Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon RUN-cation, 5 days

Enjoy running amongst rows and rows of Cherry Blossom trees as you take in sights of Gyeongju, a city in southeast coast of South Korea which was once the capital of the 1,000 year long Silla Dynasty. This is not just a run, it is a run-cation! If you can’t run, you can walk! Event categories available : 5 KM, 10 KM, 21 KM & 42 KM.

Gyeongju is a lovely historical city known as the ‘museum without walls’ with its many historical and archeological sites, the most out of any cities in South Korea. Be transported back into time as you run through the city and visit some of the well-known historical sights throughout the trip.

Enjoy a picturesque scenery of the seas, mountains, sky and cliffs as you take a leisure recovery walk along Haeparang trail section 1.

Duration: 5 days

This trip can be customised to suit the requirements of your group, please <MAKE AN ENQUIRY> and tell us your requests.

Itinerary

Highlights
~ admire the vibrant houses in Gamcheon Culture Village, the “Machu Picchu of Busan”;

~ visit Jagalchi Market, South Korea’s largest fresh seafood market;

~ go on a scenic walk of Haeparang section 1 trail;

~ participate in Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival;

~ visit Gyeongju Observation Tower;

~ visit Cheomseongdae, an astronomical observatory in Gyeongju;

~ visit Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site;

~ take part in Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon;

~ enjoy a hot spring experience after the marathon;

~ visit Nampo-dong, a central commercial and shopping area in Busan.

Day 1 Arrive Busan

Upon arrival at Busan Gimhae International Airport, you will be transferred as a group into Busan City.

Admire the vibrantly decorated houses built in staircase-fashion on the foothills of a coastal mountain in Gamcheon Culture Village, nicknamed the “Machu Picchu of Busan”.

Visit Korea’s largest seafood market, the Jagalchi Market for your fresh seafood fix. Here, you have plenty of choices for lunch (own expense) accordingly to your own preference.

Appreciate the night view of Gwangalli Bridge, the longest bi-level bridge over the ocean in Korea. Equipped with thousands of LED lights, the bridge displays a beautiful lighting exhibition at night that changes with the seasons.

Meal: Dinner

Stay: hotel, Busan

Day 2 Busan – Gyeongju

Embrace the beautiful scenery of Busan by foot through the Haeparang trail walk. The name “Haeparang” implies “a trail where people can walk along while appreciating the rising sun over the East Sea and the deep blue sea.” Indeed, the awesome views of the sea and forest is worth the effort. We walk leisurely while appreciating the tranquil surrounding. See a different view of Gwanggalli Bridge in the day.

Visit the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, Korea’s biggest Spring festival! Get ready to enjoy one of the most spectacular events in Korea surrounded by unbelievably stunning cherry blossoms!

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel, Gyeongju

Day 3 Gyeongju

Warm your muscles with a relaxed morning jog along Bomun Lake in preparation for the race tomorrow. Visit Gyeongju Tower, a unique observation tower standing at almost 30-stories high. Next, travel back in time to visit Cheomseongdae, said to be the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia, and possibly even the world.

Take a look at the starting/finishing line location and part of the run route as we drive along the city. Proceed to the race venue for the collection of your race pack.

After lunch, visit Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was constructed in year 751 and completed 24 years later in year 774. It was said that King Kim Dae-Seong had Bulguksa Temple built for his parents in his current life, and Seokguram Grotto for the parents of his former life.

This evening, take a leisure walk by Bomun Lake again and be in awe with the cherry blossom trees in a different perspective when the sun sets.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel, Gyeongju

Day 4 Gyeongju – Busan Race Day

Today’s the day of the Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon! Run amongst pretty rows of cherry blossoms whilst admiring the local sights along the way. Take a delightful walk if you can’t run, it is a thrilling experience to run or walk miles under the cherry blossom trees!

Celebrate your achievement during lunch before soaking your tired muscles in a much welcome hot spring dip before we travel to Busan.

Satisfy your shopping urges at Nampo-dong, one of Busan’s bustling commercial centres where you can get ladies’ apparel, men’s apparel, casual clothing, handicrafts, and accessories. Or simply hop into any cafes to grab a cuppa.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel, Busan

Day 5 Depart Busan

Simply rest and relax until it is time for the departure transfer to the airport. Official check out time is 11.00 AM.

Meal: Breakfast

Inclusions

~ return airport group transfer ;

~ 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners;

~ 4 nights hotel stay as per itinerary;

~ service of an English-Speaking Driver-Guide;

~ marathon registration fee;

~ attraction admission fee as required.

Exclusions

~ air travel to Busan, South Korea;

~ visa/K-ETA arrangement, if required;

~ comprehensive personal travel insurance;

~ expenditure of personal effects;

~ tipping for the trip guide & driver;

~ anything not specified within the itinerary and inclusion.

Important Notes

~ Non – refundable deposit, 30% of total tour price is required at the time of booking or up to 120 days before departure.

~ Full or balance payment is 90 days prior to departure.

~ Price may subject to change at the time of booking confirmation. You will be informed if there is any price increase, and you may withdraw within 3 days of notification. As such, your deposit will be fully refunded.

~ Only book your air ticket to South Korea when you have been informed to do so.

~ Minimum group size: recommended 4 persons.

~ Should you require a visa to enter South Korea, it is your responsibility to obtain such document before departure. Check your entry requirement and apply for your visa HERE if you require.

~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences take place during the ideal time or period of the year, however certain sights/experiences are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Travel Wander. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings and/or experience.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ If circumstances (such as bad weather for example) beyond our control make changes necessary, Travel Wander and the race event organiser reserve the right to make change to the inclusion of the itinerary / race route. There will not be refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Because running requires a certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it may not be suitable for participants with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Runners must ensure they are medically and physically able to run.

~ Runners who do not wish to take part in included activities/experiences, there is no refund.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.

Activity	More Interest
Country	Korea
Season	04 – April

Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon RUN-cation, 5 days