Nimen Hao! Welcome to China. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 4 pm. You'll make your way with your Intrepid representative from your hotel to the local office of Intrepid's North Korea partner. Here we will have our pre-tour meeting and collect our DPRK visas and flight tickets. The capital of the most populous country on earth, Beijing is quickly shedding its historical face in favour of modernity. However, there are still plenty of places to go that will give you a great insight into the nation's ancient past as well as sights that showcase China's contemporary culture. Please ensure you obtain a double entry visa for China before departure. After the welcome meeting the evening is then free to explore some of the city. Get acquainted with your fellow travellers, witness one of the famous acrobatic shows or t...

The morning is free to do as you please. Our flight to Pyongyang is at 13:40, Transfer to Beijing Airport. After a short flight to Pyongyang (approximately two hours) with Air China, you'll meet our two North Korean guides who will accompany the group during our time in North Korea. The contrast to Beijing's busy street life will be apparent when you venture out of the airport to the Mansudae Grand Monument - this is a compulsory activity for every visitor to Pyongyang. Your leader will ask for 5 Euro per group, which is used for purchasing flowers to rest at the feet of the immortalised great leaders. Afterwards visit the Arch of Triumph, which commemorates Kim Il-sung's role in the military resistance against Japanese rule. You may also pass through Fountain Park - a great example of soviet style statues, sculptures and of ...

This morning head out of the capital and drive to Mount Myohyang (Myohyangsan), which is around two hours north of Pyongyang. Visit the Pyohon Temple, a great example of traditional Buddhist architecture. Continue on to the International Friendship Exhibition where you can leave a gift in the name of diplomacy, if you desire. The North Pyongan province is bursting with idyllic landscapes and waterfalls, making it the perfect region to travel through. If possible, we will go for a walk around the area to a waterfall. There's an option for lunch either at a hotel (included) or a Korean BBQ right near the waterfall (20 EUR pp). Return back to Pyongyang before heading out for dinner with the group to a BBQ lamb restuarant. An option for fun tonight is to go ten pin bowling with your group and guides.

Today is the event of the Pyongyang Marathon. It’s important to know that you can still travel on this trip even if you’re not an active runner. You will be transferred from the hotel to the starting point or the stadium. At the time of booking, you would've selected and paid (marathon options are priced separately from trip cost, to give our travellers the choice) for one of the following options: 1) Full Marathon 42.2 km 2) Half Marathon 21.1 km 3) 10k Marathon 4) Football (Soccer) match - (travellers will remain in main stadium, and watch a local football match while marathon runners compete). After the marathon’s closing ceremony, enjoy lunch at the Yanggakdo Hotel’s Revolving Restaurant. This afternoon we can stroll in the Moran Hills - a favourite recreation area for locals on their day off. We then continue on ...

You’ll then pay a visit to Juche Tower, which is a 150-metre-tall structure erected to honour the 70th birthday of Kim Il-sung (an optional view from the top costs approximately 5 Euro). From here head to the Monument to Party Foundation – a structure dedicated to the Communist Party and socialist principles of North Korea. Check out the local propaganda art style at the Mansudae Art Studio. We'll have a packed lunch today. This afternoon, drive to nearby Nampo (approx. 1 hour) to see the West Barrage. Plenty of fun tonight if you would like to head to the Kaeson Funfair after dinner (Entry 1 EUR pp, games & rides 1-4 EUR pp)!

Drive to Kaesong (2.5 hours) and one of the most fascinating places in North Korea, the demilitarised zone (DMZ). This is where the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement was signed - thereby pausing the Korean War. Travel through the abandoned village of Panmunjom on your way to the 38th parallel north (the border between North and South Korea prior to the Korean War). After lunch, step back in time and visit the Koryo Museum in Kaesong, which is an ancient Confucian University that houses over 1000 artefacts from the Koryo period. Other activities today may include a performance at a local school, or visiting a stamp shop to find out about one of the most popular hobbies for local Koreans - stamp collecting! Our included dinner will be at a Chinese restaurant, but if you would like to take your guides and driver out for a treat...

Take in the Grand People's Study House, the massive central library of North Korea, the Central Art Gallery, stop in at a Foreign Language Bookstore and we walk up to Kim Il Sung Square. After lunch move on to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum. A museum guide will accompany you and provide depth and insight into the Korean War from a local’s perspective. You’ll also visit the USS Pueblo, the controversial US warship captured by the North Koreans in 1968. Find out what goes on at the Pyongyang Film Stidios. Farewell dinner with your North Korean guides tonight at a restaurant specialising in duck dishes. Perhaps visit the Paradise Department store tonight and try the draft beer!

In the morning, board a train and depart Pyongyang at 10:10, bidding farewell to your local North Korean guides. Pass through Sinuiju – DPRK Customs, and arrive in Dandong, the city on the Chinese side of the border (taking approximately 6-7 hours). After being stamped back into China (double entry China visa required), disembark the train and walk through Chinese customs with your luggage. Board the Chinese overnight train to Beijing, which should take around 14 hours to the Chinese capital.

The overnight train arrives into Beijing Central train station at approximately 08:30 am. Transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day as you wish before out optional final night dinner tonight.

Your 'North Korea Pyongyang Marathon' adventure ends in Beijing today