A special invitation to a private country
And a spectacular celebration

If you prefer people and places to beaches then join the select few to visit the unashamedly unique Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Closed to outside influence for many years- even Bhutan now has satellite TV and the Internet- the engaging people, flamboyant architecture and inspiring landscape have overwhelmed the few tourists who have developed an interest and succeeded in visiting DPRK. It warms visitors from the West to meet a people bonded together by a guiding ideology, such as the Juche Idea, (“Juche means that the masters of the revolution and construction are the masses of the people and they are also the motive force of the revolution and construction. In other words, one is responsible for one’s own destiny.” The Korean Review) and its father Kim Il Sung (“An outstanding great master of witty remarks as well as the greatest man ever known in history.” Korean Central News Agency, 19/1/96). Far from being downtrodden and disconsolate you will be welcomed by our guide amongst the merry faces untroubled by worries of money and crime. Whilst most of the Marxist world has embraced market economy- nowadays Castro’s Cuba is inundated with package tourists- DPRK retains its socialist integrity. Join the small group of travellers privileged to visit this extraordinary place and witness the spectacular Mass Games, when one side of the world’s largest stadium will hold painted cards making continuously changing socialist realism pictures. Perhaps the most difficult country in the world to visit: Live, however; can take you there.

MASS GAMES for the 60th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, will be the most fascinating time to visit and the biggest holiday in years. The children and youth have been practising everyday for several months for these Arirang Mass Games so it will be a huge event and an unforgettable spectacle. This anniversary is a rare opportunity to watch the Koreans at leisure, with funfairs and the streets bedecked with socialist realism posters.

ITINERARY 3rd to 14th September 2008: 60th Anniversary of the Foundation of the D.P.R.K.

1. Departure for Beijing, China’s capital, on 3rd September 2008.
2. Beijing- transfer to Hotel, afternoon at leisure.
3. At leisure or participate in optional organised activities: tours to the Great Wall, cycle and around the old alleyways, Hutongs. Please do not forget this part of the trip and make the effort to enjoy the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the bustling market streets of Qianmen, the imperial lakes, Jing Shan park, the Temple of Heaven, shopping and the food…One evening take the opportunity to enjoy a traditional roast Duck banquet dinner.
4. Breakfast and another day to enjoy Beijing. Beijing at leisure or join an arranged excursion whilst your DPRK visa is processed (2 photos please). Don’t forget to shop for any goodies you may want to take to DPRK like fruit, chocolates, cigarettes and coffee. We check out and go to the station for the 1725h soft sleeper train to Pyongyang. This is the relaxing way to enter DPRK with the first contact at the Sinuiji border, gathering early impressions of the country and people through the train window during daylight.
5. Arriving Pyongyang at 1800h our guide takes us to the Yanggakdo Hotel, with Sauna and pool, for a restorative shower. City tour to the Art Gallery, Grand People’s Study House- the national library with 30 million volumes and a mechanical book delivery system. Riverside stroll followed by Pyongyang beer and Korean-style supper at the hotel.
6. Customarily, visits to DPRK start at Mansudae Hill, the site of the imposing 20m high statue of Kim Il Sung completed in 1982 to commemorate the late president’s 70th birthday. Since his death in 1994 it has become a focus for mourning and is attended at all times of the day and, observing custom, we will offer flowers there. After lunch: shopping, metro ride, followed by the funfair. Visit the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, with its detailed models.
7. Visit Manyongdae, in Pyongyang, the birthplace of Kim Il Sung, the 60m tall Arch of Triumph and witness the spectacular Korean State Circus, renowned for its trapeze artists and astounding acrobats. Today is the anniversary and though a famous Arirang Mass Games cannot be guaranteed, we hope to spend the evening witnessing a display (tickets from £40) at the massive 150,000-seater May Day Stadium. This spectacular art form involves more than a billion hours of practice by the thousands of participants. Later: celebrations & dancing on Kim Il Sung Square.
8. Drive to the Hyangsan Hotel in the Myohyangsan Mountains and a walk through the Manpok valley with its gushing streams and sparkling waterfalls. After lunch: visit to the International Friendship Exhibition housing some 80,000 gifts to both the Great and Dear leaders, including Daniel Ortega’s stuffed Alligator carrying a tray of drinks. We continue to the Pohyon Buddhist Temple. Back for beer and Karaoke at the Hyangsan Hotel.
9. Return to Pyongyang for the 170m lift up to the base of the flame that sits atop the Juche Tower, $5 paid locally, affording panoramic views of the city. Onto the School Children’s Palace- we are reminded ‘Children are King’ in the DPRK- providing extra-curricular teaching. The charming children’s show is every visitor’s favourite. Dinner at Taedongang Restaurant, famed for its table-barbecued squid and beef Bulgogi.
10. Drive to Kaesong City and the bizarrely serene ‘village’, Panmunjom, in the Demilitarised Zone. The DMZ has separated the North and South since 27th July 1953 and our visit serves as a tragic reminder of the division. We walk around the seven huts straddling the border, within metres of GI’s and South Korean soldiers, and enter the negotiating room- photos allowed- where the demarcation line bisects the meeting table. Our guide will describe the many skirmishes and incidents that have occurred at Panmunjom. Banquet at Pyongyang National restaurant, and, with luck, a night at the opera.
11. Bid a sad farewell to our guides at the airport for 0900h flight to Beijing arriving 0940h.  Day at leisure in Beijing.
12. Check out and transfer to Beijing airport for the return flight to London.

Additional arrangements for an extended stay in China can be organised on request,

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea tour, excluding flights, costs £1750, single supplement = £200 extra. The air holiday and flight is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6151.

Includes- Flights and overnight soft-sleeper train tickets, Transfers and B&B hotel in Beijing. In DPRK: full board, English-speaking guide with sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary.
Excludes- sightseeing in Beijing, local airport taxes, meals on the train, visas, insurance- £40 through LIVE- admission to Mass Games- from £40- and Juche Tower- $5- tips, drinks, phone calls and other items of a personal nature.

VISAS

One month before departure we need £20 DPRK visa fee, a one page CV and letter from your employer with address and position. In Beijing we require your passport and 2 photos.  LIVE can obtain the double-entry Chinese visa in London, with 1 photo and a cost of £45 + £15 LIVE service charge.  Journalists are not allowed to visit DPRK with a tourist visa. Rather than create problems for the group and LIVE, please advise us and we can attempt to gain the correct invitation.

TOUR INFORMATION

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a special place to visit and it is fruitful to act as a guest of the country. Leaving the hotel or group and Photography should be done only with our guide’s permission. Please leave video cameras, laptops and mobile phones either at home or in Beijing. Due to the nature of the tour we request a degree of flexibility although we strive to make it comfortably efficient and memorable. We stress that: flight details will be confirmed ASAP, the occurrence of Mass games cannot be guaranteed and the itinerary may alter sequence and content slightly. Cash US dollars are recommended for convenience in DPRK whilst in China, Pounds can be exchanged at the hotel.