Important Information

SOUTH KOREA VISA: Many nationalities can enter South Korea visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. Check with the South Korean embassy or consulate for specific visa requirements based on your nationality.

MEDICATIONS: The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in your home country may be different in South Korea, where you are generally allowed to bring small amounts of medication for your personal use, if it is kept in carry-on baggage, in its original packaging, and is accompanied by a prescription from your doctor. Opiates, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines are illegal, and can not be brought into South Korea without pre-approved permissions. Please contact the (MFDS) for up-to-date information at +82-43-719-2813 or by email at narcotics@korea.kr. The MFDS application procedure is available here.

CULTURE SHOCK: Korean culture strongly emphasizes respect, harmony, and formality, especially in social interactions. A slight bow is the standard greeting, and it’s customary to use titles or honorifics rather than first names, particularly with elders. While locals can be reserved at first, they are often curious and eager to share their culture with visitors, especially when approached with politeness and a genuine interest in learning.

LOCAL LGBTQ+ SCENE: South Korea’s LGBTQ+ scene is small but steadily growing, especially in major cities like Seoul and Busan. Seoul’s Itaewon district has long been the heart of queer nightlife, offering a mix of bars, clubs, and community spaces, while annual Pride celebrations draw larger and larger crowds each year. That said, societal attitudes may remain conservative in many areas outside of the major cities.

WEATHER: October is one of the most beautiful times to visit South Korea, with crisp air, golden foliage, and clear skies creating the perfect backdrop for sightseeing. Daytime temperatures typically range from 55°F to 72°F (13°C to 22°C), while evenings cool down to the mid-40s°F (7°C to 10°C), especially in inland areas like Seoul and Gyeongju. Coastal cities such as Busan stay a bit milder thanks to the ocean breeze. Autumn colors are in full swing by mid-October, making palace gardens, temple grounds, and national parks especially stunning. All of the above aside, it’s important to be prepared for rain and cooler temperatures.

REQUIRED VACCINATIONS: Routine vaccines are recommended. Consult your doctor or travel clinic for advice on any additional vaccinations or health precautions before traveling to South Korea.

ELECTRICITY: You will need an international travel plug/adapter for Type C and F sockets. Visit the South Korea page on Power Plugs and Sockets of the World for more info.

CONNECTIVITY: All of our hotels will have Wi-Fi access. If you require connectivity, we recommend purchasing an international data plan or local SIM card (with an unlocked device). Even with a SIM card or roaming plan, coverage may be weak.

We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, and it is our belief that each traveller has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from illness. Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, nor to isolate in the event of respiratory illness. Our Hosts and/or Group Leaders may ask those with respiratory or cold symptoms to wear a mask in confined areas. Local laws may be more strict and will always supersede our policies.

Out Adventures is all about good times with like-minded folks. Whether we’re sitting around a campfire or indulging in five-star decadence, our goal is to make the experience magical. We also support the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations whenever possible, and seeking out authentic local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.

Daily breakfast, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners are included.

Paradise Hotel Busan
296 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu,
Busan, South Korea
Phone: +82 51-742-2121

Standard check-in time is between 2PM and 3PM. We are unable to arrange early check ins, however you are able to store your luggage and explore the central area near the hotel while you wait. If you would like a guaranteed early check-in, you will need to reserve a pre-tour night of accommodation.

voco Seoul Myeongdong
52 Toegye-ro, Jung District,
Seoul, South Korea
Phone: +82 2-6923-6700

If you would like to extend your stay, additional accommodations can be booked in advance.

If you are happy with the services throughout your trip, a tip is recommended. Tipping details will be provided in your final trip documentation; however, we recommend budgeting approximately $70 – $100 USD.

The local currency is the South Korean won (KRW). Credit cards are widely accepted.

NOTE: We recommend carrying approximately $200 USD to be used in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold. This should be in addition to any spending money.

Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Out Adventures specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring. 

Travel Documents:

• Passport
• Flight itineraries
• Pre-trip packet
• Travel insurance confirmation including 24-hr emergency collect phone number
• Out Adventures invoice
• Photocopies or an email with photos of important documents such as credit cards/passport/drivers license (we recommend you keep a copy at home as well)
• Credit/ATM cards & cash

General Personal Items:

• Smartphone/camera/tablet/charging cords
• Power Plug adapter (https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/south-korea/)
• Eye mask
• Earplugs
• Refillable water bottle (water refilling will be available on transportation)
• Luggage lock
• Guidebook/phrasebook/reading material
• Sunglasses
• Small travel umbrella
• Sun protection/hat

Shoes:

• Socks 
• Walking shoes
• Shoes you’d feel comfortable wearing to a nice restaurant
• Sandals

Bottoms:

• Underwear
• Jeans/pants you’d feel comfortable wearing to a nice restaurant
• Shorts
• Swimwear

Tops:

• Short-sleeved shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Shirts you’d feel comfortable wearing to a nice restaurant
• Sweaters/fleece
• Light jacket for cool mornings and evenings
• Waterproof jacket/poncho

Health-related Items:

• Face masks/hand sanitizer gel/sanitizing wipes
• Small First aid kit including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, cold/flu tablets, diarrhea tablets, rehydration packs
• Personal Medication in original bottles 
• High protection sunscreen/lip balm
• Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant
• Antibacterial gel/wipes

For everyone’s peace of mind, travel insurance is mandatory for all Out Adventures tours. This insurance must include medical coverage and emergency repatriation/evacuation. For more details on our requirements and guidance on obtaining coverage, please click here. In addition to meeting our minimum requirements, we strongly recommend insuring the total cost of your trip with cancellation coverage and selecting a policy that covers all activities included in this tour.

All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture.

Out Adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meetups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.

Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.

If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.

We love when groups of friends join us on an Out Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:

• Sit with (and get to know) different people at different meals
• Mix up walking partners on excursions
• Invite solo travellers to join you for an optional excursion or meal
• Enjoy inside jokes in privacy, or let the group in on the secret 😉

If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.

This tour is rated 2.5/5 and is not suitable for guests with mobility issues due to the amount of walking on uneven ground, and up/down stairs.

All guests must have a good level of health, and all tours involve uneven steps or stairs, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.

Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.

1 – Relaxing

• Very little or no hiking
• Light activities such as walking, bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Low altitude
• Suitable for all fitness levels

2 – Light

• Light walking and hiking (2 hours or less per day and at low altitude)
• Light activities such as bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Suitable for most fitness levels

3 – Average

• Light walking and hiking (3 hours or less per day, rarely at high altitude)
• Some activities such as biking, paddling or swimming. Active days are mixed with relaxed days
• Suitable for an average fitness level

4 – Demanding

• Walking, hiking is a component of the tour (can range from 2 hours to 6 hours per day, at various altitudes)
• Activities such as biking, paddling or swimming may be mixed in
• Suitable for a good fitness level

5 – Challenging

• Walking, hiking, biking, paddling or kayaking are the vast majority of the trip (can range from 2 hours to 8 hours per day, generally at high altitude)
• Activities will likely happen day after day with limited rest days
• Suitable for above average fitness level

The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.