Grand Afghan Tour - Melons and Grapes

A once in a lifetime trip to the cultural, archeaological and geographical highlights of Afghanistan

When is the best time to visit Afghanistan? Summer can be blisteringly hot and winter icy cold. Spring has its charms but for us it has to be Autumn because of the fruit. How a land that appears to be made entirely of bare rock can produce melons as large as beach balls and grapes so sweet is one of life’s great mysteries.

This trip shows the best of Afghanistan at the best time with as much fresh fruit thrown in as you can eat.

We start in Kabul before heading to Bamian where we spend 3 days exploring the valleys, the Buddha niche’s and the lakes. It is an area that allows us to experience what life is like in rural Afghanistan in safety. From there we will head to Mazar e Sharif to see the blue tiled shrine of Hazrat Ali and the remains of the once great Silk Road city of Balkh before a short flight across the Hindu Kush takes us to Herat, the most complete city architecturally in Afghanistan.

Highlights:

Visit Afghanistan at the best possible time of year.
See the remains of the Buddha’s of Bamian
Explore Herat
Marvel at the Timurid architecture of Balkh

Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1 Kabul

Arrival and briefing. Depending on the time of arrival we will be able to have a short tour of the city.

Day 2 Kabul - Bamian

The road to Bamian is rough but the views are wonderful as we head up the valleys of the Hazarajat and over the Shibar pass to Bamian. We will have plenty of time en route to stop and enjoy the scenery and take tea in a small Hazara village or two. When we arrive in Bamian we will have time for a look at the hill sides riddled with caves in which monasteries and Buddhist carvings were once situated.

Days 3-5 Bamian and around

We will spend 3 days in and around Bamian, an area of striking natural beauty. The mountains and valleys are dotted with ruins from Afghanistan’s past and friendly Hazara villages. It is one of the few places in Afghanistan where we can walk freely and safely in a rural environment.
The Lapis Lazuli blue waters of Band-e-Amir are often the highlight of any trip to Afghanistan. Legend has it that the dams that separate the 5 lakes were made by Ali, the prophet Mohamed’s cousin and son in law. However geologists insist they are natural dams made from mineral deposits. The lakes contrast to the stark landscape surrounding them only adds to the beauty of this area.
We will also visit the natural landscape of Dragon valley, see the ruins of Chelel Burj (Forty Towers) and the remains of Shah e Golghola (The city of Screams).

Day 6 Bamian – Kabul

The trip back to Kabul through the Hindu Kush will be broken by breaks to admire the view and visit a chaikhana in a local Hazara village.

Day 7 Kabul

We will have a day to take in a few of the sights of Kabul, both ancient and modern. This will include the Ka Foroshi bird market, the sobering OMAR land mine museum, Babur’s gardens and even a walk up to the old city walls. If downtown Kabul gets too much we could arrange a game of golf at Afghanistan premier (only) golf club or buy some kites ourselves and have a kite fight by Qargha Lake. We will ensure that you also have some time for yourself, maybe to browse the souvenir shops on Chicken Street or pick up some postcards from The Bookseller of Kabul.
Thursday night is also the big night for the aid workers and ex-pats of Kabul and we will offer the opportunity to see the contrast between the Afghan way of life and the lifestyle of those who are there to rebuild the country.

Day 8 Kabul – Samangan - Mazar e Sharif

The journey to Mazar e Sharif will pass through the Salang pass. A series of tunnels built by the Russians make this an exciting way to cross the Hindu Kush, especially at this time of year. Once on the North side we will make a stop at the remains of the Buddhist Samangan Monastery before a quick trip to the majestic blue tiled tomb of Hazrat Ali, Afghanistan’s most important religious site.

Day 9 Mazar e Sharif/Balkh

We will spend a day in and around Mazar e Sharif. Taking time to visit the ancient silk road city of Balkh, called Bactria to the Greeks. Bactria was the birthplace of Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism as well as Rumi the feted Persian poet. Legacy of its Islamic and Buddhist past can be found in the stupas and mosques in and around the city.

Day 10 Mazar e Sharif – Herat

We take a flight across Afghanistan to Herat.

Days 11 and 12 Herat

Herat has the largest collection of ancient buildings in Afghanistan and we will take 2 days to explore the city and its surroundings.

Day 13 Herat to Kabul

A flight back across to Kabul and a chance to pick up any last souvenirs from Chicken street or the old city.

Day 14 Kabul

We will take a day to visit the Panjshir valley, described as the most beautiful place in Afghanistan by locals. We will stop to view the tomb of Abbas Shah Massoud, the lion of the Panjshir and Afghanistan’s most universally revered Mujahedin commanders as well as stopping off at a local village on the Shomali plains.

Day 15 Fly home

We will ensure that you are taken to the airport to catch your flight.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Locally run guesthouses or Hotels.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

September 2012 - £2300