Birdwatching From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3573 posts, RR: 52 Posted (2 years 2 months 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1664 times:
After reading a lot about North Korea in the recent weeks (you might have seen the other thread I have posted) I am planning to visit the country in the near future. I have had plans to travel there for many years, being a high school geography teacher I have a great interest in visiting the various different areas of our planet and North Korea would be a very special place to visit.
I'm also thinking about giving the trip an aviation theme, with one or two domestic flights on Air Koryo in addition to the inbound trip from China. Unfortunately the possibilities for photography will be limited, but not impossible at all.
I have contacted Koryo Tours (not related to Air Koryo) with these ideas and am now waiting for them to suggest me an itinerary, options and pricing. Judging by their prices for taylor-made group tours, a trip like this one would cost around (maybe a bit less than) 2000 EUR all in.
I'm thinking about 5 people as a good group size (they have great discounts if the group size is around 5 or above), and I was wondering if anybody here on A.net would be interested in this. As I'm just now beginning to plan this, the dates are still more than 1 year in the future, between My 27 and June 9, 2012.
Anybody in?
Soren
All the things you probably hate about travelling are warm reminders that I'm home
aa61hvy From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 13975 posts, RR: 59 Reply 1, posted (2 years 2 months 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 1623 times:
I'd be a very very very soft maybe on your trip. I have always wanted to go there, I have done a great deal of research on NK over the last few years, purely out of intrigue and interest. That said I have no idea where I'll be in 12 months most likely switching jobs and moving. So put me as a very very very very slim maybe at this point. Plus I'd have to bring my lady and she is more leery going to NK than I am.
einsteinboricua From Puerto Rico, joined Apr 2010, 2043 posts, RR: 6 Reply 2, posted (2 years 2 months 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 1558 times:
Count me in as a possibly-maybe-unsure-leaning towards yes maybe. A trip to NK would be out of this world, but then again, I'm not right next door and US citizenship can be a problem. I'd need to get a visa to enter China (I assume you would leave from Beijing) and a permit to enter NK.
"You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky."
Aeroflot777 From Russia, joined Mar 2004, 2957 posts, RR: 30 Reply 3, posted (2 years 2 months 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 1537 times:
Count me in as 'potentially interested' well. I've been wanting to get over to North Korea for a while now. This might be a good way to do it, as long as the country's political position doesn't deteriorate and become of concern.
I would definitely be interested in seeing more than just "the usual" in the country. Being a dual-citizen holding both US and Russian passports, I would imagine completing this journey with the Russian citizenship will be easier.
KingFriday013 From United States of America, joined May 2007, 1277 posts, RR: 10 Reply 5, posted (2 years 2 months 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 1460 times:
A few of us who frequent the chat were thinking about doing a similar trip, although it wouldn't be any time soon. Let us know how it goes! Best of luck.
NorthstarBoy From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1713 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (2 years 2 months 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 1438 times:
I'd be interested.......If i can even get a visa to go into NK given that i'm an "evil american."
Do they even have domestic flights within NK?
I was planning another RTW trip for 2012 but going to NK might trump that, sounds like a fascinating opportunity.
I could have elite status if I wanted it, but flying the same airline all the time is boring.
sccutler From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 5091 posts, RR: 28 Reply 7, posted (2 years 2 months 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 1421 times:
In a world loaded with amazing and inviting destinations, I cannot fathom choosing DPRK as a destination. I do admit to a significant measure of curiosity about the place, but not enough to justify actually giving money to them.
...three miles from BRONS, clear for the ILS one five approach...
Dazed767 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 5447 posts, RR: 53 Reply 8, posted (2 years 2 months 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 1386 times:
It's something I've looked into as well and a buddy of mine has emailed Koryo Tours with questions we had as well. Financially it's going to have to wait for me, but something I'd like to do in the near future. VICE Guide to North Korea by VBS was fascinating to watch.
aa61hvy From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 13975 posts, RR: 59 Reply 9, posted (2 years 2 months 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 1358 times:
Quoting Dazed767 (Reply 8): VICE Guide to North Korea by VBS was fascinating to watch.
That collection of videos was what originally had me interested in NK. That place blows me away.
dxing From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (2 years 2 months 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 1258 times:
This sounds interesting. Given how badly they treat "official" visitors, following them, berating them, even threatening them I don't see it as a very enjoyable vacation. You certainly won't be able to deviate from the prescribed routine without someone getting after you. It will be like a giant Chernobyl tour only worse, at least they let you wander around Pripyat on your own a little. Let us know how the planning is going though.
MattRB From Canada, joined Apr 2005, 1624 posts, RR: 11 Reply 11, posted (2 years 2 months 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 1182 times:
Having seen a travel show on the DPRK (Departures - anyone outside of Canada know it?), I'd been very interested in going. They did the tour through Koryo (I believe) as Nick Bonner (http://www.koryogroup.com/about_staff.php) was their guide.
Aviation is proof that given, the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible.
airtrainer From Belgium, joined Aug 2003, 1519 posts, RR: 13 Reply 13, posted (2 years 2 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 1091 times:
Sounds like a fantastic opprtunity, put me on the maybe list !
Here's an interesting link to a trip report made by a guy who is apparently as mad with trains as we are with planes http://vienna-pyongyang.blogspot.com/
I also remember of a long video on youtube but I can't find it...
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