In the morning, a visit in the Masjid-I-Jami Friday Mosque, which is one of the most magnificent examples of the architecture of ancient Afghanistan of the Timurid Empire era. Then we will take a stroll through the streets of Old Town to the bazaar with numerous handicraft workshops dating back to the 12th century. After lunch, we will set off to visit the Qala-I-Ikhtiyaruddin citadel whose oldest parts were erected in the times of Alexander the Great. Finally, a visit at one of the richest bazaars on the Silk Route. Night rest at the hotel.

B. L. D

Whole-day sightseeing Bamyan and surrounding . A visit at one of the most interesting places in Afghanistan. There was a Buddhist sanctuary in the town of Bamyan located at the feet of Hindu Kush mountain range. We will see the preserved remnants of the past glory from the times of Sogodian dynasties:. Bamyan are not only Buddhist remains – it is also a trade town with an extraordinary bazaar. In the afternoon we will go to the Band-e-Amir area of colourful lakes – this will be a real feast for photographers and lovers of beautiful landscapes. Optional photographic walk in this area blessed by the nature with astonishingly beautiful landscapes. Return to Bamyan, night rest at the hotel.

B. L. D.

Flight from Kabul to Mazar-i-Sharif This name means “Tomb of the Exalted”. The origins of this city, which is certainly one of the oldest still inhabited towns of the Central Asia, are hidden in the dark depths of history. Depending on the time of our arrival, we will go to visit the Blue Mosque – Rawze-e-Sharif, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Afghanistan. This architectural masterpiece of extraordinary beauty was crated at the legendary location of the grave of Ali – a cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. We will see the tombs of Prophet Muhammad’s relatives. Then we will go to the bazaar – the main centre of carpet trade in the Central Asia. To take some rest, we will go to the gardens surrounding the sanctuaries. Night rest at the hotel.

B. L. D.

In the morning, we will set off to Kabul. We will pass through the Hindu Kush mountains through the famous Salang tunnel at 3363 metres above the sea level. That was the only route that enabled communication between the Kabul capital and northern parts of the country. The tunnel constructed in 1958 was a place of fierce fights during the Afghanistan invasion and subsequent occupation by the Soviet Union. Numerous remains of that period can still be seen there. In the afternoon we will arrive in Kabul. Night rest at the hotel.

B. L. D.

• Before departure, we recommend a consultation with a family physician and a tropical medicine specialist.
• You must take the yellow vaccination booklet with you for the tour.
• Vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria, viral hepatitis A and B and typhus is recommended.
• The risk of malaria is very low but there is a risk of tuberculosis.
• We recommend visiting https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries.
• During our expedition, we will drink only bottled water. You should avoid ice in your beverages and eating raw or undercooked foods.
• At the visited places, only private healthcare exists (a visit cost is approximately USD 100).
• Because of difficult travelling and accommodation conditions and particularities of the country, good general health and physical fitness are necessary.
  • Please take with you a first aid kit and a sufficient supply of your regular (prescription) medicines, if any. Some useful contents of the first aid kit:
  • high sun protection cream (recommended SPF 50)
  • disinfectants, wound dressing materials
  • analgesics and antipyretics
  • antibiotics, as a precaution
  • anti-diarrhoeals, electrolytes and vitamins

• The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a country characterised by political instability and a major risk of an armed conflict. Moreover, a real terrorist threat may appear in this area. The itinerary and the visited places are selected so as to avoid places that are potentially most dangerous. If a serious threat appears, the tour may be cancelled or shortened to a version that enables its safe conduct.
• Despite the difficult situation, expeditions to Afghanistan are possible and conducted with the adequate precautions.
• Owing to the good relations we have with local contractors, we keep following the news to be aware of any potential threats and safety risks. We also recommend you to read the latest news on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website: https://www.gov.pl/web/dyplomacja/informacje–dla–podrozujacych
• During the tour, please take seriously the instructions of our contractors, guides and tour leader.
• It is very important to respect local customs and abide by local laws and regulations. You will receive the necessary information on an on-going-basis from your local guides and the tour leader.
• It is strictly prohibited to take photos and make video recordings at military and police installations and at airports. You are also not allowed to take photos where people in military/police uniforms are present!!!
• Photographing people is possible only when they expressly agree to it. Taking pictures when the subjects have not allowed it often ends up with escalating aggressive behaviours.

In Afghanistan, the most commonly used languages are Pashto and Dari. In the case of a group tour, the tour leader will speak English. For self-guided tours, you must speak Dari or hire a local guide with a command of English.

The tour dates are proposed in periods of the best possible weather conditions at the sites included in the itinerary. The best time for expeditions to Afghanistan is the period between

May and the end of November. Temperatures rarely exceed +30°C during the day (Kabul, Herat, Mazar e-Sharif) and +15°C at night. Occasional, rather transient rainfalls are possible. High density of dust particles is a major issue, and also sandstorms may appear. In the southern regions, near Bamyan town and the Band-e-Amir National Park, temperatures are lower by several degrees than in Kabul.

For detailed information about the weather, see https://www.meteoblue.com/en.

For climatic and cultural reasons, loose garments will be most appropriate: long trousers, long skirts, long-sleeved shirts, which can be easily washed and will quickly dry. The most comfortable footwear for the tour will be lightweight boots. Palladium brand boots are recommended. Wearing open sandals is possible. Hiking boots are not necessary. The following are worth taking:

• sachet for documents and money
• wet wipes for body cleaning and antibacterial gels
• polar fleece jacket or warmer blouse, especially useful at evening and night times ● head cover and sunglasses – mandatory, the sun is no joke!
• comfortable summer clothes, useful during practically the whole trip
• light T-shirts/shirts
• useful odds and ends: torch, Swiss Army knife, sewing kit (usually is not needed but is not heavy and does not take much place), chargers, mug (for special occasions); inflatable neck pillow, useful on the plane and during car rides; small wallet for the local currency; books to pass the time on flights and car rides.