KOREAN CRAFT
HERITAGE
October 16 - 23, 2026
sold out
september 3 - 10, 2027
$5,800 USD per person | SHARED ROOM
$7,400 usd per person | private room
Join Thread Caravan and Re Jin Lee for an immersive journey celebrating South Korea’s deep artistic heritage and modern creative spirit. From ceramics and indigo dyeing to blacksmithing, and bojagi, this trip invites you to learn directly from Korean artisans while savoring the culture and cuisine.
We’ll travel through Icheon, Yongin and Seoul, regions renowned for their craftsmanship.
Open to all, no experience needed, just curiosity and a love for making.
Craft workshops
Participants will experience hands-on workshops in ceramics, natural indigo dyeing and blacksmithing, complemented by visits to hanji and bojagi studios, and even a kimchi-making session.
We’ll also have scheduled time to visit museums featuring folk and contemporary art.
Korean CUISINE
is a balance of bold and comforting, rooted in tradition yet ever-evolving. From the famous Korean barbecues to nourishing stews and the colorful variety of side dishes known as banchan, each meal reflects a deep respect for seasonality and community.
Throughout our journey, we’ll share meals that highlight local ingredients and time-honored flavors, from home-style countryside cooking to modern interpretations in Seoul’s vibrant restaurants.
Due to the nature of Korea’s cuisine and our group dining experience, we cannot accommodate dietary restrictions on this trip.
For the Seoul portion of our journey, we’ll stay in traditional hanoks nestled in the heart of Bukchon Hanok Village, a neighborhood that stretches between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace and has retained its elegance through more than six centuries of urban change. Bukchon’s survival is not by chance: during Seoul’s rapid modernization in the 1970s–90s, both residents and preservationists advocated strongly for the hanoks’ long-term protection. Now we have the rare opportunity to live in these restored homes, part of a landmark cultural terrain, and to experience the architecture, ambiance and craft of Korea’s past, within walking distance of lively markets, alleys, and city scenes.
Where we’ll Stay
itinerary
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Transport from Incheon airport to our hotel. Welcome dinner and group orientation.
Overnight Eden Paradise Hotel.
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Spend the day learning from and working alongside master Korean ceramicist Kwon Young Bae in his studio.
Group breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight Eden Paradise Hotel.
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Spend the morning in Kwon Young Bae’s studio, and the afternoon visiting the Icheon ceramic’s village. Here, visit galleries and studios to have a deeper experience with Korean pottery.
Group breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight Eden Paradise Hotel.
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Spend the day in an immersive indigo dyeing workshop at Kindigo studio, followed by the afternoon at a nearby blacksmith studio.
Group breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight Eden Paradise Hotel.
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Group breakfast at the hotel. Check out of the hotel and head to the Korean Folk Village to enjoy a few hours immersed in the surroundings.
Lunch in the village and then head onwards to Seoul. Settle into our traditional Hanok homes.
Dinner at Myeong-dong night market. Here, guests can explore the market leisurely or stick with our guides.
Overnight at Hanoks.
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Morning visit to a Bojagi workshop to learn about traditional fabric wrapping techniques.
Open lunch at Gwanjang market followed by visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, and then onward to Hanji House (paper museum).
Group breakfast and dinner included.
Overnight at Hanoks.
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Spend the morning in a kimchi-making workshop, followed by an afternoon to visiting some of our favorite museums together, or exploring Seoul at your leisure.
Group breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight at Hanoks.
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Final group breakfast followed by transfers to the airport.
Safe travels back home or onward!
Please note that our October 2026 trip is a pilot experience. While we are excited to share the details of our 2027 dates, please be aware that some elements may be subject to change as we continue to refine the experience. We will communicate any updates to registered guests as soon as possible.
TRIP
DETAILS
GROUP
This trip is limited to 11 guests, who will accompanied by three Thread Caravan trip hosts.
PRICING + PAYMENT
Pricing for the 2026 trip is $4,600usd per person for a shared room and $5,600usd for a private bedroom (with private bath).
Pricing for the 2027 trip is $5,800usd per person for a shared room and $7,400usd for a private bedroom (with private bath).
A $2,050 non-refundable deposit is required in order to reserve your space on this trip. The remaining payment is due at least 60 days prior to the trip start date.
Custom payment plans for the second payment are available upon request. Please contact us if this is something you'd like to set up.
When making a reservation, there is the option to Pay it Forward. These contributions are directed exclusively towards our Artisan Exchange Program.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation will be 4 nights at Eden Paradise Hotel in Icheon and 3 nights at traditional boutique hanok homes.
GETTING TO Korea
This trip starts and ends in Seoul, South Korea. Please plan to arrive and depart from the Incheon International Airport.
On October 16, please arrive by 3pm at the latest. From here, our team of drivers will take you to our hotel in Icheon (about an hour drive from the airport).
You can depart any time on October 23.
If you’d like to spend extra time in Korea and would like suggestions, please contact us.
COST INCLUDES
Artisan Experiences: This trip includes two days with a recognized ceramicist, indigo dye and kimchi making workshops, and visits with a bojagi studio, blacksmith studio, museums and a traditional folk village.
In-Country Transportation: Private car service for our scheduled itinerary activities.
Most Meals: All except two meals are included and will offer a range of home-cooked to fine dining experiences with emphasis on Korean cuisine and local ingredients. The two meals not included will be at open air markets, where guests may explore and dine at their leisure.
Due to the nature of Korean food and our group dining experiences, we cannot accommodate dietary restrictions on this trip.Accommodation: At Eden Paradise Hotel and traditional Hanok homes.
Support: Two trip hosts will be working in collaboration with a local guide. Additionally, the Thread Caravan team is available in the months leading up to the trip to help you prepare.
Carbon Emissions Offset: We’ve partnered with Trees for the Future to plant 50 trees on your behalf in order to offset the carbon emissions of your travel to Korea.
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
Alcoholic Drinks: Thread Caravan does not cover the cost of alcoholic beverages unless mentioned in the itinerary.
Airfare: To and from the Incheon international airport.
Select Meals as Noted in the Itinerary: Two opportunities to wander freely in open air food markets.
Personal Travel Insurance: Personal travel insurance is required for this trip. Please find an insurance that covers medical emergencies, theft, and trip cancellations.
Extra Excursions: During optional free time, guests will be responsible for all incurred expenses.
Personal Expenses: Shopping, medicine, snacks, etc.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO
VISA: Please make sure to review Korea’s Visa requirements with your country’s embassy beforehand. Please contact us if you have any questions or need support.
Passport Validity: Passport must have at least 6 months validity at time of entry as well as at least one empty page.
Trip Preparation: We will send a trip preparation packet to you one month before the trip. This packet will include our exact itinerary, a suggested pack list, useful country information and more.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US.
register here
*Thread Caravan plants trees to restore ecosystems and offset carbon emissions on behalf of each guest who travels with us.
Please note that the deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable, and is required to reserve your space on this trip.
Thread Caravan provides fully-funded artists residencies to our community of indigenous artisan collaborators, as part of our artisan exchange program. To date, we’ve been proud to host Gujarati turban weaver Shamji Vishram Vankar in Oaxaca, as well as Zapotec Oaxacan sisters and weavers Silvia and Dahlia Gutiérrez on our weaving retreat Guatemala. In June 2024 we will host potter Macrina Mateo Martinez from Tlapazola, Oaxaca on our pottery retreat in the Rif mountains of Morocco.
Should our community be interested in contributing to these efforts, there is the option to pay it forward when making a trip reservation. These financial contributions will be used exclusivity towards our artisan exchange program.
Learn more about this program here.
