Journey #002: Afghanistan

Introducing Afghanistan:

From Kabul to Kandahar

Never far from the headlines, Afghanistan is at a crossroads. After 20 years of war, there is an uneasy peace and our short trip offers a window into the country for those who want to discover Afghanistan for themselves.

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‘Introducing Afghanistan’ is a private tour lead by Safarāt’s Operations Manager Qudratullah Noory.

This is an abridged itinerary of our 14 Day “Past and Present” trip focusing on the country’s two most important cities with a side trip to visit the remains of the Buddhas of Bamiyan and the Band-E-Amir national park. Our guests will then return to Kabul by air or catch one of the growing numbers of international flights from Kandahar.

You’ll be joining Noory and one of our experienced and careful drivers on a 1-2-1 basis in a modern air conditioned car

Join us for 7 night trip through Afghanistan, rich in history, story and hospitality.

We recommend travelling this route in Spring and Autumn,

The cost of this trip is $2800 USD for solo travellers and $3600USD for two travellers.

 ➤ Kabul – Ghazni – Bamiyan– Kandahar

 ➤ Kabul – Ghazni – Bamiyan– Kandahar

Itinerary

People shopping at a marketplace with bird cages filled with colorful birds and two birds in one cage.

1. Listen to the chorus in Kabul’s famous bird market. Fighting partridges, song birds and doves all throng for your attention in this packed but narrow alley.

Located in the centre of the city’s bazaar, the bird market is as much a social meeting place as it is one for trade. It’s the perfect location for us to start talking to Afghans about what they really think of the new Afghanistan.

A man with a dark turban and beard dressed in traditional clothing, sitting outdoors against a rocky background.

2. Experience the hospitality of pashtunwali in Kandahar. The country’s de facto capital, and the spiritual home of the Taliban. 

We’ll be visiting the farms and villages surrounding the city to feast on seasonal produce, and begin to understand what life was like during 20 years of fighting between foreign and Taliban forces.

A barren desert landscape with scattered upright stones and a large rocky mountain in the background during sunset.

3. Wonder through Ghazni’s ancient citadel. Steeped in history in one of the country’s most ethnically diverse cities. 

The city of Ghazni is a neglected by the few tourists who find their way to Afghanistan and is dominated by the remains of empires that hurriedly left. Home to the remains of a 3rd Century Buddhist monastery, an enormous pair of 12th century minarets and the remains of the the British camp from the First Anglo Afghan war, it could become one of Afghanistan’s real historical attractions.

A tall ancient brick tower with intricate geometric carvings and patterns, set against a clear blue sky.
Ancient desert fortress ruins with eroded walls and arches, situated in a dry, mountainous landscape under a clear blue sky.

4. Hike through the  stunning landscape of Band-E-Amir national park in Bamiyan province, before hearing the powerful story of how Afghanistan lost its famous buddhas. 

Little is left of the lives and billions of dollars lost here, apart from bleached concrete blast walls, abandoned runways and roads pockmarked by thousands of mines between villages.  

A desert landscape with large, reddish rock formations and mountains in the background, with a small village of houses in the foreground under a clear blue sky.
A large body of water, likely a river or a lake, surrounded by high desert cliffs under a partly cloudy sky.
A young boy in traditional clothing running on a dirt path in a desert landscape with ancient adobe-style fortress ruins in the background under a clear blue sky.
Noory Qudratullah - the operations manager of Safarat Travel and Tours in Afghanistan.

Your Guide

Qudratullah NooryQua

Safarāt was founded to offer a window into a closed world. We understand that in choosing to join us on our journey, you are trusting us with your safety and security.

Qudratullah Noory is a former producer and ‘fixer’ with a wide range of experience working with international broadcasters including CNN and still active as a media-fixer and produce in Afghanistan. He is a native of Kabul, whose family originate in Wardak. He is fluent in Pashto, Dari and

To better understand our experience, the way we operate, our safety and security plans and the realities of traveling in Afghanistan, we have written the following guides.

A Pashtun boy photographed on an tour of Kandahar, Afghanistan with Safarat Travel and Tours

Book Now

Introducing Afghanistan (7 nights)
US$2,800.00

‘Introducing Afghanistan’ is a private tour lead by Safarāt’s Operations Manager Qudratullah Noory.

This is an abridged itinerary of our 14 Day “Past and Present” trip focusing on the country’s two most important cities with a side trip to visit the remains of the Buddhas of Bamiyan and the Band-E-Amir national park. Our guests will then return to Kabul by air or catch one of the growing numbers of international flights from Kandahar.

You’ll be joining Noory and one of our experienced and careful drivers on a 1-2-1 basis in a modern air conditioned car

Join us for 7 night trip through Afghanistan, rich in history, story and hospitality.

We recommend travelling this route in Spring and Autumn,

The cost of this trip is $2800 USD for solo travellers and $3600USD for two travellers.

This is a 25% deposit for the full price of the trip of $2800. As per our terms and conditions full payment is due 60 days before the scheduled start of the trip. We will be in contact you within 72 hours of your booking to discuss plans for your visa, your plan for arriving in Afghanistan and other details.

Journey #002: Introducing Afghanistan

From Kabul to Kandahar

At A Glance

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All Meals, Entry Fees, Permits, Guide, Accommodation.

Included

Not Included

Visas,
International Flights

Medical Insurance

Outline drawing of a car inside a circular frame.
Line art illustration of a person hiking with a backpack and walking stick on a mountain trail, enclosed in a circle.

Modern 4X4
Vehicles

Fitness Req.

Low-Moderate.
Some optional hiking.

Transport

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7 Nights including at least 1 night camping or in a homestay.

Group Size

Maximum Eight

Accomodation