NORTH KOREA (DPRK) TOURS

The North Korean border has been shut since January 2020. Despite rumours and brief border openings for Rason and the Pyongyang Marathon, there is no news on international tourism resuming to the country.

We are in contact with our local DPRK partners, and they have assured us that as soon as there is an update, we will be told. As soon as the border opens, we will update this page with all available tours throughout the year.

Please sign up to our mailing list below to be kept in the loop of all things Beyond The Borders.

As soon as North Korea Tours resume, we will be the first to let you know.

If you have any questions about tours to the DPRK, we are always available, feel free to contact us.

Check out our North Korea Border Blog to be kept up to date on everything to do with the North Korean border reopening.

Travelling to North Korea is one of the most unusual and tightly structured travel experiences in the world. For curious travellers seeking destinations far beyond the mainstream, visiting the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea offers rare insight into a country that remains largely closed to independent tourism. While the process is different from most international travel, thousands of visitors have successfully explored the DPRK on guided programmes over the years.

Beyond The Borders Tours specialises in carefully managed, fully escorted North Korea tours designed to make this complex destination accessible, informative and comfortable for international visitors. All travel in the country is conducted with official local guides and follows approved itineraries, but within this framework travellers can experience the monumental architecture of Pyongyang, visit the historic Korean Demilitarised Zone, ride one of the world’s deepest metro systems and explore mountain and coastal regions that few outsiders ever see.

Whether you are planning your first visit or researching future travel opportunities, this page will guide you through how tourism to North Korea works, what you can expect on the ground and how Beyond The Borders Tours supports you at every stage of the journey.

Why Travel to North Korea

North Korea is not a typical holiday destination, and that is precisely why it attracts such strong interest from experienced travellers. For those with curiosity about geopolitics, modern history and unusual travel environments, the DPRK offers a perspective that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

One of the biggest draws is the chance to experience a country that very few people have visited. From the wide boulevards and monumental architecture of Pyongyang to the dramatic landscapes of regions such as Mount Kumgang and Mount Paektu, the geographic and visual contrasts often surprise first time visitors. The journey also provides insight into one of the world’s most tightly managed tourism systems, which many travellers find fascinating in its own right.

It is not suited to independent backpacking, but for travellers who approach the country with curiosity, respect and realistic expectations, it can become one of the most memorable trips they ever take.

Beyond The Borders Tours focuses on responsible, well prepared and carefully paced programmes that help visitors understand what they are seeing while travelling comfortably within the country’s tourism framework.

North Korea Tours – Sample Itineraries

Below are example North Korea tours showcasing Pyongyang and Mt. Myohyang.
These sample programs are provided while borders remain closed and are intended for future planning.

Pyongyang – Hyangsan – Pyongyang (4 Nights / 5 Days)

Day 1 – Arrival & Pyongyang Highlights

City tour: Arch of Triumph and Mansudae Fountain Park
Dinner at the revolving restaurant (44th floor, Koryo Hotel)
Overnight at Koryo Hotel

Day 2 – Pyongyang & Mt. Myohyang

Kim Il Sung Square, Foreign Language Bookshop, Grand People’s Study House
Tower of the Juche Idea
Lunch in Pyongyang, drive to Mt. Myohyang
Hike Manpok Valley
Dinner & overnight at Hyangsan Hotel

Day 3 – Mt. Myohyang & Return to Pyongyang

International Friendship Exhibition House; Bohyon Buddhist Temple
Lunch at Hyangsan Hotel; return to Pyongyang
Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace
Dinner & overnight at Koryo Hotel

Day 4 – Pyongyang Cultural & Historical Tour

Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum
Mansudae Art Studio
Pyongyang Metro
Taesong Department Store
Optional: Pyongyang Circus
Evening city walk; dinner & overnight at Koryo Hotel

Day 5 – Departure

Depart

Pyongyang – Hyangsan – Pyongyang (7 Nights / 8 Days)

Day 1 – Arrival & Pyongyang Highlights

City tour: Arch of Triumph and Mansudae Fountain Park
Dinner at the revolving restaurant (44th floor, Koryo Hotel)
Overnight at Koryo Hotel

Day 2 – Pyongyang to Mt. Myohyang

Walk from Pyongyang Grand Theatre to Kim Il Sung Square
Foreign Language Bookshop, Taedong Gate, Pyongyang Bell
Tower of the Juche Idea
Lunch in Pyongyang; drive to Mt. Myohyang
Explore Ryongmun Cave (karst cave system)
Dinner & overnight at Hyangsan Hotel

Day 3 – Mt. Myohyang Exploration

International Friendship Exhibition House; Bohyon Buddhist Temple
Optional outdoor barbecue picnic in Habiro Hermitage Valley (additional charge)
Hike Manpok Valley
Dinner & overnight at Hyangsan Hotel

Day 4 – Return to Pyongyang

Drive back to Pyongyang
Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum
Lunch; Pyongyang Metro; souvenir shopping
Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace
Dinner & overnight at Koryo Hotel

Day 5 – Cultural Insights

Grand People’s Study House; Pyongyang Embroidery Research Institute
Lunch in Pyongyang
Optional: Central Zoo
Meari Shooting Gallery
Dinner & overnight at Koryo Hotel

Day 6 – History & Art

Mausoleum of King Tangun; Kangdong Greenhouse Complex
Lunch in Pyongyang
Walk on Moran Hill (historic relics from the 6th century)
Korean Art Gallery (Middle Ages to present)
Dinner & overnight at Koryo Hotel

Day 7 – Museums & Art

Metro Museum
Taesong Department Store
Mansudae Art Studio
Optional: Pyongyang Circus
Dinner & overnight at Koryo Hotel

Day 8 – Departure

Depart

North Korea Private Tours

In addition to our sample itineraries, we also arrange private North Korea tours. Once the borders reopen, travellers will be able to enjoy fully customised trips tailored to their interests – whether that’s history, culture, nature, or something more specialised. We take care of every detail, including visas, flights, accommodation, and expert guides, ensuring a seamless and personalised journey. Private tours offer flexibility in pace and focus, giving you the chance to explore what’s possible within local regulations while enjoying a more exclusive travel experience.

North Korea Private Tours