Inclusions
Exclusions
What's it all about?
From the surreal blue lakes of Band-e-Amir to the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar – A trip to Afghanistan offers the opportunity to see a country that has been off the tourist map since the hippy trails of the 1970s.
On this very special Autumn Afghanistan tour, we’ll start off in the capital city of Kabul before making our way overland to Bamyan. We then fly to Herat and continue driving to Kandahar & Ghazni before finishing back up in Kabul. Depending on the security situation on the ground, the itinerary is subject to change.
Following a return to offering safe & secure Afghanistan tours, we have designed this itinerary with safety in mind and only included places which are currently deemed safe to visit.
We are one of the only travel companies currently offering group tours to Afghanistan. Places are extremely limited and demand is high – so get in touch for more info today!
Before this trip we are also running an Pakistan Karakoram Highway Tour and a Socotra tour directly after – get in touch for a combo discount on both tours!
Highlights
Where?
Kabul – Bamyan – Band-e-Amir – Herat – Kandahar – Ghazni – Kabul
When?
October 10 – 19th, 2025
Visa?
We will issue you an invitation letter which will allow you to apply for a visa at your nearest Afghan embassy.
The Itinerary
Kabul – Bamyan – Band-e-Amir – Herat – Kandahar – Ghazni – Kabul
October 10th | Kabul
- Arrival in Kabul. Airport transfers to our Hotel.
- Check-in, meet your guide and receive a short briefing about travelling in Afghanistan.
- Visit a local tailor to choose an outfit before we start our Kabul tour.
- Visit the old town and its Bird Market – here you’ll find not only thousands of exotic birds, but lots of blacksmiths, carpenters and other trades people.
- See the old turquoise-tiled Sakhi mosque in the west of Kabul. This place is very sacred to Shia Muslims, who believe it to be the final resting-place of Hazrati Ali, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad.
- Visit Darulaman Palace.
- Babur’s Gardens.
- Dinner and overnight in Kabul
October 11th | Kabul - Bamyan
- Depart Kabul early for our road trip to Bamyan.
- We will journey to the famous ancient buddhist complex. The Buddhas of Bamyan were two monumental statues carved into the side of a cliff in the Bamyan valley in the 6th century. These massive World Heritage-listed statues, situated in the peaceful Hazarajat region of central Afghanistan, were deliberately dynamited and destroyed by the Taliban in March 2001 at a great cultural loss to all humanity. The area is still an extraordinary historic site to explore. After lunch we will visit Shahr-e Gholghola also known as the City of Screams, the ruins of a 12th century (and possibly much older) city near the town of Bamyan. We will also journey out to Shahr-e Zuhak, also known as The Red City.
- Evening tea on our hotel rooftop before heading into town for dinner.
- Overnight in Bamyan.
October 12th | Bamyan & Band e Amir
- Short walk through Bamyan where we will visit the wonderfully colorful local market. The area is very safe and you can enjoy free time here.
- Visit the six deep blue lakes of Band-e-Amir. The lakes are separated by natural dams made of travertine, a mineral deposit. This area is dominated by ethnic Hazaras, who make up around 23% of Afghanistan’s population. Band-e Amir was to become Afghanistan’s first National Park in the 1960s but this was delayed due to successive political crises and decades of war. In 2004, Band-e Amir was submitted for recognition as a World Heritage site, and in 2009, it was finally declared as such. Since 2013 it has become a popular destination for both Afghan and international visitors. After visiting the national park, journey back to our hotel in Bamyan for the night.
- Dinner & overnight in Bamyan.
October 13th | Bamyan - Kabul - Herat
- After breakfast, hit the road early for the long drive back to Kabul.
- Lunch and then we’ll visit the Western Cemetery. This was a British military camp and the site of the 1879 “Siege of the Sherpur Cantonment” in the Second Anglo-Afghan War. The cemetery is home to many memorials and graves for the fallen Western soldiers and Kabul residents who have fought in various conflicts throughout the history of Kabul. It is well looked after by an Afghan father and son.
- We will then catch our flight to Herat later in the afternoon.
- Transfer to the hotel, dinner and overnight in Herat.
October 14th | Herat
- First thing this morning we will visit the Masjidi Jami or Friday Mosque, originally built by the Ghurid ruler, Ghiyas ad-Din Ghori, in 1200AD (597 AH). After his death, the building was completed by his brother and successor Muhammad of Ghor. After falling into ruin and then being destroyed by an earthquake, the current mosque was completed in 1446AD.
- We will continue on to see the adjoining tile factory of Herat.
- After lunch we will tour the Herat citadel, which dates back to 330 BC. When Alexander the Great and his army arrived in Afghanistan, after the Battle of Gaugamela. This battle was Alexander’s decisive battle in his invasion and conquest of the ancient Persian Achaeminid Empire. Many empires have since used it as their headquarters over the last 2,000 years. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times.
- After we will look around the Herat Bazaar.
- Herat Glass factory (if open)
- Dinner and overnight in Herat.
October 15th | Helmand - Kandahar
- In the morning visit the tomb of Goharshad and the Minarets of Herat, part of what was originally a much larger complex: the Mosque and Madrassa of Gawharshad. Unfortunately, much of the complex was dynamited and destroyed by officers of the British Indian Army in 1885 to prevent it’s use as a fortress, as they feared a Russian invasion of India. The tomb and minarets are thankfully still standing, and are amongst the most famous landmarks in Herat.
- Begin the long drive to Kandahar via Helmand province. This is the Taliban heartland
- The drive should take approximately 8 hours but we will be stopping many times for photo ops along the way.
- Dinner and overnight in Kandahar.
October 16th | Kandahar
- Kandahar is rich in ancient and modern history, we will aim to learn about the city from its foundation by Alexander the Great to the resurgance of the Taliban.
- We begin by visiting the tomb of Ahmad Shah Durani: the founder of the Durrani Empire and also regarded as the founder of the modern state of Afghanistan.
- The Tomb is located in the center of Kandahar, adjacent to the Shrine of the Cloak, which contains a cloak believed to have been worn by the prophet Muhammad. Afghans often refer to Ahmad Shah as Ahmad Shāh Bābā, “Ahmad Shah the Father.
- Visit the Red Mosque.
- Explore the central souks of Kandahar.
- Dinner and overnight in Kandahar.
October 17th | Kandahar - Ghazni
- Today we drive the 8 hours from Kandahar to Ghazni. Along the way we encounter lots of damaged American Tanks and military trucks from the previous government of Afghanistan.
- On arrival in Ghazni, visit the old walls of Ghazni from the 12th century, and the tomb of Ghazni emperor Mahmoud Ghaznavi.
- Dinner and overnight in Ghazni.
October 18th | Ghazni - Kabul
- After breakfast we drive to Kabul – 3/4 hours.
- Visit the OMAR Landmine Museum – (Organization for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation) There are 51 various types of landmines on display and other military hardware here.
- Pay a house visit to one of the last remaining Afghan box photographers! Haji Mirzaman has been operating his old box camera for over 60 years. Get your own portrait taken by the master. (Extra cost)
- If there’s time, we’ll make our way to one of the viewpoints overlooking the city.
- Dinner and overnight in Kabul.
October 19th | Kabul
- Transfer to the airport. End of Afghanistan tour.
What else?
Tour Notes
You’ll be in the vastly experienced hands of our English speaking local guides & fixer as well as your Rocky Road Travel guide. Given the unpredictable nature of travelling in Afghanistan, the itinerary may change slightly, but we will always go above and beyond with added extras such as stops at local cafe-bars, shisha lounges and parks. We are in constant communication with our local partners on the ground who advise the safe routes to take.
Before the Afghanistan tour we will add you to a dedicated WhatsApp group so you can chat about the tour & share photos easily with your travel mates. Just let us know is you want to opt out of this.
To book simply hit the button below and start the conversation today.
Apply for your spot on the tour now or simply request more info below.
October 10 - 19th, 2025
Afghanistan Tour
start & finish in Kabul
Join our tours to Pakistan or Socotra to make it a combo!
Secure hotels
9 nights in Afghanistan
The price
$3,190 USD