Koryo Tours Reviews 25

Just completed my third small group tour with Koryo and specifically my third with tour leader Greg (Gergo) Vaczi. This time it was the new 9-day Eastern Bhutan tour - a unique way into this country when most people are flown straight to the Western cities of Paro and Thimphu, missing out on some (in the true sense of the word) authentic experiences (like our home stay in a valley village, our visit to a semi-nomadic community in their mountain home, tea with the Governor, and mass prayers for peace with a Buddhist community). Koryo Tours can be relied on for thoughtfully planned tours. With Koryo, I haven’t just ‘been’ somewhere (ticking a box), I’ve learned something. And made new friends.

Long established company. Actually sends a rep on the tour rather that just organising a group for a local company. The local guide knows you wont do the tour again but wants you to have a good time. A company rep hoes out of their way to give you a very good time and use the company again. The rep declined tips and while you could tip long term guide/drivers their was no "optional" daily tip kitty for minor services. They factor this into the total price ......and every meal on my last tour....and the airport pickup/drop offs (so remember this if comparing prices). It tends to visit slightly obscure places so finds group members that are sometimes as interesting as the tour. Well worth using if their content interests you.

Recently went to Afganistan with Koryo. The trip was well planned and executed. The in-country staff was outstanding. The country and its citizens are beautiful and endearing. Unfortunately, for the first time in years of travel we experienced interactions of the tour director which were often inappropriately painful. This snarky, demeaning and unkind behavior made it difficult to enjoy the trip. I have traveled extensively for over 50 years and this was the worst experience that I have had with a travel professional.
Update: we reported the tour leader’s abusive behavior to Koryo management through the trip review form they provided. I know it was read because Koryo’s founder contacted another tour member about it. They have not responded to me. Is customer satisfaction not a priority?

I had a wonderful experience on the Afghanistan trip. I made a lot of new friends and loved our tour leaders. We were able to vist some great places and meet some incredible local people. I fell in love with the country and Koryo Tours did an excellent job setting up this amazing experience. Well done and thank you. I can't recommend highly enough. You should sign up today! Don't miss this opportunity.

We visited Iraq from South to North and it was a fantastic experience.
Before going, we were a bit worried by the situation in the country, but our tour leader and our local guides were able to show us the best sites in a very calm and professional manner.
Don't hesitate to go to Iraq with Koryo!

I’ve just returned from an incredible five-day tour of Afghanistan with Koryo Tours, and I can honestly say it exceeded all expectations. We visited Kabul and Bamyan, both of which offered powerful insights into Afghanistan’s history, culture, and daily life. Kabul was vibrant and fascinating, while Bamyan’s landscapes were absolutely breathtaking and a highlight of the journey.

Our guides, Zoe and Masood, were outstanding—professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring. They handled every detail seamlessly, which meant the trip felt easy and stress-free. I never had to worry about logistics or safety, allowing me to fully focus on the experience. The group was made up of experienced, thoughtful travelers, which added greatly to the overall enjoyment and camaraderie.

This was a rare and eye-opening travel experience, made effortless by an exceptional team. I would highly recommend Koryo Tours to anyone considering a visit to Afghanistan and looking for a well-run, responsible, and unforgettable journey.

I joined in October a small group organized by koryo tour to afganistan.
Even though travelling with a group is not my best choice i have to admit i enjoyed. The tour leader Zoe was very nice and patient. The organization was perfect and also all the local guides were very friendly and professional.
I definitely do recommend to join koryo tour to travel alone or with a group
Thanks again to koryo tour.

Just had the most amazing trip to Turkmenistan thanks to Koryo's brilliant tour leader, Greg, and their local guide, Rustam, who was so knowledgeable and inspiring that he brought history to life and opened your eyes to things to give a much clearer understanding. Travelled with a great group of people and we had lots of fun visiting some amazing places, some quiet surreal. Would highly recommend.

I have been in Tour group with Koryo Tour for Tajikistan,Mongolia, Turkmenistan, North Korea and Kazakhstan.
Good itinerary, good arrangement, good guide and fair price. got very good experiences for all trips.

Great people, great company. Delivered an absolutely amazing experience!

I travelled to Afghanistan on the women's only tour with Zoe in late May 2025 and it was an epic two weeks, exceeding all expectations in every way.

Zoe’s knowledge of Afghanistan and her passion for women’s travel provided us with unique opportunities to connect with local women and communities in ways that would not have been possible otherwise. I left with a profound understanding of the realities women face in Afghanistan today, and their resilience, in incredibly challenging times.

Zoe's flexibility and genuine willingness to adapt the itinerary (where possible) to our interests made the trip feel uniquely personal, and it’s something I’ll forever be grateful for.

Zoe and her team in Afghanistan are amazing. We felt safe at all times, and I left this trip with new yet lifelong friends who share the same values and love for travel. You will come to discover Afghanistan, but you might just end up finding yourself here too.

Book that trip!

Koryo Tours are always more interesting than the average tour and this was the case with their inaugural ‘Crossroads of Europe’ tour. Think you know Europe or that Europe is a ‘boring’ choice? Not when Koryo designs the tour (Serbia and Hungary in this case). I’d recommend any tour Koryo comes up with because it will be something special and you’ll find yourself among like-minded travellers with a big dose of curiosity and a willingness to go along with the ride …

I had the pleasure of joining Zoe and Somaya on the first ever Afghan Sisters Tour! It was a fantastic two weeks; well curated site visits and things to do, all of which gave small insights to the lives of women in Afghanistan. Our trip had a few curve balls (delayed luggage, hospital trips…!) and Zoe handled it all with professionalism, agility and empathy. Very grateful to the team for putting together the trip and sharing Afghanistan’s wonders with us! This is my second trip with Koryo and I couldn’t recommend them more!

I’ve taken four fabulous trips with Koryo Tours and they’ve all been very memorable in the best ways. Most recently, my family and I just returned from joining Koryo Tours in Uzbekistan which was an amazing trip!!!

The company staff are all excellent and well organized in regard to enhancing our journey with local insight, good meals, comfortable transport and great hotels. Typically my family and I travel independently, but it is much better to travel with Koryo if visiting one of their destinations.

Koryo has been in business for 30 years and on our recent Uzbekistan trip, everyone else had also traveled with Koryo previously. My family and I are certainly looking forward to another tour, our fifth with Koryo, once we decide which on the destination.

Do you want to go on an adventure? Then Koryo Tours is right for you. I booked a group trip in North Korea over New Years 2019-2020. An experience out of the ordinary. I had the honor of having Zoe as a group leader. A person with broad knowledge of the country the language and above all a fantastic person. With her British humor and cheerful attitude, she made the whole trip amazing!

Professional, safe and great value for money. Go if you can, it is a easy process! Thanks Zoe!

I had the incredible opportunity to visit North Korea for the Lunar New Year in 2019 with Koryo Tours, and it was an experience I will never forget. As someone fascinated by countries that are less known to outsiders, this trip was a dream come true. Koryo Tours helped realize this wish in the most spectacular way.

I embarked on this journey alone, entering North Korea from the Chinese border by train. The train ride itself was epic, giving me the chance to interact with Chinese and Korean business people who frequently or occasionally made the trip between China and North Korea. These conversations were enlightening and added a rich layer to my understanding of the region even before I arrived.

Upon reaching the Pyongyang train station, I was warmly welcomed by a super friendly Koryo Tours guide. Unfortunately, I can't recall his name, but his hospitality and knowledge left a lasting impression on me. From the moment I arrived, the entire tour was absolutely amazing, impeccably organized, and offered a new perspective on a country that has long intrigued me with its political and social complexities.

Koryo Tours did an excellent job of showing us different facets of North Korean life, allowing me to see beyond the preconceived notions I had before the trip. From visiting historical sites to experiencing local culture and festivities, every moment was thoughtfully planned and executed. This tour not only satisfied my curiosity but also challenged and crushed many of my preconceived ideas about the country.

A big thank you to the entire Koryo Tours team for this fantastic experience. I highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of North Korea. I look forward to joining more tours with Koryo Tours in the future!

We took a DPRK trip (rail from/to Beijing) with Koryo in April 2019. A fantastic experience, and Simon and the team ran a really well organised, busy, well hosted tour seeing key sites in DPRK (DMZ etc). A very enjoyable trip, off the normal tourist trail, and lots of good memories.

One of the best tours we've ever been on. Fascinating, funny, mind-blowing, unique etc etc. Just go, you won't ever regret it

I've been a loyal Koryo Tours customer for many years, having traveled with them to the DPRK on six separate occasions over the years in the past. No one knows North Korea better. They've been running tours to this fascinating country longer than anyone else, and it shows. They have access to places that no one else seems to be able to cover, and you can see the genuine friendship and respect that they have with their local partners on the ground there.

It's been interesting to see how Koryo has adapted to the years-long closure of North Korea since the start of the COVID pandemic. They still manage to keep their Korea connection though. For the past two years, they've run a "North Korea from a Near Distance" tour that travels along the border region for glimpses of the country from south of the border, which provides some additional fascinating insights. DPRK experts accompany the tour and fill the time on bus rides and site visits with insightful commentary. It's a great way to keep learning about the North while its borders remain shut. I went on the Near Distance tour last year and had a lot of fun beachcombing for North Korean odds & ends on remote South Korea beaches that are just a few miles away from the North. Even found a couple military hats! I see that the North Korea from a Near Distance tour will be running again in September this year and I would highly recommend it. North Korea attracts many interesting curious individuals and you'll likely make some fast friends who share your similar interest on a tour like this.