A 10 day trip to the highlights of Afghanistan.
Starting and finishing in Kabul this trip visits Bamian in the Central Highlands of Afghanistan, home of the Buddha niches and the lakes of Band e Amir. We then cross to the North of the country to visit the ancient city of Balkh and the new city of Mazar e Sharif with its impressive and photogenic blue shrine of Hazrat Ali.
Finally, we visit the ancient Silk Road city of Herat, which contains the most complete set of historic buildings in the country and seen as the cultural capital of Afghanistan.
If the trip is in the winter we will try to watch some Buzkashi, the Afghan sport played on horseback with a dead goat as a ball. As this is only played on certain days of the week, the itinerary may be reversed.
Highlights:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Final morning in Afghanistan.
Transfer to airport.
End of trip.
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