Best DMZ Tour Seoul: Defector Q&A, 3rd Tunnel & Suspension Bridge
Description
See North Korea up close with PLK Travel, running DMZ tours from Seoul since 2016. We created Korea's first DMZ suspension bridge tour and run our own North Korea Experience Center. There you meet a real North Korean defector face to face. Hear a firsthand escape story, learn what life in North Korea is really like, then join a live Q&A and ask anything about life across the border. From Dora Observatory, look straight into North Korea with your own eyes. Walk deep into the 3rd Tunnel, which North Korea dug toward Seoul. It is one of the closest spots you can get to North Korea. No forced shopping stops. Round-trip transfer from Seoul, a licensed guide in English or Japanese, and a comfortable air-conditioned bus are all included. Choose the option that fits you. Half-day & Short covers the main DMZ highlights in a shorter day. Most Popular adds the amazing Mt. Gamaksan suspension bridge and a short hike. Scenic & Relaxed adds an easy walk across the beautiful Lake Majang bridge.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet a North Korean defector and hear her raw, firsthand escape story, where survival was never guaranteed. Then join a live Q&A to ask anything and get honest answers about life on the other side of the border. Before we go into DMZ area and do ID Check, will look through Mangbaedan Altar which is historical sites related to Korean War. Through a critical lecture on North Korea’s system, visitors learn about the cruel reality of North Korea and listen to a firsthand defection story.
■DMZ(Demilitarized Zone) The 3rd Invasion Tunnel. This is walking course into the tunnel. Take your step into the 3rd tunnel which is one of thrilling tunnel as close to 1.95 meters high, 2.1 meters wide and 1,635 meters long. It was thought to be more threatening as an invasion tool than the 1st and 2nd Tunnels.
It's the northern-most point of the western front, and offers the chance to see Gaeseong Industrial Complex and Songhaksan Mountain in a single view. Take a look at North Korea Territory with your eyes for real!
[Option 2] This is first stop of your short hiking course need 15 min walking to the up. It is one of longest suspension bridge of Korea with 150 meter length and used to be fierce battle field during Korean War. After short hiking to the top, you will reach to the great view point at the mountain Gamaksan.
[Option 3] Lake Majang Bridge This is where the Allied Forces fought a fierce battle in the Korean War.Many Allied soldiers lost and sacrificed their valuable lives here during the Korean War. In April 1951, there was a fierce battle to build a defense line (delta defense line) to protect Seoul against Communism Army May 1951, where there was a battle to advance the Kansas Line.
The beautiful park was constructed for wishing reunification and peace in Korea peninsula
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- Schedule and details can be changed due to unexpected situations including military training schedule changes, traffic, weathers
- It is not recommended/restricted to those who have health issue
- On Mondays, the DMZ tour visits **2nd Tunnel** instead of 3rd Tunnel
Reviews(26,719)
My wife and I recently went on a private half day DMZ tour with Richard of PLK Travel and we had an absolutely fantastic experience. Richard picked us up at our hotel, and we went to Dora Observatory, the Third Tunnel, the Imjingak Peace Park, and had a Q&A with a North Korean defector. Richard, who is a retired South Korean army officer, was an excellent guide and thoroughly answered all of our questions. He is very knowledgeable and a great person. My wife and I highly recommend PLK Travel.
Very informative with a very good guide (Cindy) but too rushed. Very informative with a good guide (Cindy) but too rushed.
Interesting insights and overall a must see tour when visiting South Korea. Julie was an exceptional guide with great energy and kept it short and sweet! After the tour ened she also was kind enough to take a those interested to her skincare store (not olive young). We opted for half day tour and Julie was very good at making sure the group was on time with sufficient time at each stop to see and look around. Highly recommend!
Great experience, Dennis was accommodating, funny and so informative. I learned so much about south and North Korea and history and DMZ area. I highly recommend this excursion.There were five of us my mom and my little one the youngest one is eight so it was a great experience for all of us.
We had a fantastic day on Jin’s tour visiting the DMZ: Dora Observatory, The Third Tunnel, North Korean defector talk, lake tour (this was different due to weather and had to be changed). Jin’s knowledge was exceptional and took us on an emotional and very interesting account of this aspect of Korean history. Aside from Jin’s knowledge she was very funny, entertaining and gave anecdotal accounts. It was very humbling and wholesome. Lunch was also a stop which you pay 10,000 won for (this may be optional 🤷♀️) but I wouldn’t miss it. It was a great lunch stop which refuelled us after our tunnel hike and very reasonably priced for a fabulous plate of food. The weather was not on our side, however, this was not a problem and Jin switched the itinerary around appropriately. The mountains were closed which meant we couldn’t visit the suspension bridge, but we visited a lake (and bridge) instead. The driver also needs a mention as he was very friendly and drove with extreme care. The bus was very comfortable. There were no ‘forced’ shopping stops on this trip - which is also why we chose this. There are souvenir shops though at each location if you do want to buy something. A great day out and excellent value. Book with Jin. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you Charles! ❤️ I enjoyed this one in a lifetime experience so much. You explained everything so well and clearly and made the trip so exciting. I'm so honoured to have experienced this phenomenal trip with such a great travel guide. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Best Guide in town: JuLie Great insights, many information, a lot of information and very entertaining JuLie also changed schedule that we were able to visit the Suspension Bridge before it was closed.
great experience with lots of history about north korea and south korea unification. guide was super talkative and outgoing teaching us a lot. and a great understandable voice too! amazing tour 😊😊😊😊
Charles is a good guide:) recommend
We had an excellent DMZ tour with Charles. His English was outstanding, making everything easy to understand. He has extensive knowledge of the history, politics, and the current situation surrounding the DMZ, and he explained everything in a clear and engaging way. Charles was professional, approachable, and happy to answer all of our questions. His enthusiasm and expertise made the experience both educational and memorable. We highly recommend this tour, especially if you have Charles as your guide. It was one of the highlights of our trip to South Korea.
