South Korea - Winter Specialities

USD7,100 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Price (Per person): USD7,100 (GBP5,430 * EUR6,347 * AUD10,444)

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

Stephan Lorenz
HL, Bolivia - Remote 2025

The trip was run superbly from start to finish. The logistics, despite some difficulties imposed by weather conditions and countrywide fuel shortages, were impeccable and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Stephan did a superb job in ensuring that we all saw as many of the species as possible. He is an accomplished guide and I enjoy traveling with him.

Quinton Paul Josop
SA, Sri Lanka - Endemic Birds & Big Game (Small Group) 2026

Paul brought in his wealth of experience. He worked well with Ashoka to make sure nothing was lost in translation. One member sustained an injury on day 1, probably because he declined the extra help offered on a slightly slippery walk. Paul and Ashoka took charge of the situation immediately, made sure the rest of the group was comfortable while getting help. It was incredible that the injured person managed to complete the trip with a walker. Ashoka is a highly experienced local guide. He went out of the way to accommodate our birding and non-birding (request to try local food) requests. Both Paul and Ashoka were always calm and very pleasant, paying individual attention to every person and ensured we had a memorable experience.

Dušan Brinkhuizen
JR, Jamaica - Island Endemics I 2026

I was very pleased with the birding. I saw all 29 endemics and a total of 42 life birds. The leaders are great at finding, luring in and identifying birds. I appreciated that the focus was very much on the birding. The food and accommodations were excellent and appropriate. I wonder if we should have spent our last night near the coast but am not sure how that would have affected our birding success.

Quinton Paul Josop
DB, India - Southern: Endemics of the Western Ghats (Small Group) 2026

The tour structure and arrangements were first class. Leaders were very good and quite knowledgable. I thought Paul was energetic a d really on the birds. Would gladly travel with him again. It was great fun and we got nearly every endemic on the trip. Great fun!!

Robert Wilcox
JM, Guatemala - Specialities of Central America 2026

Tour was wonderful. Loved everything. Very well organised and super localities. Anna is a superstar, she was invaluable

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Route Map

Tour Route Map