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NORTH KOREA, THE WORLD’S MOST SECRETIVE

COUNTRY

with Phil and Allie Dunnington

18th

- 29th

of August 2013

North Korea, or the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea (in short DPRK) is one of

the least visited and secret countries on the planet. Phil and I went on a mind

blowing 7 day trip to North Korea only 5 years ago. Every day was packed with new

incredible visits of massive mausoleums and monuments but also beautiful ancient

temples or tombs set in untouched landscape. Fascinating also our private escort to

the DMZ (North/South Korean border) and our stay in a traditional wooden Korean

house in the lovely town of Kaesong.

So, I would like to offer you the chance to join me on a new route around the

country on a private charter flight up to sacred Mt Paekdu – the birthplace of all the

‘dear leaders’. Mt Paekdu is a beautiful volcano with a crater lake inside and also the

base camp for military actions during the Korean war. We are now also allowed to

visit the harbour town of Chongjin and Wonsan, places that have just be opened for

the first time ever to foreign visitors. Expect to experience something you could not

compare with anywhere else in the world!

As a final highlight we will visit the Mass Games in Pyongyang with over 100,000

participants celebrating the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War (which of

course – according to the North Koreans – was won in great triumph by the DPRK!).

Things are changing even in such a closely monitored country and with our visit we

also contribute to gentle reforms within the country (more relaxed attitudes on

photography, opening of new destinations, aid projects etc).

I am working with the most experienced company on trips to the DPRK who have

been running trips to the DPRK for over 20 years. Don’t miss this opportunity!

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1st day: Sun 18th August Beijing-Yanji

Flight from Beijing to Yanji (2 hours) – transfer to North Korean owned hotel (30

mins). Free time in Yanji (or a program can be arranged here, as you like!). Ryugyong

Hotel, Yanji (China).

2nd day: Mon 19th Yanji – cross the border to DPRK, Hoeryong

Departure to China/DPRK border (2 hours), cross the border at Namyang (a new

border crossing which has just been opened to foreigners this year!), Drive to

Wangjaesan Grand Monument – giant group sculpture of Kim Il Sung’s Guerilla army

in the 1930s (1.5 hours). Drive to Hoeryong (2 hours), visit the sights – Kim Jong Suk

Statue, Kim Jong Suk Birthplace – Kim Jong Suk is the mother of Kim Jong Il, known

locally as the ‘mother of Korea’ among other honourifics, Revolutionary Museum,

Dinner in local restaurant. Overnight at Hoeryong Hotel,Hoeryong

3rd day: Tues 20th Hoeryong-Chongjin

Drive to Chongjin (3 hours), Central square of the city, Statue of Kim Il Sung – every

major city in the DPRK has one, lunch in local restaurant Regional Library – newly

finished, a local study house, Steelworks Kindergarten – the steelworks here is the

largest in the country, it isn’t possible to go to the factory but the kindergarten is for

the worker’s children, Revolutionary Museum – learn about how the anti-Japanese

war was waged in this area, Dinner and evening drinks at Chongjin fisherman’s club –

popular with locals, a watering hole that tourists can visit where local people can

also go Chongjin Hotel, Chongjin

4th day: Wed 21st Chilbo mountains, homestay

Drive to Jipsam Revolutionary site (1 hour) – set on a beautiful beach with a fishing

village on it, the local guides will explain the significance of the area while you take in

the view. tour the site and take the scenic coastal walk, picnic lunch here. To

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Kyongsong town (30 mins), old house used by Kim Il Sung – from the period just after

Liberation, local sauna, on to Mt Chilbo area (2 hours). Arrive at Homestay village –

opened with the assistance of the World Tourism Organisation, this is the only place

that foreigners can stay in the homes of locals. The village is built for this purpose

but the people do really live here, a very interesting experience, dinner at local

beach or in the village restaurant, Homestay Village, Mt. Chilbo.

5th day: Thurs 22nd Chilbo area, flight to Mt Paekdu on private charter

Tour of Chilbosan area – stunning peaks and remote temples, stories and legends

abound as well as unforgettable scenery and views! Lunch at Outer Chilbo Hotel.

Drive to Orang Airport (2hours)to take charter flight to Mt Paekdu (1 hour), arrive at

Samjiyon airport, and transfer to local town of Samjiyon (20 mins). Brief town tour

including Schoolchildren’s Palace – regional centre of academic and artistic

excellence, regional museum Pegaebong Hotel,Mt. Paekdu.

6th day: Fri 23rd Mt Paekdu crater, charter flight to Hamhung

Samjiyon Grand Monument – giant sculpture area, very impressive sight indeed.

Drive to Mt. Paekdu (1.5 hours). Ascend to the summit for views and wandering

around. Picnic lunch at the top of the mountain. Also time to get down to the crater

lake if desired Drive to Limyongsu Waterfall (1 hour), Secret Camp (30 mins) – the

official birthplace of Kim Jong Il, set deep in the forests that cover this part of the

country.

Return to Samjiyon airport (1 hour) for flight to Hamhung opened to tourists only in

2010, this city was devastated during the Korean war and rebuilt with a lot of East

German assistance (2 hours) and transfer to Majon Guesthouse OR Sinhungsan

Hotel, Hamhung (the former is on a beach nearby, the latter is in the city centre)

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7th day: Sat 24th Hamhung- Wonsan, beach!

Mt. Donghung (old fortress and viewing area), Main plaza with Kim Il Sung statue

Central Square and Hamhung Grand Theatre, home of King Ri Song Gye (assassin and

founder of the Li Dynasty, Korea’s last), Fertiliser Factory – very significant industrial

site in the DPRK, lunch in the city

Drive to Wonsan (2 hours), via Dongbong co-operative farm – here you can learn

about the cooperative system and see it at work, also shopping in the farm shop is

fun. Visit Wonsan oriental park or agricultural university. Central Square and Pier

(walking tour of the seafront area), Old railway station in the city centre (now a

revolutionary site), Songdowon Hotel, Wonsan

8th day: Sun 25th Drive to Pyongyang, sightseeing

Return to Pyongyang (4 hours) via Arch of Triumph – built to mark Kim Il Sung’s 20

year journey to liberation, Mansudae Grand Monument – 20m statues of Kim Il Sung

and Kim Jong Il, Fountain Park, Kim Il Sung Square – the central square of the city,

where the parades and mass rallies happen. Check in Hotel Yanggakdo, Pyongyang

9th day: Mon 26th city tour Pyongyang, Mass Games

PY city tour – Tower of the Juche Idea – tallest stone monument in the world, ascend

to the top for a panoramic view and an explanation of Juche, the national guiding

philosophy, Monument to Party Foundation – in honour of the ruling Workers’ Party

of Korea, walking tour along the banks of the river Taedong Moranbong Park (if

weather is good could have lots of locals), Golden Lane Bowling Centre, new ice

skating palace (all good for mingling with local people), MASS GAMES (expected)

Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang

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10th day:Tue 27th city tour Pyongyang, stand by Mass Games

Kumsusan Palace of the Sun (Mausoleum of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il), Korean War

Museum , USS Pueblo – American spy ship captured in 1968 (Both will be open again

by then, the war museum newly expanded, the Pueblo moved to a new site), Railway

Museum, shopping at stamp shop and bookshop, Drive to Mt. Ryonggak (20 mins)

for picnic lunch and view of Pyongyang if you ascend to the top of the mountain.

Paekdusan Architecture Institute, Pyongyang Textiles Factory (both rarely visited by

tourists), Grand People’s Study House or Pyongyang film studios. Local funfair visit in

the evening (a great way to end a tour). Final farewell dinner at the PY diplomatic

club! Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang

11th day: Wed 28th Depart back to Beijing or stay on for extensions

DEPART by train or by plane back to Beijing or see train options for extension at

Dandong. Or spend the day with a guided tour of Pyongyang Sunan airport seeing

one of the last surviving Ilyushin IL-14s and/or book a circular pleasure flight on one

of the aircraft listed below. Please let us know as soon as possible which return

option you would prefer as we need to make reservations very early!

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OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS

12th day: Thurs 29th Traditional Kaesong village, ancient tombs and DMZ

Drive to Kaesong (2.5 hours), Panmunjom/DMZ, Sonjuk Bridge Tomb of King

Kongmin, Concrete Wall, return to Pyongyang, Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang

NOTE: you can extend this tour to an overnight stay in a traditional Korean House!

13th day: Fri 30th Beautiful nature around Mt. Myohyang, Friendship Exhibition

Drive to Mt. Myohyang (2.5 hours), Friendship Exhibition: a huge underground

bunker displaying the incredible collection of gifts presented to the DPRK and its

leaders, Buddhist Temple, Return to Pyongyang via Ryongmun Caves (subterranean

grotto complex), arrive in PY around 5 PM – can add something here if needed as

well, Yanggakdo Hotel, Pyongyang

Sat 31st DEPART by train or by air

TOTAL COST OF THE PACKAGE (ALL PRICES IN EUROS PER PERSON)

Basic tour (1 night in Yanji + 10 nights in DPRK) including the outbound flight to Yanji,

charter plane for domestic flights within the DPRK and assumed return flights from

Pyongyang to Beijing. (see section on the train option)

12pax 14pax 16pax

2784 € 2674 € 2403 € NOTE: prices might still change slightly!

2258 £ 2165 £ 1946 £

3624 $ 3476 $ 3123 $

Single supplement per night: 40 €

TRAIN: tickets on the Pyongyang – Dandong - Beijing routes are in very limited

supply and almost always sell out, usually far in advance of departure. We very

strongly recommend sending us your request as far in advance as possible. EUR per

person

Soft sleeper train (4 berth/cabin) Pyongyang – Beijing [Mon, Weds, Thurs, Sat] 200

Soft sleeper train (4 berth/cabin) Pyongyang – Dandong [Mon, Weds, Thurs, Sat] 120

CHARTER FLIGHT:

We shall charter our private AN-24 for

our domestic flights.

NOTE: for those interested in rare

aircraft we can arrange a private tour

around PY airport (IL-14!) and possibly

flights in a Tupolev Tu-204, Ilyushin IL-

76 or IL-76. Pls inform us well in

advance!!

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TOUR FEE INCLUDES:

• Domestic flight from Beijing to Yanji

• Transfer from Yanji to border and onwards

• All transportation within the DPRK

• Return flight from Pyongyang back to Beijing on Air Koryo (or train option)

• All meals on the tour except on the train into/out of the DPRK

• Meals will have a complimentary beer but you will have to pay for extra drinks above those provided (these are inexpensive though)

• All hotel and home –stay accommodation

• Two Korean tour guides and a driver per group

• All entry fees for attractions such as museums etc in the DPRK

NOT INCLUDEDED IN THE FEE:

• International flights to Beijing

• Overnight stay in Beijing (visa fees are waived for short stays from 2013 onwards for EU citizens for up to 3 days stays in Beijing)

• Single room supplement unless otherwise specified (EUR 40 per night, effective from August 6, 2010)

• Extra drinks and souvenirs

• DPRK visa fee (CNY 500 = 61€, £50 effective from 1st of May); fees at other embassies vary)

• Tip for the guides (approx EUR 20-25 total)

• Meals on the train into/out of DPRK (bring your own food or eat dinner and lunch in the buffet car approximately EUR 5 per person)

• Entry tickets for Mass Games and special events if applicable – for example Revolutionary Opera if being staged, or a visit to the funfair*

• Lift up the Juche Tower has to be paid in the DPRK (EUR 5)

• Sometimes we have the opportunity to visit the circus, a revolutionary opera or an orchestral performance which is an optional visit (costs around EUR 20).

For those who do not wish to visit we will arrange an alternative itinerary.

If you are interested in joining, please contact us as soon as possible as spaces are

filling up rapidly and we have to make our bookings within the country very shortly!

Please contact us at:

GONE-WITH-THE-WIND Ltd.

Phil and Allie Dunnington

1 Kensington Villas, Royal Park, Clifton

Bristol BS8 3AJ

Tel: +44-117-9737601

Email: balloonjourneys@alliedunnington.co.uk

See our website for more exciting trips in 2013: www.gonewiththewind.uk.com