Quick answer: The Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea National Arboretum released the 2026 Autumn Leaves Map on 8 October, listing 36 destinations. The Seoul area and Gangwon peak in late October; Gyeongsang and Jeolla from early to mid-November. Explera DMC Korea builds north-to-south group days around it, with a back-up stop for each.
What was released
- The map. The KTO and the Korea National Arboretum published the official 2026 Autumn Leaves Map on 8 October, with 36 natural and cultural destinations.
- The method. Forecasts use real-time observations from the Arboretum's Plant Phenology Project, with field data from 829 citizen scientists.
- The timing. The north, including the Seoul area and Gangwon, peaks in late October. Gyeongsang and Jeolla peak from early to mid-November.
- Places named. They include Incheon Grand Park, Goseokjeong in Cheorwon, Mungwang Reservoir in Goesan, Damyang's Metasequoia Road and Ttarabi Oreum on Jeju.
Using it to time group days
- Go north first. For a late-October arrival, put the Seoul area and Gangwon early in the programme.
- Move south later. A November group can follow the colour into Gyeongsang and Jeolla.
- Match the place. Put the lake and avenue stops, such as a reservoir or a tree-lined road, on the days the map says are strongest.
- Read it close to travel. A forecast moves with the weather, so we re-read it a week before arrival and again on the ground.
Why a back-up matters
- Colour is not guaranteed. Heat, rain and wind can bring the peak forward or put it back.
- Keep a second stop. Each foliage day has a palace, temple or museum option close by.
- Allow for crowds. Peak weeks are busy at the popular spots, so we set early starts and an alternative route.
- Say it in the proposal. We write "peak expected" with the source and date, not "guaranteed".
Where to read more
The reports point to the VisitKorea portal for detailed regional forecasts and itineraries. For group ideas, our autumn foliage briefing sets out destinations and a sample programme.
The map is an official guide, and it works best beside local knowledge of each route.
Planned with the agent
Explera DMC Korea plans autumn programmes with the coach, a guide, venue bookings and a colour back-up for every day.
Send your dates, pax and group profile to b2b@explera.kr or WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090. Explera DMC Korea is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (#900408341); our KTO and KATA registrations are in application.
Where this fits in our Korea programmes
The pages below carry the operational detail behind this briefing.
- Services: Tours & activities in Korea · Group travel & GIT in Korea · Transportation & coaches in Korea
- Destinations: Seoul · Jeju · Busan
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2026 Autumn Leaves Map?
The official foliage map from the Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea National Arboretum, released on 8 October 2026. It lists 36 destinations, with forecasts drawn from the Arboretum's phenology project and 829 citizen scientists.
When do the leaves peak in 2026?
The north, including the Seoul area and Gangwon, is forecast to peak in late October; Gyeongsang and Jeolla from early to mid-November. A forecast moves with the weather.
Where can agents read the detailed forecast?
The reports point to the VisitKorea portal for regional forecasts. Explera DMC Korea re-reads it a week before arrival and again on the ground.
Can a group be guaranteed peak colour?
No. We write "peak expected" with the source and date, and keep a palace, temple or museum nearby as a back-up on every foliage day.
