Just past the DMZ

GETTING THERE:

From LAX, Korean Airways and Asiana offer nonstop service to Seoul. All Nippon Airways, Northwest, JAL and United offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $939.

The meeting point for the tour is at a hotel called Kumgangsan Condo, about 100 miles northeast of Seoul. Round-trip charter bus service from Seoul is available to the meeting spot for $30. The bus trip takes about four hours.

TELEPHONES:

To call the South Korean numbers listed below from the U.S., dial 011 (the international dialing code) and 82 (country code for South Korea), followed by the number.

WHERE TO STAY:

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, 19-3, Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul; (888) 236-2427, www.marriott.com. An upscale, luxury hotel in central Seoul near shopping and business districts. Doubles begin at about $225.

Ibis Seoul, 893-1, Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul; 2-3011-8888; www.ambatel.com. A new hotel offering simple yet good-quality accommodations for the budget-conscious traveler. Doubles begin at $90.

BEFORE YOU GO:

To go on the Mt. Kumgang tour, visitors must register with a travel agency and provide the requisite documentation at least 10 days before the desired departure date. In Los Angeles, Smile Tour, (213) 365-2100, provides booking and other tour information. Hyundai Asan also provides information in English; call 2-3669-3691.

TOUR PRICES:

Hyundai Asan offers two-night, three-day packages starting at $290 (all prices are per person based on double occupancy), depending on the season and level of accommodations. The price includes lodging, breakfast, entrance and departure immigration fees, and hiking-related fees. Shorter trips are also available.

TO LEARN MORE:

Korea National Tourism Organization, (800) 868-7567 or (323) 634-0280, www.tour2korea.com.

— Helen E. Sung