Ibike Korea People-to-People Program
Notes: Korea Program
ITINERARY
Explore Eastern Korea (2023) (PDF file)
Southwest Peninsula Korea
East to West or West to
East (2022) (PDF file)
National Cycleway - Central Rivers (2019) (PDF file)
Sojourn to the South Sea
(2018) (PDF file)
National Cycleway - Southern Rivers (2016) (PDF file)
National Cycleway - Western Rivers (2015) (PDF file)
We try to include an overnight temple-stay on most programs. Many participants find this a highlight of the tour, but it is also privilege. While we are guests we are expected to participate in some temple life and abide by temple rules and culture. This includes accommodations in Korean-style dormitory (segregated by gender), wearing simple temple cloths (provided), quiet vegetarian meals, participation in morning prays (4am), and maintaining austere, modest, respectful, contemplative behavior. Please watch this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AazpVHysZYI&feature=youtu.be . We will review the content again prior to our templestay.
MAPS
Most of the map are in Hangul (Korean) so label the sheets their names and number as you print them so you can keep them organized. Because there are so many and people do have trouble reading the micro-font Hangul, you might want to reduce the amount of printing you do. A compromise would be to print the maps of some of the cities. If you decide to bring copies, we can mark them for you when we meet.
Route Maps: Exploring Eastern Korea (2023)
Route Maps - Southwest Peninsula (2022)
Route Maps: National Cycleway - Central Rivers (2019)
Route Maps: Sojourn to the South Sea
(2018)
Route Maps: National Cycleway - Southern Rivers (2016)
Route Maps: National Cycleway - Western Rivers (2015)
READING HANGUL (Korean)
Most of the map are in Hangul (Korean) so the following documents will help you decode the maps, as well as many other signs, menus and things that you might want to read during the tour:
MONEY
Final payment for the land portion is due 60 days before the start of the trip. Payment
may be made by money order, personal, certified, cashier's check,
credit
card, Network for Good, or Paypal. If fewer than six people register for the program there is a supplement
of $100. This is usually collected in cash at the beginning of the program.
Pocket money used during a two-week tour varies between individuals. Most people use about $150 plus or minus $100. Examples of expenses are lunch, drinks, internet cafés, postcards, postage, tips and laundry. NOT INCLUDED in this estimate are souvenirs and transportation, lodging and meals before and after the tour, which may be significant ($100-$200 per day). Now budget twice what you think you will need. You can bring any extra home. You actually don't need to bring cash. ATM are readily available and a good means for getting cash. Credit / Debit card tend to be accepted at convenience stores, restaurants, and major hotels.
Korea uses the Korean Won (KW) (~KW1300=US$1). In rural areas you may need small denominations KW to make purchases.
TRAVEL TO KOREA & LOGISTICS
You are responsible for getting an Electronic Travel Authorization for South Korea (see below) and for making you own travel arrangements to Korea and to the rendezvous point (instructions will be provided.)
If you arrive anytime on or before "Day 1" of the program you won't miss any major scheduled activities. Some people like to arrive early to have more time to adjust. We can help you with suggestions of things to do that aren't included in our programs. No major activities are scheduled on the final day of the as well. People with extra hours before their flight often use them for souvenir shopping or to visit a last museum or monument.
Some airlines charge a hefty fee for bikes (up to $300 roundtrip) and some charge nothing, if you are otherwise within your baggage allowance. Check the airlines baggage rules as you check ticket price if you are try to find the least expensive travel option.
Regardless of how you arrange to get to Korea, please email us the details of the airline, flight, date and time of your arrival.
If you are arriving early for the tour, or departing later, and you want to stay at the same hotel that is used during the program, contact us for information on booking extra nights.
Logistics for Explore Eastern Korea
The T’amhomhada Tongjjokui (Explore Eastern Korea) Program starts in Seoul and ends in Gyeongju.
There are a number of options for structuring your air travel. Here are three examples:
- Roundtrip to Seoul, with a plane, bus or train transfer back to Seoul at the end of the tour.
- Fly into Seoul and out of Busan. This is caused an "open-jaw" in the travel industry. Because Busan is usually considerably more expensive destination than Seoul this is likely to be a little more expensive than roundtrip to Seoul, but you won't have the time and expense of the transfer.
- Roundtrip to Busan, with a plane, bus or train transfer to Seoul for the start of the trip. Because Busan is a less competitive destination than Seoul, ticket are usually considerably more expensive.
There is "limousine" (express bus) service from Incheon Airport to Seoul (travel time 1-2 hrs, cost 18,000 won). You can buy bus tickets, and also can get information at the following Bus Ticketing Office: Exit 4 and 9 (indoors) & Exit 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, and 9C (outdoors).
To use the subway from Incheon Airport to the hotel requires one or two transfers. If you are going to choose the subway, at a minimum, your bike will need to be packed and your luggage should have wheels (naked bikes are only allowed on the Seoul subway on weekends and tolerated non-peak weekdays). You also need to be able to handily carry all of you luggage because many of the subway stations have plenty of stairs, without escalators or elevators.
We will send you details on the first/rendezvous hotel and how to get there about 30 days before the tour.
It is theoretically possible to ship suitcase by courier across Korea. It costs about $20-$30 to send an item weighing up to 30 pounds. It is not clear what the maximum size can be. They seem to be more accommodating on size than weight.
Buses are the most bicycle-friendly, bicycle-accommodating, cross-country transportation in the country.
Information on express and intercity buses in Korea can be found at
The Korail Train Express (KTX) leaves Busan for Seoul Station about every 15-30 minutes (travel time is less than three hours, cost ~48,000 won). There is no check baggage and luggage storage on the train is limited. Officially bicycles are NOT welcome. At a minimum, your luggage should have wheels. It is theoretically possible to take a couple full size bicycles on each KTX train -- if you sweet-talk the train attendant by saying it is a folding bike, and then remove the front wheel, and he lets you pull this off. There is a risk that you will encounter hardened Korea push-back, which can be formidable.
* schedules and prices are subject to change
IMMUNIZATIONS & HEALTH
Recommended vaccinations: Routine immunizations (tetanus-diphtheria, polio, measles,) typhoid, and viral hepatitis A. It is recommended, but not required, that you start your shots 6 weeks before departing. Consult your physician or travel clinic for your specific needs.
Malaria is only a concern along the border between North and South Korea. Not an area where this program spends any nights.
PACKING LIST / EQUIPMENT ADDENDUM
The annotated packing list and program packing list combined are a good guide to what to bring. Ignore the sections "Camping Equipment," "Cooking Equipment," and "Group Equipment." Additionally:
- As part of our program we will stay at
traditional hotels. It is recommended that you bring a sheet or a sleep
sack (not a sleeping bag -- blankets/quilts/duvets are provided where
needed) and a
- Koreans remove their shoes (but traditionally wear socks) when entering homes, hotel rooms, temples and some restaurants, so it is advantageous to bring shoes or sandals that are easy to slip on and off -- you will be doing it a lot.
- Koreans like to exchange business cards so you might pack a few extras.
- The eastern T’amhomhada Tongjjokui program includes numerous tunnels so bring a rear red flasher.
- Sturdy touring bikes, hybrids and mountain bikes are recommended. In
Seoul, Bike and E-bike rentals
from local shops are limited and challenging, but available. The last time we priced rental
bikes out of Seoul (2019), they were $25 a day ($250 for ten days), had to be
returned to Seoul, and the merchant was not easy to work with. Searches
for suitable rental bike in Busan has turned up nothing. But twice, in
Busan, clients have bought serviceable bikes with racks for $180 (from the
same bike shop). One time they were able to sell them for $80 at the end
of the tour and another time they gave them to the service staff at the
final hotel.
- Free sanitized water is widely available (i.e. restaurants, hotels). If you want to avoid the expense, litter and high carbon footprint of single-use bottled water, use the sanitized water. Or, if you have a portable water filter or sterilizer, you can bring it and use it. Iodine and chlorine tablets are most useful in emergencies – if you have a half-hour to wait and once a week at the most! Don't rely on iodized water for two-weeks because you will poison yourself. For more discussion on water treatment see, http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/water-treatment-backcountry.html and read and click through the pages.
- Generally, two 32 oz. (3/4 liter) water bottles alone are on the low side -- if you like a lot of water, and on hot days you will want additional capacity. Some ways to reduce the amount of water you need to carry on your bike is drink like a camel overnight and in the morning (i.e. carry it inside), wear loose long sleeve clothing and/or be willing to use bottled drinks to replenish you liquids during the day -- these are available in common minimarts. Koreans drink a lot of coffee and some tea (regular, corn and barley.)
- Because the milieu, cuisine and activities on the trip won't be exactly routine, you might want to bring some things more familiar, like a "treat-a-day" of high-energy comfort food.
- We strongly recommend that you take advantage of the online background information we have prepared. This foretells of the diversity and complexity of the area. Any preparation you can make before you arriving will help enrich your visit.
- The use of heart rate monitors is greatly discouraged! Most others don't want to hear about your heart rate, or your maximum or average anything! If you need a heart rate monitor to enjoy yourself, take stock of your life -- you may have lost perspective.
INSURANCE
Personal health insurance, travel, evacuation and baggage insurance is strongly recommended. Cycling and travel have inherent risks, and the world seems to be increasingly changeable. Even the most conscientious behavior does not guarantee against illness or injury. Insurance mitigates the unforeseen.
Medical insurance is not always valid in foreign countries. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties.
Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, the adequacy of coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, and whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to your home country can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Some credit cards include travel insurance when you use them to purchase an airline ticket.
Useful information on medical emergencies abroad is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, "Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad," available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or auto-fax: 1-202-647-3000.
APPLYING FOR VISAS
Visa requirements differ by nationality and the embassy you are apply at, and can change without notice. Contact the embassy you will be applying at for the latest information. At last check: Korea requires citizens of US, Canadian, most EU countries, and more than 100 other countries to have an Electronic Travel Authorization for South Korea (K-ETA). This are available K-ETA.go.kr website or with the K-ETA app. The cost is KW10,000 (<$10) They are valid for two years. If you are in doubt about your status and the applicable rules contact the nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate.
DOCUMENTS TO ENTER KOREA
You will need at least a valid passport and K-ETA to enter Korea. With an approved K-ETA you do not need write or submit arrival cards.
BIBLIOGRAPHY - Korea Booklist
ETCETERA
- We should have access to an Internet cafe every two or three days.
- Electricity: 220v. Korea uses type C & F. We have found the type C plug to be the most common.
- Time: Korea is GMT +9, fourteen hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (thirteen hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time) and seventeen hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (sixteen hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time).
- It is not easy receiving phone calls without a Korean cell phone (their system doesn't use SIM cards.) Telephones can be rented at the airport for 3000won/day, plus airtime of 10won/sec (rates subject to change.) For more details go to www.sktroaming.com, Online advance reservation discounts are available.
- Article on earthquakes in Korea, https://p.dw.com/p/3cXEy, May 20, 2020
Please
contact us if you would like to be added to
Ibike's mailing list or have questions, comments, corrections or criticism. (Also, please let us know how you learned about us and
found this site.) Privacy policy.
IBF Homepage
Ibike Programs
Ibike Schedule
Search