There is a rare 3 day weekend coming up. So lets do the 3 things you would love to do.
1. Hike Seoraksan
2. Beach Time
3. Zipline over Ocean!
Seoraksan (설악산) is the perhaps the most majestic of parks in Korea. The views from the highest peak will simply take your breath away.
However you have to pay a price for that amazing view. There are two Giant Hike Trails available to you.
The "smaller Giant Hike" hike is a 10-12 hour course. Lets call it the Dae Chung Bong / Chun Bul Dong course. It is so tough but so worth it. ^^
And then for those who like to challenge the toughest or the highest or the most difficult, you may want to take your shot at the Dinosaur Ridge. Let's call this the "bigger Giant Hike". It is similar to the 10hr "smaller Giant Course" course but add 2-3 extra hours. So it takes 12 to 14hrs. Only a few have taken this most difficult of the Seoraksan hikes and perhaps the most difficult one in Korea!
Perhaps the greatest view point in Seoraksan is the masterpiece view at the highest peak (Dae Chung Bong). At 1708 meters (5603 feet) it is 3rd highest of the big 3. Jeju Halasan is 1950 meters (6397 feet) and Jirisan is 1915 meters. Since you can begin the hike at 980 meters, the elevation rise is 700 meters (or about 2400 feet).
And to help be better prepared for the giant hike, instead of departing at 11PM from Seoul and then sleeping less than 2hrs on the bus to then embark on either of the Giant Hikes, lets take advantage of the 3day weekend. We leave 9AM on Saturday so we can check into the motel by NOON. Then you have the opportunity to relax on the very nice beach all afternoon. (Or go to Seorak Mountain)
The hikers should all stay in one room and hit the sack early like 9PM. Then get up at 2:303AM to head over to the hike starting point. You finish at 5:30PM and head over to the motel.
The beginning part of either Giant Hikes is the same. But at Hee Woon Gak you have to decide which of the two routes to take. The smaller Giant Hike to Chun Bul dong Valley or the bigger Giant hike to Dinosaur ridge.
But you are not Decathlon Athlete? No problem. There is a much shorter route available. The walk/hike to Ulsan Boulder is about a 4-5 hour round trip route. The views at the top is also breathtaking. You will see the awesome giant boulder ridges on one side and the ocean in the distance on the other.
So once you get to the beach you have 3 choices for Sunday:
1. Do the Giant Hike (Either Dinosaur Ridge or Chunbuldong)
2. Do the shorter Ulsan Boulder Hike or Go to top by Cable Car
3. Stay at the Beach
Then you will be able to spend the next morning (Monday) relaxing on the beach. Then before leaving for home a thrilling Zipline ride over the ocean!
It is the Longest Zipline in Korea. 419 meters long (1375 feet). And the zipline starts at a place near the beach such that you are ziplining over ocean water and end up on the sandy beach. Maximum weight limit is 110kg.
OPTION #1 - Giant Hikes
The Dinosaur Ridge Course is for people who stay fit:
You start at Osaek Hot Springs and head up to Dae Chung Bong peak (3-5 hrs) which is the peak of Seorak Mountain. Then from the peak head down to Hee Woon Gak (1hr) which is the starting point of the Dragon Ridge trail (4-6hrs) and then hike down to Bi Sun Dae (2 hrs). From Bi Sun Dae its easy stroll down to Seorak Valley (1hr).
Total Hike/Walk Time = 12-14 hours or so.
The Dae Chung Bong to Chun Bul Dong Course is also very tough:
Like the other hike you start at Osaek and head up to Dae Chung Bong peak (4-5 hrs). Then from the peak head down to Hee Woon Gak (1hr). From here continue heading down Chun Bul Dong Valley and on to Bi Sun Dae (3 hours). From Bi Sun Dae its easy stroll down to Seorak Valley (1hr). Chunbuldong Valley is awesome with so many water falls and pools of water to dip your feet in with foliage all around.
Total Hike/Walk Time = 9-11 hours or so.
Both will test your strength and you will be worn out for sure. There is a sauna facility nearby to soothe your aching muscles.
OPTION #2 - Ulsan Boulder Hike or Cable Car
Ulsan Boulder Hike is 4-5 hours and is quite easy except the steep ladders at the end. The view from the top is breathtaking. You get views of giant boulder ridges band also the ocean in the distance.
Chunbul Dong Valley is the most spectacular so if you wanted you could head up to a certain part of it from Bisundae and then come back down the same way.
Leave Seorak valley as the Giant Hike (Option 1) group finishes their hikes and meet up with you.
THE SCHEDULES
5/26 (SAT)
9:00AM Depart Seoul
Abgujeong Station (Line #3) Exit #1 around the corner
NOON Arrive Beachside Motel
Freetime on the Beach!
Dinner Time (Sea Food or BBQ at Restaurants on the Beach)
5/27 (SUN)
2:30AM Depart Motel
3AM Arrive Osaek
OPTION #1 SCHEDULE here
Bus Returns to Motel
11AM Bus Departs Motel
11:30AM Arrive Seorak Park
OPTION #2 SCHEDULE here
5:30PM Seorak Park Exit Parking Lot
Depart
6PM Arrive Motel
Dinner Time (Possible to Head Over to Seokcho Town for Dinner)
5/28 (MON)
Morning Beach time~
11:45AM Depart Beach for Zipline
1PM Start Zipline
3PM Depart for Seoul
7:45PM Arrive Seoul
OPTION #1 Schedule:
3AM Arrive, Start Hike
3PM Finish Hike and Arrive Bisundae
5:30PM Seorak Park Exit Parking Lot
OPTION #2 Schedule:
11:30AM Arrive Seorak, Start Hike
5:30PM Seorak Park Exit Parking Lot
THE COST
The "basic cost" of the trip is 99,000 won.
It includes:
1. Round Trip Chartered Bus
2. Beachside Lodging (2 nights)
3. Breakfast (muffins and coffee)
Earlybird:
If you make your deposit on or before 4/30 then the basic cost is 89,000 won.
If you make your deposit on or before 5/15 then the basic cost is 94,000 won.
Add or subtract the following from the basic cost:
1. Subtract 10,000 won if you meet us there and willing to stand in bus if full.
2. Add 11,000 per person if you want to do Zipline.
3. Add 15,000 per person per night if 2 people want to use a private room with bed.
Frequent Bus Rider Discount:
If you have been on 5 or more bus trips then 5,000 won discount.
The lodging is a motel with typical "ondol" sleep on the floor type and 4 or 5 to a room. We will separate men and women in general but could work out mixed rooms as well.
The large bus is limited to 45 people.
TRIP LEADER: Greg Garrigues
SIGN UP PROCEDURE:
WinK Admin Sunny will be handling deposit confirmations. She can be reached via email to wheninkorea@gmail.com.
1. Please click on "Join" above so that your name appears on the "Going" list to the left column. We will be sending out change notices and updates only to those on the list and have not blocked our messages from reaching your inbox.
2. If # of spots remaining is less than 5 (shown on the deposit list) then please send an email (wheninkorea@gmail.com) to check if there is room for you.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND FACEBOOK MESSAGES we may not be able to see it. Please send us email to wheninkorea@gmail.com. Thanks.
3. Deposit the amount as shown above. Only a deposit AND your name on the Confirmation email guarantees space.
You can deposit for someone else or someone else can deposit for you.
You can use ATM to make the deposit if you or your friend has an ATM card. ATM's generally have an English menu.
Also please do not write "trip" or something like that for the deposit. Then it comes in as "trip" and we do not know who made the deposit.
Make the deposit to:
Kookmin Bank (KB) 국민은행
814302-04-052125
Cho, William (조윌리엄)
BANK CODE: 04
Or you can deposit the Pay Pal amount using the following email address:
wkcho@ix.netcom.com
Paypal amount will be the amount in won divided by 1,000. So as an example if it says 65,000 won then its $65 USD for paypal amount.
4. Fill out information in the following form AFTER you have made the deposit:
GENDER:
FIRST NAME:
MIDDLE NAME (if you have it for your bank account)
LAST NAME:
TRIP NAME WITH DEPARTURE DATE:
DEPOSIT AMOUNT:
BANK NAME:
DEPOSIT DATE:
DEPOSIT TIME:
CELL PHONE #:
WHERE WILL YOU MEET US?:
WHAT TIME?:
ANY ROOMING REQUESTS? DON"T CARE?:
WHAT OPTIONS DID YOU CHOOSE?:
We need the above information for each person of a group if you are a group.
IF YOU ARE CLAIMING FREQUENT BUS RIDER DISCOUNT YOU MUST LIST ALL OF THE CHARTERED BUS TRIPS YOU HAVE BEEN ON.
5. Confirmation
Once we can confirm the deposit we will send you a reply confirmation email. THIS EMAIL IS YOUR CONFIRMATION. IF YOU DON'T HAVE THIS CONFIRMATION EMAIL THEN YOU ARE NOT CONFIRMED.
6. Information for Travel Insurance
You can buy travel insurance online. Here is an example of one of the many sites where you can buy insurance online:
http://www.worldnomads.com/?gclid=CI7gmLS6macCFUeApAodSjUzfg
We do not provide travel insurance. It is not required to have insurance to join the trip but highly recommend to get one in case. Please keep in mind the Liability Disclaimer below. We are not liable in anyway during or after the trip.
7. Refund or Credit Policy:
Time of Deposit to 7 Days Before Departure Time = 10,000 won Cancellation Charge per person for Refund of Deposit Amount to your bank account. Or you can apply full amount toward a future trip.
7 day before Departure to 72 Hours before Departure Time = 30,000 won Cancellation Charge per person for Refund to your bank account.
72 hours to 12 hrs Before Departure Time = 50,000 won cancellation charge per person for Refund to you Bank.
12 Hours Departure Time to No Show = No Refund.
Please provide account # by email to wheninkorea@gmail.com in order to receive refund.
Liability Disclaimer:
This travel group is not liable in anyway during or after your trip.
Please be careful and be mindful of safety. You are responsible for your own safety. You have the right to not do anything that you believe is too dangerous. None of the activities will be forced on you against your own will.
more information from:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wheninkorea/events
My friends, enjoy with this amazing trip!
