Monday 17th June

• Meet your YPT guide at 1:30pm at the Beijing Zhong Gu Hotel near Beijing Railway Station found here. During this meeting, we’ll go through the tour’s itinerary, receive DPRK visas and tickets, as well as a great chance to meet your fellow travellers and to discuss any other questions you may have about the DPRK.
• Train takers depart Beijing Central station at 5:25pm for the 24-hour sleeper ride to Pyongyang

Tuesday 18th June

• Train group arrive at Dandong at 7:00am for Chinese border control then depart for Sinuiju at 10:30am for the extensive border control from the DPRK side
• Flight takers depart Beijing Airport Terminal 2 on Air Koryo at 12.55pm (Meet the group at Air Koryo check in counter at 10.00am). Flight group arrive in Pyongyang at 4:00pm to a warm welcome from your Korean guides
• Train group arrive at 6:45pm to an equally warm welcome
• Dinner at a local Korean restaurant on Ryomyong Street
• Check in and overnight at the Chongnyon Hotel
• In the evening your YPT guide will show you around the hotel before taking you for drinks and to get to know your Korean guides

Wednesday 19th June Morning

• Walk through Mansudae Fountain Park and see the mosaic pictures of President Kim Il Sung and the Leader Kim Jong Il.
• Visit Mansudae Grand Monument – the two large bronze statues of President Kim Il Sung and Leader Kim Jong Il overlooking the city. (Optional extra – you can present flowers if you wish: small bunches are 2 euro, larger ones 4).
• Pyongyang Metro! Ride from Stop 1 to Stop 2 then on to Stop 6. Exiting at:
• The Arch of Triumph – the largest Victory Arch on the planet, it celebrates the victory over the Japanese and the return of the General Kim Il Sung to his home city.
• TRIP HIGHLIGHT – Visit the 50,000-seater Kim Il Sung Stadium and kick a ball around on the pitch

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Korean Hot Pot Restaurant
• Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum – see captured American tanks, weapons, shot down planes, as well as the infamous USS Pueblo and the museum’s many amazing displays and dioramas.
• Stop by Mansugyo Beer Bar – a local bar to join the locals for refreshments. This is a great little microbrewery in Pyongyang which has recently reopened after refurbishments
• Stop by Koryo hotel beer bar to drink with locals and experience a favourite spot of many Pyongyangites
• Dinner at the KITC No. 1 Restaurant to try the local famous Pyongyang Cold Noodles dish or the traditional Korean Bibimbap.
• TRIP HIGHLIGHT – we head to our second stadium, the May Day Stadium, to watch the AFC match between North Korea’s foremost team, April 25th FC, and Hang Yuen from Taiwan. The AFC is the second international tournament in Asia and April 25th won the reverse match 3-0 so we have high hopes for an entertaining match! (Extra charge – €30)
• Overnight in the Chongnyon Hotel.

Thursday 20th June Morning

• Up nice and early to drive to Kaesong and the DMZ
• Koryo Museum- Korea’s first university and now a museum of history and culture. Also home of the best stamp and propaganda poster shop in the DPRK, so don’t forget your wallet!
• The DMZ- See one of the tensest places on earth complete with a friendly KPA officer who will not only give you a guided tour but also keep you safe. Also the only place you can take photographs of and even with a soldier!

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Thongil Restaurant in Kaesong City- try your hand at traditional Korean Pansangi- a series of dishes served in bronze bowls. (Optional extras- Dog soup 5 euro, Ginseng Stuffed Whole Chicken 30 euro- can be split between several).
• The concrete wall of the DMZ – this is a little off the beaten track and gives us a great glimpse at the wall which was erected b the South Koreans during the 70’s. We can even see South Korean watch towers along the hill from the DPRK post.
• Drive back to Pyongyang stopping in Sariwon to see the folklore park and enjoy Makkoli in a local bar if you wish.
• Drive back to Pyongyang
• Photo opportunity of the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, standing over the Thongil Highway.
• Head to Gold Lanes Bowling to play and mingle with some locals
• Taste some more local brews at the Taedonggang Brewery #3 for micro brewed beers
• Stop by the iconic Yanggakdo hotel to try the famous ale brewed in the hotel’s teahouse
• Dinner at the Duck Barbecue Restaurant
• Overnight at the Chongnyon hotel

Friday 21st June Morning

• Morning walk along the Taedong River passing landmarks such as the Pyongyang Culture House and the oldest street in Pyongyang
• TRIP HIGHLIGHT – After breakfast we head out to the Pyongyang International Football School. This is a functioning school which specialises in sports and football in particular. If we’re lucky we’ll be able to observe a football class and chat with the students
• Visit Kim Il Sung Square – the centre of the city and where all the parades and rallies occur. Followed by a short walk to the:
• Foreign Language Bookshop – where you can buy English-language Korean books, posters, pins, flags, DVDs, and more!
• Juche Tower – the tallest stone tower in the world, it represents the eternally burning Korean Juche Ideology.

Afternoon

• Lunch at the New Stamp Restaurant
• TRIP HIGHLIGHT – get your football boots on and we head for a game of five-a-side with a local Pyongyang team
• Visit Meari Shooting Range – this shooting range has recently been renovated to include indoor shooting with pistols, rifles or archery! .50 US cents per bullet
• Stop by the local department store – here we can buy locally brewed beer and use the local DPRK Won currency!
• Rakwon Beer Bar- home of some of the cheapest draft pints in Pyongyang (50 cents each!) soda and juices are also available.
• Dinner at the National Restaurant
• Spectate the Mass Games – The world’s largest performance is happening again! Ticket prices to be announced. Tickets can be purchased and reserved whilst on tour in North Korea
• Visit Kaeson Youth Park (entry 2 euros, rides 3 to 5 euros extra each depending on how awesome they are).
• Overnight at the Chongnyon hotel

Saturday 22nd June Morning

• Flight members depart from Pyongyang to Beijing at 8:50am on Air Koryo arriving in Beijing at 9:50am local Beijing time
• Train members depart to Beijing at 10:25am

Sunday 23rd June Morning

• Train members arrive in Beijing at 9:00am

Read More