Guided Morning JSA (Panmunjeom) Tour from Seoul (Tuesday to Saturday)
Overall Rating
4.50
JSA canceled... but SP saved the day!
Reviewed by: Mark Halley, 2019/03/22Unfortunately the JSA leg of our tour was canceled by the UNC. However, our tour guide, SP, made the trip am unforgettable experience. His good nature and wisdom really made the tour enjoyable. I highly recommend this tour. It's worth every penny!
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2019/03/20 |
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DMZ not JSA but not fault of Veltra. Military cancels at any time.
Reviewed by: Gene, 2018/06/04Sadly we did not make it to the JSA as the military had cancelled all tours but were able to have a great tour of the DMZ, our tour guide SP really made the tour a fun experience!!
If you are tall watch out for the tunnel tour.. very low ceilings :-)
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2018/05/30 |
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Great Tour Despite...
Reviewed by: GW Fans, 2018/04/22The JSA part of the JSA tour was canceled due to preparations for upcoming talks between North and South Korea. Disappointed that we didn't have a chance to see this, but we still very much enjoyed a tour of other areas of DMZ. Our tour guide was awesome, freely sharing stories and history between both companies. It was a great half-day tour.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2018/04/18 |
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Short but eventful
Reviewed by: Dan, 2018/01/08Pretty good. Only went to the JSA and theme park. Short but I was only interested in the JSA. I got off at the amythest center around 1:30pm just to give a rough time frame of when this tour is done.
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2018/01/06 |
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Great experience
Reviewed by: Raphael, 2017/10/31My friend and I stayed in Seoul für 4 days and after taking this trip we have to say its an absolut must see.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2017/10/21 |
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Amazing trip to world's most militarized - demilitarized zone.
Reviewed by: Beniamin Kalinowski, 2017/09/07The trip began by pick up from our hotel. The pick up time was really precise and the buses were convenient and really spatious. Later we have been introduced to our guide - SP, who was amazing - charismatic, cheerful and very talkative, full of news and informations. He told us a lot about history of Korean War, places we were visiting and explained current politics situation in both countries.
Our first stop was Camp Bonifas, the UN/South Korean military base, where we were introduced to out military guide - private Gomez. After brief introduction to the Joined Security Area, Demilitarized Zone and limited-access Civil Control Zone, we have been taken to see the Pan Mun Jeom, Military Armistice Commission Conference Room and Freedom House. We could feel the pressure of the proximity of the North Korean soldiers and could watch them standing on the other side of the border, which was really impressive.
Unfortunately, due to security reasons and the big tension between Koreas, we were not able to see the UN Guard Post 3 and Bridge of No Return, which only showed us, that this military zone is still far from being a peaceful place. In PanMunJeom we were able to stand at the North Korean side of the border and make pictures.
After JSA we were taken back to Camp Bonifas to bought some gifts and souvenirs. Then we went for the lunch to the area of the closed in 2013 entrance to Kaesong Industrial Region. The lunch was very tasty, we ordered traditional bulgogi and there was way more food than anyone could eat.
Our last stop in the DMZ area was Imjingak with the Mangbaeddan monument, Bridge of Freedom and beautiful and spatious park.
Overall, I really appreciate and recommend this trip. Altogether with the large dose of the history and visiting historical places, we received a real image of how looks the world most militarized - Demilitarized Zone. I thinki this is an amazing connection of entertainment and visiting with learning history. Strongly recommend.
Dear. Beniamin Kalinowski
Warm Greeting from Cosmojin Travel Agency.
Thank you for your detailed review including photos.
We are so happy you enjoyed your tour with us.
Wish this trip would stay with you as a happy memory.
And wish you safe flight back to your hometown.
Look forward to seeing you again next time.
Thank you.
Best Regards
Minji, Kim
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2017/09/01 |
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Once in a lifetime experience
Reviewed by: Andre, 2017/09/06
In the morning we were picked up by our tour guide S.P. Hong: He is a really charming guy with good english skills and a broad knowledge about WWII and the Korean history. During the trip from Seoul to the DMZ he told us about the historical conditions which led to the korean seperation as we know it today. The trip felt very comfortable due to his funny manner.
Our first stop took us to Imjingak Park where we took a short break. I would have liked to stay there a little longer, especially because it was strange to see a theme park this close to the Korean border.
After the passport control we went to the third infiltration tunnel. Since we were not the only tour group we were shown a short movie about the DMZ.
The tunnel itself was fascinating. Located in a depth of about 70 meters it was quite exhausting to walk all the way down and up again. Nevertheless we had plenty of time and the tunnel is broad enough and also ventilated, what made it comfortable to walk through.
Afterwards we had a short stop at Dora observatory, where we were able to see one of North Koreas propaganda cities and also hear its loudspeakers whose nonstop announcements were translated for us by S.P.
At the JSA we met our military escort Walter and heard a talk about the area and its past. He also advised us how to behave and when it is allowed to take photos, etc.
After this introduction a bus took us to the Military Armistice Commission Conference Room, being the centerpiece of the tour.
Standing in front of the actual border gives you a spine-tingling feeling. But crossing the border and physically standing inside North Korea gave me an adrenaline rush.
Allthough we just had a few minutes, we could take lots of photos - also with the south Korean soldiers which were present.
Summarizing the tour I can highly recommend it to anyone who visits South Korea. I had a really great experience which is barely comparable to any other trip I made - and it was totally worth it.
Dear. Andre
Warm Greeting from Cosmojin Travel Agency.
Thank you for your detailed review.
We are so happy you enjoyed your tour with us.
In JSA, there is a time limit because it is a military area.
I hope you'll try to understand.
Wish this trip would stay with you as a happy memory.
Thank you.
Best Regards
Minji, Kim
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2017/08/30 |
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Outstanding JSA tour
Reviewed by: Marie, 2017/07/21
The tour guide we had throughout the day was absolutely wonderful. His name was SP and he spoke English very well. On the start of our tour he outlined the plan for the day. He provided us with the background of the Korean War, and the Korean culture. He even made some jokes along the way.
What I liked about this tour guide was that he knew when to stop talking and gives us a little time to rest. He did this quite often through our journey which made it more pleasant then having him talk non stop.
The third infiltration tunnel was good to see and we did get warned by SP that going down through the tunnel would be easy but coming back up would be challenging as it had a 11 degree slope. He did advise us that we didn't have to go down through it, or we could go half way and tHen turn back.
There was a tram there, but you couldn't use it if you had been given a safety helmet to go down through the tunnel which was a little disappointing.
Lunch was plentiful and good, but 1 hour was a little too long.
The highlight of the day was visiting the JSA. Walter (US military escort) was fabulous at explaining things to us and was happy to answer any questions we had.
Entering the conference room was a little eerie but it was great that we were able to take as many photos as we liked. Apparently Walter said that sometime the North Korean soldiers come down to take photos of the visitors and that they had come down in the morning. Unfortunately they didn't come down so we could also photograph them, but none the less the experience of being able to stand in North Korea is one that I will forever remember.
My only recommendation that would improve this tour would be to provide free wifi on the bus.
Dear. Marie
Warm Greeting from Cosmojin Travel Agency.
Thank you for your review.
We will also send this feedback to sp, and many foreigners will visit JSA&DMZ to have good memories.
We will consider your feedback with our company and try to improve that han been made.
We appreciate your rewiew.
sophia
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2017/07/19 |
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Thank you for the review!
We hope you enjoyed the tour.