This is a special Afghanistan group trip, organized and led by travel personality Lee Abbamonte in collaboration with Untamed Borders. Explore Afghanistan’s highlights, beginning and ending in Kabul. Discover the Buddha niches and stunning lakes of Bamian, the ancient city of Balkh, and Mazar-e-Sharif’s magnificent Blue Shrine. Conclude in Herat, Afghanistan’s cultural capital, renowned for its rich Silk Road heritage and remarkable historic architecture. This trip will be amazing!
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Cost: $3,450 per person
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Wednesday, April 7
Kabul – Arrive
Arrive in Kabul in the morning.
Transfer to hotel and briefing.
In the afternoon we explore the city with our local guide for an introduction to the country. This will include a visit to the blue tiled Sakhi shrine, as well as Babur’s Gardens, the last resting place of the first Mughal emperor. Finally we will take in a view of Kabul from the hills of Bibi Mahru.
Overnight in Kabul in hotel.
Day 2 Thursday, April 8
Kabul – Bamian
Drive to Bamian where we will look at the hillsides containing many caves in which monasteries and Buddhist carvings were once situated.
Overnight in Bamian at hotel.
Day 3 Friday, April 9
Bamian – Band e Amir – Bamian
Day trip to Band e Amir.
The lapis lazuli blue waters of Band-e-Amir are often the highlight of any trip to Afghanistan. Legend has it that the dams that separate the 5 lakes were made by Ali, the prophet Mohamed’s cousin and son-in-law. However, geologists insist they are natural dams made from mineral deposits. The lakes contrast to the stark landscape surrounding them only adds to the beauty of this area.
Overnight in Bamian at hotel.
Day 4 Saturday, April 10
Bamian – Mazar e Sharif
A very long, yet scenic days drive to Mazar e Sharif. This will include passing through the Tashkurgan gorge and a stop off at the Buddhist stupa at Samangan. Crossing the spine of the Hindu Kush through the 2km long, 3800m high Salang tunnel, built by Russia in the 1960s is the literal high point of the journey.
Overnight in Mazar e Sharif at hotel.
Day 5 Sunday, April 11
Mazar e Sharif and around
Full day in Mazar & Balkh.
You will have time to visit the majestic blue tiled tomb of Hazrat Ali, Afghanistan’s most important religious site. You will spend part of the day visiting the ancient Silk Road city of Balkh, called Bactria to the Greeks. Bactria was the birthplace of Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism as well as Rumi the legendary Persian poet. Legacy of its Islamic and Buddhist past can be found in the stupas at the entrance to the town, at the blue tiled shrine of Khoja Parsa and at the oldest mosque in Afghanistan, the 9th century No Gombad mosque. Fridays between November and mid-March are when Buzkashi is played in Mazar e Sharif, so we hope to watch a game if the trip is during these months.
Overnight in Mazar e Sharif at hotel.
Day 6 Monday, April 12
Mazar e Sharif – Kabul
Fly from Mazar e Sharif to Kabul.
Depending on the flight time we will either visit some more of Mazar e Sharif before the flight OR visit some more of Kabul on arrival.
Overnight in Kabul at hotel.
Day 7 Tuesday, April 13
Kabul – Herat
Fly from Kabul to Herat in the morning.
Once in Herat we will begin exploring Afghanistan’s city of culture. Exact sites depend on the time of arrival.
Overnight in Herat at hotel.
Day 8 Wednesday, April 14
Herat
Full day in Herat.
Herat has the largest collection of ancient buildings in Afghanistan, and we will take a full day to continue to explore the city and its surroundings. Highlights include the Friday Mosque, the citadel, the Tomb of Gowar Shad, the Masullah Complex and the atmospheric shrine of Khoja Ansari at Gazar Gah.
Overnight in Herat at hotel.
Day 9 Thursday, April 15
Herat – Kabul
Fly from Herat to Kabul.
Once in Kabul we will visit more places of interest in the city. This will include a walk through the old city including the Koh Faroshi bird market.
Overnight in Kabul at hotel.
Day 10 Friday, April 16
Kabul – End
Transfer to airport.
End of trip.
Inclusions & Exclusions
The trip includes:
All accommodation
Breakfast
Transport/transfers
Guiding
Three domestic flight (Mazar e Sharif – Kabul / Kabul – Herat / Herat – Kabul)
Visa support
Entrance fees
The trip does not include:
Any necessary visas
Insurance
International flights
Lunch & Dinner
Drinks
Tips
Cost:
• Tour Package: $3,450.00 Per Person
• Single Supplement: $400.00 Per Single Supplement
To reserve a place on this trip we need a deposit of US$400 per person
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General Information
Flights:
We do not directly arrange international flights to Afghanistan. We can suggest routes and operators.
Visas:
We do not arrange Afghanistan visas directly. We will provide visa support.
Food:
With the exception of breakfast, meals are not included as part of the trip. In our experience people
sometimes want to eat different things, in different places, at different times. We know some great
places and will happily show you some of our favourite restaurants and tea houses. Some are
luxurious, some are earthier, but all have character. However, we do not pretend to be the arbiters of
good taste and are equally happy for you to go off and find your own favourites.
Accommodation:
We do not and cannot offer a uniform accommodation standard on our itineraries. We consider
comfort, location, design, character, historical interest and whether the money we spend will go into
the pockets of the local community when we make our choices of where to stay.
The accommodation will be based on twin sharing.
Optional Single Supplement is available upon request.
Transport:
In Afghanistan we take at least 2 vehicles when driving between towns if there is a big group, for
safety reasons. If there is a breakdown, we will not be left stranded. When we choose our vehicles and
drivers we take into consideration the road conditions, the length of journey and the competence of
the man behind the wheel (not a laughing matter in a country that should be the setting for a live
action version of the Wacky Races). Your comfort and enjoyment of the journey is the top priority.
Guides:
On this trip you will be accompanied by an experienced local English-speaking guide throughout this
tour.
Insurance:
A valid travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate in any Untamed Borders trips.
Security:
Trips to Afghanistan do create dangers all of their own and whilst we want you to have as much
freedom as possible, we must state that the tour leader has the final word with regards to changes in
the itinerary for safety reasons. Whilst the route we have chosen passes through areas that we
consider to be stable things can change and we may have to alter the route or cancel sections of the
trip at short notice.
If there is an extra expense incurred due to the change of itinerary, then you may be asked to bear
part of that cost. For example, if we have to fly between cities rather than drive, this may occur an
additional cost.
If you have any questions about this trip or about Afghanistan in general, please contact us.
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