Asia - Touring the DMZ in Nth/Sth Korea

Anyone know who organises tours of the demilitarized zone in Korea? Contact details would be much appreciated, as well as any first hand testimony of what you thought if you've been there.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by virtualtroy:
Anyone know who organises tours of the demilitarized zone in Korea? Contact details would be much appreciated, as well as any first hand testimony of what you thought if you've been there.</font>

I went last year. There seemed to be a couple of companies. The half day one I went on, left from the carpark around the left hand side of the war memorial. Could arrange from hotel or at the car park. If not pre-booked I think you needed to turn up well before departure as they checked your passport, clothes (I'm serious - they dont want westerners portrayed in a bad light so no jeans, sneakers, tank tops etc!).

A lot of propaganda - some of it was quite funny (not sure if it was intentional http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif ). A short drive from Seoul. You stop at a couple of places near/in the DMZ including a hut where you get to cross the border by a few metres.

The nearby North Korean propaganda village has a huge flagpole and some loudspeakers.

There is a meal at the army base included - standard camp food (ie not so good).

Note this tour doesnt visit the tunnels and the tunnel tour from this particular tour company doesnt actually visit the DMZ (tunnels are outside DMZ).

Will see if I still have the brochure for contact details.

Thanks KiwiFlyer. I wanted to do this tour now after your description I just want to do it even more! Sounds very unusual. If you can dig out contact details it would be much appreciated.

So what do you have to wear - a suit?

You can get tour info from any major hotel in Seoul. I remember going on the tour with the tunnel and it was pretty cool. There is a manned machine-gun nest at the end of the tunnel IIRC. I think you can wear casual clothes without a problem but you might want to check beforehand.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by virtualtroy:
Thanks KiwiFlyer. I wanted to do this tour now after your description I just want to do it even more! Sounds very unusual. If you can dig out contact details it would be much appreciated.

So what do you have to wear - a suit?</font>

Nah. I wore casual shirt and trousers. I think I remember a few having to change into provided clothes at the entrance to DMZ! They must have missed them in the checks at departure http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

Right at the DMZ it was quite funny seeing armed South Koreans sticking only halfway past the buildings for low profile, wearing sunnies (the ones with real dark tints), and totally motionless.

Looking out to the North Korean side the guide says whatever you do dont point at the North Koreans. So of course we ask him where is the North Korean and he points! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

I did a tour run by the USO. It was cheaper than the commercial tours. Their office is near Camp Kim, which is where the Namyeong station is on the blue line IIRC. Nice tour.

http://www.uso.org/Korea/

This is hilarious!!! Though I've got to agree that a ban on men wearing sandals is a great idea. From the USO site:

B. Civilian Visitors will wear appropriate civilian attire. The following WILL NOT BE ALLOWED:

• No sleeveless tops or shirts, round neck T-shirts, tank tops or similar attire.
• No jeans. This includes “designer” jeans and all colored denim jeans.
• No shorts or any style, including hiking, Bermuda, knee, cutoffs or short-shorts.
• No mini-skirts, halter tops, backless dresses, or other abbreviated items of attire.
• No items of outer clothing of sheer variety.
• No form fitting clothing including tight knit tops, tight pants, stretch pants or warm-ups of any kind.
• No sandals, shower shoes, thongs or flip-flops. Tennis shoes (sneakers) in good condition are acceptable.
• No items of military clothing not worn as an integral part of a prescribed service uniform.
• Hair must NOT be shaggy or unkempt.

OK Im back. Link here (http://www.icsc.co.kr/panmunjeom/index_e.htm). Panmunjeom is the name of the tour.

It is easy to sign up for a tour at most of the hotels in Seoul. It is very interesting day to say the least.... I highly recommend it.