
Melons & Grapes Grand Afghan Tour
Each autumn we run a trip to Afghanistan and we think it’s the perfect time to visit, and all because of the fruit. How can land that appears to be made entirely of bare rock produce melons as large as beach balls and grapes bursting with juice? This trip includes the best of Afghanistan and as much fresh fruit as you can eat.
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Reviews 1 Review5/5
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Activity Level Moderate
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Group Size Small Group
Each autumn we run a trip to Afghanistan and we think it’s the perfect time to visit, and all because of the fruit. How can land that appears to be made entirely of bare rock produce melons as large as beach balls and grapes bursting with juice? This trip includes the best of Afghanistan and as much fresh fruit as you can eat.
We start in Kabul then cross the Hindu Kush through the Salang Pass. In Mazar-e-Sharif, we visit the blue-tiled shrine of Hazrat Ali and the nearby remains of the Silk Road city of Balkh. Then we move on to Bamian for three days exploring the valleys, the Buddha niches and the Band-e Amir lakes. It’s an area where we can safely experience what life is like in rural Afghanistan. Finally, we take a short flight to Herat, the most architecturally complete city in Afghanistan.
Highlights:
- Discover the remains of the Buddhas of Bamian
- Explore Herat
- Visit the Shrine of Ali in Mazar e Sharif
- See the lakes at Band e Amir
Start Point: Kabul, Afghanistan
End Point: Kabul, Afghanistan
Maximum number of people: 8
Cost: US$4450
Deposit: We require a US$400 deposit to join this tour.
- All accommodation
- Breakfast
- Transport/transfers
- Guiding
- 6 internal flights within Afghanistan (Kabul-Herat/Herat-Kabul, Kabul-Bamian/Bamian-Kabul, Kabul-Mazar/Mazar-Kabul)
- Any necessary visas
- Insurance
- Flights to Afghanistan
- Entrance fees
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
- Tips
- Any additional flights needed in Afghanistan that may be necessary due to security concerns.
- Day 1 Arrive - Kabul
- Day 2 Kabul - Mazar e Sharif
- Day 3 Mazar e Sharif - visit Balkh
- Day 4 Mazar e Sharif – Samangan – Mazar e Sharif
- Day 5 Mazar e Sharif - Kabul
- Day 6 Kabul - Panjshir
- Day 7 Kabul - Herat
- Day 8 Herat
- Day 9 Herat - Kabul
- Day 10 Kabul - Bamian
- Days 11-13 Bamian and around
- Day 14 Bamian - Kabul
- Day 15 Kabul - End



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 is based on two people sharing.
An optional single supplement is US$500 per person.
- All accommodation
- Breakfast
- Transport/transfers
- Guiding
- 6 internal flights within Afghanistan (Kabul-Herat/Herat-Kabul, Kabul-Bamian/Bamian-Kabul, Kabul-Mazar/Mazar-Kabul)
- Any necessary visas
- Insurance
- Flights to Afghanistan
- Entrance fees
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
- Tips
- Any additional flights needed in Afghanistan that may be necessary due to security concerns.
We do not directly arrange international flights to Afghanistan. We can suggest routes and operators.
You can also contact the Untamed Borders dedicated team at Flight Centre for suggested routes.
Mail: untamedborders@rtwexperts.co.uk
Phone: +44(0) 844 560 9966
We do not arrange Afghanistan visas directly. We will provide visa support in the form of letters of invitation to assist in your Afghanistan visa application.
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 also 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.
In Afghanistan, we take at least two 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 the journey, and the competence of the man behind the wheel. In a country that should be the setting for a live-action version of the Wacky Races, it’s a matter we take seriously. Your comfort and enjoyment of the journey is our top priority.
Two Untamed Borders team leaders accompany you on this trip. This allows for greater security. It also means there will always be someone on hand to help or assist you, even if the other team leader is busy arranging something.
Sometimes we also hire local guides. If we are a large group, we may wish to split into smaller groups for city tours to allow greater flexibility and keep a lower profile. An additional local guide will enable us to do that.
Trips to Afghanistan create dangers all of their own. While we want you to have as much freedom as possible, we must state that the leader has the final word in regards to changing the itinerary for safety-related reasons. The route we have chosen passes through areas that we consider to be stable. However, we may have to alter the route or cancel sections of the trip at short notice if things change.
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.
Package Confirmed Dates | Trip Status Trip Status | Price (PP) Excluding Flights | Price (PP) Including Flights | |
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September 12, 2021 - September 26, 2020
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Available to Book
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$4,450
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$0
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I was dreaming of going to Afghanistan for 18 years. As a former art historian and passionate traveller, I had to come here. But due to safety reasons, I was waiting for the „right“ time. Well, in the end only you know when ist the right time despite the danger. I heard of Untamed Borders trough a German TV journalist who travelled with them to Somalia and Afghanistan and did a documentary about it called „Uncovered“. Since that time I followed Untamed Borders on Social Media and was convinced to go with them. And it turned out it was one oft he best trips of my life. Though I am not much of a group traveller. In fact, it was my first group tour, but the group was small and the people likeminded and well-travelled. Our guides Gul and Ana were fantastic company and great fun too. I felt safe most oft he time, a little uneasy when stuck in the traffic in Kabul but our driver Kaka „Smile“ distracted me easy with his try to learn English. Alishah („Where The Light Shines“ 2019) was our guide in Bamiyan and Band-E-Amir and his tender way to speak about his country warmed my heart. Thank you Untamed Borders for this unforgettable trip.