Afghanistan
Afghanistan: The Ultimate Planning Guide
Though you wouldn’t know it from reading government travel advisories, Afghanistan is now safer to visit than it has been in generations. That said, various challenges – including culture, infrastructure, and a confusing permit system – make Afghanistan a place that only hardened and experienced travelers should consider visiting. But those up for the challenge
Crossing the Torkham Border from Pakistan to Afghanistan
The Torkham Border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is one of the world’s most chaotic borders, with approximately 10,000 people crossing daily – at least when it’s open. The border closes frequently due to military clashes or political disputes. At the time of writing, Torkham is mostly closed, only opening sporadically on certain days. As such,
Top 5 Archaeological Sites in Afghanistan
The term ‘crossroads of civilizations’ gets thrown around a lot. But Afghanistan has genuinely earned it, as the region was once home to thriving Zoroastrian, Greek, and Buddhist kingdoms. And ever since the introduction of Islam, multi-ethnic Afghanistan has been controlled by a myriad of different dynasties, each of which has left their mark. The
Takht-e-Rostam: Samangan’s Unique Carved Stupa
Takht-e-Rostam is one of the world’s most unusual Buddhist sites. Instead of being constructed, the massive stupa was carved entirely from the top down. Why? Nobody quite knows. But, together with the beautiful surrounding scenery, it makes for one of Afghanistan’s most compelling archaeological sites. The nearest major city to Takht-e-Rostam is Mazar-i-Sharif, and it’s
Exploring Old Balkh & Mazar-i-Sharif’s Blue Mosque
Northern Afghanistan’s main hub, Mazar-i-Sharif, is home to the stunning Blue Mosque, one of the country’s most beautiful and spiritually significant landmarks. But for centuries, the main city here was Balkh. Once among Central Asia’s greatest cities, it’s connected to historical greats like Zoroaster, Alexander, Rumi, and more. In the following guide, we’ll be covering what
A Guide to Herat: The Pearl of Khorasan
Upon his visit in the early 16th century, Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, declared Herat the ‘world’s finest city.’ It was founded back in 330 BC by none other than Alexander the Great. And many centuries later, it would serve as the thriving capital of the Timurid Empire, with numerous surviving landmarks dating
Top Things to Do in Kandahar: Ancient Sites & Modern Realities
Afghanistan could be said to have two capitals: Kabul, the country’s largest city and where most administrative offices are located, and Kandahar, the spiritual heart of the country, where the Taliban’s supreme leader is based. But Kandahar has been significant for millennia. Situated along a strategic route connecting South and Central Asia, historical greats like
A Guide to Ghazni: Towers, Tombs, and Tanks
Situated at the heart of a strategic crossroads, Ghazni was once the center of a mighty empire that stretched from Iran to India. But due to waves of invasions, little remains of its once glorious past, except for a few notable landmarks like the Ghazni Minarets. In this guide to Ghazni, we’ll be covering what
Top 5 Things to Do in Bamyan (with Sample Itinerary)
Bamyan is one of Afghanistan’s most visually stunning and historically interesting provinces. From ancient Buddha niches carved into sandstone cliffs to ruined fortresses with mythical backstories, there’s no shortage of things to do in Bamyan. It’s no wonder why a majority of travelers who make it out to Afghanistan include it in their travel plans.
Exploring Bamyan’s Dragon Valley
In a region known equally for its beautiful geological formations and its local legends, Bamyan’s Dragon Valley offers both. The narrow gorge is filled with white travertine formations, natural springs, and otherworldly rock shapes that legend attributes to a petrified dragon slain by Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law. It’s far less visited than Band-e-Amir National
Experiencing the Blue Lakes of Band-e-Amir National Park
Before my visit to Band-e-Amir National Park, I suspected that a lot of the photos circulating online must have had their saturation heavily boosted. But now having seen the deep blue hue of the travertine lakes in person, I can confirm that things really do look like the photos. Band-e-Amir lies about 75 km from
Historical Bamyan: Shahr-e-Gholghola, Bamyan Buddhas & More
Today, the name Bamyan is most associated with the infamous destruction of the Buddhas of Bamyan at the hands of the Taliban in 2001. While we will be discussing that incident below, we shouldn’t let that one tragedy overshadow everything else the region has to offer, including historical sites like Shahr-e-Gholghola and Shahr-e-Zohak. Now largely
Shewaki Stupa & Kabul’s Forgotten Buddhist Heritage
A lot of people are shocked to first learn that Kabul Province used to be a predominantly Buddhist region. And though much of that ancient heritage has largely been lost, visitors can still experience it at places like Shewaki Stupa, situated just outside of the capital. And while in Kabul city, you should also be
Paghman & Its Palace: A Day Trip From Kabul
Kabul doesn’t have the best day trip options compared with other Afghan cities like Mazar-i-Sharif. But if you’d like to escape the city without going too far, choose the place most locals go: Paghman. Located just about 20 km outside of the capital, Paghman is known for its mountain views, riverside restaurants, and the elaborate Paghman
Kabul: The Ultimate Guide
Kabul is a bustling city of around 5 million people with millennia of history. Most people around the world, however, only associate the city’s name with war and terror. But, at the time of writing, the Afghan capital is now safer than it has been in many years. And in this Kabul guide, we’ll be