Kandahar Tour

Intro

A trip to Afghanistan allows you to visit a country that has been largely ignored by mass tourism for the past 40 years. It allows you to engage with people and see locations that only a few people would ever see. Afghanistan has a fascinating ancient past, a fascinating recent history, and a welcoming local community.
Afghanistan is a breathtakingly beautiful place. It has been the center of numerous civilizations and has hosted many faiths. Afghans are renowned for their hospitality, and their cuisine is a delectable combination of Persian, Central Asian, and South Asian elements. It’s obvious why anyone would like to visit there.

The plan

Teammates arrive

Arriving in Kabul at 0900 on May 8 2021, you will be met by your local Afghan Tour Guide and have an introductory session. You will spend a couple hours in Kabul before flying to Kandahar. Within two days of visit of Kandahar, you will come to Kabul and visit the numerous touristic attractions of Kabul. Your final day will see you through a drop back at the Airport to fly back home.

The Old Capital Kabul

Day 1 - Kabul

Airport pick up in Kabul.

Meet your guide and receive a short briefing about travelling in Afghanistan. Visit a local tailor to choose an outfit that will help you blend into society.

Flight to Kandahar
Night Stay in Kandahar

Day 2 - Kabul - Kandahar

A short drive around the city

Visit Chil Zena, Mosque of Cloak of Prophet Mohammad Tomb of Ahmad Shah Durani, the Founder of Afghanistan

Kandahar Museum
Overnight in local hotel

Day 3 - Kandahar - Kabul

Morning visit of Hino Mina and the city

Afternoon arrival in Kabul with plenty to visit the Gardens of Babur, Timor Shahi Gardens, Kabul Museum

Overnight in Kabul

Day 4 – Back to Airport

Kabul city morning tour to get some souvenirs for friends and family

Chicken Street, a place full of antiques and Afghan handicrafts Airport drop-off and end of tour.

Alternate Route

Not Available

Fitness

Minimum fitness requirements

Anyone in a good state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour. However please note that although this trip is not necessarily physically demanding by way of exertion, the remoteness and roughness of the journey can take its toll and should not be undertaken lightly.

Included/ Not included

Included

Not included

International flights/ travel to and from Dushanbe.
Travel insurance (obligatory).
Visas where relevant.
Tips to local guides (discretionary).
Alcohol unless provided by hosts with meals.
Personal equipment (full kit list in the Handbook).
Beverages and any costs of a personal nature

The Wakhan Corridor and Ishkashim

There will still be some paper work to clear even after clearing immigration and customs in Kabul, so diligence will be needed.

The Wakhan Corridor is reached through a rough road constructed by the Soviets. This path is not for the faint of heart, as the valley is just 20 kilometers deep in some areas, and there might be some river crossings to navigate. The landscape, on the other hand, is absolutely breathtaking, and with their neon red scarves and beaded necklaces, the ladies stand out ever more.

Our two-day journey through the Wakhan Corridor brings us to the wildly wide valleys of Sarhad. The valley narrows at Sarhad, the mountains close in, and until just last year any further advance must had been made on foot, horseback, or by yak!

frequently asked questions

I’m a vegetarian. Can I join?

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Is it safe?

Mitigating Risk

In order to mitigate your travel risk in Afghanistan, I’m including the following suggestions. Of course you’re free to take them or leave them, but I highly recommend following these basic safety guidelines

Travel with an experienced local team (guide, fixer, driver) that is trustworthy and well-connected.
Do not travel around Afghanistan, even within cities, at night. Kidnapping risk goes up significantly in the dark. It’s best to not go wandering around in the evenings, unless accompanied by trustworthy Afghan fixers or friends.
Do not take public transportation.
Do not draw unwanted attention to yourself in public places.
Dress conservatively. Women should cover up in public— a hijab and long dress at a minimum. It’s best for men to also wear the ‘Shalwar Kimiz’ while in more rural areas.
Know where is safe to travel to (regions, roads, transportation methods) and keep in mind this list may change constantly.
Do not photograph local women unless you have explicit permission to do so, this is especially problematic when men photograph Afghan women (less of a problem for women to photograph other women, with their permission of course).
Always have a backup plan, and then a back up to your back up plan, as the situation in Afghanistan can change at any time.
Know that the easiest extraction points from Afghanistan are Kabul (international airport) and Mazar-i Sharif (Uzbek border, and international airport).

Will there be telephone signal?

Not during most of the excursion. However, we will carry a phone with us in case you need to make emergency calls.

Do I need a visa?

Yes, most nationalities need visa. Since this trip will take place through Tajikistan, you will need a visa for both countries. For Tajikistan you also need a GBAO permit (Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast) to enter southern Tajikistan. For the Afghan Visa we will send you letters of invitation upon request. Visas are teammates’ responsibility.

Do we fly into Kabul?

Do I need to cover?

Yes, for the most part. It is recommended on the Afghan side. It is recommended that men wear long trousers and long sleeves. Women should cover legs and arms and wear a headscarf while visiting the villages. When trekking on the mountains you could remove your scarf.

How can I find out more?

Apply for this expedition team using the button below. Contact us to find more about the joining process, advice on kit, fitness, visas, flights and travel insurance. Echo trails is then on hand to help with your unanswered questions or to firm up your place on the team.

Why travel with us?

Eco-cultural tours are critical tool to accelerate the preservation of nature. When you travel with us, your tourism dollars flow to local communities who live with and steward nature – creating jobs and improving livelihoods. Your trip then becomes a powerful incentive for local communities to protect their natural resources, making wildlife worth more alive than dead, and wild lands worth more intact than degraded.