Afghanistan 9-day Highlights Tour to Kabul, Bamyan, Mazar and Herat
AT A GLANCE
This trip provides a detailed overview of Afghanistan within nine days. You’ll waste little time and pack in a ton of places, sites, and activities to experience a diverse side of this complicated country.
Starting from Mazar-e-Sharif and ending back in Kabul, this trip brings you first to the northern regions to visit the Blue Mosque, the Stupa of Rustam, and old Balkh, before you drive into the Hazarajat— the ethnic Hazara homeland. There, you will visit the Buddha Niches, and stroll the lakeshores at Band-e-Amir National Park, before driving a short distance to Kabul. From there, you will fly to the western city of Herat, a gem of Persian culture. Finally, you’ll fly back to Kabul to explore the Afghan capital before departing.
This itinerary is possible to operate from April to November.
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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You’ll take a quick one-hour domestic flight to Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan’s Balkh province in the morning. Upon arrival, you’ll explore the area around Mazar, home to the famous blue mosque.
You’ll begin the day driving out to ancient Balkh, the birthplace of Zoroaster— the founder of Zoroastrianism— as well as Rumi the legendary Persian poet. While in Balkh, you will visit the Haji Piyada Mosque, the Tomb of Rabia Balkhi, a semi-legendary figure of Persian literature, the Khoja Parsa Mosque, and Bala Hisar, the ancient citadel built by Alexander the Great when he destroyed the Kurush Empire and crossed Amu Darya in early 330.
In the afternoon, you will return to Mazar to visit the spectacular blue-tiled Mosque of Ali in Mazar-e-Sharif. Many locals believe this mosque is the site of the tomb of Ali Ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad.
Overnight at a local hotel in Mazar-e-Sharif.
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After an early breakfast, you’ll depart Mazar, heading south to the Stupa of Rustam (Takht-e-Rustam), located in Haibak district, Samangan province. The 1500-year-old complex contains a huge Buddhist stupa carved out of the bedrock, as well as a number of caves used as places of worship during Afghanistan’s Buddhist past.
After walking around the ruins, you’ll continue by road over the famous Salang Pass. What will certainly feel like never-ending switchbacks, this pass was built by the Soviets as a road link between Kabul and the north of the country (including easy access to the former Soviet Union).
After crossing the pass, you’ll continue through Ghorband to Bamyan, the heart and soul of the Hazarajat— Afghanistan’s ethnic Hazara heartland and one of the most peaceful and progressive parts of the country.
Overnight at a local guesthouse in Bamyan.
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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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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 Bamyan.
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You’ll depart Bamian in the morning by road, traversing the Maidan Wardak route to Kabul. Formerly referred to as the “highway of death” due to the violence along the Maidan Wardak section of this road between the Taliban and government forces, it is now safe to travel openly and is the fastest way between Bamyan and Kabul, taking about 3 hours.
Upon arrival in Kabul, you’ll visit some of the capital’s sites and cultural locations, such as the Bird Market, Bibi Mahru Hill, and the National Museum.
Overnight in Kabul.
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You’ll depart Kabul in the early morning to catch a flight to Herat in the far west of Afghanistan.
Upon arrival, 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.
After lunch, you will visit the atmospheric shrine of Khoja Ansari at Gozar Gah, and, time allowing, take a tour of Herat’s reconstructed 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’ll visit the Masjidi Jami, or Friday Mosque, built by the Ghurid ruler Ghiyas Ad-Din Ghori in 1,200.
Overnight at the Bustan Hotel in Herat.
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You’ll fly from Herat back to Kabul in the morning.
You can spend the afternoon exploring some of what Kabul has to offer. Some activities include a visit to the Chicken Street handicraft market or to Bibi Mahru hill for a sweeping panoramic view over the city.
Overnight at a hotel 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: $3820 USD per person
2 travellers: $2310 USD per person
3~6 travellers: $2020 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 flights from Kabul to Mazar, Kabul to Herat, and Herat to Kabul.
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).
