Young Pioneer Tours
Victory Day & Mount Paektu Tour
We’ve combined the celebrations of North Korea’s Victory Day with an exciting trip to the stunning Mt Paektu located at the far northeast of the Korean peninsula. You’ll embark on our very own Air Koryo chartered Antonov flight to reach a path well off the beaten track!
Whilst you’re exploring the northeast region, we’ll stop by Secret Base Camp where the North Koreans say Kim Jong Il was born, explore early revolutionary campsites where the Koreans began to stage their attack against the Imperialist Japanese and stay overnight in the quiet mountainous town of Samjiyon.
During your tour, you’ll be exploring all the must-see sights of Pyongyang including the Mausoleum where both Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lay in state. You’ll also experience the deep and mysterious Pyongyang Metro as you ride not two but six stations of line 1! You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the Korean War Museum and see the North Korean’s story of the war that took place against the UN.
No trip to the DPRK is complete without visiting Panmunjom (the DMZ) from the north side where North and South Korea meet head-on! As well as catching the Mass Dance performance with over 3,000 students and fireworks!
Don’t miss out on the celebrations marking Victory Day in the DPRK this summer! We’ll partake in all celebrations held in Pyongyang such as the Mass Dance and possible fireworks. This is one of the largest holidays of the year and with our very own flight up to Mt. Paektu, it’s an adventure not to be missed!
Thursday 21st July
- 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.
Friday 22nd July
- 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 12:00pm (Group will meet at Air Koryo check-in counter).
- Flight group arrive in Pyongyang at 3:00pm 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 Sosan hotel
Saturday 23rd July – Mt. Paektu
Morning
- Check out of hotel and jump aboard our very own YPT chartered flight departing from Pyongyang Airport and flying north to the small rural town of Samjiyon located right on the border of China in North Korea – for plane enthusiasts this is the ultimate experience as we fly on a 44 seater Antonov 24! (1 hour 45 minutes flight time)
- Arrive into Samjiyon Airport and drive to Mt Paektu – the most famous and spectacular mountain in North Korea
- We will drive most of the way up but will stop an hours hike away from the top of the peak. Optional incline railway option for 40RMB or 5 euros return per person.
- Observe the spectacular views from the top of the mountain and explore the only mountain where the borders of China and North Korea are technically shared – If weather permits we can hike down to Heaven Lake that sits in the cradle of the mountain
Afternoon
- A scrumptious picnic lunch on top of the peak with incredible views
- We’ll make our way back down the mountain and head to Mt Paektu secret base camp – the headquarters of the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle and the birthplace of General Kim Jong Il.
- Visit Rimyongsu Waterfall – one of the most famous and beautiful waterfalls in the DPRK.
- Explore Chongbong Bivouac – Where the main force of the KPRA stayed on the first night when going to the Musan area. It features the headquarters, kitchen, barracks, and a statue of the President Kim Il Sung.
- Dinner and overnight at the Begabong Hotel, where we can enjoy amazing sky views, and true tranquillity. The hotel is most famous for BBQ potatoes so we encourage our groups to join the locals for an evening under the stars.
Sunday 24th July
Morning
- Visit the Samjiyon Revolutionary Museum and learn more about the township of the locals
- Explore Samjiyon town and its newly built districts and streets, then head to Samjiyon Grand Monument (statue of Kim Il Sung) by the stunning mirror Lake Samji
Afternoon
- Lunch at Begabong Hotel
- Board our chartered flight and return to Pyongyang
- Check into Sosan hotel and freshen up
- Stop by the Taedonggang Micro Brewery #3 to sample some of the 7 beers they have available! Soft drinks, juices, and snacks are also available
- Dinner at Dongsong restaurant
- Overnight at Sosan Hotel
Monday 25th July
Morning
- Morning walk along Pyongyang’s main avenue from Pyongyang Grand Theatre down towards Kim Il Sung Square
- Explore Kim Il Sung Square – the central square of the capital
- Visit the Pyongyang Foreign Language Bookshop – A great place to buy books, pins, posters and Korean DVD’s
- Walkthrough 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: 40RMB or 5 euros).
Afternoon
- Lunch at the Hot Pot Restaurant
- Visit the recently renovated Korean War Museum – let the expert local guide show you around the enormous museum featuring dioramas, locally used weapons, tanks etc, and captured American equipment!
- USS Pueblo – The only US Naval Ship still held captive by another nation.
- Monument to the Party Foundation – built in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Worker’s Party.
- Visit Kwangbok department store – here is your best chance to browse through locally made goods in the DPRK and to have access to local Korean Won currency
- Dinner at the KITC No.1 Restaurant to sample Pyongyang Cold Noodles or a traditional Korean dish, Bibimbap.
- Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Tuesday 26th July
Morning
- Up nice and early for the drive to Kaesong city (2 and a half hours)
- Panmunjon DMZ Village – see the DMZ and the treaty and conferences rooms where the armistice was signed all in the company of a friendly KPA officer guide (you can also take pictures of soldiers here!).
- Koryo Museum – the oldest university in Korea and now a converted museum of local history. Also the site of the best propaganda and stamp/postcard shop in the DPRK!
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 – optional dog soup 40RMB or 5 euros.
- 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 by the South Koreans during the 70’s. We can even see South Korean watch towers along the hill from the DPRK post
- Drop by Sariwon city, the capital of North Hwanghae province – walk in the local folk custom park and view the city from the mountain top pagoda. Also if you like you can try Makkoli in a local Makkoli Bar.
- Photo opportunity of the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification, standing over the Reunification Highway.
- Dinner at the BBQ Restaurant.
- Overnight at the Sosan Hotel.
Wednesday 27th July – Victory Day!
Morning
- Grand People’s Study House – Library and academic centre for adult learners, this grand building is built in the Korean style and affords a great view over the central Square.
- Pyongyang Metro – ride 6 stops on the famous Pyongyang underground
- Exiting at the Arch of Triumph – the largest Victory Arch in the world, built to celebrate the triumphant return of Kim Il Sung after the Anti-Japanese war.
- Juche Tower – The tallest stone tower in the world this monument represents the eternally burning flame of the Juche idea (Optional extra 40RMB or 5 euro to go to the top of the tower).
Afternoon
- A gentle hike and BBQ picnic on top of Mt Ryangak – a mountain located just on the outskirts of Pyongyang to enjoy the magnificent views of the capital. This mountain is usually packed with locals having picnics with their family & friends with lots of singing and dancing.
- Special celebratory events (optional: 150RMB or 20 euros) – Yet to be confirmed but we will take part in any events that are possible for tourists to attend. These may include a circus performance, red orchestra, or possibly some other surprises.
- Spectate and/or join in on the Pyongyang university students performing a mass dance near an iconic DPRK monument – fantastic for photo opportunities!
- Stop by the local Mansugyo Beer Bar – we expect it to be hustling and bustling, cheap beers, coffee and soft drinks also available
- Dinner at the National Restaurant with a special performance from the waitresses
- Visit Kaeson Youth Funfair – entry 15RMB or 2 euros, rides approx 30RMB or 4 euros each.
- To be confirmed: We’ll gather in Kim Il Sung Square to watch the fireworks amongst the locals to celebrate today’s event.
- Overnight at Sosan Hotel
Thursday 28th July
Morning
- Kumsusan Palace of the Sun – The mausoleum for the Great Leader President Kim Il Sung and the Dear Leader Kim Jong Il.
- Revolutionary Martyr’s Cemetery – The resting place of the greatest of the anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters each grave features a bronze bust of the hero laid to rest within.
Afternoon
- Lunch at the Moran Hill Restaurant
- Visit Mansudae Art Studio – a chance for us to meet local artists where the state’s monuments, portraits, vases are produced for the country
- Jangchon Vegetable Cooperative Farm – A cooperative farm located in the outskirts of Pyongyang where the locals grow watermelon, chili, corn, potatoes and you have a chance to explore a farmers house, a nursery school and revolutionary hall.
- Visit Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill – established in 1948, it is the largest textile factory in Pyongyang with over a thousand employees producing fabric. The local workers will demonstrate the spinning, dyeing, and weaving techniques used in the DPRK.
- Special farewell dinner at the Haeyang Restaurant with guides
- Overnight at Sosan Hotel
Friday 29th July
- Flight members depart at 9:00am for Beijing on Air Koryo. (Arriving at 10:00am Beijing time).
- Train members depart at 10:25am back to China enjoying the scenic views along the way
Saturday 30th July
- Train members arrive at Beijing Railway Station at 9:00am
Tour Extensions
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