South Korea Small Group Tours

What are InsideAsia Small Group Tours?

Our Small Group Tours are for travellers who want cultural depth, local insight and the ease of having everything organised for you. With a dedicated Insider, thoughtfully planned routes and no more than 14 travellers, you’ll see South Korea in a way that feels close to real life – riding trains, eating in neighbourhood restaurants, and going beyond the standard sightseeing circuit.

Every Small Group Tour includes:

A dedicated Insider: Your expert guide throughout, sharing the insights of a local
Balance: Planned experiences, with enough free time to make the trip your own
Great company: A small group of curious travellers from around the world
Seamless logistics: We handle everything, so you can focus on the experience
The places in between: Everyday moments and lesser-seen places most tours miss

Prefer to travel more independently?

A self-guided adventure might suit you better. Take a look through our South Korea trip ideas, choose the one that feels right, and your travel consultant will tailor the route to you.

Which tour is right for you?

Soul of Korea

Our Soul of Korea tour is designed to give you a true feel for the country – blending must-see highlights with lesser-known spots that still feel refreshingly under the radar.

We’ve built in plenty of free time, so you can explore at your own pace, follow your curiosity, and simply soak it all in. If you’re someone who travels for your taste buds as much as your sightseeing list, you’ll feel right at home – food is a big part of the journey, from street eats to Korean BBQ, grilled right at your table.

Majestic Korea

Want to spend longer in Korea, with a little more comfort built in? Majestic Korea is our premium Small Group Tour, created for travellers who want to see the big sights, go beyond them, and experience South Korea in style.

You’ll still tick off Korea’s most famous sights, but it’s the quieter moments that really define this trip: countryside gardens, time with local artisans, and places most travellers never reach. All the while, you’ll be staying in carefully chosen 4–5* accommodation, giving you space to relax and unwind after each day.

These tours are packed with unforgettable experiences, but the diversity of South Korea really comes alive in the moments in between, like on the train, where higher rise buildings give way to mountains, rice paddies and sea views. Bag a window seat, if you can.

Decorative collage showing women in colorful traditional Korean hanbok on pink patterned background with bubble tea and traditional hat illustrations

Frequently asked questions

In your group: Our Small Group Tours in Korea run with a maximum of 14 people per group.

Your tour leader: Our tours are led on the ground by our Insiders, your tour leader for the trip. Our Insiders are fluent English speakers and are residents of South Korea – so they can speak Korean and introduce get you beneath the surface of the country as only a local can. They are there to make sure you get the most out of your trip and the whole adventure goes smoothly. Your Insider travels with the group and stays at the same hotels as you, so please feel free to ask for help or advice at any time.  

Your Insider may not know every historical detail of every shrine, temple or palace, although they will know a lot! They will be available pretty much all day every day, and will even be happy to accompany tour members out at night on occasion. In certain destinations, your group will also be joined by expert local guides who will open up deeper avenues of discovery with their local knowledge and know-how.  

Our Insiders reserve the right to deny participation in an activity if they feel that it is in the safety or best interest of you and/or any other members of the group. Similarly, dangerous weather conditions may lead to activities being altered or substituted with alternatives.  

Our South Korea small group tours start and finish in Seoul for arrivals and departures at Seoul Incheon airport. Please note that the included meet-and-greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is only available from this airport.   

There’s a mix of transport used during the tours. Sometimes we ride with locals on public transport, so you’ll get to experience Korea’s first-rate transport network, but at other times will be by private car, taxi or coach, where more convenient.

Our Small Group Tours have fixed itineraries and accommodation – but you are always free to break off and do your own thing or spend some time relaxing at the hotel.

If a fully-escorted group tour isn’t quite what you’re looking for, speak to one of our experts to plan a more independent trip (we love these, too!)

South Korean food features meat, eggs and fish heavily. It’s a foodie paradise for omnivores, but can be particularly challenging for vegetarians and vegans because the meals are often shared with no option to order your own dish.

If you are vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free, please speak to one of our travel consultants - they can guide you on whether one of our group tours will be able to accommodate your requirements, or alternatively can advise about a more independent, customisable trip.

Landing in Seoul, you’ll probably be tired after a long international flight. Your rooms at the Seoul hotel will only be available from 3pm (and hotels in Korea tend to be inflexible about this). If you have an early arrival, you can either book an extra night for any-time check-in, or the hotel will be happy to securely store your luggage for you while you go for a coffee or explore the local area. Your Insider will be at your first hotel on the day the tour starts, so they’ll be available for advice if you choose to book pre-tour nights. We recommend booking at least one extra night to check in and relax before the tour begins.

Yes! Our Small Group Tours are brilliant for solo travellers wanting to travel with like-minded people, unlocking experiences that are best accessed as a group.

Solo travellers will need to pay a single supplement fee (tour depending). You will have your own room at each hotel; singles will get the same rooms as double room couples.

The short answer is, unfortunately not. This Small Group Tour does not focus on accessible accommodation or transfers. Get in touch to discuss if one of our tailor-made travel Self-Guided Adventures might be right for you instead.