Independent Tours

Ultimate Rason-Pyongyang Tour

Description

For the ultimate DPRK tour experience, Krahun offers guests a unique opportunity to see and experience a huge swath of North Korea, starting out in Rason and traveling to Pyongyang, the capital! As North Korea’s largest city and capital, Pyongyang offers guests a wide range of activities and the chance to visit even more cities outside of Pyongyang such as Wonsan, Hamhung, Kaesong, Sariwon, and many more. Not only will guests visit multiple cities in North Korea, but they will also experience traveling domestically by air, taking a short 50 minute flight from Orang Airport, located outside of Chongjin, to Pyongyang – a truly special and unique experience. Guests will see the most of the entire country and be able to compare different regions of the country.

All our Rason-Pyongyang Tours are accompanied by one of our very own expert staff members for the Pyongyang portion, giving you the added comfort of having your very own Western guide intimately familiar with traveling in North Korea. Guests should note that this tour is mainly available during the tour season – April to October – and may be available during the other months on a case by case basis. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in this tour during the off season.

Sample Itinerary

Both components of our Rason-Pyongyang Tours – the Rason leg and the Pyongyang leg – can be modified by guests! Guests can choose to tour Rason for as short as 2 days and Pyongyang for as short as 4 days. Below is a sample itinerary of a 7 night, 8 day Rason-Pyongyang tour, and even the activities below can be modified as well.

DAY 1

Off to North Korea!

AM

Your tour begins! We depart Yanji in the morning by private chartered bus. It’s a 2 hour drive to the China-DPRK border and we drive through several other cities along the way. After being personally led through the border by one of our Krahun staff members, we head to downtown Rason and enjoy lunch at the Rason International Trade Agency.

PM

After lunch, we visit a foreign language book store and souvenir shop where guests have a chance to see and even buy DPRK books written in other languages, including English. Then we’re off to a local kindergarten to watch an entertaining musical performance by the students. Afterwards, guests visit mosaic portraits of President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il. Then it’s off to a greenhouse to see and learn more about the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il flowers. Before heading back to the hotel, guests visit Rajin Port to see and learn more about an important part of Rason’s development and future. The day comes to a close with dinner and rest at the hotel.

DAY 2

Visiting Krahun

AM

Weather permitting, guests start the morning off with a rare chance to bike along the beautiful eastern coastline to our headquarters with our own company bikes. With the ocean on the left, guests will ride through villages and farmland while school children and farmers wave as you ride by. The optional bike ride is an incredible opportunity to get up close and personal with everyday life in North Korea, and is the only bike ride of its kind in the entire country! Upon reaching our headquarters, guests take a tour of our farm and learn more about our history in the country.

PM

After enjoying a wonderful home-cooked meal in our dining hall with an ocean view, guests travel to nearby Chujin Beach for the sand and the waves. Then it’s on to Bipa Island for fascinating scenery amidst the ocean waters with an optional boat ride to visit the only seal preserve in the entire country. After a quick stop at the Emperor Casino Hotel, which is operated by Hong Kong based company, guests head back to the hotel for dinner and rest.

DAY 3

Exploring Rason

AM

After breakfast, guests explore more of Rason. A visit to Daehung Trading Company, largest state-run seafood processing factory in the region, provides a unique window into the local economy here. Then it’s off to hang out at Hye Ahn Park, located near the center of the city and a frequent gathering spot for locals, especially during holidays. Guests can soak in the sights and sounds of the park, joining a volleyball game with locals, watching North Korean families and kids enjoy a movie on the big, outdoor screen, go rollerblading, or, if lucky, join other locals dancing to some local jams! Before lunch, guests visit the local art gallery to check out DPRK artwork that can also be purchased.

PM

After lunch at a local Korean restaurant, guests visit the foreign language middle school where students learn one of several languages, including English. Guests have a wonderful opportunity to visit a classroom and talk to students learning English in a small group setting. Next, guests visit the Golden Triangle Bank and have the option of exchanging currency for North Korean won, which can even be used later. Then it’s time to hit the main market and shopping area in town, the only opportunity in the whole country where foreigners are actually allowed to visit and shop where the locals shop, a truly unique and eye-opening experience. Walk around, haggle with vendors, and move among a sea of locals for a truly local experience! To end the day, guests visit a state-run sewing factory before returning back to the hotel for dinner and rest.

DAY 4

From Rason to Pyongyang Via Domestic Flight

AM

After breakfast in Rason, guests travel to Orang Airport located outside of Chongjin and hop on an afternoon flight to Pyongyang Sunan International Airport aboard the Air Koyro, North Korea’s airline for over 50 years.

PM

Guests arrive in Pyongyang and are greeted at the airport by their local North Korean tour guides for their tour, who help guests check in at the Yanggakdo Hotel, one of Pyongyang’s largest hotels. Then it’s off to tour some of the sights and sounds of the city. First stop is the Mansudae Grand Monument, which famously includes large bronze statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Afterwards guests visit the Arch of Triumph, the largest triumphal arch in the world and modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, before returning to the hotel for dinner and rest.

DAY 5

Exploring Mount Myohyang and Pyongyang

AM

After breakfast at the hotel, guests are off to explore Mount Myohyang, filled with beautiful hills, hiking trails, and waterfalls, named after the shapes and fragrances found throughout the area and designated as a world “biosphere reserve” by UNESCO. In addition to the beautiful scenery, guests visit the International Friendship Exhibition, which houses the collection of gifts presented to Kim Il Sung in over 150 rooms, and Pohyon Temple, a Buddhist temple founded in the 11th century and designated as a national treasure by North Korea.

PM

After lunch, it’s back to Pyongyang where guests visit Mangyongdae Native House, the birthplace of Kim Il Sung. Then guests head to the Pyongyang Metro for a special ride on the deepest subway system in the world and a great opportunity to interact with locals and even practice Korean for those who want to try it out. After emerging from the subway, it’s off to the Juche Tower which stands at 560 feet (170 meters) and even offers an optional ride to the top for fantastic views of Pyongyang.

DAY 6

Sightseeing in Pyongyang Before Kaesong

AM

Guests start the day with a visit to Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where the leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lie instate. After a visit to the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery, where each grave contains a bronze bust, guests walk through the heart of the city, Kim Il Sung Square, and enjoy locals relaxing at Moranbong Park.

PM

After lunch, guests head to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum and the USS Pueblo, where guests learn about the Korean War from the North Korean perspective and visit the US Navy ship captured in 1968. Guests head to the Schoolchildren’s Palace to enjoy an art performance by local students. Then guests drive approximately 2 hours south to Kaesong, a historic city near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the second special economic zone in the country. The Kaesong Minsok Folk Hotel offers guests an opportunity to sleep on mats and heated floor for a traditional and authentic local experience.

DAY 7

Kaesong and the DMZ

AM

Guests visit the DMZ between North and South Korea and Panmunjom, where the agreement ending the Korean War was signed. A local North Korean in the military provides a tour and will even take pictures with guests. A tour of the Koryo Museum offers a quick history of the area where guests can also pick up stamps and postcards at the Koryo Stamp Shop.

PM

Guests take a short drive to the Tomb of King Kongmin which is the burial site of the 31st monarch of the ancient Koryo Dynasty, also designated as a national treasure by the country. Then guests visit the Concrete Wall dividing the peninsula and offering views of South Korea. Guests head back to Pyongyang to enjoy a final farewell dinner.

DAY 8

Back to China

AM

Guests head to the airport to catch a morning flight back to Beijing on Koryo Air. For non U.S. citizens, a train option is available as well. A final farewell lunch in Beijing concludes the tour.

Customizing Your Tour

The first step to customizing your tour is as simple as filling out the form below. Even if you’re not certain of the dates, tour length, or number of people, go ahead and tell us of your interest and what you’re looking for in the form below. The tables provide tour prices, and you can select options for both legs to see the total price. If you’re not yet sure about the length of your tour or the number of people, no selection is required at this time.

Rason Leg

1 night, 2 days

$550	$400	$325	$275
2 people	3-5 people	6-9 people	10+ people

3 nights, 4 days

$875	$625	$550	$500
2 people	3-5 people	6-9 people	10+ people

4 nights, 5 days

$1,025	$725	$625	$575
2 people	3-5 people	6-9 people	10+ people

5 nights, 6 days

$1,150	$825	$700	$650
2 people	3-5 people	6-9 people	10+ people

6 nights, 7 days

$1,275	$925	$775	$725
2 people	3-5 people	6-9 people	10+ people

7 nights, 8 days

$1,425	$1,075	$825	$775
2 people	3-5 people	6-9 people	10+ people

8 nights, 9 days

$1,550	$1,175	$950	$825
2 people	3-5 people	6-9 people	10+ people

9 nights, 10 days

$1,650	$1,275	$1,050	$875
2 people	3-5 people	6-9 people	10+ people

Pyongyang Leg

3 nights, 4 days

€2,000	€1,650	€1,300	€1,200	€1,025
2 people	3-4 people	5-6 people	7-8 people	9+ people

4 nights, 5 days

€2,300	€1,850	€1,450	€1,350	€1,150
2 people	3-4 people	5-6 people	7-8 people	9+ people

5 nights, 6 days

€2,575	€2,075	€1,625	€1,500	€1,250
2 people	3-4 people	5-6 people	7-8 people	9+ people

6 nights, 7 days

€2,850	€2,275	€1,775	€1,650	€1,350
2 people	3-4 people	5-6 people	7-8 people	9+ people

7 nights, 8 days

€3,125	€2,500	€1,925	€1,800	€1,475
2 people	3-4 people	5-6 people	7-8 people	9+ people

8 nights, 9 days

€3,400	€2,700	€2 075	€1,950	€1,575
2 people	3-4 people	5-6 people	7-8 people	9+ people

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Rason Leg

Pyongyang Leg

Number of peopleyour full name

Desired Tour Dateyour full name

CommentsPlease feel free to ask us any questions and tell us anything about your desired tour such as possible tour dates, possible group size, itinerary options, etc.

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Please feel free to ask us any questions and tell us anything about your desired tour such as possible tour dates, possible group size, itinerary options, etc.

Some Things to Keep in Mind

The China-DPRK border is typically closed on Sundays and so tours cannot start or end on that day.

The border is closed on major North Korean holidays and so tours cannot start or end on these days. Please contact us for more information to confirm possible tour dates.

Currently, the domestic flight from Orang Airport to Pyongyang runs once a week on Tuesday. Thus, the first day of the Pyongyang leg must occur on a Tuesday.

This tour is mainly available during the tour season – April to October – and may be available during the other months on a case by case basis. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in this tour during the off season.

Rason-Pyongyang tours should be scheduled at least one month before the tour begins

Guests can also add Chongjin-Mt. Chilbo to our Rason-Pyongyang tours! Please feel free to let us know in the form above if you are interested.

Guests have the option of paying their tour fees in US Dollars. Contact us for more information.

Rason-Pyongyang tours require a minimum of 2 people

Whether you’re in the early stages of simply contemplating a tour or ready to register and finalize, you can begin by filling out the form above. Once we confirm your tour dates, we’ll help guide you through the registration process for your tour. You can also email us at info@krahun.com with any questions.

Included in Tour Fee

DPRK visa fee and processing
China customs fee and bridge transportation
Round-trip transportation from China and DPRK
Hotel accommodation in DPRK
3 meals per day in DPRK
All transportation in DPRK
One expert Western guide from our staff
Two DPRK tour guides
One DPRK driver
Standard tips for DPRK tour guides and driver
De-brief meal after tour

Not Included in Tour Fee

China visa fee and processing
Travel expenses to and from China
Spending money for drinks and souvenirs in DPRK
Transportation, meals, and accommodation in China
Travel insurance or medical evacuation insurance (not required but recommended)
Entrance fees for special events, if applicable