The Most up-to-date and Reliable Afghanistan Travel Guide – 2022 UPDATE

**2022 UPDATE – In August 2021, the Taliban insurgent group took over Afghanistan once again and is now running the government. This has led to even larger instability and a deeper economic crisis. Street crime has become a large and worrying issue and the terrorist group known as ISI-K has been carrying out attacks all over the country. Travellers are highly recommended to only seek advice and information from reliable sources or trustworthy locals should they want to visit Afghanistan in this particular moment of history. We strongly suggest you postpone your travel plans to better times as now it’s far too dangerous for tourists of every nationality.

Even though still a war zone, always more people have been wondering and inquiring about how to travel to Afghanistan. After our experience of travelling and living there, we wrote the most complete and reliable Afghanistan travel guide you can find online.

In this article, we strive to make it as easy as possible to plan such a difficult trip. We included tips on how to get to Afghanistan, Afghan visa requirements, what to pack for Afghanistan, important security measures, and when is the best time to book your flights to Afghanistan. Unlike occasional travellers to Afghanistan who don’t keep track and/or underestimate the danger of the situation, we are able to share more reliable information as my husband is an Afghan, lived there all his life and his family still lives in Herat. We regularly update the article with new developments on sensitive political happenings as well as safety and security issues.

Overview of our up-to-date Afghanistan travel guide:

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    Afghanistan tourism, is it even possible?

    On April 19th 2017, the then Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani, designated the Ministry of Tourism for the first time after decades, giving hope that the local government is finally making plans to work on Afghanistan tourism industry.

    Admittedly, it did come as a surprise when so many people started showing curiosity about Afghanistan and are longing to visit despite the lack of security and the many historical sites that were destroyed in the last few decades of an ongoing war. If you are one of those curious people interested in visiting this country and want to know how to plan a trip to Afghanistan, keep reading this article as we will cover pretty much everything you need to know.

    Unlike other countries you might have visited, the majority of Afghans are very conservative. They are the people who invented the Burqa, after all (the blue sack with little, thin bars to see the world through it that women started wearing a long time ago). Before I went to Afghanistan, I thought it was going to be similar to Iran at least in what concerned the dress code, but I quickly realised I was very wrong: Afghans are way more conservative. I had to buy different clothes to become invisible otherwise they stared at me as if I was an alien, and since I was going to live there for a few months I felt neither comfortable nor safe to attract so much attention as a foreigner.  I went to one of the markets in Herat and bought a long Afghan tunic and a chador. The next day we went out and I felt completely invisible, no one noticed I was there.

    Travelling to Afghanistan is no easy choice to make, and admittedly also not an easy trip to plan. This is why here we are providing you with as much information as we can.

    READ MORE about the many mistakes I made while travelling in Afghanistan!

    Travel to Afghanistan, Herat
    Qala Ikhtyaruddin in Herat among the things to see in Afghanistan

    Where is Afghanistan located?

    Afghanistan, 652.000 square kilometres in size and with a population of 30 million, is located in Asia. It has 2400 kilometres border with Pakistan, 930 kilometres border with Iran, 744 kilometres with Turkmenistan, 137 kilometres with Uzbekistan, 1200 kilometres with Tajikistan and 75 kilometres with China. The geographical position where Afghanistan is located is one of the main reasons why it has been constantly invaded and occupied throughout history.

    Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces and has much to see, but due to the lack of security, there are only 6 provinces relatively safe for tourists. However, even within these six provinces, not everywhere is safe as Taliban and other armed groups are active, at present controlling some 60 percent of the whole country. This Afghanistan travel guide aims at giving you the information required for visiting those places we consider relatively “safe”.

    Religion of Afghans

    In Afghanistan, the main religion is Islam. With 99 percent of followers, 70 percent are Sunni and 25 percent Shia, while the remaining one percent are followers of other religions (Sikh).

    So, the official religion in Afghanistan is Sunni (Hanafi). The majority of Shias are from the Hazara tribe and they live mainly in central Afghanistan, in provinces such as Bamiyan, Daikondi (also spelled Daykundi), Ghor and Ghazni. Throughout history, Hazaras proved to be the most peaceful tribe in Afghanistan, even though constantly persecuted.

    Is it safe to travel to Afghanistan?

    Not really, the country is still a war zone and got worse in the last two years since the foreign troops pulled out and Khorasan branch of ISIS announced its presence in the country. Although, if you take proper security precautions, you will be able to travel to a few provinces. Read on to see where is safe in Afghanistan to visit.

    I have also been asked if Afghanistan is safe for solo female travellers. When I asked my husband he almost choked on his tea. His answer is a big, fat NO. We don’t recommend solo female travellers to travel to Afghanistan for safety reasons. It’s a male-oriented country and without a man, everything is harder. So, if you have the heart to visit the country, go with a male friend.

    READ MORE: Check out our post entirely devoted to the security situation in Afghanistan including tips to travel safely.

    Flights to Afghanistan

    There are many airlines that provide flights to Afghanistan in different solutions. From Europe and the US, you won’t find direct flights, and you will always have a stopover in hubs such as Istanbul, Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi. Some cheap flights to Afghanistan with companies such as Pegasus and FlyDubai, but usually with long layovers that will make the whole journey some 20-30 hours long. Turkish Airlines, too, travel to Afghanistan, providing shorter and more expensive flights.

    Click on Kiwi comparison website for all the solutions and latest prices with the different airlines that provide flights to Afghanistan.

    How to get to Afghanistan

    Travel to Afghanistan, your options by land (for security reasons, we recommend NONE of them)

    1. From Uzbekistan to Hayratan, Mazar Sharif
    2. From Tajikistan to Shir Khan port in Kunduz Province and to Ishkashim port town to visit the Wakhan Corridor in Badakhshan Province. Once you arrive in Ishkashim town, you need a hand-written permit in addition to your Afghan visa to get to the Wakhan Corridor.
    3. From Turkmenistan to Tourghondi port in Herat Province and Aqina port in Faryab Province
    4. From Iran to Islam Qala port in Herat Province and to Zaranje port in Nimrooz Province
    5. From Pakistan to Turkham port in Nangarhar Province, Espin Boldak port in Kandahar Province and Gholam Khan port in Khost Province.

    Travel to Afghanistan, your options by air (recommended)

    There are international airports in a few Afghan cities, and this is the safest way to arrive in the country.

    The flights to Afghanistan usually land in:

    1. Kabul airport
    2. Herat airport (now mainly from Iran and with Afghan and Iranian airlines)
    3. Mazar-e-Sharif airport
    4. Kandahar airport

    As you can see there are many ways to travel to Afghanistan, both by land and air. What option you choose depends on where you are and where in Afghanistan you want to visit. For example, if you want to visit the Wakhan Corridor in Badakhshan, you can only enter from Tajikistan by land because there is no airport and the road from Kabul, Mazar Sharif or Kunduz is currently too dangerous, as the Taliban often establish their checkpoints and ask for everyone’s papers and check the passengers in search for government officials or security forces. For obvious reasons, foreigners would be at great risk.

    Herat Province has a border with Iran at 110 kilometres west of Herat City and one with Turkmenistan, 110 kilometres north of the city. Balkh Province has a border with Uzbekistan connected with a bridge 80 kilometres north of Mazar-e-Sharif City. The borders of these two provinces are relatively safer and you have the options to enter Afghanistan through them, even though, as mentioned before, we don’t recommend arriving by land as some merchants were kidnapped on the highways and sometimes Taliban establish checkpoints on the main roads.

    On arrival at Afghanistan airports, you need two photos, passport size. They will issue you an arrival/immigration card and you are due to carry it with you while in Afghanistan. Keep it until you leave the Afghan soil as they will ask for it when you leave the country.

    How to apply for Afghan visa

    2022 UPDATE – The below information on how to apply for an Afghan visa date back to before the Taliban took over the country. Right now, even though months have passed, Afghan embassies around the world are still not recognizing the Taliban central government nor they are in touch with their officials. Because of this situation, they are not issuing any visas and we don’t think the invitation letter system is still valid. Moreover, as the Taliban have started to kidnap foreigners once again, we donìt think it’s safe for a local to write an invitation letter for foreign tourists.

    Travel to Afghanistan, how to apply for Afghan visa

    Like for every other country, you need to apply for a visa if you want to visit Afghanistan.

    Kabul airport issues visas on arrival but ONLY to those who are officially invited by companies, or officials of other countries, but not tourists. To receive an Afghan tourist visa you first need to fill out the form that can be found on the Afghan foreign ministry and Afghan embassies websites.

    Keep in mind that for tourists they can only issue a one-month visa but this can be extended up to three months in Afghanistan at the Interior Ministry office in Kabul or at police headquarters at the main cities of other provinces.

    If you are not sure about the process and still have questions, contact the embassy directly, I found them very friendly and helpful.

    Afghan visa requirements

    To get your Afghan visa, these are the documents you need to take to the embassy:

    • Visa form to fill out, you can download it from the website of the Afghan embassy you are referring to
    • Passport with validity of at least 6 months
    • Two passport-size photos taken against a white background
    • Copy of your national ID
    • Visa fee. An Afghan tourist visa usually costs 100€ but prices vary depending on your nationality and country you are applying from.

    Sometimes they ask for an invitation letter. If you need one, let us know and we will put you in touch with someone who can help. From the date of the visa issue, you have 3 months to enter the country with the visa.

    What to pack for Afghanistan: Our tips for a basic Afghanistan packing list

    Mosquito repellent and mosquito net. I don’t believe you are going to need vaccines but it’s a good idea to carry a mosquito repellent and a mosquito net with you to prevent unwanted surprises. They are easy to use and come in handy especially in summer and fall.

    Water purifier. If you need to drink tap water, we strongly recommend you use a water purifier because the well water is not drinkable in many provinces due to digging a big number of toilet and wastewater wells too close that they contaminate each other. Drink only bottled water from shops, not from the street vendors. If you really can’t avoid drinking tap water, use a water purifier.

    Comfortable shoes. Infrastructure and roads are really bad, streets are dusty and dirty, so if you decide to travel to Afghanistan, we recommend you forget about elegance and fashion and pack a pair of covered comfortable shoes (preferably runners).

    Modest clothes. Women who travel to Afghanistan need to wear a long manto/tunic and a chador. A tunic like this one will do in pretty much every city, while in Herat to attract less attention a chador might be needed, you will decide by yourself if you feel uncomfortable. If you can’t find it in your country, you can buy one in any major Afghan city, but still, make sure you arrive with some pretty modest/conservative clothes otherwise you will be very easy to spot. Women also need a shawl or scarf to cover the head.

    READ MORE: Check out my experiences of travelling and living in Afghanistan as a Western woman.

    Sunscreen. Sunblock is very much needed when traveling to Afghanistan, from spring to fall as it is very sunny and dry in most regions. Last year I was there end of the summer and fall and the sun was very strong, in Italy I don’t really use much sunscreen, but for Afghanistan I would even suggest a sunblock with SPF 50.

    Hydrating lotion. Afghanistan is not connected with any sea or ocean and is mainly mountainous and located at a very high altitude, so the weather is extremely dry. I knew it so I brought my hydrating lotion but after a couple of months there, I looked some 50 years older. OK, maybe that’s an overstatement, but it did take me quite a few weeks to get back to my original skin texture. Since during the day you are wearing the sunscreen, I suggest a rich and nourishing night cream.

    Universal power plug adapter and the voltage converter. In Afghanistan, the power sockets used are type C and F and the standard voltage is 220. So, when you travel to Afghanistan we recommend you have a universal power adapter and a voltage converter.

    Activated charcoal. In Afghanistan, if you are a little careful of what and where you eat, you are going to be fine and won’t have to spend hours vomiting your guts, unlike some other countries I have been to. Although, we still recommend you carry some activated charcoal with you as it can help with nausea and food poisoning.

    English-Farsi/Dari travel phrase book. It’s not easy to find someone who can speak English and that is why we recommend this handy Farsi (Persian) Phrasebook & Dictionary with useful practical expressions to anyone who plans to travel to Afghanistan.

    READ MORE: Our complete list of what to pack for Afghanistan

    What language do they speak in Afghanistan?

    In Afghanistan, there are many tribes, and each of them has its own language, although Tajiks and Pashtuns are the biggest ethnic groups. Pashtuns speak Pashtu and Tajiks speak Farsi/Dari but what makes Farsi the most spoken language in the country is that except for some Pashtuns the rest of the tribes such as Hazara, Uzbeki, Turkmani, etc. speak Farsi. Not many can speak English which is why among the tips on how to plan a trip to Afghanistan, learning some practical Farsi phrases and carrying a little English Farsi travel book is important.

    READ MORE: Check out the articles we wrote with Farsi tips:
    How to ask for directions in Farsi language
    Here are some useful tips in Farsi language when ordering food

    Afghan traditional clothes

    Afghani dress for women can vary both in price and style. It depends on many factors, including which tribe the Afghani dress you choose belongs to. Afghan clothes for men are quite the same for all the tribes and can be bought already made or can be ordered from a tailor for your exact size. It takes a day or two before it’s ready, both the fabric and the tailor fee can cost around 15$ and usually the tailor sells also the fabric.

    We recommend Shahr Now in Herat City for Afghan clothes gift shopping, you will find Afghan clothes and a pakol, typical Afghan hat. It’s something to consider as a gift or for yourself when you are in Afghanistan. After all, you don’t know when is the next time you will travel to Afghanistan.

    What is the Afghan currency?

    That is a very common question and I’m sure you won’t forget the Afghan currency.

    The Afghan currency is the AFGHANI. 1 US$ converts into 96 Afghani, while 1 Euro is 109 Afghani (UPDATE November 2021).

    I recommend you don’t carry too much cash as your ATM cards work in Afghanistan and you can withdraw 250$ per day from the ATM with a fee of 4 US $. If you need to exchange your Dollars for Afghani, you can do it at the airport when you land and in the bigger cities. In the city centre of all provinces, you will see the boys holding money and phone charges. Usually, they give a good exchange rate, but it’s best if you go with some local contacts.

    Cash is the only way to pay in Afghanistan as shops don’t have a POS, so you can’t use your bank card.

    Best time to visit Afghanistan

    Travel to Afghanistan

    Afghanistan is a mountainous dry and windy country and has four seasons. Winters are very cold while summers are hot and dry. Lack of proper electricity and gas infrastructure makes cold winters and hot summers pretty unbearable. On top of that, women need to cover quite a lot, so in summer this becomes even harder.

    This is why we recommend you visit Afghanistan in spring and fall when both the worst cold and heat are over.

    From March to June (spring), the weather can range from 10 to 35 degrees Celsius.
    In summer the weather in Afghanistan can be 35-45 degrees °C.
    From September to December (fall), temperatures go from 10 degrees °C to 30 degrees Celsius.
    In winter the weather in Afghanistan often goes below zero, some -5 to -15 degrees °C.

    The weather is harsh in most parts of Afghanistan and this is one of the reasons why Afghans age quickly.

    READ MORE: Check out our tips on the dos and don’ts of travelling in Afghanistan.

    Internet and Sim Cards in Afghanistan

    When you travel to Afghanistan, you might want to use a local Sim card for both calls and internet, instead of paying extra international roaming charge.

    In Afghanistan, there are five main companies providing Sim cards and 3G internet throughout the country: Etisalat, Roshan, Afghan Wireless, MTN, and Salam.

    Sim cards are sold registered everywhere for as little as 60-100 Afs. If you are two people, we recommend an Etisalat and a Roshan because in places where one doesn’t work the other one does.

    The prices for 3G internet

    10 GBs of internet are 1100 Afghani;
    3 GBs of internet, 600 Afs;
    1 GB of internet, 275 Afs.

    All the mentioned internet packages have one-month validation date. To make a call inside the country you will be charged 2-5 Afs per minute depending on which companies you are calling to. International calls are some 10-15 Afs unless you activate one of the international call offers.

    You can find more information on www.roshan.af. and www.etisalat.af websites.

    The Afghan government collects taxes from the citizens through phone Sim cards and automatically cuts 10% off the amount you add to the Sim. For example, if you top up 50 Afs, 5 Afs (10%) goes to the government, so you get only 45 Afs credit on your phone.

    Where to buy Sim Card and top-up scratch cards

    You can buy your Sim card either in the waiting hall of Kabul Airport before to the Taxi station or in the city from many street vendors. Already registered Sim cards cost 50-100 Afs.

    Roshan customer service number is 333 and you will be asked to choose your preferred language (Farsi, Pashtu, and English).

    Etisalat Customer service number is 888 and you will be asked to choose your preferred language (Farsi, Pashtu, and English). Press 3 for English.

    Privacy and safety, protect your data

    When you are out and away from home, you will use public WiFi, be it in hotels, bars or restaurants and that is why it’s important to keep your data safe from hackers. You can do so with a good anti-virus and VPN that encrypt your connections and keep valuable information such as passwords, bank account details and credit card info safe. Click here to find out the latest prices and information about VPN

    Places to visit in Afghanistan:

    With thousands of years of history, Afghanistan is rich in places to visit. A former region of the Persian empire and important stop along the silk roads, here are caravanserais, ancient bazaars, citadels and forts, palaces, royal gardens and obviously a stunning mountainous landscape.

    Unfortunately, nearly four decades of uninterrupted war caused the destruction of many places, or even those that are still there can’t be accessed because either in areas still heavily controlled by Taliban and other armed groups, or turned into military posts by the Afghan Army.

    Here we mention the places that are still safe to visit in Afghanistan. For some, we suggest you go with a local. If you don’t know one and need a reliable and trustworthy English-speaking guide, contact us and we will give you their details privately.

    What to visit in Kabul, Afghanistan

    One of the cities where you can sense the war the most is Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital. Yet, this may be the reason why it’s impossible to travel to Afghanistan and not visit it.

    The Garden of Babur. “Bagh-e-Baburباغ بابر” was built in the 16th century and is the resting place of the Mughal emperor Babur. Many Kabul residents come to this park with their families to picnic under the shades of trees and on the greenery or for the afternoon tea.
    Entrance admission fee: 150 Afghani
    Cameras: Allowed, 100 extra Afghani admission fee
    Timings: Every day from morning to evening, mornings are recommended
    How to get there. By taxi, the fare is 150-200 Afghani from Shahr-e Now.

    Travel to Afghanistan, street vendor of dried figs in Kabul
    Street vendor of dried figs in Kabul, Afghanistan

    Koche-e-kah froshi “کوچه کاه فروشی کابل”. Literally, it means straw selling alley, even though there is hardly any shop selling such goods. Instead, all shops are full of beautiful birds sadly in cages. It is one of the historical allies of Kabul city connected to Nadir Pashtun Road.
    Timings. Visit weekdays, on weekends (Fridays) most shops are closed.
    How to get there. By taxi, the fare is 100-150 from Shahr-e Now.

    Note: If you visit this place, make sure you don’t show any money nor expensive photography gears as there are pickpockets.

    Chicken Street. “کوچه مرغ ها” also known as the antique selling street “کوچه انتیک فروش ی”. It is a relatively safe area located in the heart of Kabul where you will probably end up staying in a hotel (Shahr-e Now). The street is packed with Afghan handmade rugs, some traditional jewelry, gems, and stones. To spoil yourself with some Afghan jewelry and stones such as Lapis Lazuli, you can totally visit Chicken Street.
    How to get there. If you are in Shahr-e Now, you can walk there, one end of the Chicken Street is right across the Gul Frooshi Road (Flower Street) and the other end is connected to the Ministry of Interior.

    Note: Use your bargaining skills, cut their initial price in half or even less, walk away and they will call you. You can always come back with a slightly higher price and will be able to buy it. I was able to buy a full set of beautiful blue Afghan Lapis Lazuli for 200 USD although I was initially told 300 USD.

    Darul Aman Palace “قصر دارال امان”. It’s under renovation and it was planned to be fully restored by 2019. For now, there is nothing but a ruined war-torn palace to see, hopefully, more to see soon.
    How to get there. By taxi, the fare is about 250 Afghani from Shahr-e Now.

    Travel to Afghanistan, the Paghman Valley
    Paghman Valley near Kabul, Afghanistan

    Paghman Valley “دره پغمان”. It’s located in Paghman District, some 25 kilometers from Shahr-e Now Kabul. Paghman valley is considered one of the major picnic spots for residents of Kabul and it gets pretty packed during weekends. The famous picture of Afghan women in mini-skirt in the 70s was taken right there in Paghman Garden. You can visit the Paghman Valley in the morning, and for lunch stop at Qargha Dam on your way back to Kabul.
    How to get there. You need to go by taxi, the fare is around 400-500 Afghani from Shahr-e-Now.

    Qargha Dam “بند قرغه”. Leave Paghman Valley early and on your way back to Kabul city stop at Qargha Dam. It’s a nice big lake where mostly people from Kabul come on the weekend with their families. There are nice restaurants both to eat and relax. Try Spozhmai Restaurant, it’s the best in the area.

    Where to eat and drink in Kabul

    Shahr-e Now in Kabul is your best option for finding different food than just rice and meat. There are many restaurants but we didn’t try them all which is why we recommend the four we tried. They are all on the same street and only in 2-5 minutes walking distance from each other.

    Herat restaurant “هرات رستورانت”, the food is traditional Afghan and lovely, even though not many options are offered. Prices are good and it has a beautiful outdoor area with benches to have your meal and smoke a hookah.
    Address: Shahr-e-Now, on Sulh Road, 300 meters from Haji Yaghoob intersection “چهار راهی حاجی یعقوب” toward Park Shahr-e-Now.

    Barg Continental restaurant “رستوانت برگ کانتیننتل”. Here the food is delicious and there are many options, we tried both their buffet and normal menu and both were good. The buffet is 10 USD/650 Afghani per person.
    Address: Shahr-e Now, Sulh Road, 500 meters from Haji Yaghoob intersection “چهار راهی حاجی یعقوب” toward Park Shahr-e Now.

    Turkish Family Restaurant and Cafe. Located on the top floor of Majeed Mall, it serves both buffet and normal à la carte menu, and obviously tea and coffee. We found it a bit overpriced for their portions and quality. They have free WIFI.
    Address: Shahr-e Now, Sulh Road, 700 meters from Haji Yaghoob intersection “چهار راهی حاجی یعقوب” toward Park Shahr-e Now.

    Slice Bakery: For coffee, espresso and other types of warm drinks and delicious pastries head to Slice Bakery, a westernized coffee shop with English speaking staff and really tasty.
    Address: Shahr-e Now, Sulh Road, 650 meters from Haji Yaghoob intersection “چهار راهی حاجی یعقوب” toward Park Shahr-e Now.

    Khyber Shinwari: If you want fresh lamb or goat, by all means, go there. You can order which part of the animal you want, they will cut and cook it for you while you sit and have a glass of tea. A kilo of cooked meat with fresh bread and tea is 500 Afghani.
    Address: Shahr-e Now, Shinwari Street, 30 meters from Haji Yaghoob intersection “چهار راهی حاجی یعقوب” toward Park Shahr-e Now.

    Boolani snacks: You can find the best pumpkin and potato boolani in many bread bakery shops in Kabul, it makes a perfect snack for morning or evening. They are pretty big and for me, one was enough for dinner. You can find them either fried or baked, we preferred the baked ones as they were lighter, but also the fried are worth trying. They are truly delicious, make sure you don’t miss them.
    Address: The bakery where we usually took boolani from was in Shahr-e Now, Sulh Road, 20 meters from Haji Yaghoob intersection “چهار راهی حاجی یعقوب” toward Park Shahr-e Now.

    What to visit in Herat, Afghanistan

    If you travel to Afghanistan for the first time, you can’t possibly miss the historical city of Herat.

    People call it city of knowledge and civilization and you might hear the local officials address it as Ancient Herat. After all, this province boasts thousands of years of history, before and after the invasion of Alexander the Great, up to the rule of Ekhamanshi Emperor. Even after decades of war, there are many things to do in Herat, crucial stop of the Silk Road and hub for artists and kings for centuries.

    Herat City enshrines many of Afghanistan’s tourist attractions, so you shouldn’t miss it.

    READ MORE: To know more about what to do in Herat and get around the city, read our complete guide.

    What to visit in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan

    The capital of Balkh Province, Mazar-e Sharif is a pretty safe city, so it’s definitely one of the things to visit if you decide to travel to Afghanistan.

    Travel to Afghanistan, Mazar-e Sharif
    Hamed in Mazar-e Sharif

    The blue mosque of Mazar-e Sharif is the main place to visit in the city. It’s known also as the Shrine of Hazrat Ali, or as locals refer to it, Zeyarat Sakhi Jan. Ali is the son in law of the Prophet Mohammad, and Shias consider him Mohammad’s successor. This belief is one of the reasons that divided the Muslim believers into the two main sects of Sunnis and Shias. Sunnis believe Ali was the fourth and final Khulafaih Rashedin (or Hazrat, like Imam but higher position).

    Most Muslims agree that Hazrat-e-Ali was buried in Najaf Ashraf Iraq, but some Afghans claim he was brought to Afghanistan and is now buried in the Blue Mosque of Mazar-e Sharif. Some say that after the death of Ali they had to make some 40 graves in the region to confuse Ali’s enemies because they wanted to pull him out of the grave.

    Mazar-e Sharif Blue Mosque is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Afghanistan. The architecture of the blue mosque is well preserved and the people are very friendly and welcoming. There are hundreds of white pigeons in the park of the mosque where you can go and buy some grains and they will come all over you. It’s a perfect spot to take some nice pictures because people from across the country gather to feed the birds.

    When to visit the Blue Mosque

    I recommend mornings as it’s less crowded and nicer for taking pictures. Avoid the noon prayer time (12-1:30) and Fridays because it’s packed.
    Shrine of Hazrat Ali admission fee: Free
    Cameras: Allowed
    Blue mosque dress code: No shorts for men but T-shirts are okay and women should dress modestly. Women don’t have to wear Chador or Burqa but pants, long sleeve shirts, Rosary/shawl and a dress to cover your hips is a must.
    Note: Non-Muslims are not allowed in the main building of the shrine but you can have a good walk all around the building and enjoy the blue and white view of sophisticated mosaic work. Donations are very welcome.

    Where to eat in Mazar-e-Sharif

    Around the Shrine of Hazrat-e-Ali, there are many restaurants. We recommend Kefayat Turkish Restaurant,  they offer nice Turkish and local food. A very relaxed and friendly environment to have your lunch or dinner.
    Address: Close to Kefayat Square “میدان کفایت”, by taxi the fare is some 80 Afghani.

    What to visit in Bamyan, Afghanistan

    UNESCO-listed Bamyan Valley is in its namesake province mainly inhabited by Hazara so very safe. Bamyan Province is pretty poor, badly connected with the national electrical system and only recently was provided with a public hospital.

    Now this beautiful valley is one of the must-sees in Afghanistan as it offers a great view of the cultural and historical heritage of the area with both examples of Buddhist art and Islamic architecture.

    Below are some of the things to do in Bamiyan Province.

    Band-e Amir (Amir dam)

    Some 80 kilometers northwest of the Bamyan province, Band-e Amir is also Afghanistan’s first National Park. With 75000 hectares, this is a must see. There are six lakes along the valley next to each other with beautiful crystal clear blue water collected from rain and snow.

    In the national Park, there is the resting place (shrine) of some elders of the area, the locals consider the shrine holy and believe it’s where Hazrat Ali walked. Some locals also believe the water of Band e Amir cures diseases and sicknesses. They say the Berber king tried many times to close one end of the dam but always failed until Hazrat e Ali came and closed the dam with his sword “Shamshir Zolfaqar”.
    How to get to Band-e-Amir national park. You can go to Band-e-Amir with Taxi, its one hour drive from the city. The road from Bamiyan to Band-e Amir is in a good condition, for the most part.
    Visiting time. You can go anytime, but if you go there in the summer, you can do some hiking around the lakes, men can also swim. We recommend visiting Band-e Amir in the morning.

    Note: Hotels in Bamyan provide guides for your day out for some extra charge.

    Remains of Buddha statues

    The Buddha statues were destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban a few months before the U.S. invasion. The alcoves in which they were carved remain and Japan is trying to restore as much of the Buddha statues as possible. Around the Buddhas, there are many caves being used as homes by some locals. The local officials control the access to the road to the area.

    The road on the west of Buddhas leads to Zahak City, also known Red City due to its rocks and valleys. They say in the 13th century, the city was demolished and all its residents were executed by Genghis Khan after his grandson was killed by the Red City guardians. There are many stories locals tell about this historical city. They say Zahak was the name of a powerful king who kept two snakes on his shoulders to protect him from his enemies, and he fed them with the human brain, so the locals had to bring one of the residents for his snakes from time to time until one of the snakes attacked the same king, Zahak, and ate his brain.

    Where to eat in Bamyan

    Bamyan restaurants are not impressive at all, use the restaurants of the hotels you stay in. They are your best options.

    What to visit in Panjshir

    Travel to Afghanistan, the Panjshir Valley
    In the Panjshir Valley in Afghanistan

    To get to the valley of the Five Lions (apt transliteration from the Persian “panjshir”, پنجشیر), you need to book a taxi as you have to go past Parwan and Kapisa provinces. The Panjshir Valley has always been the only place Taliban never managed to set foot in, not even during the five years they were controlling the whole country from 1996 to 2001. This is the province and the resting place of Afghan commander Ahmad Shah Massoud.

    Read more about Panjshir in the article we wrote after our experience in the valley of the Five Lions.

    Where NOT to go in Afghanistan – 2022 UPDATE

    Due to the extremely sensitive situation right now in Afghanistan, with the peace talks between the US and the Taliban armed group still going on, many provinces in Afghanistan are still unsafe to visit.

    Fights between the Taliban and the Afghan forces are still fierce, so you want to avoid all the most sensitive places. The only provinces we deem safe at the moment are the ones mentioned above in our travel guide to Afghanistan. All other provinces are too dangerous at the moment. Notably, some places are very alluring and many people ask us what we think about travelling there. So now we share our opinion on the other cities in Afghanistan with a potential tourist future.

    Kandahar

    Kandahar city and province has a long history, a great artistic heritage and is incredibly fascinating. But it’s the strongest Taliban haven to date. It’s where the Taliban group originates from and where they still have a big presence and support. For as much as I want to go to Kandahar myself, we don’t recommend it.

    Kunduz

    Pretty much for the same reason, Kunduz is still a Taliban stronghold. Here, there are often fights between the terrorist group and the Afghan Army, fights that have caused thousands of victims also among civilians and thousands of displaced people. We discourage your from travelling to Kunduz.

    Booking hotels in Afghanistan (plus our suggestions)

    When you travel to Afghanistan you need to pick your hotels carefully among those that provide the basic services and proper security measures. The big hotels of the main cities usually have websites, so you can book your room online, while if you would rather stay in more affordable places, you can also book by going there personally. Just rent a taxi from the airport and show the driver the address of your hotel. Below are some of our hotel suggestions.

    Our hotel recommendations in Kabul, Afghanistan

    Golden Star. It’s on Chahar Rahi Haji Yaghoob/Haji Yaghoob intersection in Shahr-e Now (چهار راهی حاجی یغوب). Their rates for a double bedroom are 60-70 USD per night.

    Kabul Serena Hotel. A beautiful 5-star resort with prices starting from 200 USD per night for a double bedroom. Modern amenities including sauna, in-house spa, outdoor pool and fitness center, 24h front desk, WIFI and flat-screen TV included.

    Safi Landmark Hotel & Suites. Located in Kabul city center, Shahr-e Now, on top of a shopping mall. This is a very high-end hotel, great room service, heavy security measures and all the modern facilities.

    Sarvistan hotel. If you are traveling on a budget, we recommend Sarvistan hotel on Shinwari Street (سرک شینواری), right next to the Shahr-e Now Park, 15-20$ per night for the double bed, basic facilities, breakfast, and WIFI included.

    Hotel recommendations for Herat, Afghanistan

    Nazari Hotel. A 4-star hotel on Cinema Square (چوک سینما, Chowk Cinema). Their rates range between 120 and 150 USD for a double bedroom per night.

    Hotel Marco Polo. We recommend Hotel Marco Polo on Taher Fushanji Avenue, close to Darb-e-Khoshk. Their rates are 30-35 USD per night for a double bedroom.

    Hotel recommendations for Bamyan, Afghanistan

    Gholghola Hotel. It’s located in the city of Bamiyan, Foladi Road, and is considered a very good hotel. Their rate is some 70 USD per night per double bedroom, WIFI and breakfast included. They have their own restaurant. Their website is www.gholgholahotel.com.

    Bamiyan Royal Hotel. It’s located in the city of Bamiyan close to Shahr-e Gholghola and offers a beautiful view of the Buddha. Among their facilities are the airport pick-up and drop, room service, TV, WIFI, and breakfast. Their website is bamyanroyalhotel.com.

    Hotel recommendations for Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan

    Kefayat Hotel. It’s a little pricey, around 80-100 USD per night for a double bedroom, but the place is better than many cheap city hotels.
    Address: Close to Kefayat Square “میدان کفایت” above Kefayat supermarket.

    Baran Imperatory Hotel. The hotel is not bad for Mazar-e Sharif standards and not far from the Shrine of Hazrat Ali. For prices and information, contact them directly.
    Address: Close to Alkozay square “چهار راهی الکوزی”. Website: www.baranhotel.com

    For all hotels, feel free to bargain over the price if you think they give you too high rates.

    Taxi fares from Afghanistan airports to the city

    From Herat airport to the city: 500-600 Afs
    From Kabul airport to Shahr-e-Now: 300-400 Afs
    From Mazar-e Sharif to the city: 350-500 Afs
    From Bamyan Airport to the city: 250-350 Afs.

    Individual tour guides in every city

    When it comes to Afghanistan, you want someone reliable and trustworthy to be your guide. Email us and we will put you in contact with individual guides in the main cities of Afghanistan.

    If you are planning to visit Herat and don’t speak Farsi, we highly recommend you hire a guide/interpreter to both show you around and translate for you. We can introduce you to a reliable and trustworthy local guide who will provide a full package for you. This will include:

    • airport pick-up and drop-off
    • private vehicle
    • private apartment in the same building he lives and experience with a local family
    • three homemade meals per day
    • tea and season fruits in your apartment
    • authorization letter to visit the historical sites
    • use of local public baths (optional)
    • sightseeing

    The price is 100 USD per day. If you are interested contact us and we’ll give you his number.

    Note: If you can’t book your hotels online, you can ask the guide to book it for you before you travel to Afghanistan (without advanced payment).

    Book your tour in Afghanistan

    We are aware that Afghanistan is not an easy travel destination. If you need more information or you want to get an organized tour of Afghanistan, contact us privately and we will arrange things for you and put you in touch with reliable tour companies.

    Full itinerary of the Afghanistan tour

    Day 1: Pick up from Kabul Airport
    Stay in Kabul and visit:
    The Garden of Babur

    Day 2: Trip to the Panjshir Valley
    Visit the tomb of Ahmad Shah Massoud and the high mountains of Hindukush.

    Day 3: Travel from Kabul to Bamyan
    Visit the Buddhas and Qolghola city

    Day 4: Second day in Bamyan, visit Band-e Amir
    Visit the city and experience local life

    Day 5: Travel to Kabul and from Kabul Airport travel to Mazar-e Sharif

    Day 6: Visit the Blue Mosque and the city

    Day 7: Travel to Herat by plane from Mazar-e Sharif
    Three days in Herat City visiting the many historical places and the bazaars.

    Day 10: Travel to Kabul and visit:
    Koche-e-kah froshi
    Chicken Street
    visit Darul Aman Palace
    Qargha Dam

    Day 11: Drop off at the Kabul International Airport.

    What is included in the package:

    Airport pick up and drop off
    English-Farsi speaking tour guide
    All domestic airfares
    All domestic land transportation by air-conditioned non-armor vehicles
    Accommodation in 3-star hotels with proper security standards and located in the city centers
    Sim cards with credits and 3G data.
    Breakfast
    All entry tickets to historical places
    Afghan clothes for men, Muntoo and Roosary for women

    What is not included in the package:

    Lunch and dinner
    Medical expenses
    International airfares

    We take necessary security measures and would like to blend in with the society as much as possible. Therefore, we ask our male and female tourists for the sizes below to have Afghan clothes ready for them:
    Height from the shoulder to the knee
    Shoulder width
    Full arm length
    Bicep size
    Trouser height
    Waist size
    Neck size

    Note: The provinces that are currently relatively safe and where we can organize tours for foreigners are:
    Herat
    Balkh (Mazar Sharif)
    Panjshir
    Bamyan
    Kabul

    The organization will take care also of the necessary security measures. We are flexible and if you have a different travel itinerary or want armed guards and armor vehicles in Afghanistan, please let us know and we will evaluate your personal itinerary. For prices and availability, email us directly and we will give you more detailed information privately.

    SAVE IT FOR LATER?

    Travel to Afghanistan, the ultimate guide
    about me: Angela Corrias
    About the author

    I'm Angela Corrias, an Italian journalist, photographer, and travel writer located in the heart of Italy's capital. Welcome to my website, your comprehensive source for your travels and expert guidance for crafting your dream travel experience.

    73 thoughts on “The Most up-to-date and Reliable Afghanistan Travel Guide – 2022 UPDATE”

    1. Hi Angela, thanks for putting all this information together. Afghanistan is been on my bucket list for such a long time… I am on a 6 months trip through Central Asia (currently in Pakistan) and I am still thinking whether to make it to Afghanistan or not…

      So, if I enter from Uzbekistan…
      Is the route between Mazar e-Sarif – Kabul ”relatively” safe? Does it go through any Taliban area?

      Reply
      • Hi Joan, the road between Hayratan port (where you will enter from Uzbekistan) to Mazar is “relatively” safe, meaning not too risky, some people do it, you might or might not find Taliban checkpoints, while the road from Mazar and Kabul is NOT safe at all, Taliban always establish hasty checkpoints and carry out searches making people getting off the buses. The road itself is dangerous, meaning not standard at all. From Mazar to Kabul flying is highly recommended. Everywhere in Afghanistan is risky, and traveling as a foreigner by bus increases the risk, I myself haven’t done it even though my husband is from Afghanistan and has traveled by bus many times without me. If you know a local you can trust, it’s better.

        Reply
    2. Thanks for sharing your traveling story in Afghanistan. I have done a cycling trip in Afghanistan in August 2016. I met amazing people with a big heart in Afghanistan, the sightseeings and the landscapes were incredible.

      Reply
    3. Angela this is so neat and helpful. I would love to visit one day. To see a different culture, in a different part of the world, as it slowly slowly slowly opens up and allows in a trickle of tourists. Being a dude I reckon it’d be a wee bit easier to get around but still, I accept the fact that I am an outsider and am always super respectful of laws and cultures. Especially in such a conservative country. Obviously a total 180 but I got accustomed to keeping knees and shoulders covered – as a guy of course ;) – during a recent trip to Qatar. Neat to live in a Muslim country for a month.

      Ryan

      Reply
      • Thanks Ryan, one day you might have the occasion or just decide to go to Afghanistan, it’s a very exciting trip. Keep in mind that Qatar is waaaaay more relaxed, both for men and women…

        Reply
    4. Hey Angela, thanks so much for this informative and very honest post. I am a bit torn between nerve wracking or exciting,,,,maybe it’s a bit of both?

      Reply
    5. Hi Angela- just found your post randomly on Google and this is the most informative post I have ever read about travelling to Afghanistan. The country has been on my bucket list for so long.

      I just wandering about the visa process for tourist; when they asked for invitation letter- so would you mind giving me some help on who I should contact to get one. And also, do we need to book flight and hotel in advance for the visa?

      Many thanks and hope for your reply soon.

      Quy

      Reply
      • Hi Quy Bui, thanks for stopping by, I’m glad you found our guide useful. When I applied for my Afghan visa I was asked also the return ticket. Not the hotel because I was staying at my fiancé’s house. Also, I didn’t bring the invitation letter but my letter stating the reason why I was going and all the cities I was aiming to visit during my stay. They wanted also a local address and a local contact, this is why probably you will be asked for a hotel. Probably a local tour company can provide you with an invitation letter, but it’s better if you contact the Afghan embassy in your country and inquire with them directly about the process.

        Reply
        • Thanks Angela for your information- it’s very useful. Sadly we dont have an Afghan embassy in Vietnam- they have one in Beijing which will process the request from Vietnam. Many thanks anyway :)

          Reply
          • You can obtain a tourist visa in Iran without an invitation letter then cross the border to Afghanistan. I am heading there in March.

            -from another Vietnamese :)

            Reply
            • I suggest you always check with the embassy, it depends on the nationality and where you are entering from. Usually, they ask for a contact in Afghanistan when you apply for the visa. Also, they don’t give visa on arrival if you enter by land, you need to have it beforehand.

    6. Great informative and trustworthy site. Hamed Sayed is one of the most honest trustworthy people I know and would recommend him and his knowledge without hesitation.

      Reply
      • Thank you, Jacki. You are a smart friend and a great man who I had the honor of working with.
        Hopefully, our paths will cross again, until then keep safe and stay vigilant in Afghanistan.
        Cheers brother

        Reply
    7. Hi Angela,

      Thank you for a very informative post!
      I have a question on electricity and internet stability in general. You have mentioned that it’s recommended to bring a power bank which I totally agree. However, how bad does it get? Would you say how many hours of electricity there are in cities like Kabul, Mazar Sharif and Bamyan?
      How about the internet, does it work properly in the cities above as well?

      Thanks a lot! :)

      Reply
      • Hi Stella, in Bamiyan they don’t have electricity, they use generators, so in the hotel, you should be fine because they use it 24/7 (in the good hotels), but other than that, in many places you might find no electricity. Mazar-e Sharif and Kabul have electricity, it can happen sometimes they cut it, but I didn’t find that was often. Internet comes and goes, it’s not super slow, we did manage to work online from Kabul. If you get a good hotel, they should have a good connection. We also found internet in some cafes in Kabul. Keep in mind that overall, the infrastructure is weak.
        Enjoy your trip!

        Reply
      • Hi.
        What is the price for a 11day tour of Afghanistan? As this articule is almost 2 years old, is all security measurements the same now compared to when it was written?

        Reply
        • Hey Hans, yes security-wise is still like this, which is not safe at all, especially for foreign tourists. There were clashes in Mazar-e Sharif recently but now situation is back to normal. For tours and prices we can give you the name of a tour company we know. Let me know if you are interested.

          Reply
    8. Hi Angela, thank you for take your time and bring us this useful information. I’m from Colombia and I’m planning to go to Afghanistan this June 2018, I’m trying to get updated information but is not possible. Do you know something about that? Thank you in advance.

      Reply
      • Hi Diego, the information you read on our guide is up-to-date. Terrorist activity is still present, so really stick to the areas we mention in the guide and travel by plane. I can give you the names of some local guides who know where they can take foreigners. It’s also safer to be with a trusted local if you can’t speak Dari. If you are crossing to Iran I guess you will be heading to Herat, but will you be alone? Not really safe, better to get into Afghanistan by plane.

        Reply
    9. Situations arent so good these days in Kabul, i would suggest to everyone not to plan coming here in next few months.

      Reply
    10. Hi could you send me the price of your Afghan tour? Just the normal standard one , without armoured vehicle etc..
      Is it safe to visit the mineret of Djam?
      Thanks,
      Tony

      Reply
    11. i have a plan to take a cycling trip from Herat where i reside to Kabul, the way that i cross is fully Taliban controlled area.
      anyone know will i be safe ?/

      Reply
    12. Hi there, thanks for taking your time and providing useful information. I’m from Afghanistan and my wife is from USA. She wants to go with me back home and live there. I don’t know if there’s any way to get her afghani tazkeerah (citizenship id). Do you know anything about that or sponsorship? I know it’s very odd. Usually people are trying to get out of there.

      Reply
      • Hi Hasan, as far as I know, they don’t release the tazkara to foreign citizens. Your wife can get a residence permit to be renewed every year or two years. At the Afghan embassy they can sure give you better information, I think you can also apply for visa exemption for your wife since she’s married to an Afghan, so she doesn’t need a visa every time you go.

        Reply
    13. Hello. I am interested on making a trip to Afghanistan and I would like to learn from the prices of the tour companies you work with. Thank you.

      Reply
    14. Hin Angela,

      We just come back from a trip on Pamir highway in Tajikistan.
      My husband ( he is Afghan) and I missed to go to Afghanistan because our visa from German embassy was incorrect. So only my 3 sisters in law ( all afghan ) went to sultan ishkashim in Afghanistan after 38 years they left their home country.
      We was thinking to go back next year to go to Afghanistan from Tajikistan, but today I found your blog.
      It sounds very interesting.
      I would like to check out the possibilities to travel to Afghanistan next year.
      Looking forward to your answer.
      Have a great Sunday.
      Kindly regards
      Ilona

      Reply
      • Hi Ilona, sorry to hear you couldn’t make it to Afghanistan. Which embassy gave you the wrong visa, the Afghan embassy in Germany? That’s very weird. Your husband should have the tazkara and Afghan passport, and as his wife, you should get the visa exemption. This is what we will be doing at the Afghan embassy in Rome before our next trip. Why don’t you ask them? Let me know what they say!

        Reply
    15. Hi Angela,
      Nice to hear from you so quick . Thanks a lot.
      It is a bit more difficult .
      We apply for Tajik visa in Germany for multiple entry visa and this was a nightmare – really.
      In the end we got it, but at the Afghan border in Iskashim we found out it was wrong.
      Nonody knows how we could enter the country at the airport .
      We had to go to MFA in Dushanbe to get a new visa to get out of Tajikistan – can you velieve it.
      It was an adventure trip.
      But we like Tajikistan a lot.
      The Afghan visa we got in Khorog was good and easy to get.
      But it was for nothing because of the wrong Tajik visa.

      Family is going out now.
      Wishing you a great sunday.
      Ilona

      Reply
      • This is very confusing, I don’t know why they made it so difficult. Probably next time you can just fly into Kabul with a simple Afghan visa you do in Germany. This is what I did from Rome and I had no problems.

        Reply
    16. Hi Angela,

      Yes next time we wil do it like that.
      It was just a try to go from Tajikistan, because we was so close.
      Can you send me some contacts in Afghanistan for a guided tour.
      That would be great.
      Warm regards

      Ilona

      Reply
    17. Hello Angela,

      My name is Brandon Bell and I’m from the US. I appreciate your post, and felt like I could trust your insight/discernment. I have this subtle desire to travel to Afghan to photograph and connect with the hardships that many of the people face. I’ve photographed in Egypt and Kashmir India but understand that Afghan is a field of its own. I’d particularly like to go and spend time with the refugees in the country. Do you have any advice/perspective on that?

      Reply
    18. Please provide contact information to obtain cost and travel options to Afghanistan. At the moment, there would be three of us, two Americans and one Indian, all males. If possible, a side trip to Pakistan would be of interest. Hiw long of a trip would you recommend to experience the must-see areas (safe). Our plans would be to arrive in the sping 2019. Thanks for a reply. You have an informative website.

      Reply
    19. Thank you for your insights and sharing, Angela.
      This and your blog on being a western woman here are simply awesome!

      Can I possibly contact you directly to ask about travel?

      Thank you ~

      Reply
    20. I liked the post. Thinking about getting to know Afghanistan is one of the few countries I haven’t met. I’ve done several trips around the world. But I confess that one of the things that prevents me from visiting this country is precisely because the information I have is still a place with many wars and that makes me afraid to visit. One of the most amazing things I find is the buildings and temples of this country.

      Reply
    21. Hi Angela

      Thanks for the detailed and informative blog. I’m planning to visit Afghan in mid March’19 for about 2 weeks. Would like to know the contacts for discussing itinerary and pricing. Planning to visit Kabul, Panjshir, Herat, Mazar I Sharif, Bamiyan, Band-e-amir and Balkh. Thanks

      Reply
    22. Hi

      I am traveling to Uzbekistan in July.
      From there (Tashkent) I would like to get to Termez and cross the border into Afghanistan (Hairatan).
      I need an invitation letter for a visa application.
      Does anybody have any advice? How can I get one without buying a tour?

      (Lovely website! Very useful! Thanks so much!)

      Alessandro

      Reply
    23. Hi! Thank you for such a detailed post!

      Can you please email me details and price of to travel to the places you recommend?

      Reply
    24. Hi Angela,

      I really enjoyed reading your blog on visiting Afghanistan. I’m planning to go between September-October of this year. Could you share your contacts/pricing for Herat, Mazar-e Sharif/Balkh, Kabul/Panjshir, and Bamyan/Band-e Amir if it’s not too much trouble? Thanks

      Reply
    25. Hi Angela,

      Your post is great! Thank you for sharing it 😊😊
      Can you please share your guide information? I want to travel between kabul and bamiyan.

      Reply
    26. Hi Angela,

      Great post and info, thank you! I want to just transit through Kabul airport (Dubai – Kabul – Dubai or Istanbul – Kabul – Dubai). At the Afghan consulate in New York they said that I don’t need a visa as long as I don’t leave the transit area, and if I want a visa I would have to submit a Letter of Invitation. I am worried that without a visa the airline might not allow me to board the plane to Kabul, and even if they do, it might be difficult to get a return boarding pass without checking in at Kabul airport, past immigration. Do you have any advice on this? Can you recommend a Kabul travel company that could issue a LOI? Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Hi Paul, if you are only in transit in Kabul, you are not going to do the check-in again because you are going to stay in the transit area. I wouldn’t know who can do an invitation letter if you are not actually taking the tour…

        Reply
    27. Hi Angela, thank you so much for your information about Afghanistan. I want to go to Afghanistan in September. Will you please bring me in contact with local travelagencies? Thank you in advance 🙏

      Best,
      Frank

      Reply
    28. Hi Angela,

      Thank you for this article. I’d be interested to learn more about your contact’s tour service.

      Thank you in advance!

      Best,

      ~J

      Reply
    29. Hi Angela,

      Your post is great! Thank you for all this important and useful information.
      I was dreaming about travelling to Afghanistan since many years and I would love to give a try. Could you please share the contact of your guide?
      Grazie
      Nadia

      Reply
    30. Hi Angela,
      Just found your post and it is very informative.
      Thank you for the good read.
      When this Covid 19 matter is over i would like to go there. Can you recommend guides for those places for me to contact? Thank you.
      Baddrul

      Reply
    31. Hi there Angela,

      Are these 11-day tours still available as of right now?

      If so, I love to get more details about them!
      Would you be so kind as to e-mail me some more information?

      Thank you so much!

      BR,

      Matheus

      Reply
      • Hi Matheus, at the moment our guides are not running any tours because the situation is very unstable and attacks keep increasing. Also, I’m not sure the government is issuing tourist visas.

        Reply
    32. Dear Angela,
      I have spent a lot of time in high mountains expedition looking for nature beauty, especially flowers and animals. Hindukush mts. is my dream. Would you be so kind as to inform me about eventuality to travel in safe regions (Bamyan etc.). and find me a reliable mountain guide?
      Thanks for response,
      Zdenek

      Reply
    33. Hey could you guys please get in touch. I am very interested in visiting and would love to find a English speaking tour guide

      Reply
    34. Hello,

      I am very interested in visiting Afghanistan this upcoming July/August and would love to take you up on your offer to put me in touch with a tour guide/translator or to book an 11 day trip. Please reache at this email.
      Thank you so much,
      McCabe

      Reply
      • Hi James, we are not sure about this. At the moment the situation is a bit tricky because all foreign troops are pulling out of Afghanistan so we are waiting to see what happens. For everything visa-related, I suggest you get in touch with the Afghan embassy in your country.

        Reply
    35. Hello,

      I am looking to travel to Afghanistan in 2022. I was wondering if I could contact you with possibly obtaining an invite letter that you had mentioned in the blog? Also, do you recommend if one can go through the Couchsurfing option? Could that be used to apply for a Visit or Tourism visa?

      Thank you so much for this information as it was very informative and a great read!

      Best,
      Kayvon

      Reply
    36. This is a great travel guide. Could you share the contact information for the tour companies you mentioned? I’m hoping to visit later this year.

      Reply

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