Overview

 

Come and join PhotoSafari for a trip to the land of the great unknown, North Korea. All this while we have been receiving information on North Korea from the perspective of the Western media. Now it is your opportunity to witness North Korea through your own eyes and lens. See and feel what North Korea is like and form your own opinion.

The places covered in this trip starts from the capital of North Korea, Pyongyang. From here we will journey to Kaesong, Wonsan-Mt.Kumgang, Masikryong and finally back to Pyongyang. Please see attached map.

We will be arranging your North Korean visa from Beijing. That is why we have to land in Beijing an extra day before flying off to Pyongyang. From Beijing, we will be flying into North Korea by Air Koryo (official North Korean Airline). This photosafari is an eight nights and nine days trip, which include one-day stay in Beijing.

A Brief introduction to places that we will be visiting

 

Pyongyang

Pyongyang is the capital city of North Korea. This is the administrative centre and the pride of North Korea.

Kaesong

Located in Central North Korea, Kaesong is the Southern most city. DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is only a short trip away from this city. We will be visiting this famous DMZ. There is also a small traditional Korean village that is being kept and restored

Mt.Kumgang

Kumgangsan is the second-tallest mountain in North Korea; its highest peak Pirobong is 1638 meters. The area is famed for its scenic beauty. This is a great place for landscape photographers

Masikryong

This is a newly opened ski resort with lots of opportunities for landscape photography.

Organisers note

North Korea is a relatively unknown country. There is limited information and good quality images coming from North Korea, Human-interest photographs are even rarer mainly because most North Koreans refused to be photographed or the visitors are not human-interest photographers. This is the first time the organisers have entered North Korea. This trip is made possible by the network and connections the organisers have established over the years. Please accept our apology for not putting up many photos in this booklet. That being said, this is an opportunity for you to explore a relatively unknown land and form your own opinion first hand with an open mind and heart.

Itinerary

 

Day 1: May 29 (Fri) Beijing

• Pick up at the airport
• Check in at hotel
• Free & easy
• (Breakfast only)

Day 2: May 30 (Sat): Beijing – Pyongyang by flight

• JS 152, PEK-FNJ, 1255h-1555h
• Meet by KITC guides, transfer into city,
• En route visit to Arch of Triumph,
• Walk from Kim Il Sung square to Pyongyang Grand Theatre
• Welcome dinner at Chongryu Hotpot restaurant,
• Stay at Koryo hotel (4 star).
• (Lunch & dinner)

Day 3: May 31 (Sun): Pyongyang City tour, Pyongyang- Kaesong

• Mansudae Fountain Park and Grand Monument
• Tower of Juche Idea
• Foreign Language bookshop, Taedong Gate, Ryongwang Pavilion, Pyongyang Bronze Bell,
• Lunch on Daedonggang Boat on Taedong river,
• Mangyongdae (Birthplace of President Kim Il Sung),
• Pyongyang Metro,
• Mansudae Art Studio
• Drive to Kaesong (2 hours)
• Tomb of King Kongmin,
• Local cuisine dinner & Folkcustoms Hotel (3 star).
• (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 4: June 01 (Mon): Kaesong- Pyongyang

• Panmunjom on DMZ,
• Koryo History Museum.
• Royal meal at Tongil restaurant.
• Back to Pyongyang,
• Circus show (* optional; Euro 20),
• Dinner & stay Koryo hotel (4 star).
• (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 5: June 02(Tue): Pyongyang- Mt.Kumgang

• Drive to Wonsan (3 hours),
• Lunch at Ullim waterfall,
• Visit to Wonsan city- Old Railway station, Songdowon Schoolchildren’s Summer Camp, Songdowon beach,
• Relax at Lagoon Sijung beach,
• Drive to Mt.Kumgang (1 hour),
• Dinner and stay at Oekumgang hotel (5 star), Open-air hot spa & Massage (hot spa and massage optional; Euro 15 per person)
• (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 6: June 03 (Wed); Mt.Kumgang- Masikryong

• Excursion to Mt.Kumgang-Kuryong Waterfall,
• Lunch at Moknan restaurant,
• Walk along Laggon Samil,
• Drive to Masikryong(2 hours),
• Dinner and stay at Masikryong hotel (5 star)
• (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 7: June 04 (Thu); Masikryong- Pyongyang

• Cable car to Daehwa peak (*optional; Euro 15),
• Relax at Masikryong Ski resort, lunch at hotel,
• Drive back to Pyongyang (2 hours),
• Visit to Kwangbok Local department Store,
• Farewell dinner at Paradise restaurant,
• Stay at Koryo hotel (4 star)
• (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 8: June 05 (Fri): Pyongyang- Beijing by flight

• JS 151 , FNJ-PEK, 0900h-1000h
• Tour ends
• (No meals provided)
• Flight back to Kuala Lumpur 02:30am on the 6^th June by AirAsia

Note ***AirAsia return flight from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur departs at 2:30am on the 6^th June. Perhaps we can arrange for some activities from 10:am on the 5^th June till our departure at 2:30 am on the 6^th June. However, this side trip is not included in the price.

North Korean Visa Fees

The following are North Korean Visa fees

1. Malaysians – no visa required
2. Chinese Nationals – 150 RMB
3. Other Nationals – 410 RMB

For enquiries and booking, please email maxby at: [email protected]