Stream area boasting the most beautiful displays.

Your last stop of the day is Gyeonghwa Station, another famous cherry blossom viewing site. This small railway station, neighboured by Seongjusa Station to the north and Jinhae Station to the south, no longer has railway services, allowing you to walk through the tracks surrounded by rows of cherry blossom trees, creating a stunning floral tunnel effect. Stay: 3 nights Local guest house (* 3 star) (B)

Travel time and distances Busan to Changwon: Approx. 1 hour drive

Enjoy breakfast this morning at a local restaurant before you prepare to depart on foot to walk two sections of the Dream Road, totalling 14 kilometres and taking approximately 6 hours. Listen to the birds singing in the surrounding forest as you walk the Dream Road. The sweet scent of cherry blossoms fills the air, and their petals will rain down on you like soft snowflakes.

Depending on what time you finish walking today, those interested may wish to visit the birthplace of Seongheungsa and Kim Daejin, a famed poet, as well as Kim Daejin's literature museum, located at the end of the Dream Road. Stay: Local guest house (* 3 star) (B)

Travel time and distances Walking distance: Approx. 14 kilometres, 6 hours

Fuel up again this morning in a local restaurant for breakfast before you set off to walk two more sections of the Dream Road, covering 13.4 kilometres and taking approximately 6 hours. Walk through the cooling forest as your mind clears and you absorb the spectacular nature surrounding you. Stay: Local guest house (* 3 star) (B)

Travel time and distances Walking distance: Approx. 13.4 kilometres, 6 hours

Following breakfast in a local restaurant, you will depart and drive to Mt. Songnisan National Park (approx. 3.5 hours), one of the most incredible sites in Korea. Here, you will have the opportunity to hike amidst spectacular scenery and participate in a unique temple stay program, immersing yourself in the zen of Buddhism.

The peaceful, lush landscapes of Songnisan National Park are comprised of mountains with 1,500 years of history. Beopjusa, meaning “a temple where the teaching of the Buddha resides,” was founded in 553 CE and holds countless cultural treasures, offering a deep connection to both Buddhist and Korean traditional culture. The temple welcomes everyone with its wide-open doors and pristine beauty.

Beopjusa is renowned for its cultural properties, including Geumdongmireukdaebul (a 33-metre gilded bronze Buddha statue), Palsangjeon (a five-story wooden pagoda), Daeungbojeon (one of the three major Buddhist halls in Korea), Ssangsajaseokdeung (a twin-lion stone lamp), Lotus-Shaped Stone Fountain, and Palsangjeon Hall.

Regardless of your religion, this experience offers an opportunity to stay in a traditional Buddhist temple and immerse yourself in the spiritual practice of Buddhism. Engage in self-reflection as you connect with nature.

Dinner this evening is a simple vegetarian temple meal. After dinner, join the evening Yebul ceremony.

In the daily routine of Korean temples, the most important event is the Buddhist ceremony – yebul. This ceremony refers to paying respect to the Buddhas enshrined in the Dharma halls three times a day and repeating the teachings. Yebul is also called the “ceremony of five fragrances (obunhyangnye)” because participants reaffirm the five virtues that practitioners hope to perfect. Yebul is the ceremony that regulates the day and is attended by everyone possible in the temple compound.

Different instruments are used to symbolically call all beings to join the ceremony. First of all the large bell is sounded, next the drum calls all animals, then the wooden fish for the water-dwelling animals and finally the cloud-shaped gong for the animals of the air. The ceremony continues with a re-affirmation of the refuge we take in the various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and generations of Seon Patriarchs. Then follows the recitation of the Heart Sutra and the Wishes for the welfare of the temple and all people (Barunmoon). Lights are out in the temple by 9pm. Stay: Overnight temple stay (B/L/D)

Note: During the temple stay male and female guests (including couples) may be required to stay in separate rooms due to gender-segregated accommodations at certain temples. Single rooms are not possible. Also, sleeveless T-shirts or flip-flops are not allowed.

Travel time and distances Changwon to Mt. Songnisan National Park: Approx. 3.5 hours drive

Participate in an early morning chant (Yebul) with the monks under the moonlight and stars before returning to the main temple for breakfast.

Following breakfast, enjoy Zen meditation, a meditation session in the mountains, and a tea ceremony with the monks and nuns, where you'll have the opportunity for a Q&A session.

After a temple lunch, depart at midday to return to Incheon International Airport for your onward flight. (B)

Travel time and distances Beopjusa Temple to Airport: Approx 5 hours.