South Korea luxury tour, modern & ancient

Planet

South Korea is an excellent destination for an eco-friendly trip, as it remains relatively off the radar for most travelers. Tourism, particularly to regions outside Seoul, has only recently reopened, offering a unique opportunity to explore the country responsibly. South Korea combines advanced urban infrastructure, protected natural areas, and vibrant cultural heritage, making it well suited to low-impact, nature-positive travel.

Hotel Emissions & Renewable Energy

Most accommodations on this itinerary, including The Shilla Seoul, The Shilla Haeundae (Busan), JW Marriott Jeju, Rakkojae Hanok Stay Andong, and Sono Calm Yeosu, have sustainability initiatives focused on energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction. Traditional hanok stays (Rakkojae) utilise natural materials and passive design to reduce energy consumption. While specific renewable energy usage is not reported, these properties generally adhere to strong environmental management practices.

Shared Local Transport
The itinerary uses several shared transport options to reduce CO2 per person:
- Official military-operated shuttle buses at the DMZ (Day 3)
- KTX high-speed trains between Seoul–Jeonju and Yeosu–Seoul (Days 15 & 20)
- Domestic flights (Seoul–Busan, Busan–Jeju) to reduce longer road travel emissions

Human-Powered Transport
- Walking tours in Seoul (Days 2 & 4)
- Cycling in Andong Hahoe Village (Day 7)
- E-bike tour along Jeju coast (Day 14)
- Walking at Bijarim Forest, Seongsan Ilchulbong, and Suncheonman Bay (Days 12, 13, 18–19)

Advice on Reducing Carbon Impacts
Travelers are advised to:

- Take public transport and shared shuttles where possible
- Choose human-powered activities like walking, cycling, and e-bikes
- Travel light to reduce flight emissions
- Use Google Flights and Skyscanner to view emissions for flights
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Contributions

Electric or Low-Emission Transport
Electric bicycles are used on the Jeju coastal e-bike ride (Day 14). KTX trains are low-emission compared to road travel.

Vegetarian & Vegan Food Availability
Vegetarian and vegan options are widely available at:

- Seoul markets and restaurants (Gwangjang, Insadong)
- Hanok stays (Andong)
- Jeju accommodations and local markets
- Sono Calm Yeosu and other hotel restaurants

Local & Seasonal Food Sourcing
The itinerary promotes local and seasonal produce:
- Jeju Island tea plantations and local desserts (Day 12)
- Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market, Jeju seafood and black pork (Day 13)
- Sokcho and Yeosu local market visits (Days 6 & 19)
- Korean Folk Village demonstrations of traditional foods (Day 5)


ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
Accommodation Environmental Policies
Many accommodations on this itinerary incorporate:

- Water conservation and waste reduction
- Recycling programs and reduced plastic use
- Use of sustainable building materials in hanok stays
- Nature Restoration at Accommodations

Traditional hanok stays and resort properties maintain gardens, plantings, and green spaces that support local biodiversity, including native trees and pollinator-friendly landscaping.

Entry Fees to Parks or Protected Areas
The itinerary includes visits to:
- Mudeungsan National Park (Day 17)
- Suncheonman Bay & National Garden (Day 18)
- Odongdo Island in Hallyeohaesang National Park (Day 19)

Contribution to Nature Recovery / Rewilding
This trip contributes through:

- Use of local guides for nature walks and forest tours (Bijarim Forest, Suncheonman Wetlands)
- Entrance fees to protected areas
- Eco-education during guided visits

Visitor Education on Reducing Impacts on Nature
Travelers are provided guidance on:

- Staying on marked trails in forests and parks
- Avoiding disturbance to wildlife
- Reducing waste and single-use plastics

Expert Nature Guides
Local guides are employed for:

- Jeju tea and forest tours
- Andong and Suncheon heritage walks
- Coastal and island exploration on Jeju and Yeosu
- All are qualified locals trained in environmental and cultural interpretation.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Locally Owned Accommodations: Hanok stays like Rakkojae in Andong and Yeoyu in Jeonju are locally owned.

Local Guides & Experiences: The itinerary maximises local economic benefit through:

- Use of local English-speaking guides in Seoul, Jeju, Andong, and Yeosu
- Visits to local markets (Gwangjang, Sokcho, Jeonju, Seogwipo, Yangdong)
- Artisan craft demonstrations and local workshops

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Local Employment: Almost all guides, drivers, and activity providers are South Korean and sourced locally.

Support for Women & Traditional Crafts: The itinerary includes artisan mask workshops in Andong, hanji (paper) craft, and tea ceremony experiences led by local practitioners, many of whom are women.

Fair Wages: Partners are required to comply with minimum wage laws.

Workplace Diversity Strategy: All operating partners support equal opportunity employment without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality.

LGBTQ+ Friendly: The itinerary is suitable for LGBTQ+ travelers, with culturally inclusive accommodations and urban experiences.

Accessibility: Major urban sites and KTX travel are accessible. Some rural areas and hiking/temple visits may be challenging for travelers with limited mobility.