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Despite continuing political tensions between the U.S. and the North Korea, Asia Pacific Travel Limited (APTL) has received confirmation from Pyongyang that Americans will be able to travel on tours to North Korea again in 2009. The tour operator plans to make travel arrangements for Americans and others to North Korea during the fall Arirang season— August 1 through September 30. APTL is the only “officially recognized” American tour operator to North Korea with a Letter of Commission from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Asia Pacific Travel's tours to North Korea are based on over 14 years experience working with the DPRK. All tours will be led by Walter L. Keats CTC, CMP, a North Korea expert who has visited the country 16 times since 1995. For 2009, APTL has created 17 tours with four different itineraries, all including five days-four nights in the DPRK, the maximum time currently allowed by North Korea during the Arirang period.
All tours are commissionable at 10 percent.
The Highlights of North Korea tours are eight-day itineraries going to North Korea via Beijing and are geared for those with less time and/or money and who are only interested in seeing North Korea.
The Highlights of Korea tours are 11-day itineraries going to North Korea via Seoul and Beijing and are geared for those with a greater interest in Korea who want to see the highlights of both North Korea and South Korea.
The North Korea in Focus tours are 12-day itineraries visiting North Korea via Beijing with added stops in Shenyang and Dandong. This tour is geared for those with a greater interest in Korea and China.
The Korea in Depth tours are 15-day itineraries going to North Korea via Seoul and Beijing with added stops in Shenyang and Dandong. This tour is for those wishing a more in-depth understanding of Korea and the Korean peninsula and is highly recommended for all who can spare the additional time.
All of APTL’s North Korea tours are listed chronologically on their website at www.northkorea1on1.com/Itinerary.cfm, by their suggested departure date from North America.