Splendors of Australia and New Zealand

22 days from $11,284 / Includes airfare, taxes, & all fees

Oct. 28–Nov. 18, 2023 & Jan. 13–Feb. 3, Feb. 12–Mar. 4, Mar. 11–Apr. 1, Apr. 8–29, 2024

Explore a host of wonders across Australia and New Zealand—from the Great Barrier Reef to Milford Sound. Snorkel the world’s largest reef system and soar through Queensland’s rainforest canopy in a gondola. Experience the sacred monolith of Uluru as well as stunning Aoraki Mount Cook in New Zealand’s Southern Alps—and gain insights into the ancient cultures of Australian Aboriginal people and the Maori. Cruise the extraordinary Milford Sound, and delve into the dynamic cities of Sydney, Churchill, and Auckland. Along the way, encounter rare endemic wildlife and visit renowned wineries.

Highlights Include

Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef: Ride the historic Kuranda Railway through spectacular landscapes, and soar through the canopy of Queensland’s World Heritage-listed rainforests on the world’s longest gondola cableway. Gain insights about the Great Barrier Reef from a marine biologist, and see the reef up close as you swim, snorkel, or view it from a glass-bottomed boat.

Uluru and the Australian Outback: Watch the sun set over the sacred site of Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock). Savor a traditional “bush” dinner around a campfire under the southern constellations, and learn about the Walpiri Aboriginal people during a Dreamtime tour.

Sydney: Spend two full days exploring fascinating Sydney. Tour the iconic Sydney Opera House; enjoy a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour; and see koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and more at Featherdale Wildlife Park.

New Zealand’s South Island: In the stunning Southern Alps, visit sites associated with Sir Edmund Hillary, the first to summit Mount Cook’s south face. Take an afternoon cruise to breathtaking Milford Sound, and savor local wines at a renowned winery near Queenstown.

The North Island: In Rotorua, meet with members of the Maori community, and enjoy a traditional hangi dinner and a cultural performance. Witness geysers and other geothermal features, and venture into a glowworm cave. In Auckland, tour the War Memorial Museum, Auckland Harbour, and the America’s Cup Village.

Limited to 24 Smithsonian Journeys guests.

Smithsonian Journeys Expert Ed Smith (Apr.)–former biologist at the Smithsonian National Zoo.

More Ways to Explore Asia

Find details—including full itineraries, special savings, photos galleries, and more—for these and additional tours (and others!) in the Asia at SmithsonianJourneys.org.

Exploring Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia

17 days from $8,495

Oct. 4–20, 2023

Wedged between the Caspian and Black Seas, the less visited countries of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan showcase a wealth of cultural and historical treasures. Discover these special gems on this unique journey.

Timeless India

A Tailor-Made Journey handcrafted just for you.*

Suggested itinerary: 14 days from $3,900

Visit the sites of Delhi and the incomparable Taj Mahal, and then experience Rajasthan. Explore fabled cities from Jaipur to Udaipur, and step into world-renowned palaces, fortresses, and temples.

Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan

A Tailor-Made Journey handcrafted just for you.*

Suggested itinerary: 8 days from $4,995

Venture to the remote kingdom of Bhutan to discover Himalayan villages, historic monasteries and dzongs, and a rich culture that has remained largely unchanged over the centuries.

Thailand’s Enchanting Temples and Culinary Delights

A Tailor-Made Journey handcrafted just for you.*

Suggested itinerary: 12 days from $4,850

Experience the cultural traditions, cuisine, and natural beauty of Thailand as you discover Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

*Tailor-Made Journeys are private, customized experiences designed for you and your traveling companions. See pages 114–115 for more information.

Antarctica: The White Continent

Round-trip from Ushuaia Aboard the 244-guest Le Boreal A cruise offering from Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT

12 days from $12,950*

Includes round-trip air between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia and one hotel night in Buenos Aires

Feb. 25–Mar. 7, 2024

Venture to a magnificent realm of ice and intriguing wildlife on an unforgettable 12-day voyage to Antarctica. During the lingering light of the austral summer, encounter fantastically shaped icebergs, dramatic rocky promontories, and immense glaciers that rise hundreds of feet above the sea. Take walks on volcanic islands alive with seals, seabirds, and penguins, and set out by Zodiac to discover firsthand how a diverse array of marine wildlife flourishes in this seemingly harsh environment.

Highlights Include

Tierra del Fuego and the Beagle Channel: Fly to Ushuaia, Argentina and enjoy an excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Discover the park’s flora and sub-Antarctic landscapes with our guides, and with luck, encounter beavers, birds, wild orchids, and more. Embark the ship and set sail on the Beagle Channel, named after the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his South American voyages.

Exploring Antarctica: Cross the legendary Drake Passage en route to the outer shores and islands of the Antarctic Peninsula. Spend four days exploring this landscape, where abrupt mountains create precipitous coastlines and massive glaciers calve icebergs of all shapes and sizes. In this seemingly harsh environment, a vast array of wildlife flourishes, including millions of penguins and seabirds, as well as numerous species of seals and whales. Cruise past tabular icebergs that dwarf the ship, ice floes where Weddell seals loll, and icebergs that glow ethereal shades of turquoise. Along the way, learn about the history of Antarctic exploration, from Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated expedition to the ventures of explorers such as Jean-Baptiste Charcot and Adrien de Gerlache. Keep in mind that your course is dependent on weather, sea, and ice conditions. Every cruise is unique, and your seasoned captain and crew are expert at making the most of the conditions at hand.

Wildlife: At this time of year, we may get the chance to observe humpback and minke whales, pods of orcas, elephant and leopard seals, giant petrels, and great skuas. Go ashore on volcanic islands to walk among fur seals and gentoo and chinstrap penguins and their newly hatched chicks. Continue further south into the realm of ice, encountering playful Adélie penguins and unusual marine life.

Zodiac and Land Excursions: Embark on sturdy Zodiacs with expert naturalists for unforgettable excursions to islands, among ice floes and icebergs, and, conditions permitting, to the continent itself. During shore excursions, walk among wildlife on rugged islands and black-sand beaches, and witness how volcanic activity has played a pivotal role in Antarctica’s natural history. Learn about the work of scientists at a research station and hear tales of the whalers and spies who made their base here.

Add a two-night extension in Buenos Aires.

Limited to 200 Smithsonian Journeys guests.

*Pricing reflects a savings bonus, ranging from 5% to 30% based on availability at the time this catalog was printed. See our website for current pricing. Book early for the highest savings.

The Smithsonian Journeys/PONANT Experience

Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts and an included excursion or activity in each port of call. Our experts on this cruise are astrophysicist Richard Miller and Wayne Ranney, a geologist and writer.