Half-Day DMZ Tour Led by a Retired Military Officer from Seoul
by PLK Travel
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$100Overview
The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is the heavily guarded border dividing North and South Korea. This half-day bus tour from Seoul is guided by retired military officers who served in various branches of the South Korean armed forces, including Special Forces and intelligence. The tour lasts about 6 to 7 hours, including roundtrip transfers from Seoul. The visit begins with a stop at the Bridge of Freedom and the Mangbaedan Altar, historic sites connected to the Korean War. Then the group proceeds into the DMZ area after an ID check. Visitors walk through the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, which is 1,635 meters long, 1.95 meters high, and 2.1 meters wide. This tunnel was considered a significant invasion route. Next, the tour includes a stop at the northernmost point of the western front, offering views of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and Songhaksan Mountain across the border in North Korea. Another visit is made to the Mangbaedan Altar in Paju, where families separated by the war pay respects to ancestors facing North Korea. The destroyed locomotive from the Korean War that still bears over 1,200 bullet holes is also viewed. Finally, the tour visits either Odusan or Dora Observatory, whichever provides the clearest view of North Korean territory on the day. This observation deck is about 2 kilometers from North Korea and the closest point from Seoul to see across the border. Admission fees to the DMZ and one observatory are included. For groups of 10 or more, hotel pickup is provided. A licensed professional guide accompanies the tour. Lunch and traveler’s insurance are not included. The total duration accounts for travel time by bus.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Bridge of Freedom and Mangbaedan Altar
Before entering the DMZ and completing the ID check, the tour visits the Bridge of Freedom and the Mangbaedan Altar. These sites are historically significant to the Korean War.
30 min
3rd Infiltration Tunnel
Participants walk through the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, which measures 1,635 meters in length, 1.95 meters in height, and 2.1 meters in width. This tunnel was considered a major invasion route and is more threatening than the first two tunnels.
40 min
Northernmost Point of Western Front
This stop offers a view of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and Songhaksan Mountain in North Korea, allowing visitors to see North Korean territory directly.
40 min
Mangbaedan Altar in Paju
The Mangbaedan Altar is a symbolic site where families separated by the Korean War honor their ancestors facing north across the DMZ.
10 min
Destroyed Locomotive
The locomotive was destroyed by U.S. forces in 1950 during the Korean War to block Chinese advances while transporting UN supplies. It still displays over 1,200 bullet holes and bomb scars.
5 min
Odusan or Dora Observatory
The tour concludes at either Odusan or Dora Observatory, depending on which offers the clearest view that day. This observatory is about 2 kilometers from North Korea and the closest point from Seoul to see into North Korean territory.
40 min
Meeting point
Hongik univ. subway station (Exit #3 outside)
End point
Hongik univ. subway station (Exit #3 outside)
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Half-Day DMZ Tour Led by a Retired Military Officer from Seoul
by PLK Travel
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$100Overview
The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is the heavily guarded border dividing North and South Korea. This half-day bus tour from Seoul is guided by retired military officers who served in various branches of the South Korean armed forces, including Special Forces and intelligence. The tour lasts about 6 to 7 hours, including roundtrip transfers from Seoul. The visit begins with a stop at the Bridge of Freedom and the Mangbaedan Altar, historic sites connected to the Korean War. Then the group proceeds into the DMZ area after an ID check. Visitors walk through the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, which is 1,635 meters long, 1.95 meters high, and 2.1 meters wide. This tunnel was considered a significant invasion route. Next, the tour includes a stop at the northernmost point of the western front, offering views of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and Songhaksan Mountain across the border in North Korea. Another visit is made to the Mangbaedan Altar in Paju, where families separated by the war pay respects to ancestors facing North Korea. The destroyed locomotive from the Korean War that still bears over 1,200 bullet holes is also viewed. Finally, the tour visits either Odusan or Dora Observatory, whichever provides the clearest view of North Korean territory on the day. This observation deck is about 2 kilometers from North Korea and the closest point from Seoul to see across the border. Admission fees to the DMZ and one observatory are included. For groups of 10 or more, hotel pickup is provided. A licensed professional guide accompanies the tour. Lunch and traveler’s insurance are not included. The total duration accounts for travel time by bus.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Bridge of Freedom and Mangbaedan Altar
Before entering the DMZ and completing the ID check, the tour visits the Bridge of Freedom and the Mangbaedan Altar. These sites are historically significant to the Korean War.
30 min
3rd Infiltration Tunnel
Participants walk through the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, which measures 1,635 meters in length, 1.95 meters in height, and 2.1 meters in width. This tunnel was considered a major invasion route and is more threatening than the first two tunnels.
40 min
Northernmost Point of Western Front
This stop offers a view of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and Songhaksan Mountain in North Korea, allowing visitors to see North Korean territory directly.
40 min
Mangbaedan Altar in Paju
The Mangbaedan Altar is a symbolic site where families separated by the Korean War honor their ancestors facing north across the DMZ.
10 min
Destroyed Locomotive
The locomotive was destroyed by U.S. forces in 1950 during the Korean War to block Chinese advances while transporting UN supplies. It still displays over 1,200 bullet holes and bomb scars.
5 min
Odusan or Dora Observatory
The tour concludes at either Odusan or Dora Observatory, depending on which offers the clearest view that day. This observatory is about 2 kilometers from North Korea and the closest point from Seoul to see into North Korean territory.
40 min
Meeting point
Hongik univ. subway station (Exit #3 outside)
End point
Hongik univ. subway station (Exit #3 outside)
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.