WYD Seoul 2027 – University of Dallas

Pilgrimage to World Youth Day

Trip Date:
Aug 1, 2027
- Aug 10, 2027
Group Type
Private
Activity Level
Difficult
Price
From $2,845
Deposit $500
Hosted by
University of Dallas

Trip Overview

Join Verso Ministries and the University of Dallas for a life-changing week on pilgrimage. Experience the global Church firsthand amidst the unique and vibrant story of Catholicism in Korea. From remarkable saints, bustling markets, and moving shrines to Mass with the Pope and sleeping under the stars, join millions of Catholic young people in this worldwide encounter and celebration. You’ll never experience God, the Church, or your faith the same way again.

What’s Included?

  • Verso pilgrimage director
  • Local Korean guide
  • Gratuities for local guide and pilgrimage director
  • Simple accommodations in double, triple, or quad-occupancy rooms (including taxes) (limited singles available)
  • Breakfast daily at lodging, Welcome/Farewell Dinners, and WYD meal vouchers
  • Fundraising resources
  • Registration with WYD Committee, including access to events, public transportation pass, & WYD pilgrim kit
  • Access to Verso WYD spiritual & logistical preparation and follow-up resources
  • Verso Pilgrim Kit, including a pilgrimage booklet

Itinerary

August 1, 2027
  • Depart the U.S. and begin your World Youth Day journey (optional group flight available)
August 2, 2027
  • Arrive at Incheon International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Seoul. Transfer on your own to meet the group at the hotel.
  • Celebrate a Welcome Mass with your group and enjoy a Welcome Dinner together
  • Overnight in Seoul

Accommodations: Simple centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Dinner

August 3, 2027
  • Free morning to explore Seoul using Verso’s WYD resources
  • Visit churches and shrines along one of the city’s walking pilgrimage routes and orient yourself to the city’s charming neighborhoods and vibrant culture
  • World Youth Day officially begins with an opening Mass for all pilgrims, celebrated by the Archbishop of Seoul
  • Overnight in Seoul

Accommodations: Simple centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

August 4, 2027
  • Morning Catechesis sessions with pilgrims and bishops from around the world, including prayer, discussion, and Mass
  • Attend Youth Festival events in the afternoon, ranging from concerts and speakers to Reconciliation and fellowship
  • Overnight in Seoul

Accommodations: Simple centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

August 5, 2027
  • Catechesis sessions with fellow pilgrims
  • Welcome the Holy Father to Seoul with a special celebration and prayer service
  • Overnight in Seoul

Accommodations: Simple centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

August 6, 2027
  • Final catechetical session in the morning with the bishops
  • Then, the Youth Festival continues, with opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation or check out the Vocations Fair
  • In the evening, rejoin the Pope as all the pilgrims pray together the Stations of the Cross, led by the Holy Father himself
  • Overnight in Seoul

Accommodations: Simple centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

August 7, 2027
  • Begin with a pilgrimage to the Vigil site, typically a 12-15 mile walk
  • After finding designated area, settle in and enjoy different entertainment, shows, music, and prayer opportunities
  • In the evening, join the Pope and fellow pilgrims for a Vigil prayer service
  • That night, sleep under the stars and prepare for the Closing Mass
  • Overnight at Vigil site

Accommodations: Simple centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch*, Dinner*

(*Meals at Vigil site)

August 8, 2027
  • The morning begins early with closing activities, including music, speakers, and prayers, followed by the closing
  • Papal Mass with the Holy Father
  • At the end of Mass, the next host diocese for World Youth Day is announced
  • Return to the hotel and enjoy a free afternoon and evening to relax after a long day
  • Dinner is on your own this evening
  • Overnight in Seoul

Accommodations: Simple centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast*, Lunch*

(*meals at Vigil site)

August 9, 2027
  • Free day to explore Seoul
  • Choose from various activities such as: Ascend Namsam Tower; pray at striking shrines and beautiful churches such as Dangoggae or Seosomun; explore Gwangjang Market and Bukchon Hanok Village, or visit one of the five traditional palaces throughout the city
  • Farewell dinner as a group in a local restaurant

Accommodations: Simple, centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Optional Add-On: Day Trip to Mirinae Shrine ($157/person): Venture outside Seoul to Mirinae Shrine, where you will enjoy a tour, celebrate Mass, venerate the tomb of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, and have time to explore and pray at this expansive and serene shrine. Includes transportation, guide, lunch and gratuities.
  • Optional Add-On: Full Day Seoul Cultural Tour ($157/person): Enjoy a guided full day tour of Seoul, including guided visits to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jogyesa Temple,, Bukchon Hanok Village, Cheonggyecheon stream, and Insadong’s shopping center. Highlight: This experience includes an authentic Korean custom of donning traditional hanbok attire during your visit to the palace, offering a unique cultural window into Korea’s heritage. Includes full day guide, tickets and entrance fees, gratuities and hanbok experience.
August 10, 2027
  • Transfer to the Incheon airport on your own via taxi or public transportation and depart Seoul on your journey home. 

Meals included: Breakfast

Extension Date: July 30, 2025

Price: $614 / person (double, triple or quad-occupancy, $300 single room supplement), including gratuities

 

July 30, Friday – Depart US

  • Depart the U.S. and begin your World Youth Day journey

 

July 31, Saturday- Arrive in Korea (D)

  • Arrive at Incheon International Airport and transfer via taxi or public transportation to your hotel in Incheon to check in (airport transfer not included in the package)
  • Welcome Mass in a local church
  • Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Incheon

 

August 1, Sunday – Mirinae (B, L)

  • Transfer to Mirinae Holy Ground, the final resting place of St. Andrew Kim Daegon
  • Mass upon arrival at Mirinae, followed by a tour of the shrine
  • Group lunch at the shrine
  • Free time to explore the extensive grounds, pray the stations of the cross, and visit the many chapels and exhibits
  • Transfer to Suwon and check into the hotel
  • Free time for dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Suwon or vicinity

 

August 2, Monday – Chon Jin Am (B, L, D)

  • Depart for Chon Jin Am, the site of the birthplace of the Korean Catholic Church
  • Celebrate Mass at Chon Jin Am, followed by a local Korean lunch at the shrine
  • Guided tour of the shrine and short hike to the tombs of the founders of the Korean Catholic Church, followed by free time to explore the grounds
  • Transfer back to Seoul to check into the hotel and meet up with the rest of the group
  • Group dinner in Seoul
  • Overnight in Seoul

 

See the Extension Information section under “More Details” below to learn more.

Extension Date: July 29, 2025

Price: $924 / person (double, triple or quad-occupancy, $450 single room supplement), including gratuities

 

July 29, Thursday – Depart US

  • Depart the U.S. and begin your World Youth Day journey

 

July 30, Friday- Arrive in Korea (D)

  • Arrive at Incheon International Airport and transfer via taxi or public transportation to your hotel in Incheon to check in (airport transfer not included in the package)
  • Welcome Mass in a local church
  • Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Incheon

 

July 31, Saturday – Solmoe, Haemi (B, L)

  • Transfer to Solmoe Holy Ground, the birthplace of St. Andrew Kim Daegon
  • Group Mass at Solmoe and time to explore and pray throughout the grounds
  • Lunch in a local restaurant
  • Transfer to Haemi International Shrine for a guided tour and extended time for prayer and exploration
  • Transfer to Cheonan, check in to the hotel, and time for dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Cheonan or vicinity

 

August 1, Sunday – Mirinae (B, L)

  • Transfer to Mirinae Holy Ground, the final resting place of St. Andrew Kim Daegon
  • Mass upon arrival at Mirinae, followed by a tour of the shrine
  • Group lunch at the shrine
  • Free time to explore the extensive grounds, pray the stations of the cross, and visit the many chapels and exhibits
  • Transfer to Suwon and check into the hotel
  • Free time for dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Suwon or vicinity

 

August 2, Monday – Chon Jin Am (B, L, D)

  • Depart for Chon Jin Am, the site of the birthplace of the Korean Catholic Church
  • Celebrate Mass at Chon Jin Am, followed by a local Korean lunch at the shrine
  • Guided tour of the shrine and short hike to the tombs of the founders of the Korean Catholic Church, followed by free time to explore the grounds
  • Transfer back to Seoul to check into the hotel and meet up with the rest of the group
  • Group dinner in Seoul
  • Overnight in Seoul

 

See the Extension Information section under “More Details” below to learn more.

Extension Date: July 27, 2025

Price: $2,034 / person (double, triple or quad-occupancy, $600 single room supplement) including gratuities

 

July 27, Tuesday – Depart U.S.

  • Depart the U.S. and begin your World Youth Day journey

 

July 28, Wednesday- Arrive in Korea (D)

  • Arrive at Incheon International Airport and transfer via taxi or public transportation to your hotel in Incheon to check in (airport transfer not included in the package)
  • Welcome Mass in a local church
  • Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Incheon

 

July 29, Thursday –  Solmoe, Haemi (B, L)

  • Transfer to Solmoe Holy Ground, the birthplace of St. Andrew Kim Daegon
  • Group Mass at Solmoe and time to explore and pray throughout the grounds
  • Lunch in a local restaurant
  • Transfer to Haemi International Shrine for a guided tour and extended time for prayer and exploration
  • Transfer to Cheonan, check in to hotel, and time for dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Cheonan

 

July 30, Friday – Hanti (B, D)

  • Transfer to Hanti Martyrs’ Shrine, stopping at a rest stop along the highway for lunch on your own on the journey
  • Mass at Hanti Martyrs Shrine, followed by a tour of the thatched houses, graves, and time to explore and hike in the woods
  • Transfer to Gyeongju and check in to hotel
  • Group dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Gyeongju

 

July 31, Saturday – Gyeongju (B, D)

  • Day in Gyeongju, a traditional Korean cultural hub, with a tour of the city and Mass at a local church
  • Transfer to Busan
  • Group dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Busan

 

August 1, Sunday – Busan (B, D)

  • Day in the vibrant seaside city of Busan, with a tour of the city and Mass at a local church
  • Group dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Busan

 

August 2, Monday – Busan, Seoul (B, D)

  • Free morning in Busan, with time for lunch on your own
  • After lunch on your own, transfer back to Seoul to meet up with the rest of the group
  • Group dinner in Seoul
  • Overnight in Seoul

 

See the Extension Information section under “More Details” below to learn more.

Accommodations

Simple Accommodations

  • All accommodations are in centrally-located hotels, with private bathrooms, air conditioning, and easy access to event sites and public transportation.
  • Exact hotel assignments will be announced in the spring of 2027.

Pricing

Package Cost
$2,845

Optional Add-ons

Single Room Supplement
$999/person

Pricing listed per person in simple double, triple, or quad-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare.

The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

Final pricing may adjust based on actual costs for WYD registration fees and/or any significant changes in currency exchange rates. Please see the Payment Schedule dropdown in the “More Details” section below for additional information regarding pricing.

Led by

Group Leader
Dcn. Ryan Sales
Irving, TX
Deacon Ryan, known to his students as “Deac” is our “Canadian-in-Residence”. Deacon Ryan officially left his “youth” behind a decade ago, so it is by God’s grace alone that he has been keeping up with the students at UD for the last 4 years. A seasoned traveler, this is Deacon Ryan’s first time to Korea.
Chaplain
Fr. Jerónimo Espinosa
Irving, TX
Fr. Jerónimo Espinosa is a Colombian priest who was appointed as the Chaplain of the University of Dallas in 2025. An alumnus of UD, Fr. Jerónimo is in love with Jesus Christ and His Church and has dedicated his life to serve its people. Fr. Jerónimo will be bringing his extensive travel experience to his role as Chaplain for this pilgrimage.

Flights

Pilgrims are responsible for booking their own flights to/from the pilgrimage using the information below regarding airports and designated arrival/departure times.

Designated arrival and departure times for land-only pilgrims will be announced one year prior to the pilgrimage.

More Details

  • Roundtrip airfare from the U.S. to South Korea
  • Airport/hotel transfer in South Korea
  • Optional extensions or activities
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not indicated on itinerary
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Recommended travel protection with Cancel for Any Reason coverage
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

In order to secure your space, Verso Ministries requires a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person. All final balances are due by March 31, 2027. Here is your group’s payment plan:

  1. Deposit due upon registration – $500/person
  2. June 30, 2026 – 25% of total trip cost
  3. September 30, 2026 – 25% of total trip cost
  4. December 31, 2026 – 25% of total trip cost
  5. March 31, 2027 – Final balance

 

Final package price is estimated. Pricing includes $250 for WYD registration fees. Prices are based on the current (as of summer 2025) exchange rate of $1.00 USD to ₩1,370.00 KRW. Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates, airline taxes and fees (as applicable), or World Youth Day registration fees could affect the final pilgrimage pricing. Any changes in final pricing will be communicated before the final payment deadline.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations of individual pilgrims must be submitted to Verso Ministries in written form and received via email or mail. Any refunds, as applicable, will be processed based on the date stamp of email or mail received. Cancellation fees will be charged per person, per booking, and apply to individual pilgrims

If the group chooses to cancel its pilgrimage in its entirety on or before June 30, 2026, Verso Ministries retains the group deposit and will refund pilgrims any money paid. If the group chooses to cancel its pilgrimage in its entirety after June 30, 2026, then the group deposit is retained, and the following cancellation fee schedule will apply for all individual payments. Individual cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here.

  • After deposit: Deposit is retained ($500 per person)
  • July 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026: 25% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • October 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026: 50% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • January 1, 2027 – March 31, 2027: 75% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • April 1, 2027 or after: 100% of trip cost is non-refundable

Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, World Youth Day registration, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 180 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted. We highly recommend the purchase of individual travel insurance.

What’s Included (All Extensions)

  • Additional nights lodging in Korea in double, triple, or quad-occupancy rooms, including taxes according to itinerary
  • Local Korean guide on each bus
  • Breakfast daily and other meals listed in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
  • Private transportation on a motorcoach
  • Entrance fees
  • Daily Mass arrangements
  • Gratuities

 

What’s Not Included (All Extensions)

  • Roundtrip airfare from the U.S. to South Korea
  • Airport/hotel transfer in South Korea
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not indicated on itinerary
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Recommended travel protection with Cancel for Any Reason coverage
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included
  • Groups of 40 or more will have a dedicated Verso Ministries Pilgrimage Director and local Korean guide. Groups smaller than 40 will share their Pilgrimage Director and local guide with other groups.

If you have any questions about pilgrimage details, please do not hesitate to contact us at wyd@versoministries.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I purchase travel protection?

We recommend that all pilgrims consider purchasing travel protection. We partner with Travel Insured International (TII) to offer travel protection.  According to TII, travel protection helps protect you and those you are traveling with from unforeseen emergencies, which always seem to happen at the worst possible time. In the event of emergencies, both before and during your travels, as well other circumstances, like travel delay, lost baggage, missed connection(s), and much more, travel protection can help. Upon registration you will receive a travel protection quotation from TII. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call TII. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.
Read More

How does Verso Ministries prepare me for my journey?

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. From pre-departure spiritual formation emails and webinars hosted by the Verso trip leader, to providing you with a pilgrim kit to bring with you on your journey, we accompany you through the entire process – before, during, and after the pilgrimage – to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email to answer and assist with any questions you might have.
Read More

What is the latest I can register?

Registration closes when the pilgrimage reaches the maximum number of pilgrims. If the pilgrimage is filled when you register, you will be added to our waiting list, and contacted in the event that space on the pilgrimage becomes available. Don’t miss your chance – register now and begin your journey!
Read More

Resources

Discover helpful guides and tips to prepare for your pilgrimage and enrich your journey with Verso Ministries.

13 Books for Your Ultimate World Youth Day Reading List

5 Must Visit Catholic Sites in South Korea

Two pilgrims looking out atop a mountain as a metaphor for becoming the best versions of themselves.

Becoming the Best Version of Yourself Through Pilgrimage

What Our Pilgrims Have to Say

Father Kuhn

Jocelyn

You Might Also Be Interested In...

August 1-10, 2027

Pilgrimage to World Youth Day

Seoul
Contact Us

Have a Question?

Attend our next Webinar!

Sign up to recieve information about upcoming and on-demand webinars.