The world is full of unique places, cultures and traditions to discover. Travellers looking for new and interesting experiences have plenty of options, but one stands out above all the rest. When it comes to mystery, North Korea is one of the most secretive places on earth. A typical North Korea itinerary is very carefully planned, and visitors must be accompanied by guides. But there are definitely safe ways to visit this beautiful country safely, and those who do are treated to a travel experience like no other.
From bustling public squares to the picturesque countryside, North Korea is a captivating holiday destination. Here’s what a typical North Korea itinerary looks like when you travel with Crooked Compass.
The first step of your North Korea itinerary is your arrival in Pyongyang. Before this, your guides provide you with a clear brief of the journey ahead, ensuring you understand what’s expected. For example, upon arrival, electronic devices must be handed over for inspection.
Your first taste of North Korea is the countryside, seeing the amazing rice paddies and small farming villages on your way towards the Kim Il Sung Square.
As you approach Kim Il Sung Square, you’ll witness the imposing Arch of Triumph. North Korea is full of monuments, and this one was built to commemorate the Korean resistance against Japan. It stands at around 60 metres tall, making it even bigger than the more commonly known Arc De Triomphe in France. As you take in the sheer size of the Arch, you can also learn about its history and relevance to the North Korean people.
Next, you’ll visit Kim Il Sung Square, which is named after North Korea’s founder and beloved leader. The public plaza is where all military parades are held, and it is surrounded by important buildings. You can see the impressive Juche Tower across the river and the Grand People’s Study’s house at the other end of the Square. You’ll return and visit some of these buildings later in your journey, and you’ll quickly come to understand the adoration that North Korea’s people have towards Kim Il Sung and all the leaders who followed.
The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a heavily guarded area that lies between North and South Korea. While there are well-publicised tensions between the North and South, the DMZ is considered an area of hope for a unified future. There are several key attractions to visit in the DMZ, such as Freedom House and the Koryo Museum. You can even check out the Joint Security Area (JSA), where you can stand and wave to folks on the South Korean side of the border.
Outside of the city of Kaesong, you can also visit a lookout bunker, which overlooks the DMZ. You’ll also have a chance to see what Koreans call the Concrete Wall. There is said to be an overgrown wall separating the North and South, so you can check it out for yourself.
Back in Pyongyang, you’ll get a chance to explore Grand People’s Study House. This is the national library which boasts 30 million books across 10 storeys. It is said to accommodate over 10,000 people every day. It was initially built to honour Kim Il Sung’s 70th birthday and provide a place of learning for the whole country. This huge building is a great example of North Korean architecture, with countless rooms to explore.
If you’d like to see the more natural side of North Korea, you’ll love a trip to the Mt Kumgang region. The scenery of small fishing towns is breathtaking, and once you arrive there are several things to see. Nine Dragons Waterfall and Samil Lagoon are popular places to visit in this peaceful, naturally beautiful area.
Check out the Mansudae Grand Monument and its enormous statues of past leaders, and also visit Juche Tower to learn about the ideology of the nation’s founder. This is the final day of your North Korea itinerary, and you can spend it by visiting the many parks and any festivals and celebrations that are taking place.
Ready to plan your North Korea itinerary?
A journey through North Korea is one of travel’s most unique experiences. From giant monuments celebrating leaders to the DMZ, North Korea is a fascinating, secretive and closely guarded place. However, that doesn’t detract from its beauty and Crooked Compass shows you the very best of this mysterious nation. If you’d like to know more about what a North Korea itinerary looks like, or you have questions about travelling with Crooked Compass, contact our friendly team today.
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This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
Our Signature Tours are the cornerstone of the Crooked Compass journey: meticulously designed small-group itineraries that balance authenticity, comfort, and ease. These are destinations where travel can be complex—from navigating evolving logistics to reaching places far from the usual tourist path—yet our expertise ensures your experience feels smooth, effortless, and deeply rewarding.
From the moment you arrive, every detail is handled with care. You’re welcomed personally on arrival and met for a private transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll join the rest of your group. Your guide will walk you through an orientation, helping you understand the rhythm of the journey ahead and settling you in with clear, practical insights from the very start.
Accommodation is selected for both comfort and character, reflecting the richness of its locality through thoughtful design, creative ingenuity, and a genuine sense of place. Whether it’s a boutique property, a sustainable lodge or a homestay, each choice is made to connect you meaningfully with the destination.
Cultural integration sits at the heart of our approach. Every itinerary is crafted with respect for local communities, aligning sensitively with their values and protecting the authenticity of their culture. Through this, travellers experience a deeper connection —stories shared firsthand, traditions encountered in their true context, and moments that shift perspectives long after returning home.
With a maximum of 12 travellers and our most trusted local partners, you explore with confidence, guided by teams who combine deep regional knowledge with an intuitive understanding of Western traveller expectations. Through the powerful medium of storytelling, our journeys inspire personal reflection and spark genuine emotion, turning travel into something transformative.
For travellers seeking even more flexibility or personalisation, our Tours By Design journeys are crafted with the same care — mindfully designed around your interests for a more tailored experience.
Why travellers love our Signature Tours:
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Our Founders Tours are rare, one-of-a-kind journeys personally hosted by Crooked Compass founder, Lisa Pagotto. Designed for the traveller who seeks more than just adventure, these exclusive small-group expeditions uncover places few have ever seen – experiences not featured in our regular collection, chosen for their depth, beauty, and story.
Each itinerary is hand-crafted by Lisa to offer meaningful connection and unique access built through years of trust and collaboration with local communities. Travelling alongside her gives you an unparalleled perspective into the world of ethical exploration – from the behind-the-scenes partnerships that shape our journeys, to the human stories that inspire them.
With an intimate group size and seamless support from our expert team, a Founders Tour is less a trip, and more a masterclass in discovery.
Why travellers love Founders Tours:
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Set sail on a rare journey across remote islands, wild coastlines, and untouched ecosystems aboard a small, luxury expedition vessel. Travelling by sea unlocks access to places few travellers ever reach – from isolated villages and pristine reefs to dramatic landscapes that can’t be accessed by land – while each evening, you return to the comfort of your beautifully appointed cabin.
These voyages blend adventure with refinement. Expert-led excursions bring you face-to-face with raw nature and vibrant cultures, while exceptional onboard dining, service, and comfort allow time to unwind and reflect.
To complete your experience, Crooked Compass can seamlessly craft pre- or post-cruise land extensions, ensuring your journey flows effortlessly from sea to shore.
Why travellers love our Expedition Cruises:
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Our Tours by Design experiences are private journeys curated exclusively for you by the Crooked Compass team. Whether you’re drawn to one of our existing itineraries, wish to adapt a small-group tour for private travel, or want to design something entirely new, we’ll craft a journey that reflects your pace, passions, and sense of discovery.
Why pay for inclusions that don’t fit? With Tours by Design, every detail is intentional – from the destinations and experiences to your style of travel and choice of accommodation. Each itinerary is hand-built through our deep local partnerships and expertise, ensuring authenticity, comfort, and connection in every moment.
Why travellers love Tours by Design:
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Our Partner Tours are carefully chosen group journeys operated by our long-standing, in-country partners — experts who share our values of authenticity, cultural respect, and meaningful connection. These departures, averaging between 17 and 22 travellers, are designed and delivered by our partners, while Crooked Compass manages your booking and provides full support from start to finish.
Enjoy the reassurance of booking through an Australian-based company, delivering our same personalised service and attention to detail you expect from Crooked Compass. We take care of the logistics, so you can focus on what matters most – the journey itself.
Why travellers love our Partner Tours:
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