Afghanistan 10-day The Hippy Trail from Herat to Kabul Overland
AT A GLANCE
This trip recreates the famous Hippy Trail— an overland trip through Afghanistan in the 1970s. Starting from the western city of Herat, you will travel overland across the center of Afghanistan to the Minaret of Jam, the spectacular Band-e-Amir lakes, the Buddha Niches of Bamyan and finally to Kabul’s Chicken Street bazaar.
DAILY ITINERARY
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You will be met by your guide at Kabul Airport after clearing immigration and security. You will be transferred to your accommodation in the city center.
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Board a flight to the western city of Herat, a Persian cultural capital and the starting point of the Afghanistan section of the fabled Hippy Trail.
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After breakfast, you will visit the Tomb of Goharshad and the Minarets of Herat, and the Musallah complex— the Mosque and Madrassa of Gawharshad. These architectural monuments were dynamited by officers of the British Indian Army in 1885 to prevent their use as a fortress if the Russian army tried to invade India; however, the tomb and minarets still remain standing today.
You will then visit the atmospheric shrine of Khoja Ansari at Gozar Gah (or if you’d like you can tour the reconstructed Herat Citadel), before going for a stroll around the Herat bazaar, one of the most lively old-style markets in Afghanistan and distinctly Persian in culture.
In the late afternoon, you can visit Herat’s most sacred site, the Friday Mosque.
Overnight at the Bustan hotel in Herat.
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You can visit the minaret again in the morning for a different perspective of the site before heading out along the worst stretch of road for the entire trip— the bumpy overland trip down to Herat. The drive takes about 10 hours and is slow going until you reach the highway about an hour from the city center.
Overnight at a hotel in Herat.
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Today will be another long driving day through the remote mountains of Ghor province on the way to the Minaret of Jam. From the provincial capital, it takes nearly 10 hours of off-road driving to reach the site, located in the extremely rural northwest corner of the province.
The Minaret of Jam was built by Ghiyath ud-Din during the 12th and 13th centuries, a period of history under the Ghurids— controlling what is now Afghanistan, eastern Iran, Central Asia, northern India, and parts of Pakistan. The minaret was built in the style of the time, which included a tradition of early Islamic victory towers declaring the conquering power of Islam. The minaret itself stands alone and is one of the country’s most incredible monuments.
Overnight near the Minaret of Jam.
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You will begin the day with an early morning drive from the lake to Yakawlang to visit Chehel Burj— the Forty Tower Fort— in the north of Yakawlang District. Chehel Burj is located between the Baba Mountains and Betab Lake, forming an incredibly stark and beautiful landscape.
The asphalt road will then give way to a dirt road after Yakawlang, which you will continue along until you reach the provincial capital of Ghor, Chaghcharan (6 hours).
Overnight at a local guesthouse in Chaghcharan.
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After breakfast, you’ll set off for the blue lakes of Band-e-Amir in Afghanistan’s first national park. The park consists of a series of six deep blue, lapis lazuli coloured lakes separated by natural dams made of travertine, a white mineral deposit. The name Band-e Amir literally means "Commander's Dam," which is believed by some to be a reference to Ali, the first Imam of the Shia Muslims. This area is dominated by ethnic Hazaras, who make up around one-fifth of Afghanistan's population.
Here, you can walk around the lakes, hike up to several viewpoints around the area, go boating and visit the area’s many restaurants and shisha lounges set up for local tourists.
Overnight at a guesthouse in Band-e-Amir.
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Today you will visit the Buddha Niches of Bamyan, where the great Buddha statues used to stand. The great Buddhas of Bamyan were two 6th-century monumental statues of standing Buddha carved into the side of a cliff. Much to the dismay of the rest of the world, they were destroyed in March 2001 by the Taliban. However, remnants of the statues as well as wall paintings remain in some of the caves. You will then visit Shahr-e Gholghola— otherwise known as the City of Screams— a 13th-century city that was conquered by Gengis Khan after months of resistance. In the afternoon, we will visit the natural landscapes of the Darre Ajdaha Dragon Valley and walk around the Bamyan bazaar.
Overnight at a local guesthouse in Bamyan town.
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Today is dedicated to exploring Afghanistan’s capital city. You’ll visit the Bibi Mahru hill for a view over the entire city, the Gardens of Babur, Chicken Street Souvenir and Handicrafts Bazaar, the famous Kabul Bird Market, the Shah-e Doh Shamshira Mosque, the Sakhi Shrine, and the National Museum.
Overnight in Kabul.
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Your guide will drop you off at the airport according to your flight schedule. No planned activities.
PRICING
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1 traveller: $4130 USD per person
2 travellers: $2400 USD per person
3~6 travellers: $2070 USD per person
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Accommodation in local hotels and guesthouses (mid-range).
Three meals daily.
Travel permit letters.
Visa invitation letter.
Guide.
One-way domestic flight from Kabul to Herat.
Private ground transportation with driver and petrol.
Entrance tickets per the itinerary.
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International flight tickets.
Afghan visa (must obtain abroad).
Personal spending.
Insurance.
Additional food and drinks.
Tips for local staff.
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Single supplement accommodation: $30 per person per night.
Hotel upgrades (speak with your guide to arrange in advance, costs are based on hotel pricing).
