Korean Tea Culture & Culinary Journey

Korean Tea Culture & Culinary Journey

Spring 2027 · Around May 1 – May 8

An 8-day journey from Korea's southern tea festivals up through sacred temples, a traditional medicine village, historic Andong, and the healing forests of the east coast.

 

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From the Wild Tea Mountains to the Healing Coast

Join us for a small group experience in the quiet beauty of Korea's tea culture. This 8-day retreat weaves together Korean tea festivals, artisan tea farms, temple life, a traditional Korean medicine village, a historic folk village, and forest healing by the sea.

Travel with us from the southern tea country up toward the eastern coast, guided by Christine of Hearth & Seoul and her Umma. You'll hear stories, learn what life in Korea is really like from a local perspective, enjoy regional and seasonal foods from our favorite local spots, and share an experience we've curated specifically for this small group.

This retreat is for those who want to follow along at a gentle pace, savor the traditions and food of Korean culture, and meet the farmers and friends we've come to know on our own journeys. We keep the group small so the experience stays personal and you get an authentic experience. You'll meet some of my family's hometown favorites and have time to explore on your own, too, whether that's a museum, a traditional village, or a quiet tea house.

We start with the beautiful tea fields in the West, make our way to the wild tea mountains of Mt. Jirisan where we'll even have a chance to roast tea and harvest, then head East to Korean's medicine village to learn about traditional healing and then up towards the coast where we'll find ourselves in the healing forest. 


A Note on Our Dates & the Tea Festivals

This journey is timed around the spring tea festivals in two different regions which typically take place around the first week of May. Because of this, the trip is slated for approximately May 1 – May 8, 2027.

The festivals set their official dates only a few weeks out, so our exact dates may shift slightly as we get closer, but always staying within that same window so that we can build the very best itinerary around them. And if the festival dates don't align with our travels, you won't miss anything, we'll instead meet with our tea farmers (who are usually in the tea festivals) personally for private farm tours and tastings, which is often the more intimate experience anyway. Either way, you're in good hands and we'll go with the cultural flow of the season.

 

Retreat Details

    • Dates: Approximately May 1 – May 8, 2027 (8 days / 7 nights; dates subject to slight adjustment around the tea festivals)
    • Route: Boseong • Hadong • Ssanggyesa Temple • Donguibogam Village (Sancheong) • Andong • Samcheok
    • Group Size: Maximum of 6 guests
    • Hosted By: Christine Young (Hearth & Seoul) & her Umma
    • Languages: English & Korean

     

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    What's Included

      • 7 nights of curated lodging with a mix of guesthouse, pension, hanok, temple, and coastal stays (shared or single rooms available; the temple stay is shared rooms except for one single and it's floor arrangements)
      • All ground transportation throughout the tour once in Boseong
      • The Boseong Green Tea Festival (subject to dates)
      • Artisan tea farm visits and personal meetings with our farmers in Hadong
      • A hands-on half day at a friend's temple tea farm in Hadong — picking, roasting, and drinking tea together, with a temple lunch
      • The Hadong Wild Tea Festival or private farm tours & tastings (or both honestly, our famers love sitting with us and drinking tea)
      • A 2-night temple stay at Ssanggyesa Temple, including meals during entire stay
      • A private tea ceremony & tasting through the temple and cultural tea museum
      • A visit to Donguibogam Village, Korea's traditional medicine village at the foot of Jirisan
      • A stay in historic Andong, with a morning at Hahoe Folk Village (UNESCO World Heritage)
      • The Samcheok Healing Forest + tea foot bath
      • All lunches throughout the tour
      • All meals during the temple stay (breakfast, lunch, and dinner; temple meals are fully covered)
      • Two group dinners together: a welcome dinner in the Hadong tea town, and a farewell dinner on our final evening
      • A couple of relaxed evenings free to discover local restaurants at your own pace (Andong especially is a famous food town worth exploring)
      • Select tea festival activities where available (tea tastings, tea parties, and similar experiences)
      • The occasional sweet treat; we love to surprise the group with dessert now and then!
      • Korean/English translation throughout
      • Retreat guidance and full itinerary support 
        • Please note: our route, daily schedule, and specific activities are subject to change based on the tea festival dates (announced closer to the trip) and the seasonal availability of certain experiences. Any changes will stay within the same overall dates and spirit of the journey and if a festival doesn't align with our travels, we'll meet our tea farmers personally for private tours and tastings instead.

    Not Included

    • KTX from Seoul to Boseong / Gwangju (we'll provide train information)
    • KTX or onward travel from Donghae (We will drop off to local KTX)
    • Airfare to and from Korea (I'll have alerts set for price drops)
    • Dinners on festival evenings (enjoy the festival food vendors) and on the couple of free evenings set aside for exploring local restaurants 
    • Breakfast, except during the temple stay (Korea is not big on breakfast)
    • Personal snacks/souvenirs
    • Travel insurance
    • Additional optional tea festival activities beyond those we include (some have day-of sign-ups and fees)

    Retreat Itinerary

    Retreat Itinerary

    Day 1 (~May 1) Arrival & the Boseong Tea Fields

    • Depart Seoul early; arrive in Boseong around midday (via Gwangju–Songjeong KTX, or from Jeju for those coming from the island)
    • Afternoon at the Boseong Green Tea Festival: tea fields, tastings, and festival activities
    • Lunch included; enjoy the festival food vendors for dinner, a delicious part of the Boseong experience

    Day 2  Boseong to Hadong Tea Country

    • Optional morning back at the festival
    • Scenic drive to Hadong, Korea's oldest tea region
    • Settle into our Hadong stay
    • Lunch included, and a welcome group dinner together in the Hadong tea town

    Day 3 Hadong: A Day at the Tea Farm

    • A half day at our friend's temple tea farm roasting tea leaves and hand-picking tea leaves, hand picking them, and sharing freshly made tea together.
    • A temple lunch at the farm
    • If the Hadong Wild Tea Festival is running, we'll spend the rest of the day there; otherwise, time in the tea fields with farmers and a visit to Hadong Market
    • Dinner from the festival food vendors, or a free evening to explore if it isn't a festival day

    Day 4 Hadong to Ssanggyesa Temple

    • Morning in Hadong
    • Drive to Ssanggyesa Temple at the foot of Jirisan
    • Temple check-in
    • Lunch and Dinner provided at the temple; optional evening activities such as meditation or walks

    Day 5 Temple Stay: Full Day

    • Morning meditation + temple meal
    • Optional hike to a spiritual site
    • Private tea ceremony at the temple and a tasting at the historical tea museum
    • Free time or follow the temple activity schedule
    • All temple meals provided, breakfast through dinner (vegetarian)

    Day 6 Temple to Medicine Village to Andong

    • Morning check-out from the temple
    • Half day at Donguibogam Village. This is Korea's traditional medicine village, surrounded by sacred mountains; herbal theme park, medicine museum, and valley walks
    • Afternoon drive to Andong, historic heart of Confucian Korea
    • Check into our Andong stay; lunch at Donguibogam, and a free evening to explore Andong's famous local food

    Day 7  Andong to the Healing Coast

    • Morning at Hahoe Folk Village (UNESCO World Heritage) traditional hanok village, riverside walks, and mask-dance heritage
    • Depart around midday, driving toward the East Sea
    • Arrive in Samcheok to do the Healing Forest walk + tea foot bath
    • Check into our stay; farewell dinner together on our final evening

    Day 8 Farewell by the East Sea

    • Morning by the coast
    • Drop-off at Donghae or Gangneung for KTX connections to Seoul (or stay on to explore the coast)

    *Itinerary and exact dates are subject to slight adjustment based on the tea festival dates released closer to the trip, but will remain within the same window.

    Retreat Pricing

    Pricing (per person):

    • Shared Room: $3,900 per person
    • Single Room: $4,450 per person

    Secure your spot with a $750 non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance is due in full by January 1, 2027. If you'd like to arrange a payment plan, just reach out and we'll find something that works.

    Please note: single-room pricing applies throughout the tour; if you'd like to share with another person, I can try to pair you before we finalize pricing if you do not have someone in mind. 

     

    Registration & Cancellation Policy

    Reserving your spot
    Your registration is confirmed once we receive your $750 non-refundable deposit. Spots are limited to 6 guests and offered first-come, first-served. The remaining balance is due in full by January 1, 2027. If you'd like to arrange a payment plan, please reach out.

    Cancellations & Refunds
    We understand that life can bring unexpected changes. Due to the intimate nature of this tour and the significant advance commitments required for accommodations, curated experiences, transportation, and preparation, all payments including the deposit are non-refundable.

    If you are unable to attend, your spot may be transferred to another person of your choosing, or to someone on our waitlist. If a waitlisted guest purchases your spot, a refund (less the non-refundable deposit) may be issued at our discretion. This is the only circumstance under which a refund may be made.

    If the trip is canceled by us
    In the unlikely event we cancel the trip and it is not rescheduled, you will receive a full refund of all payments made. If dates are rescheduled due to natural disasters, government restrictions, or other circumstances beyond our control, we will choose dates that work with the majority of the participants.

    Itinerary changes
    The itinerary, route, and activities are subject to change based on festival dates and the availability of certain experiences; any changes will remain within the same overall trip dates.

    Travel insurance
    We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking to protect your investment against illness, injury, travel disruption, cancellation, and other unforeseen circumstances. Arranging this is your responsibility.

    Assumption of risk & liability
    Participation in this tour is voluntary and undertaken at your own risk. You are responsible for your own health, safety, travel documents, and personal conduct throughout the trip. Hearth & Seoul and its representatives act only as a coordinator of travel and experiences; we are not liable for any injury, illness, loss, damage, delay, or additional expense arising from causes beyond our reasonable control including but not limited to the acts of third-party vendors, transportation providers, accommodations, weather, illness, or force majeure events.

    By submitting your deposit, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to these terms.

     

    Ready to Join Us?

    Reserve your spot for this intimate, intentional journey through Korea’s tea heritage.

    Reserve Your Spot