DESCRIPTION:

Embark on an unusual excursion into North Korea, or, more formally, the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea. One of the world’s most mysterious countries, the DPRK has a population of over 24 million and is frequently featured in the news, but few people outside of it have seen the workings of everyday life.

 

Divided in two in 1945 following WWII, Korea for a time was administered by the Soviet Union in the north and the U.S. in the south. North Korea remains a single-party state that emphasizes self-reliance (joche) and kept travel restrictions in place for U.S. citizens until 2010. A country few western travelers have seen, North Korea encompasses some of the finest landscapes in Asia, including Mt. Paektu, the highest peak in Korea and an active volcano with a lovely crater lake. Spend some time on the tropical coast in Wonsan and get an overall idea of what the northern half of Korea has been up to all these years. It is important to note that, like travel to the Soviet Union back in the day, travel conditions in North Korea are restrictive. Destinations are selected for visitors to see, with the goal of highlighting what glorifies the DPRK’s historic roots.

 

This trip will unveil what the authorities want us to see. But, in between there can be opportunities for glimpses of daily life. Anyone who visited the former Soviet Union before its collapse knows how fascinating it can be to witness. One day, change may come to North Korea and travel may be less restrictive, but that is often accompanied by a myriad of other changes as well. So while we may not be able to wander freely, the opportunity to experience such a closed-off traditional nation, and one so central to current world politic, should not be missed. With only a few hundred westerners in North Korea at any given time, North Koreans do not have many opportunities to meet Americans.

 

CONSIDER:

Travel to North Korea is only possible as part of a guided tour. If you are unprepared to accept limitations on your movements, behavior, and freedom of expression, do not take this trip.

 

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS & ADD-ONS:

Please inquire.