Ski Afghanistan - Bamian

Be one of the first people to ever go ski touring in Afghanistan!!

In 2011 Untamed Borders was the first company to run a ski trip to Afghanistan. In 2012 we will be back. This time concentrating our skiing in the Bamian region of Central Afghanistan. Bamian now has a small ski rental shop set up by two local entrepreneurs and is busy training ski guides familiar with the mountains.

In 2012, we will be using the services of the local guides for less experienced skiers and also the skills of Nando Rollando, a IFMGA certified mountain guide, to take more experienced skiers deeper into the Hindu Kush. As you might imagine, there are no ski lifts so altitude will be gained the old fashioned way. Each run will need to be earned by hiking and climbing so ski touring equipment is necessary. Guests do not need any prior experience of ski touring and we know slopes suitable for all standards of skier. We feel that the chance to experience the incredible natural beauty of Afghanistan as well as skiing in one of the least visited regions in the world will make up for the lack of amenities. We fly into Kabul and then we head to the beautiful and peaceful Bamian valley to ski the Koh e Baba mountain range. We will also have time to visit the remains of the worlds largest standing Buddhas that overlook the town.

Afghanistan is a country slowly recovering from years of violence and neglect but it has always been a magnet for the intrepid. The rugged landscape, the ancient history crossed with tough yet incredibly hospitable people is an intoxicating mix. The chance to truly blaze a tourist trail is a rare opportunity.

Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1 – Kabul
Fly in.
Briefing. Depending on time of arrival we will be able to arrange a city tour to some of Kabul's more interesting sights such as the OMAR landmine museum, the ruins of Darulaman Palace, Ko Faroshi Bird Market or a walk up to Teppe Maranjan at dusk to watch local kids kite fighting.


Day 2 – Kabul - Bamian
The trip to Bamian is a little rough but the ride across the spine of the Hindu Kush is unforgettable. En route we can stop at small Hazara villages. The Hazara are a Shiite minority who are ethnically related to the Mongols of Genghis Khan. They have suffered a great deal of persecution under a number of Afghani governments and only now have the opportunity to build schools and hospitals in their mountain homeland, the Hazarajat.

Days 3 to 7 – Bamian
Following paths and routes explored during the winter of 2011 we will explore the slopes of the Koh e Baba mountain range and enjoy the acres of powder on virgin routes. For the less experienced we will be working with local guides on fairly simple runs. For the more experienced we will enlist the help of a European IFMGA qualified ski guide to find slopes deep in the Hindu Kush, some of which have never been skied before.
As well as skiing we will be able to show you around the lively Bamian bazaar, visit the remains of the giant Buddhas of Bamian, explore nearby Dragon Valley and summit Shah e Golghola (the city of screams), left in the same state as when Ganghis Khan sacked it 800 years ago.

Day 8 – Bamian - Kabul
It is a long drive back from Bamian to Kabul but the scenery in the Hazarajat is spectacular.

Day 9 – Fly home

Other Details

Accommodation Details

In Kabul we will stay in a discrete guesthouse.
In Bamian we will stay in the only ski lodge in Afghanistan.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

13th March 2012 - £1350