Tuesday 23rd September – Dubai, UAE – Kabul, Afghanistan

Morning

• We can assist with arranging your Afghan tourist visa collection in Dubai on Monday 23rd September, and we recommend booking and boarding Kam Air flight RQ902 departing from Dubai at 3:05am and arriving into Kabul at 6:15am.
• On arrival, meet our guides at the airport and be transferred to our guest house.
• Pre-tour meeting held at our guest house, you’ll have tea followed by a briefing with your guides. This includes local customs and laws. Please remember that during the tour your guides have the final say, this is for own and the groups safety.
• Your journey begins in Kabul where you’ll visit the Sakhi Shah-e Mardan Shrine – a well-known mosque, where Mohammed’s cloak is said to have been brought.

Afternoon

• We’ll have lunch at a local spot in Kabul, here’s a perfect way to people watch and embrace the adventure ahead.
• Once we’re ready we’ll continue to explore Kabul further by visiting Bibi Mahru Hill – many local residents come here to relax and pass time. The hill has an Olympic size swimming pool built by the Soviets, however during the war the site had a more sinister side to it where executions took place.
• Once we’re ready we’ll head to a local restaurant and try some popular local cuisines that Kabul has to offer – we recommend trying kabuli pulao.
• Overnight stay in Kabul.

Wednesday 24th September – Kabul – Herat

Morning

• Early morning start with breakfast at our guest house before our flight to Herat.
• On arrival, we’ll check into our hotel and start exploring the city, which was the heart of intellectual and artistic life in the Islamic world during the Timurid dynasty.
• We’ll visit the Great Mosque of Herat. This impressive bright coloured mosque has survived many foreign powers residing in the region.
• Afghanistan has a history of conflict: we’ll visit the Jihad Museum and learn about the past conflicts, which is important as the younger generations are unaware why the Afghans fought the Soviets.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Once we’re ready, we’ll visit the Gawhar Shad Mausoleum, more commonly known as the Tomb of Baysunghur. The royal tomb was built in the 15th century to act as the final resting place for family members of the Timurid dynasty.
• We’ll make the most of our time in Herat and continue exploring the old town.
• Afghanistan previously had major trade routes steaming from the Silk Road. Traders and travellers alike would often find refuge in Caravanserais, that were often located in rural areas. We’ll come and relax in Herats Caravanserai like those weary travellers back in the day.
• Dinner and overnight in Herat.

Thursday 25th September – Herat – Kandahar

Morning

• Breakfast at our hotel before we head out to explore more of Herat.
• We’ll visit the Musalla complex, where five Minarets are still standing. Unfortunately major parts of the complex were damaged or destroyed during the 1885 Panjdeh incident, as well as other wars and natural disasters.
• Next we’ll visit one of Afghanistan holiest sites, the Shrine of Khwaja Abd Allah, locally known as Gazur Gah. It is the final resting place for Abdullah Ansari who was a Muslim Sufi saint renowned for his poetic talents.
• Once we’ve explored Herat, we’ll start making our way to Kandahar. The road trip is pretty spectacular and we’ll make stops along the way.

Afternoon

• We’ll pass through small settlements and have lunch. It’s a great way to experience rural life in this region and interact with the local communities.
• We’ll arrival in Kandahar just before sunset, check in to our hotel and freshen up before we head out for dinner.
• Overnight stay in Kandahar.

Friday 26th September – Kandahar

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel before we head out to discover Kandahar, the second largest city in Afghanistan and the headquarters of the Taliban.
• Kandahar was originally called Alexandria in Arachosia when it was founded in 330BC by Alexander the Great. The best way to experience Kandahar is by exploring and learning about the history.
• Our tour will take us to the Forty Stairs. Known locally as Chil Zena, the site is important in history as Emperor Ashoka ruled this region from its citadel, with Nader Shah razing it.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local restaurant where we can try some Pashtun cuisine. We recommend trying Chapli kabab or Aushak (suitable for vegetarians).
• Next we’ll visit the Tomb of Ahmad Shah Durrani. This is the most significant monument in Kandahar as it’s the resting place for the father of Afghanistan.
• Another key player in the history of Afghanistan is Mirwais Hotak, regarded as the greatest national hero. We’ll visit his tomb and learn about his legacy.
• No trips to Kandahar is complete without visiting the local bazaar, where you can find locals trading textiles, fruits and tobacco.
• Dinner and overnight in Kandahar.

Saturday 27th September – Kandahar – Kabul

Morning

• Breakfast at our hotel before we catch our flight to Kabul.
• On arrival, we’ll check in to our hotel before heading out to explore this fascinating historical city.
• Morning tour of Kabul with us visiting the famous bird market, one of the oldest markets where you can purchase birds from $1 to $1000.

Afternoon

• Our local guide will take us to a restaurant located near the market for lunch.
• We’ll then head to Chicken Street,a unique place where you find interesting souvenirs. The area has a friendly relaxed atmosphere where you can interact with the local store owners.
• We’ll visit the OMAR Landmine Museum (Organization for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation). There are 51 various types of landmines on display as well as other military hardware.
• We’ll make one final stop at Bala Hissar to appreciate the view overlooking Kabul. The Fort has long complex history and even today you can find discard military wreckage here.
• Dinner and overnight in Kabul

Sunday 28th September – Kabul – Bamiyan

Morning

• After breakfast, we’ll start our 180km journey to Bamiyan (also referred to as Bamyan or Bamian). The road trip will take us north across the Shomali Plains, passing over the Shibar Pass (3285m). We’ll make stops along the way to pick up supplies, stretch our legs and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Afternoon

• We’ll have lunch along the journey.
• We’ll pass by the watershed of the Indus and Oxus River systems, where we can stop for a photo opportunity before finally reaching Bamiyan.
• A genuine highlight of our tour will be visiting the Buddhas of Bamiyan. Built approximately in the 6th-century, these magnificent statues were carved into the cliffs and outlasted many empires. Unfortunately, the statues were destroyed by the Taliban in March 2001.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Bamiyan.

Monday 29th September – Bamiyan

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel before we set off to discover one of the most unique regions in Afghanistan.
• We’ll take a walking tour through Bamiyan, this is the best way to experience the city and interact with the locals. Bamiyan is often referred to as the “Shining Light” and “Valley of Gods”. You’ll notice the local population of Hazara is quite different from other regions of Afghanistan we’ll visit. This is due to the remote isolation of Bamiyan.
• We’ll visit the bazaar. This is the perfect place to purchase local products and gifts but also a great place to capture some amazing photographs and experience what life is like for the local community.

Afternoon

• Lunch near the bazaar.
• We’ll take a short hike to a former Taliban lookout post to enjoy the vantage point.
• Located close by is the Valley of the Dragon, locally known as Dara Ajdahar. Legend has it that a dragon once took up residence here and fed on virgins and camels offered by terrified locals until it was slayed.
• We’ll take a short drive to the base of the Shahr-E-Golgola, also known as the “City of Screams”. When Genghis Khan sent out his grandson with an army to capture Bamiyan, the people bravely resisted and killed Genghis’s grandson. Genghis was enraged and besieged and destroyed Golgola in 1221. We’ll climb the remains of Shah-e Zohak, the red fort, where you can get an amazing view overlooking the valley.
• Dinner and overnight in Bamiyan.

Tuesday 30th September – Bamian – Band-e Amir

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel before we head out on a scenic drive to Band-e Amir.
• Once we arrive in Band-e Amir National Park, the first think you’ll notice is the high peaks of the Hindu Kush and the stunning turquoise lakes.
• You can enjoy the lake more by getting a swan shaped paddle boat for an additional fee.

Afternoon

• Lunch at Band-e Amir. There’s a few optional things to do such as riding a horse and play various funfair games. It’s always nice to support the local economy.
• Before we leave, we’ll take a walk along the lake where you can enjoy the landscape of the high peaks of the Hindu Kush.
• Dinner and overnight in Bamiyan

Wednesday 1st October – Bamian – Kabul

Morning

• After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll have an epic drive back to Kabul. This road trip is perfect to experience the majestic mountains and valleys of Afghanistan. We’ll make stops along the way.
• Once we arrive to Kabul, we’ll visit Darulaman Palace, the former residence of the Emir and King of Afghanistan, Amanullah Khan. The palace architecture is built in a European neoclassical style and was heavily damaged during the 1990s civil war. Thankfully it was fully restored to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Afghan independence.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll experience an oasis of tranquillity tucked away from the busy city life of Kabul. The garden was built to house the tomb of the founder and first Mughal emperor, Babur, who established his rule in present day India after his victory in first Battle of Panipat. Despite the significant influence Babur had on the Indian subcontinent, locals come here to relax and play in the park not realising who lays here.
• We’ll visit The National Museum of Afghanistan which is considered to be one of the finest despite many artefacts being destroyed and looted.
• For dinner we’ll find a nice spot in Kabul followed by some local ice-cream from street venders.
• Overnight stay in Kabul.

Thursday 2nd October – Kabul – Mazar-i-Sharif

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Group A members: tour concludes with airport transfers arranged. We recommend taking an early morning flight out of Kabul.
• Group B members: tour continue with a Kabul city tour and boarding an afternoon flight to Mazar-i-Sharif with our local guide.

Afternoon

• On arrival we’ll check in into our hotel and head out to Mazar-i-Sharif old town for dinner at a local restaurant.
• Overnight stay in Mazar-i-Sharif.

Friday 3rd October – Mazar-i-Sharif – Balkh

• Breakfast at our hotel before we set off to see the Blue Mosque, or Shrine of Hazrat Ali, the most famous building in Afghanistan. The mosque is located in the heart of Mazar-i-Sharif and is one of the reputed burial places of Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in law of Prophet Muhammad.
• Next we’ll explore Mazar bazaar. It is not only famous for producing beautifully crafted rugs in Afghanistan but also for behing the rug hub of all of Central Asia

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll drive to Balkh. Along the way, we’ll make a stop at the Shrine of Khwaja Abu Nasr Parsa. Constructed around 1598, the stunning complex features striking white Arabic writing amongst the blue tiles.
• We’ll visit Haji Piyada Mosque, also commonly known as Noh Gonbad Mosque. This 9^th century mosque is considered one of the earliest constructed in the region. Evidence suggests the mosque was built on top of Buddhist monastery.
• We’ll continue back to Mazar-i-Sharif making stops along the way.
• On our arrival we’ll head into the old town for dinner and see the spectacular blue mosque in a beautiful nightly setting.
• Overnight stay in Mazar-i-Sharif.

Saturday 4th October – Mazar-i-Sharif – Samangan – Kabul

• Breakfast at our hotel before we begin our epic road trip back to Kabul.
• We’ll make a stop at Tashkurgan. Dense and heavily populated with the local community, it’s known for trading sheep and wool.
• Our journey will lead us into deep ravines. We’ll drive through them and take the opportunity to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery.
• Next we’ll visit Zahir Shah, the last king of Afghanistan’s hunting lodge, used a summer palace.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll visit Takht-e Rostam, a Buddhist monastery with several cave complexes constructed in the 3rd-4th century AD. With the arrival of Islam into Afghanistan, the monastery had lost its purpose yet it’s still impressive.
• Our journey will take us through the Hindu Kush via the 3363m high Salang Tunnel, built by the Soviets from 1958 and opened in 1964. In 1979 the Soviets used it to transport their tanks over the Hindu Kush before the advance on Kabul. The tunnel has now been repaired and allows an easy crossing.
• On our arrival into Kabul we’ll, check into our hotel and freshen up before our farewell dinner.
• Overnight stay in Kabul.

Sunday 5th October– Kabul

• Breakfast at the hotel – tour concludes with airport transfers arranged.

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