This is the UK and European website
Our system has detected that you may be browsing from United Kingdom. So that we can give you the correct information please choose from the following:
Click here to view the United Kingdom website (www.explore.co.uk)
If we guessed wrong please select your location from the list below:
* By setting your location you will see prices in an appropriate currency, and may see content customised to your location.
 |
0845 291 4541 | ||
 |
Speak to us online | ||
 |
E-mail us |
Your short list is empty 
We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
Back to top
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Back to topBeijing - Summer Palace £10.00; Acrobat show £19.00; Opera £15.00; Hutong Tour £13.00, Birds Nest tour £10.00. please note that it may not be possible to do all these optionals.
Back to top
Local Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
Back to top
Local Staff: Accordingly, you should allow €40 for tipping. Your tour leader will account to you for any organised tipping.
Back to top
Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
Back to top
Local Currency: DPRK: North Korean Won; China Yuan. However, foreigners need either Euros/US Dollars/Chinese Yuan, not North Korean Won.
Recommended Currency for Exchange: GBP, USD, or Euros in China, Euros or USD are preferred in the DPRK. Please bring cash in small denominations (lots of coins) of these currencies. You will not need to convert money into North Korean Won, as Euros or dollars can be used there.
Where to Exchange: Only in Beijing; it’s not possible to change money in DPRK.
ATM Availability: Only available in Beijing.
Credit Card Acceptance: In major restaurants and stores in China only.
Travellers Cheques: Possible to change in Beijing only. Please note this very time consuming and is not recommended.
Back to top
Up-to-date information on global exchange rates can be obtained at www.oanda.com
Back to top
| UK | China | North Korea | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tea/Coffee | £1.50 | £1.00 | £1.80 |
| Soft Drink | £1.50 | £1.30 | £2.00 |
| Bottled Water | £1.50 | £1.30 | £2.00 |
| Bottle of Beer | £3.50 | £2.20 | £2.10 |
| 2 Course Meal* | £15.00 | £7.50 | |
| 3 Course Meal** | £20.00 | £14.00 | |
| Bottle of Wine | £14.50 | ||
| Breakfast | £5.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
Back to top
Entry visas are required by all nationalities visiting China and North Korea. A double entry visa is required for China. A single entry visa is required for North Korea. North Korean visas will be issued at the Embassy in Beijing at the start of the tour. Your tour leader will co-ordinate this on your behalf. Explore will need to be sent a colour scan of your PASSPORT before you go on tour. This will need to be sent to the office shortly after booking. Please take 2 passport photographs with you on tour plus 50 Euros for your application fee. For Chinese visas please apply in your country of residence before departure. UK based clients are advised to use Explore’s recommended visa service VisaSwift.
You are required to register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival in China: Chinese authorities are now actively enforcing this requirement. If you are staying in a hotel, registration is done on your behalf as part of the check-in process, and you will be registered for the duration of your tour. Please note that if you intend to arrive more than 24 hours before your tour starts or to stay in China after your tour has finished and you are not staying in a hotel, you will need to register with the local Public Security Bureau.
Note: Tourist Visas will not be granted to journalists or professional photographers, even for holiday travel and may be refused to those working in sensitive areas such as defence. If you are a journalist or have any concerns about this, please contact Explore before booking.
Please note currently visas for DPRK are not being issued to US passport holders.
Back to top
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
Back to top
You should ensure that you are inoculated against measles, which has broken out in parts of North Korea. We also recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, infectious hepatitis, polio and Japanese encephalitis. A Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with a risk of Yellow Fever. Please consult your GP or travel clinic for the latest advise regarding the need to protect against malaria.
Back to top
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
Back to topWe strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to topChina/North Korea have a temperate climate with distinct seasonal changes. Early Spring is sunny but chilly so bring a warm coat and under clothes. In late Spring light clothing in the day and warm clothing at night is needed. Summer (June to August) is warm weather day and night but bring light raincoat. Autumn has marked variations between day and night so be prepared. Winter (December to February) has clear skies not much snow but biting cold.
Back to topSeasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
Back to topTo assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
Back to topOne main piece of lockable baggage and a daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember you are expected to handle your own luggage so don’t overload yourself.
Back to topBring some warmer clothing for cooler evenings, lighter clothing for the day. Please note that smart attire is needed for the visit to Kim II Sung’s mausoleum. Men are required to wear a shirt and tie. On rare occasions foreigners are allowed to visit the Memorial Palace; for this, shirt and tie for men and dress or skirt for women are required.
Back to topComfortable walking shoes, and trainers and sandals for relaxing.
Back to topA water bottle, sunscreen and a torch. Please note mobile phones and commercial video cameras are not allowed to be taken into DPRK. Your tour leader will be able to advise you in Beijing if you have any concerns about camera equipment etc, but there are currently no restrictions on noncommercial equipment being taken into the DPRK. Note that arrangements can be made to leave mobile phones in Beijing.
Back to topThen we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
Back to topImportant note: Mobile Phones and GPS units are to be left in China. They are NOT allowed to be brought into the DPRK.
We have had a number of cases recently where customs authorities in North Korea have been confiscating cameras with a GPS capability on entry to Pyongyang at the Airport. We therefore recommend do not take cameras into North Korea that have a GPS function (or with a label on it that says GPS) as there is a strong risk of that camera not being allowed into the country.
Back to topNorth Korea is unlike any other country. Tourists are welcomed as guests, but must be prepared to follow strict rules and regulations set by the government. Our tours are organised in co-operation with the Korean International Travel Company and whilst it is our intention to adhere to the day-by-day route printed below, this may be changed without prior notice by the Government of the DPRK, in which case overnight stops may vary from those suggested. Any changes may not occur until the tour has entered North Korea. Once in North Korea, freedom of movement for foreign visitors is restricted with two guides being with the group at all times, unaccompanied visits outside the boundaries of the hotel are not allowed. For those people willing to accept restrictions (which for many add to the mystique surrounding the country), North Korea offers a fabulous opportunity to experience a totally unique culture and society, as well as offering an insight into the last bastion of communism, so offering what is recognised to be one of the most memorable of travel experiences.
Back to topFor comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to topRecommended book: North Korea, The Bradt Travel Guide, Bradley K. Martin ‘Under the loving care of the fatherly leader’; Bruce Cumings ‘North Korea, another country’; Michael Harrold ‘Comrades and Strangers: Behind the closed doors of North Korea’; Tim Beal ‘North Korea: The struggle against American power’. Korea’s Place in the Sun: Bruce Cumings.
Back to top
