South Korea: Seoul to Busan Bike Tour

DAY 1:

Introductions to Seoul.

Meet your guides at the hotel for bike introductions and a welcome dinner. If you arrive early, you might stroll Gyeongbokgung Palace, browse Insadong’s galleries and tea houses, or walk along the Cheonggyecheon Stream, where you will be starting your ride tomorrow morning.

Meal Inclusions: Dinner.

DAY 2:

Seoul to Namyangju ~60km (+509m / -495m).

Begin your cycling adventure from your Seoul hotel, following the Cheonggyecheon Stream and Han River bike paths. The traffic-free ride carries you out of the city, where bridges and riverside parks give way to open countryside. Along the way, stop at old red phone booths that now serve as certification stamp stations to mark your progress along the cross-country route.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 3:

Namyangju to Yeoju ~62km (+467m / -460m).

Continue along the Han and Namhan River bike paths as the terrain begins to rise toward the foothills. Pass through Yangpyeong, a riverside town popular with Seoulites escaping the city, before following broad curves of the river toward Yeoju.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 4:

Yeoju to Chungju ~61km (+500m / -460m).

Pedal a converted railway line, through shaded tunnels and across bridges with wide views of the South Han River. Arrive in Chungju, where you may choose to relax at your hotel or stroll to the market and riverside cafés.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 5:

Chungju to Mungyeong ~50km (+890m / -725m).

Climb into the mountains on the Saejae Bicycle Path, beginning with Saejae Pass, long described as ‘so high even the birds could not cross.’ A second ascent over Ihwaryeong brings views across the Baekdu-daegan range before descending to Mungyeong, a mountain town known for its hot springs and forested trails.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 6:

Mungyeong to Andong Folk Village ~88km (+520m / -670m).

We recommend waking up a little earlier this morning to explore the walking trails in Mungyeong Saejae Park before beginning the ride. Cycle alongside streams and rice paddies into Andong, where you will stay on the outskirts of the city for the night, close to the UNESCO-listed Hahoe Folk Village you will visit tomorrow.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 7:

Andong to Andong City ~35km (+345m / -340m).

Cycle from your hotel to the Hahoe Mask Museum before continuing to the UNESCO-listed Hahoe Folk Village, where traditional life has been preserved for centuries. Continue on to Andong City, to discover Andong Old Market and try the city’s signature dish: jjimdak, a spicy chicken stew.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 8:

Andong City to Cheongsong ~48km (+650m / -505m).

Leaving the city, the road begins to climb into the foothills, with gradients that test the legs while opening views across farmland and mountain valleys. Ride through villages and winding country roads before reaching your lodging, where the Solsaem Hot Springs offer a restorative soak.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 9:

Cheongsong to Yeongdeok ~45km (+684m / -900m).

Cycle from Cheongsong along quiet mountain roads before descending toward the coast. The established East Coast bike path stretches into Yeongdeok, your resting place for the night. Seafood lovers will relish the chance to try Yeongdeok’s famous Korean king crab!

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 10:

Yeongdeok to Gyeongju ~33km (+155m / -115m).

The day begins with a transfer through Pohang to the Hyeongsan River corridor, where your cycling route picks up the newly developed trail infrastructure. From there you’ll follow the path into Gyeongju, arriving by afternoon with time to explore its remarkable concentration of temples, tombs, and gardens. Tonight, you’ll stay in a traditional hanok, with polished wood, tiled roofs, and quiet courtyards, reflecting Korea’s architectural heritage.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 11:

Explore Busan.

Transfer to Shin-Gyeongju station for a swift 30-minute KTX train to Busan. Spend the day exploring the hillside alleys of Gamcheon Culture Village or the bustling Jagalchi Seafood Market, the country’s largest. In the evening, settle into your beachside hotel and gather with your group for a final dinner by the sea.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 12:

Farewells.

Your tour concludes following breakfast.