Young Pioneer Tours
Afghanistan Spring Tour
Join YPT on our carefully curated, immersive experience of Afghanistan. This is a rare opportunity to learn a different side of this beautiful and complex country meeting people from all walks of life, whilst partaking in the must-see sights of a region regarded as the “crossroads of Asia” or, to its adversaries, the “graveyard of empires”.
Your journey with us starts in Islamabad, Pakistan, where you will get a taste of the nation through visits to sights such as the Pakistan Monument and Faisal Mosque, symbols of the traditional Islamic values governing life here. We’ll then head north close to the border of Afghanistan to the city of Peshawar to visit the Afghanistan consulate to obtain our Afghan visas before heading out to see what one of the most stunning and oldest living cities in South Asia has to offer.
Once we have dealt with all formalities in Pakistan, we will make our way to Kabul, the capital city where agents of the British and Russian empires tried to play each other in what is now known as the “great game”. However, we’re here to experience what life is like in present-day Kabul; you’ll visit the heart of the city, including Sakhi Shah-e Mardan Shrine, a sacred site for Muslims that houses a cloak worn by the prophet Mohamed and Kah Faroshi, and one of the oldest and largest markets in Afghanistan filled with unique birds.
Your adventure continues to Bamian with its spectacular turquoise lakes with the jaw-dropping backdrop of the Hindu Kush. Once two magnificent Buddhas stood proudly here with their unknown origin, they survived many empires, and the arrival of Islam, yet the Taliban destroyed them. Here you can marvel and appreciate the sheer size and skills of the past.
Then you’ll board a domestic flight to visit Mazar-e Sharif and the ancient city of Baikh. You’ll see the Blue Mosque or ‘Shrine of Hazrat Ali from the outside, as it is now permitted for foreigners regardless of gender to enter since the Taliban takeover. Regardless, the view is outstanding and one of Afghanistan’s most iconic buildings, which foreigners rarely see today.
Despite its reputation, Afghanistan has a rich history and culture full of breathtaking attractions and kind, welcoming people who are genuinely excited to meet you.
This is also an opportunity to complete all the Stan countries as our Five Stans Budget Tour: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan follows directly after.
Trips to Afghanistan do create dangers all of their own and whilst we want you to have as much freedom as possible, we must state that both the YPT and local guides have the final word with regards to changes to the itinerary for safety reasons. Whilst the route YPT have chosen passes through areas that we consider to be stable; the situation can change and we may have to alter the route or cancel sections of the trip at short notice.
Monday 20th May – Islamabad, Pakistan
- Arrive at your convenience into Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, which is well connected with many countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Airport transfer and check into the Grand Islamabad Hotel
- Overnight in Grand Islamabad Hotel.
Tuesday 21st May – Islamabad – Peshawar
Morning
- Breakfast at hotel and meet our Pakistani guide
- Depart at 7:00am on our 180 km drive northwest to Peshawar – Pakistan’s sixth largest city and located near the border of Afghanistan.
- Arrive directly at the Afghanistan consulate in Peshawar to submit your visa applications
Afternoon
- Stop by an authentic Pakistani restaurant to grab a local lunch and soak in the atmosphere. You’ll notice the heavy Afghani influence on this unique Pakistani city.
- Head to the Old City centre to explore the busy Qissa Khwani Bazaar where local clothing can be purchased for us to better blend in to both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Visit Clock Tower Square – this tower belongs to a pair of clock towers that were presented by the U.K.’s Queen Elizabeth. The other tower being in England.
- Explore Mohabbat Khan Mosque – a 17th-century Mughal-era mosque built in 1630. An elegant mosque and fantastic for photos.
- Return to the Afghanistan consulate to collect passports and visas.
- Check into our Peshawar hotel to freshen up
- Head out to Habibi restaurant famous for local dishes
- Overnight in Peshawar
Wednesday 22nd May – Peshawar – Islamabad – Kabul, Afghanistan
Morning
- Breakfast at hotel and morning departure back to Islamabad and head straight to the airport.
- On the way stopping at a truckyard where incredible traditional artwork is painted and installed on the trucks for blessing.
Afternoon
- Board our 1-hour direct flight to Kabul departing 4:30pm on Kam Air 928 – the capital of Afghanistan.
- On arrival meet our Afghanistan guide at the airport and be transferred to our guest house.
- At our guest house you’ll have a briefing with our guide.
- It may be required to visit the tourism ministry in Kabul to meet directly with the Taliban to receive our permit to allow the group to travel outside of the capital.
- Head out for dinner and overnight in Kabul.
Thursday 23rd May – Kabul – Bamyan
Morning
- Breakfast at guesthouse and depart early on our 180 km journey to Bamyan heading north across the Shomali Plains passing over the Shibar pass (3285 m).
Afternoon
- Stop for lunch along the way
- Pass by the watershed of the Indus and Oxus river systems before finally reaching Bamyan.
- Visit the remains of the Buddhas of Bamyan – on orders from the Taliban, the statues were destroyed in March 2001, as it was declared that they were idols.
- Drive a short distance to the base of the Shahr-E-Golgola also known as the ‘City of Screams’ – this was destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1221. Genghis had destroyed Balkh and sent his teenage grandson with an army to capture Bamyan. The people resisted and Genghis’s grandson was killed. Genghis besieged and destroyed Golgola in revenge.
- Drive out to the Valley of the Dragon ‘Darya Ajdhahar’ – this massive rock formation is alleged to be the remains of a dragon that persecuted the villagers until Hazrat Ali, the cousin and son- in-law of the Prophet Mohammed killed it. The story is reminiscent of St George and the Dragon.
- Check into our hotel, head out to the bazaar for dinner and overnight in Bamian.
Friday 24th May – Bamyan – Band-e-Amir National Park – Bamyan
Morning
- Wake up early and head to Hindu Kush and to the remains of the Buddhas of Bamyan for stunning sunrise photos.
- Head back to the hotel for breakfast and a great chance to catch locals doing their morning routines.
- Begin driving 80 km west to Band-e-Amir National Park – a stunning group of turquoise lakes located high in the Hindu Kush at an altitude of 2900 m. It was also the first registered national park in Afghanistan. Hike around the area for picturesque photos and amazing views
Afternoon
- Picnic lunch outdoors and return to Bamyan
- Dinner in town and overnight
Saturday 25th May – Bamyan – Kabul
Morning
- Breakfast at guest house and begin drive back to Kabul
- Stop for photos, and rest breaks along the way.
Afternoon
- Lunch on arrival in Kabul
- Visit Darul Aman Palace – built during the reign of Amanullah Khan in the 1920s, it has over 150 rooms and offers stunning views of Kabul.
- Walk around the Garden of Babur – developed in 1528 it’s a historic park which holds the tomb of the first Mughal emperor Babur.
- Dinner and overnight at hotel
Sunday 26th May – Kabul – Mazar-I-Sharif
Morning
- Breakfast at guest house and head to the airport to depart on a morning Kam Air flight to Mazar.
- On arrival head 25km out towards the ancient town of Balkh – this town is believed to be the centre of the Bactrian Empire, even before the arrival of Alexander the Great. It was destroyed many times over by the likes of Ghengis Khan and Timur-i-lang.
- Visit the Shrine of Khoja Abu Nasar Parsa and Dargah of Rabia Balkhi
- Visit the old town of Balkh where the US military were briefly stationed as they were withdrawing from the area.
Afternoon
- Return to Mazar and lunch on arrival
- Visit the Blue Mosque or ‘Shrine of Hazrat Ali’ – the most famous building in Afghanistan. The mosque is located in the heart of Mazar-I-Sharif and is one of the reputed burial places of Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in law of Prophet Muhammad.
- Explore Mazar bazaar – this bazar is not only the rug production of Afghanistan but considered the rug hub of Central Asia.
- Dinner, ice-cream dessert and overnight in Mazar-I-Sharif
Monday 27th May – Mazar-I-Sharif – Kabul
Morning
- Breakfast at guest house and head to the airport to board the morning flight back to Kabul
- First stop visit the National Museum of Afghanistan – it holds manuscripts, miniatures, weapons and art objects belonging to the former royal families.
- Visit the War Museum and meet the fine folk that run PMAR – an Afghani NGO dedicated to removing land mines leftover by decades of war dating back to the Soviet occupation.
Afternoon
- Grab an Afghani lunch in town
- Explore Ka Faroshi Bird Market – located in the heart of Kabul’s old city; this narrow laned market is packed with small, mud-walled shops festooned with bird cages and birds.
- Continue exploring old town markets – good spot to buy any afghani goods
- Visit Abdur Rahman Khan Mausoleum – Abdur Rahman Khan was Emir of Afghanistan between 1880 and 1901. He was a strong ruler and gained the name of the ‘Iron Amir’. His tomb sits in the Mausoleum in Zarnegar Park which translates as the park adorned with gold.
- Head up to the TV Towers Mountain where you’ll have a great view of Kabul city below.
- Swing by the curiosity shops of Chicken Street where you can purchase Afghani souvenirs such as t-shirts, old currency, flags, fridge magnets, and postcards.
- Farewell dinner with our local guides and overnight in Kabul
Tuesday 28th May – Kabul
Morning
- Breakfast at hotel
- For any sites missed in Kabul at the beginning of the tour it may be arranged today according to availability.
Afternoon
- Tour concludes – YPT is able to arrange airport transfers and advice for flights out.
- Optional $475 to board Kam Air flight 901 departing Kabul 5:25pm and arriving into Dubai 8:00pm. We can further explore Kabul before the flight or see any sights you couldn’t do on our first day.
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