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. 13–29, Sept. 27–Oct. 13, Oct. 11–27, 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

Richard Hoagland (Apr. 26) and Pamela Spratlen (Oct. 11)–former diplomats. Paula Swart (Sept. 13)–art historian. Adam Tanner (Sept. 27)–journalist.

Journey Through New Zealand

From Auckland to Queenstown

16 days from $8,374

Includes airfare, taxes, & all fees

Oct. 19–Nov. 3, Nov. 9–24, 2023 & Feb. 22–Mar. 8, Mar. 28–Apr. 12, 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. Experience glowworm caves and geothermal wonders, and visit a kiwi rescue center at Rainbow Springs Nature Park.

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.

Splendors of Australia and New Zealand

22 days from $11,084 / Includes airfare, taxes, & all fees

Sept. 23–Oct. 14, 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

Visit our website for the expert on this tour.