South Korea - Winter Specialities

USD7,100 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Price (Per person): USD7,100 (GBP5,435 * EUR6,351 * AUD10,447)

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated* Twin rooms are not available, so all participants not sharing a double bed will require a single room.

South Korea is a key wintering ground for several migratory species, many of whom are found in very large numbers. These great birding spectacles are set against a backdrop of snowy mountains, pine forests, sweeping coastal wetlands and estuaries. We can look forward to enjoying impressive gatherings of wildfowl with vast flocks of geese and cranes, colonies of various gulls and rafts of alcids just offshore.

Often overlooked for their more illustrious neighbours of Japan and China, South Korea offers equally exceptional birding in a far more condescend area, with top class infrastructure and enviable safety. The country's lack of bird persecution contributes to the abundance of birds, providing for repeat, quality sightings of sought-after species instead of fleeting glimpses.

Highlights are sure to include stunning encounters with the rare Scaly-sided Merganser, large flocks of Red-crowned, White-naped and Hooded Cranes, a chance for Steller’s Sea Eagle, numerous Baikal Teal, Swan Goose, Oriental Stork, Solitary Snipe, Azure-winged Magpie, Chinese Grey Shrike, Chinese Penduline Tit and Relict Gull.

Top Birds

Scaly-sided Merganser; Whooper Swan; Swan Goose; Smew; Harlequin, Falcated & Mandarin Ducks; Baikal Teal; Sandhill, Hooded, White-naped, Red-crowned & Common Cranes; Oriental Stork; Solitary Snipe; Pelagic & Japanese Cormorants; Saunders's, Black-tailed, Slaty-backed, Glaucous, Glaucous-winged & Relict Gulls; Steller’s Sea Eagle (rare); Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker; Azure-winged Magpie; Chinese Grey & Bull-headed Shrikes; Chinese Penduline Tit; Naumann's & Dusky Thrushes; Hawfinch; Pallas's Rosefinch; Japanese Wagtail; Long-billed Plover; Pallas’s Reed Bunting.

Habitats Covered

coast, estuaries, rivers, rice fields, mudflats, Pine Forest,

Expected Climate

Temperatures are cold, typically ranging from 0°C to 10°C (32°F to 50°F) during the day. Snow can fall at any time, strong winds & fog may affect birding.

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumepr Tour Leader

Tour Pace & Walking

UNDEMANDING: This tour is ideal for birders and wildlife enthusiasts of all experience levels. It’s suitable for most mobility levels and offers a relaxed pace, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Mostly an easy tour. Days are reasonably short. Drives are not particularly long; most birding is straight forward. Suitable for all birding / wildlife interest levels and most mobility capabilities.

Accommodation

Good to comfortable.

Ease of Birding

Easy. Several target species & rarities, but species diversity is reasonably low. Most birding is in open habitat.

Number of Species Expected

150

Other Attractions

DMZ with North Korea, war memorials.

Photographic Opportunities

Worthwhile to good. Some species can be distant (i.e.: estuaries).

What our clients say about us

Dušan Brinkhuizen
JH, Jamaica - Island Endemics I 2026

Great trip

Stephan Lorenz
SR, Bolivia - Remote 2025

Thanks Stephan for a fantastic tour. The stay at the Monastery was especially memorable.

Stephan Lorenz
MN, China - Southeast in Winter 2026

SEChina in winter was sensational thanks to Stephan Lorenz who is a superb birder and guide, as well as being quite personable. He got us such quality birds and some that were quite unexpected. He answers questions and gives information freely. Most importantly If a bird was possible he got it for us. We were all elated with the tour. Jason the local guide was also excellent. I would think this tour will become very popular or should be.

Robert Williams
EW, Guyana - Birds & Wildlife (Relaxed) 2026

What a great experience! Everything was as you told us in the pre-departure literature, so we were well-prepared. Rob was an excellent tour leader. His vast experience in conservation, core knowledge of birds and bird behavior, and his enthusiasm was generously shared with the group. He modeled proper trail behavior and made sure that everyone “saw the bird”. The local guides were top-notch and took good care of the group. I also learned so much from the better birders in the group. Highly recommended!

Dušan Brinkhuizen
LG, Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola I 2026

Excellent tour. Accommodations were as good as could be expected given the isolated areas we needed to reach to see all the endemics. We saw them all. Dusan and the two local guides were exceptional at finding the birds and getting us on them. The vehicle fit our purpose, the luggage trailer was a great idea, and our driver Jose was very professional.

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