The Silk Road: A Journey to Central Asia

Featuring the Five “Stans” of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan

17 days from $8,695

Sept. 27–Oct. 13, 2023 & Apr. 10–26, May 8–24, Sept. 11–27, Sept. 25–Oct. 11, Oct. 9–25, 2024

Central Asia is the exotic heart of the Silk Road—ancient caravan routes used for the silk and spice trade between East and West. Experience the past and present of five Central Asian countries as you explore legendary cities, visit religious sites and museums, attend cultural programs, and meet local experts.

Highlights Include

Turkmenistan: Beginning in Ashgabat, visit the National Museum of History and Ethnography, then tour the ancient site of nearby Nisa with an archaeologist.

Uzbekistan: Explore the legendary cities of Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, and Tashkent, with their noble squares and breathtaking architecture. Highlights feature religious sites, including madrassas and important mosques such as the 20th-century Tillya Sheikh Mosque, home to the oldest Koran in the world, and Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Tamerlane to be the largest mosque in the world. You’ll meet with the scientific advisor of the Ark Citadel, artists at a renowned ceramics studio, and other local experts. Tour one of the ancient world’s most advanced observatories, drive across the Red Sands Desert, and enjoy performances of traditional music and dance.

Tajikistan: Penjikent is an isolated city of 130,000 that was built in the fifth century and is most famous for its past as an important Sogdian trade center. Visit the site of an archaeological dig at Old Penjikent, where excavations began over 50 years ago. Tour the remains of Shakristan, two Zoroastrian temples, the citadel, and the Rudaki Museum of History and Regional Studies—named after the founder of Tajik and Persian poetry.

Kyrgyzstan: In the capital of Bishkek, tour the central square, the National History Museum, and the State

Museum of Fine Arts, and meet with a Kyrgyz resident who participated in the 2010 revolution. In a nearby village, enjoy lunch with a family in their home and watch a demonstration of Kyrgyz horse games. Later, delight in a Kyrgyz Manas folk performance.

Kazakhstan: Highlights in Almaty include the Zenkov Cathedral, the delightful Museum of Musical Instruments, and the State Central Museum. Outside the city, visit a traditional Kazakh falcon farm.

Limited to 24 Smithsonian Journeys guests.

Smithsonian Journeys Experts

Adam Tanner (Sept. 27)–writer and former foreign correspondent. Pamela Spratlen (Sept. 25)–former diplomat.

Treasures of Southeast Asia

Featuring Bali, Singapore, Thailand, and Angkor Wat

16 days from $7,690

Includes $250 special savings / Special air rates & services available Oct. 17– Nov. 1, 2023 & Feb. 6–21, 2024

Take an exotic journey to East Asia that showcases a vast array of ancient histories, diverse cultures, and many World Heritage sites. Fly between four countries, enjoying unforgettable experiences such as listening to an Indonesian gamelan to exploring the ancient temples of Angkor Wat.

Highlights Include

Bali: Enjoy a variety of options to experience traditional Balinese life that include visiting a local school or learning about the traditional irrigation system used in rice fields. Travel inland to the artist community of Ubud and discover Balinese painting, listen to an Indonesian gamelan, and visit the colorful local market.

Singapore: Explore the fascinating medley of Chinese, Indian, and Malay culture, architecture, and cuisine in this historic city-state. An introductory tour takes you from the iconic Merlion Park to the city’s oldest Chinese temple. Discover the landmark Gardens by the Bay, featuring vertical “Supertree” gardens, the largest glass greenhouse in the world, and aerial walkways. You’ll also enjoy visits to the Malay enclave of Kampong Glam, bustling Chinatown, and Little India’s exotic flower and spice market.

Bangkok: During two full days of excursions, highlights include the Grand Palace with its Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the famous Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, and the World Heritage site of Ayutthaya—Thailand’s ancient capital. You’ll also enjoy a cruise along the Chao Phraya River, a tuk-tuk ride through the city, a sampling of Thai cuisine, and a captivating Thai dance performance.

Angkor Wat: Fly to Cambodia’s Siem Reap for a threenight stay to explore the Angkor Archaeological Park, a World Heritage site. Enjoy time for in-depth visits to the enthralling temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Thommanon, each site a unique and fascinating experience. Traditional performances and a visit with local artisans complement your stay.

Local Cuisine: Throughout your journey, indulge in the culinary specialties of each country you visit. Browse the spice-laden markets of Bali, learn the secrets of making Chinese dumplings in Singapore, savor an array of flavors and textures during a Thai feast, and learn to make noodles in a Cambodian family home.

Limited to 24 Smithsonian Journeys guests.

Smithsonian Journeys Expert Sandra Cate (Oct.)–anthropologist and folklorist with expertise in Southeast Asia.

Discovering Vietnam

15 days from $5,497 Includes airfare, taxes, & all fees Oct. 19–Nov. 2, Nov. 27–Dec. 11, 2023 & Jan. 11–25, Feb. 17–Mar. 2, Oct. 17–31, Dec. 2–16, 2024

Against a backdrop of breathtaking beauty, Vietnam’s traditions endure, rewarding travelers with a glimpse of the past amid modern changes. Make your way from the delightful Old Quarter of Hanoi to villages of the lush Mekong Delta, where local farmers still sell their produce in floating markets. Explore history amid the World Heritage sites of Hue’s Imperial City and Hoi An, glide among otherworldly karst formations on Ha Long Bay, and get acquainted with the timeless rhythms of rural life on a visit to a farming village.

Highlights Include

Hanoi and Ha Long Bay: Discover historic Hanoi on a guided tour that includes the ancient Temple of Literature and the One-Pillar Pagoda as well as more recent sites such as the “Hanoi Hilton” prison. Then enjoy a full-day boat excursion on breathtaking Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage site known for its mystical karst cliffs and some 3,000 islands.

Da Nang and Hoi An: Delve into ancient Cham culture in Da Nang, and spend a full day exploring the World Heritage site of Hoi An, a beautifully preserved medieval trading port.

Hue: Experience the grandeur of the imperial Hue, cruising the Perfume River to the peaceful Thien Mu Pagoda, visiting the palatial and diverse tombs of the Nguyen emperors, and meeting with residents at a Buddhist nunnery.

Mekong River: Spend two days on the fabled Mekong, riding local boats along small tributaries and inlets to the bustling floating market at Cai Rang and to other traditional villages.

Ho Chi Minh City: On a city tour, visit Reunification Palace, kept as it was when Saigon fell in 1975, and learn about Vietnam’s cultural history and fine arts at the city’s renowned museums. Venture into the Cu Chi Tunnels, used by the Viet Cong during the war.

Cultural Experiences: Learn to prepare local dishes during a private cooking lesson, visit a farming settlement to get acquainted with everyday life in rural Vietnam, experience the sensory feast of a floating market, and sit down to lunch in the home of a local historian.

Limited to 24 Smithsonian Journeys guests.

Smithsonian Journeys Experts Sharon Ullman (Oct. 19)–historian. Dana Sachs (Jan.)–writer. Elvira Masson (Feb.)–professor of Asian history.

Journey Through New Zealand

From Auckland to Queenstown

16 days from $8,574 Includes airfare, taxes, & all fees

Oct. 19–Nov. 3, Nov. 9–24, 2023 & Feb. 22–Mar. 8, Mar. 28–Apr. 12, Oct. 17–Nov. 1, Nov. 7–22, 2024

Encounter bubbling volcanic landscapes and glaciers, rainforests and magnificent fjords on an unforgettable adventure through New Zealand’s North and South Islands. Get to know the local culture, meeting sheep farmers and winemakers and experiencing the traditions of the indigenous Maori people. Explore exciting cities from Auckland to Christchurch and encounter spectacular feats of nature as you make your way from the geothermal landscapes of the North Island to Doubtful Sound.

Highlights Include

Auckland and Rotorua: Cruise Auckland’s glittering harbor and browse a stunning collection of Maori and Polynesian artifacts at the Auckland Museum. Then travel to Rotorua to get acquainted with Maori culture during a traditional hangi feast and performance at Te Puai. Discover New Zealand’s biodiversity at Paradise Valley Springs and visit a kiwi rescue center.

Napier and Wellington: In seaside Napier, take a guided tour of one of the world’s most authentic Art Deco city centers. Then visit the acclaimed Te Papa National Museum and the Parliament House in Wellington and enjoy a free afternoon to discover this enchanting city on your own.

Christchurch and Queenstown: On the South Island, explore the “Garden City” of Christchurch, known for its innovative rebuilding after the devastating earthquake of 2011.

Natural Treasures of the South Island: Experience one of the world’s great rail journeys, riding the TranzAlpine train through the Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass. In Westland National Park, encounter the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier, take a walk through the Glacial Valley, and see rare kiwis at a wildlife center. Then set out on a full-day excursion to World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park and take an exhilarating, three-hour catamaran cruise on Doubtful Sound.

Wineries and Rural Life: Stop for a wine tasting and lunch at a renowned winery in the North Island’s Hawke’s Bay wine region. Meet local farmers at their sheep farm near Wellington for a sheepdog demonstration and a barbecue. In the Central Otago wine region near Queensland, visit the award-winning Gibbston Valley Vineyard for a private tour and tasting Limited to 24 Smithsonian Journeys guests.

Smithsonian Journeys Experts

Lori Blanc (Oct. 19)–expert in conservation biology and avian ecology. Carola Stearns (Feb.)–field geologist and geophysicist. Don Wilson (Mar.)–senior scientist and curator emeritus at Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum.