2027 Colorado Academy South Korea Explorers Program
| Travel Dates: |
March 22, 2027 -
March 31, 2027
Dates are tentative until flights are confirmed
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| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,590 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Estimated Airfare: | $2,000 |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
Review all materials
What to Expect
Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.
Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teaches that we must be flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 22 | USA → Seoul | Today the group will depart the United States and begin the journey to South Korea. Students will travel overnight, crossing the International Date Line before arriving at Incheon International Airport the following day. | Airplane |
| March 23 | Seoul | Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, we will meet our guide and transfer into Seoul, South Korea’s dynamic capital city. Depending on our arrival time, we will enjoy a welcome meal before checking into our hotel and taking some time to rest after the long journey. This evening, we may take a short walk around the neighborhood to get oriented, review program expectations, and begin settling into our new surroundings. | Seoul Hotel |
| March 24 | Seoul | This morning, we will depart early for a full-day visit to the Demilitarized Zone, one of the most historically and politically significant sites on the Korean Peninsula. During the visit, we will learn about the division between North and South Korea and explore key sites such as Imjingak Park, the Bridge of Freedom, Dora Observatory, and the Third Tunnel, depending on access and security conditions that day. After this meaningful introduction to Korea’s modern history, we will return to Seoul for dinner and an evening to rest at the hotel. | Seoul Hotel |
| March 25 | Seoul | After breakfast, we will begin the day at Smob Goyang, an indoor sports and activity park where students can enjoy a fun, active group experience. We will then return to central Seoul to visit Gwanghwamun Plaza, an important civic space surrounded by historic landmarks. From there, we will explore Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of Seoul’s royal palaces, where students will also have the opportunity to wear hanbok, traditional Korean clothing, as they learn more about Korea’s royal history and cultural traditions. Later in the day, we will participate in a hands-on K-food cooking class, learning to prepare popular Korean dishes such as bulgogi and tteokbokki before returning to the hotel for the evening. | Seoul Hotel |
| March 26 | Seoul | This morning, we will visit Lotte Tower and ascend to Seoul Sky, Korea’s tallest observatory, for sweeping views of the city and the surrounding landscape. From this impressive vantage point, students will gain a better sense of Seoul’s scale, modern architecture, and urban development. Afterward, we will spend the rest of the day at Lotte World Adventure, one of Korea’s most popular theme parks, which combines indoor and outdoor attractions, rides, and entertainment. In the evening, we will return to the hotel to rest after a full day of exploration. | Seoul Hotel |
| March 27 | Seoul → Busan | After breakfast and hotel check-out, we will board the KTX high-speed train for the journey south to Busan, Korea’s second-largest city and a major coastal hub. Upon arrival, we will visit Gamcheon Culture Village, a colorful hillside neighborhood known for its murals, public art, narrow alleyways, and creative community spaces. We will then explore Jagalchi Fish Market, Korea’s largest seafood market, where students can observe the energy of Busan’s maritime culture and learn more about the city’s connection to the sea. Afterward, we will check into our Busan hotel and settle in for the evening. | Busan Hotel |
| March 28 | Busan | Today we will explore some of Busan’s most scenic coastal sites. We will begin at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a Buddhist temple dramatically located along the rocky shoreline, offering a unique contrast to the mountain temples more commonly found in Korea. We will then continue to the Cheongsapo area and Blue Line Park, where we will enjoy coastal views and time to walk along the seaside. In the afternoon, we will visit Haeundae Beach, Busan’s most famous beach, before exploring SEALIFE Aquarium and learning more about marine ecosystems. We will return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and rest. | Busan Hotel |
| March 29 | Busan → Seoul | This morning, we will check out of our hotel and board the KTX high-speed train back to Seoul. Upon arrival, we will visit the National Museum of Korea, one of the country’s most important cultural institutions, where students will explore artifacts and exhibits that trace Korean history from ancient times to the modern era. Later, we will visit Namsangol Hanok Village, a restored traditional village that showcases historic Korean homes and daily life from earlier periods. Depending on timing, we may also enjoy views of the city near N Seoul Tower before checking into our hotel and unwinding after a busy travel day. | Seoul Hotel |
| March 30 | Seoul | On our final full day in Korea, we will travel to the Suwon Folk Village area for an immersive look at traditional Korean culture, architecture, and folk customs. Students will have the opportunity to see historic-style homes, cultural demonstrations, and examples of daily life from Korea’s past. In the afternoon, we will visit Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park, known for its rides, themed areas, seasonal events, and group-friendly attractions. This evening, we will gather for a farewell dinner to celebrate our time together and reflect on the many cultural, historical, and community experiences from the program. | Seoul Hotel |
| March 31 | Seoul → USA | After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and transfer to Incheon International Airport for our return flight to the United States. As we begin the journey home, we will reflect on our time in South Korea and the experiences we shared exploring Seoul, Busan, and the rich history and culture of the Korean Peninsula. | Your own bed, eventually! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Group Flight
Once your flight schedule has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.
Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.
Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.
We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.
FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION
Air travel can be unpredictable. Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc. Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route. Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night. Our primary role will be to keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a quick and effective resolution.
Host Community and Project Details
Packing List
What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on daily outings, weekend excursions and shorter activities.
“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with. We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.
Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination.
CLOTHES
- Underwear
- Socks (a mixture of good hiking socks and casual socks)
- T-shirts (some quick dry)
- Long sleeve sun shirts
- Light rain jacket
- Comfortable/light-weight pants
- Comfortable/light-weight shorts
- Durable athletic/walking shoes
- Sandals, both casual and sport/water sandals
- Hat/s with good sun protection
- Swimsuit/s
TOILETRIES
- Your basics
- High SPF sunscreen
- Basic 1st aid
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medications in original packaging. Prescription meds should show patients name
MISCELLANEOUS
- Passport and one photocopy
- Student ID
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book/s
- Camera
- Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $100-$200, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle (Walking Tree provides all drinking water)
- Quick-dry towel
- Soap for washing your own clothes (optional)
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Deck of cards or other portable games
- Sense of adventure
Support Team
At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.
Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History
Luke’s path to student travel began in Mexico, during a year abroad in Mexico and Central America. This formative time led him to join an international volunteer program which, after graduating from college, sent him to the small village of San Gerardo de Rivas in south-central Costa Rica. Welcomed by the loveliest of host families, his experience in this tiny town is directly connected to the beginnings of Walking Tree five years later. His love for travel still burns bright, and today he’s lucky to have a wife and daughter who are equally passionate about exploring the world. Settled in Denver, he adores his family and colleagues, skies whenever possible, and is a devoted fan of all Colorado sports teams.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
Blog and Communication
During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families back home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.
Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.
GLC Curriculum
Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
Standards of Behavior
In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational. As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.
IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE
- Getting a piercing or tattoo.
- Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
- Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
- Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
- Breaking group rules.
These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.
Health and Safety
We strongly recommend visiting the CDC South Korea website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before traveling.
Our in-country staff meticulously prepare for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to proactively stay ahead of any potential security concerns. Our in-country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families through in-depth interviews and visits, and stay informed about important current events in the region.
Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in comprehensive leadership training. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff, and U.S.-based staff.
We collect medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we can meet every student’s needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues not listed during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff are prepared to respond promptly to any mental, physical, or emotional health concerns and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.
Insurance
While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via the link below.
To provide travelers and families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry. Begin by getting a quote here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.