Jirisan Challenge, Busan & Beyond Hiking Adventure

by sanl9217, posted in Event
destination: Busan& Gyeongsangnam, South Korea
event date: 26 March – 2 April 2025

Experience the breathtaking beauty of South Korea’s cherry blossoms with the Jirisan Challenge, Busan & Beyond Hiking Adventure. This 8-day expedition is designed for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers, offering a unique blend of challenging hikes and cultural immersion. The highlight of this adventure is the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, where you’ll witness the stunning cherry blossoms in full bloom, creating a picturesque backdrop for your journey.

In addition to the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, you’ll also visit the Oncheoncheon Stream in Busan, a serene location lined with cherry blossoms, perfect for a leisurely stroll and photography. Another special highlight is Jinyangho Lake in Jinju City, where the cherry blossoms reflect beautifully on the water, creating a magical and tranquil setting.

Your adventure begins with a hike on the Mangsan Trail in Geoje, leading to the picturesque Myeongsa Beach. Next, you’ll explore Somaemuldo and Deungdaeseom Islands, where a rocky pathway emerges at low tide, connecting you to hidden treasures. The journey continues with the Jirisan Challenge, a trek to Cheonwangbong Peak, the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula and the second highest in Korea, offering panoramic vistas and a rewarding challenge for avid hikers.

"""In Busan, you’ll conquer Geumjeongsan’s Godangbong Peak via the historic Beomeosa Temple, and traverse the scenic Haeparang Trail along the coast. Beyond hiking, the adventure includes visits to cultural landmarks like Gamcheon Cultural Village, offering a glimpse into Korea’s vibrant traditions and natural beauty.

With comfortable accommodations, delicious local cuisine, and expert guides, the Jirisan Challenge is more than just a hike—it’s a journey through the heart of Korea. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a cultural explorer, this adventure offers something for everyone. Join us for an experience that will leave you with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for Korea’s natural and cultural wonders.

5 Best Day Hikes

(in a short 8-day tour) Mouse over for hike info

  1. Jirisan highest peak – 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐠 Challenge, ▲1915 m
  2. Geoje, Mangsan trail to Myeongsa Beach
  3. Somaemuldo Island & Deungdaeseom hike to the lighthouse at low tide
  4. Geumjeongsan, Godangbong Peak via Beomeosa – Busan’s Highest
  5. Haeparang-gil
  6. Bonus: Cheonjusan Azalea

Highlights

Cherry Blossom Viewing

  • Oncheoncheon Stream
  • Jinyangho
  • Gyeonghwa Station
  • Yeojwacheon Stream

Itinerary

DAY 1 / 26 March 2025
Meet up point @ Busan Gimhae Airport Internation Arrival terminal at 8 AM
Meet & greet – group pick up and your adventure begins.
Busan: Gamcheon Cultural Village, Oncheongcheon Stream Cherry Blossom*
Overnight in Busan City; Meal: lunch & dinner

DAY 2 / 27 March 2025
Geoje Mangsan day hike – The Mangsan trail is about 7.4km reaching ▲508m and ends at Myeongsa Beach.
Overnight in Tongyeong; Meal: breakfast, lunch & dinner

DAY 3 / 28 March 2025
Transfer via ferry to Somaemuldo (1hr).
Explore Somaemuldo Island and Deungdaeseom Island connected by a rocky path that appears only at low tide. Highlights include Mangtaebang Peak, Haegeumdo, lighthouse, etc
Return ferry to Tongyeong. Walk through Dongpirang Mural Village and traditional central market, *subject to time permit, followed by dinner. Transfer to Jinju.
Overnight in Jinju City; Meal: breakfast, lunch & dinner

DAY 4 / 29 March 2025
On Day 4, we offer two activity options to accommodate both advanced hikers and beginners.

Options 1: JIRISAN CHALLENGE
6.30 AM transfer to the Jirian, Cheonwangbong – Jungsanri trailhead. This course is roughly a 10.8 KM loop trail and the average, hiking time is about 8 hours.
Due to the early transfer to the trailhead, breakfast along with lunch will be packed. End of the hike rendezvous with the rest of the group for dinner.

Options 2: JINJU CITY TOUR
Namgang Yudeung Exhibition Hall – Railbike – Jinyangho Cherry Blossom Road – Jinju Castle

Overnight in Jinju City; Meal: breakfast, lunch & dinner

DAY 5 / 30 March 2025
Hike the Changwon, Cheonjusan Azalea trail. It is an easy hike of about 3 hrs, reaching the peak at ▲639M
In the afternoon, visit Gyeonghwa Station & Yeojwacheon Stream for Cherry Blossom viewing. And ends with visit to Nampodong for dinner on your own.
Overnight in Busan City; Meal: breakfast, lunch

DAY 6 / 31 March 2025
Hike the Beomeosa – Geumjeongsan Godangbong Loop trail – trek along the ridge of Mt. Geumjeong, tallest mountain in Busan. ▲639M / 8KM / ~4 hrs.
Overnight in Busan City; Meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 7 / 1 April 2025
Ginseng Learning Center, hike the Haeparang-gil from Oryukdo to Igidae.
Overnight in Busan City; Meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 8 / 2 April 2025
AM free & easy until hotel check-out at noon. 1 single designated departure airport transfer will be arranged.

What is the cost per person?

LAND cost only based on twin or triple sharing basis:
Group size discount: SANL works on a cost-sharing basis, meaning the bigger the group size the bigger saving you will enjoy.

  • Group size 15 – 24: $ 1,738 per person twin or triple basis
  • Group size 25 or more $1,499 per person twin or triple basis
  • Single supplement add S$ 450

Minimum group size of 15 participants for event confirmation/departure.
Required Reservation / Booking Deposit: $500 per person

Important:

  1. “Booking Deposit” is non-refundable unless group is not formed.
  2. The “Booking Deposit” will be fully refunded if the event/tour is canceled due to group size not being formed.
  3. When the group size is formed and tour/event is confirmed, the following cancellation penalty applied.
  4. Cancellation & Refund Policy:
    • 50% of land cost applied 60 days before 26 March 2025.
    • 100% of land cost applied 30 days before 26 March 2025.

What Is Included?

  • 7 nights hotel accommodations
  • meals: 7 x breakfast; 7 x lunch; 6 x dinner; *including 1 x breakfast & 2 x lunch box for hiking.
  • attraction entrance ticket
  • 7 days of full size license tourist coach ( 45 seats)
  • 1 designated airport transfer on day 8. Designated time will be announced during briefing

What is excluded?

  • Tour begins from Gimhae Airport (PUS), air ticket or travel expense to PUS is at your own expense
  • K-ETA or VISA to enter South Korea if require
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Tour guides & drivers’ gratitude (tipping)
  • Personal expenses, like laundry, phone calls, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
  • Anything not mentioned in the inclusions list above

Is it suitable for me?

  1. Yes, if you are actively exercising at least 3 times a weeks with either slow jogging or breeze walks.
  2. Most of the trail are rated between beginners to moderate except Day 4 Jirisan Challenge. However, we have curate an alternative sight-seeing activity if you were to skip the hike. We will also rate the hiker before allowing for the Jirisan hike.

How to make the reservation and booking?

Step 1 : Click on the “Meetup.com” event RSVP >> GOING.
This is a controlled RSVP event, before you confirm the “Going” with a deposit placement, your RSVP will be shown as “WAITLIST”.

Step 2: Place a Booking Deposit of S$500 to Korea NTC Travel Services Pte Ltd

  • PayNow to UEN 201800188RKRN
  • Bank transfer to UOB 392-307-442-0
  • After placing the booking deposit please email your transfer info to sanl@ntc.travel
  • An invoice will be generated and your RSVP will be updated to “GOING”

Step 3: Wait for the event status to be CONFIRMED before issuing your air ticket. At the moment you can make tentative reservation with your ticket agent or call +65 6226 3286 for assistance.

NOTE: As this is a controlled RSVP, the RSVP column in the Meetup.com event page will show “NO SPOTS LEFTS”, please ignore this. Refer to “GOING” list to know what is the current group size. The number less the event host is the actual participants number. When no slot is available, the RSVP function will be disable.

Which flight should I book on?

There are 2 direct from Singapore to Busan, Gimhae. There also other option with transit in another city. We strong recommend that you to take the direct flight or to arrive at Gimhae Airport on 26 March 2025 before 9AM.

  1. Direct flights:
    • Singapore Airlines; up to 4 direct flights weekly
    • Jeju Air; 1 daily flight
  2. Transit flights:
    • Korean Air via Incheon (ICN)
    • Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong (HKG)
    • Vietnam Airlines via Ho Chi Ming (SGN)
    • China Eastern via Shanghai (PVG)
    • *when booking the flight take note of the arrival time in Busan.

We strongly recommend a direct flight from Singapore to avoid complication, however transit flight option can sometime be cheaper. The choice is yours.

Our designated meet up time and location is 9:00 AM on 26th March 2025 in Busan, Gimnhae Airport (PUS) International flight terminal arrival hall. You may choose whatever flight but you must appear on the designated meeting time and place. We will not be responsible for any delay or cancellation of flight.

Legal Entity Declaration:

This event is organised SANL and managed by Korea NTC the legal entity for the event and tour fare collection. The agency details is as follows: –
Korea NTC Travel Services Pte Ltd
STB Travel Agent #: 03153
Contact number : +65 6396 6606
Address: #03-05 Sultan Plaza, 100 Jalan Sultan, Singapore 199001

Disclaimer:

Singapore Adventurous Nature-Lovers Meetup is an amateur adventure platform that welcomes all outdoor adventure seekers. By joining the activities, all participants are deemed to have agreed to the terms and conditions contained in this disclaimer, and agreed to exonerate the activities leaders, the organizers and any other participants in the trips from any liabilities, claims, including but not limited to liabilities and claims as a result of any injuries or deaths or damages arising thereof.

Disclaimer Terms of Participation as Follows:

  1. If the participant does not show up at the meeting point specified on the agreed date and time, the organizer will not wait for the participant. There is no refund of any money paid.
  2. It is a fundamental condition that the participant acknowledges that this is an adventure tour. This requires some flexibility. The itinerary is taken as a guideline only. The organizer can not be hold responsible or liable for any delays caused by accidents, strikes, government regulations, weather, natural casualties, or any unforeseen circumstances.
  3. The participant understands that during the course of the trip certain events may occur, including, but not limited to, accident or illness, political instability and the forces of nature. The participant agrees to assume all risks associated with the journey. While safety measures will be in place, the organizer can not be hold responsible or liable for any personal injuries to the participants.
  4. This trip is arranged in collabration with Korea NTC Travel & Services. SANL play a co-ordinating party for the benefit her members. All payment of money must be handle by Korea NTC Travel Services in accordance with the Singapore Tourism Board regulations.

    *When you paid up for this event, it is understood that you have read, agreed and accepted the above terms and conditions.

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