Afghanistan Cultural Tour2

Afghanistan Cultural 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

Rather than guided tours with set daily plans, Echo trails offers expeditions with framework itineraries. The following is an outline plan for this epic trekking expedition – it’s more about the “substance” than the “details.”

Teammates arrive

Your arrival to Dushanbe, Tajikistan should be 0900 on 05 July 2020. You will be received by the expedition guide at the airport and have an introductory session. The first few days in Tajikistan will take us along the famous Oxus river to GBAO and the crossing point to Afghanistan. The road hit is a long road trip (approximately 20 hours) via the astonishing Pamir Highway to Badakhshan. On the fourth day you will cross the border to Ishkashim, Afghanistan. Within the next couple of days after some red tape for obtaining Wakhan Permits, you will drive to Wuzud where your expedition begins.

The Old Capital Kabul

Originally residing on both sides of the border of Afghanistan and Tajikistan alongside the Panj River (Oxus), the Shughni people are the majority of the Ismaili Muslims of the Northeast Badakhshan Province. In the past they had small kingdoms which ruled over nearly all Badakhshan. They are famous for their nature of freedom and education. Their enriched cultural ceremonies and festivals have made the district the biggest tourist attraction for domestic tourists of Afghanistan.

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.

Check into your central hotel and start your Kabul city tour.

Sakhi Shrine

Kabul Museum

Overnight in Kabul

Day 2 - Kabul - Panjshir

A short drive to the famous Panjshir valley

Relax your mind with a spectacular scenery of the Panjshir valley from the crowds of Kabul

Visit the ruins of the USSR military camps and ruins of tanks

Tomb of the Afghan National Hero

Overnight back in Kabul

Day 3 - Kabul - Herat

Afternoon arrival in Herat with plenty of time to walk around. The city is commonly known as the most historic in Afghanistan.

Overnight in Herat

Day 4 - Herat

Visit Herat’s iconic Friday Mosque

Thumb of Gowar Shad

Masullah Complex

Shrine of Khoja Ansari

Visit to the old city

Traditional Caravansary

Jihad Museum

Overnight in Herat

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Day 5 - Herat - 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 6 – Kandahar – Kabul

Tour the city extensively catching up on anything that was missed before

Babur’s Gardens

Omar Landmine Museum

Timor Shahi Tombs and Gardens

Overnight in Kabul

Day 7 - Kabul - Mazar e Sharif

Morning flight to the city once called as Mother of the cities in Persian Empire

Visit of the Blue Mosque

Throne of Rustam – The great Persian Meth King

Overnight in Mazar

Day 8 - Mazar e Sharif - Kabul

Flight back to Kabul 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 Kabul/Dushanbe.
Travel insurance (obligatory).
Visas where relevant.
Tips to local guides (discretionary).
Personal equipment (full kit list in the Handbook).
Beverages and any costs of a personal nature.

frequently asked questions

I’m a vegetarian. Can I join?

Yes, Teammates with dietary requirements are welcome to join. However, local food supplies are limited and we should be aware of your needs in advance.

Is it safe?

Is it safe to just solo backpack around Afghanistan as a tourist? Certainly not. The risks are simply too great. Is the situation on the ground in a constant state of flux? Yes, it is and risks must be measured regularly, as the situation on the ground changes quickly? But is it impossible to visit as a tourist? No, that’s not true either. It is possible to visit Afghanistan with well-managed risk mitigation if you plan accordingly. Here’s how.

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?

In the city tours, almost all the time you will have access to local telecommunication networks so your regular SIM Card can use roaming services. Alternatively, we can also provide local SIM Cards upon request.

Do I need a visa?

Yes, most nationalities need visa. For the Afghan Visa we will send you letters of invitation upon request. Visas are teammates’ responsibility.

Do we fly into Kabul?

Yes, we do. A city cultural tour requires travelling into Kabul before going to other cities of the country.

Do I need to cover?

Yes, for the most part. It is recommended that men wear long trousers and long sleeves. Women should cover legs and arms and wear a headscarf while visiting the cities/villages.

How can I find out more?

Apply for this expedition team using direct emailing or WhatsApp. Our team will explain the joining process. View for 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.