Seoul

Private DMZ Spy Tour and talk with N.Korea Defector

Badge of ExcellenceSeoul, South Korea

DMZ SPY Small Group Tour Including 3rd Tunnel

10 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea is an area of complex tensions and shared history, but visiting without a guide is prohibited. This guided tour includes all entry fees, lunch, plus pickup and drop-off from your Seoul hotel. With the logistics covered, visit sites of interest including the 3rd Tunnel and the Dora Observatory in safety, and learn the role the DMZ plays in Korean War history.

Explore the DMZ in safety on a guided tour
Visit landmarks including the 3rd Tunnel and the Dora Observatory
Gain insight into the DMZ’s role in Korean War history
Entry fees, lunch, plus round-trip travel from your Seoul hotel included

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
Professional guide
Lunch

Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

08:00 AM

Pickup details

Send sns or mail to customer

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Children must be accompanied by an adult

Dress code is smart casual
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

51 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-4 of 51 reviews

Not the tour we took (PLEASE READ ALL OF THE REVIEW)

David R, Nov 2019

The tour we took was actually "Private Tour : Talk show with N.K. Defector & Short Hike to N. Korean Spy Commando Invasion Route : Ancient future" The company putting on this tour runs a bit of a bait and switch (partially their fault, partially bad luck). We initially booked a tour called "Ultimate Private DMZ Spy Tour, including JSA". We provided all kinds of information including passport numbers etc. Took days to get confirmation. Multiple emails to Viator and tour company with no information/update. Literally 24 hours after getting confirmation we were told JSA was closed (I understand things happen). We were offered the "Talk show with N.K. Defector & Short Hike to N. Korean Spy Commando Invasion Route : Ancient future" tour as an option but were offered no refund of the significant difference in price ($256 vs $190). We opted for a refund. As we had little time we looked quickly and booked the tour called "Small Group DMZ Spy Tour Including 3rd Tunnel" not realizing it was the same company. We get a confirmation, then about 12 hours later a cancellation and an offer to again take the alternate tour "Talk show with N.K. Defector & Short Hike to N. Korean Spy Commando Invasion Route : Ancient future". Long story short. The JSA has been closed for months (did not know that when I started looking for tours). The tour company needs to stop the games they play and not offer tours they know they can not actually deliver. I know the JSA closing is out of the tour company's control, but why not be conservative and not book people until you are fairly sure you can offer the tour. The company continued to be unprofessional up to the day before the alternate tour that we agreed to. After paying $370 for 2 persons for the "Small Group DMZ Spy Tour Including 3rd Tunnel" and then being told my only option was to cancel or take the tour we did take (Talk show with N.K. Defector & Short Hike to N. Korean Spy Commando Invasion Route : Ancient future) I got this email message "For your private guidance, this tour costs more than you paid but we will be pleased to do the same tour for your as a good will gesture. " Seriously....you cancelled cancelled two booking I had made then want to act generous by allowing me to save $10 (the tour we took was $370 for 2 passengers) after you had in fact offered me that tour. HIGHLY UNPROFESSIONAL! All that said. The tour we took was great. PAUL LEE was a fantastic guide who added humor and knowledge.

The DMZ was closed, but everything worked out great

JRinTucson, Oct 2019

We were notified that the DMZ was closed, because of African Swine Flu in North Korea, but we were offered two options; full refund or a modified tour. We chose the modified tour and it turned out to be a very good decision. While we couldn't get to the DMZ area itself, we went to the observation tower, which was quite interesting, took an extended walk along the invasion route near the Blue House where we observed military installations and observed the remnants of where actual fighting took place and we got to spend an extended period of time at the Military Museum, with our guide who pointed out some very interesting facts about the Korean Conflict, that I was unaware of. The highlight of the day was spending one hour with a North Korean defector. Jeong Hyun Kim, defected from North Korea and her story of how she made her way to the South Korea was absolutely fascinating. We learned about life in North Korea, we heard about the unsuccessful attempt she made to come to South Korea, followed by her success in getting to Seoul. We asked lots of questions and with the help of our tour guide she answered all of them. The meeting with a North Korean defector was not part of the original tour itinerary, but due to the closure of the DMZ, this meeting, a longer tour of the museum and the short hike along the invasion route, more than made-up for the area we couldn't visit.

A great experience

Alessandra F, May 2019

The small group ended up to be only me and my boyfriend: super! Alfonso our guide has been great: nice, full of information, caring in the details. He gave us a lot of details about what happened during the N and S war and also about today policy. A great tour to be done if you want to see this side of South Korea. Lunch was duck barbecue which was delicious and Alfonso prepared it with care making sure there were no mushrooms involved being myself super allergic. Strongly suggest the tour.

Wow, this was an amazing tour! Our...

Richard_W, May 2018

Wow, this was an amazing tour! Our guide, Minho Kang was fantastic. He really went out of his way to ensure we had a good day. We occasionally joined with other small groups and he always stayed with us. He has good insight on how to save time and see extra things. It was a very clear day and we could see the North Korea side very well. He took us into some of the bunkers. The South Korean soldiers stayed with us the whole time we were at the military area. Definitely worth taking the special spy tour as we saw things most tours don't go to. Before leaving the military area they gave us a certificate in a little ceremony with some of the soldiers. Later visited the 3rd tunnel which was very interesting. Highly recommend this tour and ask for Minho!