Korea Heritage Tours

Join us in Korea!

From Seoul to Gyeongju, Busan and Jeju Island, tour participants will experience Korea together as they visit national and historic sites to learn about Korea’s rich cultural heritage.

In the early 1970s, Holt pioneered the concept of heritage tours for international adoptees. Adoptees had begun contacting Holt with questions regarding their birth heritage and history. As an agency, Holt now has adult adoptees in leadership positions, as members of our staff, and on our board. Holt began our work in Korea in 1955, and we have been serving children throughout Korea ever since. With this history and knowledge, Holt is uniquely qualified to offer a special experience for you and your family.

This tour is open to all Korean adoptees and adoptive families, whether or not their placing agency was Holt.

Tour participants also have the opportunity to visit Holt sponsor- and donor-supported programs like the Ilsan Center, a long-term care facility for children and adults with disabilities or needs, and Morning Garden, a shelter for single mothers and their children.

*Please note: You may have the opportunity to visit your orphanage or birth place and review your adoption file. Please note that this is subject to change, as new laws and policies in Korea will determine the extent to which we are able to assist with these arrangements.

Save the date for Holt’s 2026 Korea Heritage Tour — June 29-July 12!*

*Dates Subject to Change

Adoptees practice their writing of the Korean alphabet, or *Hangul*, together.

Holt team member and adoptee, Jordan Love, reunites with his former doctor, Dr. Cho, at the Ilsan Center.

group of people from heritage tour — Adoptees sightsee on a previous Korea Heritage Tour!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Tour

If you have additional questions, please email us at korea_tour@holtinternational.org.

How much is the Korea Heritage Tour?

The base cost for the tour is $4,500 per adult and $3,600 for children under 12 (subject to change). This cost covers your lodging, in-country transportation, guided tours, and most meals throughout the trip. Airfare is not included and will be the responsibility of each participant to book separately. Tour fees must be paid in full by May 1, 2026. **Based on double occupancy, additional $950.00 charge for single room.

All details are subject to change. We reserve the right to increase our costs accordingly.

Who can go on the Korea Heritage Tour?

Can adoptees visit their orphanage or former foster family?

What other services are available to adoptees?

For Holt International adoptees, we are able to assist with file reviews of their U.S. adoption file and help coordinate birth city tours. For all adoptees, it is important to request your Korean file from the NCRC as soon as possible. Once registered, we will reach out with more information about this process.

Adoptees who were not adopted through Holt International — at this time, we are unable to assist with file reviews and birth family searches. As of now, we may be able to assist with birth city tours. Aspects of the tour are subject to change as the NCRC and new laws and policies in Korea will determine the extent to which we can provide these services.

What does a typical itinerary look like?

Here is a brief itinerary for the 2026 Korea Heritage Tour. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change.

date	Schedule
June 29	Depart for Korea from the U.S.
June 30	Arrive in the Republic of Korea and check in to hotel
July 1	Orientation and Korea Folk Village tour
July 2	Visit Holt Korea office, file review and individual visits
July 3	Visit Holt Ilsan Center and attend NANTA musical performance
July 4	Travel from Seoul to Jeju Island
July 5	Jeju tour, optional activities
July 6	Travel from Jeju to Busan and take a tour of Busan
July 7	Travel from Busan to Gyeongju and take a tour of Gyeongju
July 8	Tour Gyeongju
July 9	Travel to Daejeon to visit a mother and child shelter before returning to Seoul
July 10	DMZ – Panmunjeom or Tunnel Tour
July 11	Free day and farewell dinner
July 12	Morning free, depart from Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Payments & Forms

Please note each tour member must complete the Registration Form, Code of Conduct and Media Release listed below. These forms can be emailed or mailed to Holt once completed:

Korea Heritage Tour, P.O. Box 2880, Eugene, OR 97402