• Overall

  🚨 THIS TRIP IS CURRENTLY FULLY BOOKED - WAITING LIST ONLY 🚨

  You will be alerted if more spots become available. 

  WAITING LIST APPLICATIONS

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  Run in the Pyongyang Marathon 2026 and enjoy a trip around Pyongyang sites with Koryo Tours on this Pyongyang Marathon Trip! 

  It starts and ends in Beijing, China. 

  This 5-night trip will take you to join the Pyongyang International Marathon on Sunday, 5th April 2026. Plus, enjoy some of the best sites Pyongyang has to offer.

  Be one of the few guests of the DPR Korea Athletic Association as a member of an Amateur Runners' Delegation. As guests, you have the opportunity to run in the 32^nd Pyongyang International Marathon. North Korea's largest international sporting event has been held for the second time since 2019. You will also have the chance to visit some of Pyongyang's highlights.

  ***SPACES LIMITED TO 100 PARTICIPANTS*** 

  

   

  PYONGYANG MARATHON 2026 - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

   

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  Pyongyang Marathon

  The Pyongyang Marathon is an extremely unique experience as it provides an opportunity to interact with locals and explore the city in a way that most visitors rarely get to. An experience truly like no other. 

  It is one of the few international sporting events held in North Korea, where runners from all over the world gather to race through the streets of Pyongyang. 

  The route takes participants past iconic landmarks and streets such as the Arch of Triumph, Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace, Mirae Future Scientists' Street, and Pyongyang's Sports Street. 

  A view of Pyongyang that foreigners seldom see!

   

  Pyongyang Trip Highlights

  Land in Pyongyang's airport and enjoy a trip around Pyongyang for the days you're in North Korea and not taking part in the Pyongyang Marathon. The itinerary is packed-full of Pyongyang's must-sees, and the days are long. Be prepared!

  We will pay a visit to Mansudae Fountain Park, a historic cenrtal area popular with local citizens after school and on weekends and visit the famous Mansudae Grand Monument. These enormous bronze statues of the DPRK leadership overlooking downtown Pyongyang. 

  We will have a tour of the Pyongyang Metro Tour - one of the deepest metro systems in the world. We will ride 6 stations here, then visit the Arch of Triumph. You will then get to visit the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum.

  This world-class museum led by a local museum guide. Renovated in 2012, it exhibits the Korean War from the DPRK perspective, containing artefacts, documents, photos, and lifelike dioramas. The exterior grounds house the War Victory Monument and displays of Korean People’s Army Hero Equipment and captured equipment from the US military, including the USS Pueblo. 

  You will then enjoy a walk around Kim Il Sung Square and the nearby Grand People’s Study House. This large neo-traditional Korean building is North Korea's national library. We visit other Pyongyang highlights including the Tower of the Juche Idea and the Party Foundation Monument as well as visiting some of Pyongyang's newest and swankiest districts. 

  We will also have the opportunity to dine at North Korea's fanciest restaurant Okryugwan, and try Pyongyang's famous cold noodles. 

   

  Pyongyang Local Extras

  Aside from Pyongyang highlights, we also have a chance to visit some local spots including the Golden Lanes Bowling Centre where Pyongyang locals hang out, and the Kumrung Leisure Centre nextdoor for an airgun shooting range and some of the best coffee in Pyongyang. 

  We visit the Pyongyang International Football Academy, a premier football school for young and promising athletes. Tour the facilities and learn about the history of football in the DPRK. Has multiple training pitches where you can test yourself against some students here. Michael Palin also visited here. 

  Visit the local department store for some shopping. The Kwangbok Department Store offers you the opportunity to use Korean currency and shop with the citizens of Pyongyang!

  It also visits one of Pyongyang's newest bars, the Hwasong Beer Bar, a popular site among local Koreans. This Taedonggang beer bar features two large bottles at the entrance. The restaurant offers various pitchers of Taedonggang beer ($1-$5) and an open-air service area on the second floor. 

  A trip to Pyongyang Central Zoo is then a great opportunity to hang out with local North Koreans as they enjoy their Sunday day off. 

   

  Pyongyang & Beyond

  This trip will take you out of Pyongyang to sites such as the Tomb of King Tongmyong. This is a UNESCO-recognised site located that dates back to the early times of Korea. The site, which was reportedly rediscovered and renovated in the 1970s, contains the tomb of the founder of the Koguryo Kingdom.

  We then drive to the Kangdong Greenhouse Farm. Built within a year despite environmental challenges, the project is designed to supply produce to Pyongyang, aiming to enhance food production and availability.

   

  This trip is open only to amateur runners. All participants of this Pyongyang Marathon trip must sign up to run in the Pyongyang Marathon. 

   

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  See here for a full list of Pyongyang Marathon trips.
  More Pyongyang Marathon trip options - 

   

  • 2.5 Nights in Pyongyang from Shanghai
  • 3 Nights in Pyongyang from Beijing
  • 4 Nights in Pyongyang from Shenyang
  • 5 Nights in Pyongyang from Beijing (Saturday - Thursday)

   

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  Highlights

  • 32^nd Pyongyang International Marathon
  • Pyongyang highlights including the Pyongyang Metro, the Kwangbok Department Store, the Arch of Triumph, the Juche Tower, the War Museum PLUS local Pyongyang attractions including the Pyongyang Zoo, a local beer bar, and bowling. 
  • Explore outside Pyongyang as well as one of Pyongyang's newest streets and the new Taedonggang Beer Bar on Hwasong Street.

  click image to expand

• Itinerary

  Briefing Day

  1. April 1 | Wednesday

     *Pre-Trip Briefing | We require all participants to attend a pre-trip briefing that covers regulations, etiquette, safety, and practicalities for visiting North Korea. The briefing lasts approximately one hour, followed by a question-and-answer session. Please be punctual for the briefing. A proper briefing is an essential part of visiting North Korea.

     For the Pyongyang Marathon Delegations, we will hold several briefings in the morning.

     AM

     • Briefings will be held at Novotel Beijing Peace throughout the morning. You only need to attend one briefing (exact times offered to be confirmed).

     PM

     • DPRK visa handover will take place at Novotel Beijing Peace this evening.

     Overnight | Hotel in Beijing is not included in the trip. Contact us for recommendations.

  2. April 2 | Thursday

     Arrival day in Pyongyang

     AM

     • Independent travel to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) Terminal 2.
        
     • 11:00 | Group meeting at the Air Koryo check-in counter (C06-C10) at Beijing Airport.

     PM

     • Flight departure from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) Terminal 2 on Air Koryo flight JS252 at 14:00. A 1.5-hour flight with basic lunch (vegetarian option is subject to availability).
     • Flight arrival at Pyongyang's Sunan International Airport (FNJ) at 17:25. DPRK immigration and customs, meet your Korean guides, and transfer to the hotel.
        
     • Check-in and dinner at the hotel.

     
     Overnight: Sosan Hotel, Pyongyang | A sports-themed hotel located in West Pyongyang’s Sports Village. Sports shop, bookstore, numerous bars, spa and small gym. Renovated in 2015.

  3. April 3 | Friday

     Pyongyang City Excursion

     AM

     • Early Morning Run in Pyongyang | This is your chance for a pre-marathon run in Pyongyang! You will need to be up early for this, as it's a good opportunity to give yourself some preparation for the big event. This is an optional activity; for those who don't participate, you can enjoy a sleep-in.
     • Mansudae Fountain Park | The historic centre of Pyongyang popular with local citizens after school and on weekends. Flanked by examples of ancient and modern architecture from different eras.
        
     • Mansudae Grand Monument | Enormous bronze statues of the DPRK leadership overlooking downtown Pyongyang. A presentation of flowers and a bow by the group is customary here. Visitations are by special request only, and decent dress is required. No shorts or flip-flop sandals are allowed here.
        
     • Foreign Languages Bookshop | Store selling Korean publications translated into English, German, French, Russian, Chinese, and Spanish. Also pick up DVDs, postcards, and small works of art.
        
     • Kim Il Sung Square | Pyongyang’s central square lined with government ministries, museums, and The Grand People’s Study House, Korea’s national library. See the centre of it all!
        
     • Grand People’s Study House | Huge national library and public university housed in a large neo-traditional Korean building overlooking Kim Il Sung Square and downtown Pyongyang.

     PM

     • Okryugwan | A meal at Pyongyang’s most famous restaurant. Housed in a huge traditional building on the banks of the Taedong River. Okryugwan specializes in Pyongyang Cold Noodles.
        
     • Tower of the Juche Idea | Iconic tower dedicated to the DPRK’s guiding philosophy on the Taedong River. Take the elevator to the top for great views of the city (elevator ticket is 5 EUR).
        
     • Party Foundation Monument | Iconic structure featuring the hammer, sickle & writing brush, which make up the emblem of the Workers’ Party of Korea and represent workers, farmers, and intellectuals.
        
     • Golden Lanes Bowling Centre | Where Pyongyang locals go for their ten-pin fix. Also has billiards and arcade games. Non-bowlers can head next door to the Kumrung Leisure Centre for an airgun shooting range and some of the best coffee in Pyongyang.
        
     • Dinner at Taedonggang Seafood Restaurant.

     Overnight | Sosan Hotel, Pyongyang

  4. April 4 | Saturday

     Pyongyang City Excursion

     AM

     • Early Morning Run in Pyongyang (optional).
        
     • Mangyongdae Native House | Birthplace and childhood home of President Kim Il Sung. A traditional Korean house in a beautiful natural setting.
        
     • Kumkop General Foodstuff Factory for Sportspersons | Located on Pyongyang's Sports Street, this foodstuff factory is a model and standard for all other factories of its kind in the country. It produces ca. hundred kinds of food products, including beverages to help sportspersons recover from fatigue. Besides the automated production lines and control room, the factory also has a recreational facility reminiscent of a palm house for its workers.
        
     • Kwangbok Department Store | Opportunity to use Korean currency and shop with the citizens of Pyongyang! Try the snack stand on the first floor for some of Pyongyang’s best local eats.

     PM

     • Lunch at Koryo Hotel Restaurant.
        
     • Stamp Exhibition | Displays of stamps issued since the foundation of the DPRK, featuring all manner of decorations. Some expected, some very unexpected! Part shop, part exhibition. Good for souvenirs and mementoes.
        
     • Pyongyang Metro Tour | One of the deepest metro systems in the world, with stunning artwork reflecting the name of each station. Ride six stations on the Chollima Line.
        
     • Arch of Triumph | A massive archway made for the 70th anniversary of the birth of President Kim Il Sung in 1982 and commemorating the liberation of Korea from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. Larger than its counterpart in Paris.
        
     • Wolhyang Souvenir Shop
        
     • Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum | Tour this world-class museum led by a local museum guide. Renovated in 2012, it exhibits the Korean War from the DPRK perspective, containing artefacts, documents, photos, and lifelike dioramas. The exterior grounds house the War Victory Monument and displays of Korean People’s Army Hero Equipment and captured equipment from the US military, including the USS Pueblo. Central to the understanding of the country today and a highlight of the trip.
        
     • Marathon Route Preview | We will drive the marathon route to familiarise ourselves with the roads, turning points, and restroom stops.
        
     • Pizza Restaurant | Dinner at one of Pyongyang’s Italian eateries (there are three) for some carbs before the run. Pizzas range between 10-15 USD each.

     Overnight | Sosan Hotel, Pyongyang

  5. April 5 | Sunday

     The big event! The Pyongyang Marathon 2026!

     AM

     • The 2026 Pyongyang Marathon | This is your chance to run the streets of Pyongyang in the DPRK’s largest annual sports event! Join the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km or 5km race — all of which follow a return course.

     The full route, which has been certified by both World Athletics and AIMS, leads right through the city centre, past a number of iconic landmarks, and then out into Pyongyang's less urban districts. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to see more of the capital and interact with people along the course. Prizes are available for the winners of each race.

     PM

     • Shower, resting time, and lunch | After the marathon's closing ceremony, we'll head back to the hotel to recharge, shower and rest.

     • Pyongyang Central Zoo | Newly renovated zoological gardens at the foot of Mt. Taesong, popular with locals.

     • Pyongyang Marathon Banquet | Dinner tonight will be at the annual Pyongyang Marathon Banquet. Celebrate your run and toast the marathon with your fellow runners, hosts, and local event organisers. A casual affair, no dress code requirements.

     Overnight | Sosan Hotel, Pyongyang

  6. April 6 | Monday

     Pyongyang City Excursion

     AM

     • Tomb of King Tongmyong | A UNESCO-recognised site located near Pyongyang that dates back to the early times of Korea. The site, which was reportedly rediscovered and renovated in the 1970s, contains the tomb of the founder of the Koguryo Kingdom.
        
     • Pyongyang International Football Academy | Premier football school for young and promising athletes. Tour the facilities and learn about the history of football in the DPRK. Has multiple training pitches where you can test yourself against some students here. Michael Palin also visited here; bring your inflatable globe to step in his footsteps.

     PM

     • Lunch on Ryomyong Street.
        
     • Kangdong Greenhouse Farm | Built within a year despite environmental challenges, the project is designed to supply produce to Pyongyang, aiming to enhance food production and availability. It features over 1,050 structures, including greenhouses, production facilities, public buildings, and residences. The greenhouses use cylindrical cultivation devices to maximise nutrient absorption and light efficiency, allowing for harvests within 20 days of seedling transplantation.
        
     • Dinner at Taedonggang Ship Restaurant.
        
     • Hwasong Beer Bar | A popular site among local Koreans, this Taedonggang beer bar features two large bottles at the entrance and the staircase inside a transparent draught beer bottle. The restaurant offers various pitchers of Taedonggang beer ($1-$5) and an open-air service area on the second floor for rooftop bar enthusiasts.

     Overnight | Sosan Hotel, Pyongyang

  7. April 7 | Tuesday

     Departure Day from Pyongyang

     AM

     • Flight departure from Pyongyang on Air Koryo Flight JS151 at 08:30 with scheduled arrival at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) Terminal 2 at 09:50.

     End of Trip

• Extras

  • Upgrade to your own room — marathon tour

    All hotel rooms on our all-inclusive group tours feature twin beds, and will be shared. If you'd like a room to yourself during the extremely busy Pyongyang Marathon period then you can upgrade for an extra 80 EUR per night.

  • Pyongyang Marathon — official race entry

    The Pyongyang International Marathon is now open to foreign amateur runners. You can run the 5k, 10k, Half or Full Marathon. All four take place on the same day in April, and follow the same course, which is fully recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations. We are the EXCLUSIVE travel partner for foreign amateurs. Fees for the Pyongyang International Marathon 2026 are - 5km $70 USD / 10 km: $70 USD / Half Marathon: $100 USD / Full Marathon: $150 USD.

• What is / is not included?

  INCLUSIONS

  • Air Koryo flight tickets Beijing–Pyongyang—Beijing
  • All meals (except for the lunch at the pizza restaurant)
  • Hotel accommodation in the DPRK
  • A Koryo Tours trip leader
  • Two local Korean guides & a driver
  • All transportation in North Korea

  Pyongyang Marathon 2026 Goodie-bag

  • Finisher's medal
  • Official towel
  • Race certificate

  EXCLUSIONS

  • Marathon race fee (see notes below). 
  • North Korean (DPRK) visa fee. Paid directly at the Beijing DPRK Embassy, varies by nationality.
  • Optional single room supplement of 80 EUR per night
  • Tips for the Korean hosts and driver (approx 75 EUR total per person)
  • Optional activities such as the lift up the Juche Tower (5 EUR) or a visit to the funfair (approx. 2 EUR entrance fee per person)
  • Entry tickets for special events if applicable. For example, Pyongyang Circus (approx. 20 EUR per person)
  • Meals include a complimentary beer and water, but you will need to purchase extra drinks if needed
  • Spending money on souvenirs

• Notes

  This trip is open only to amateur runners. All participants of this Pyongyang Marathon trip must sign up to run in the Pyongyang Marathon. 

  Pyongyang Marathon Race Fees

  Race fees for the Pyongyang Marathon should be paid before the race in Pyongyang. Clean USD notes only.

  Entry fees are 5 km:

  $70 USD / 10 km: $70 USD / Half Marathon: $100 USD / Full Marathon: $150 USD.

  Capacity

  There are one hundred (100) spaces available on this trip, which will be divided into smaller groups. This limit is due to the limited space on the plane. Once these spaces are filled, the trip will be closed you can join the waiting list. If more capacity is available, we will offer it first to the waiting list and then to the general public.

Please apply by 13th March, 2026.