A Disclaimer on Visiting Afghanistan

Two protesters in Londo hold hands showing solidarity with Afghanistan.

This piece may seem outdated – or even reckless – in light of the Taliban’s consolidation of power. However, The Broke Backpacker believes it’s still important to pay homage to the Afghan people – a people vastly overlooked by the tourism industry.

Travel is about connecting human beings; it’s about breaking down the barriers of cultural division that separate us. The world is complex: it exists in many shades of grey.

The Broke Backpacker does not outright encourage travel to Afghanistan in its current state, but neither will we stay silent on the beauty of the country for the sake of a terrorist takeover. Speak truth and love what deserves to be loved. The only thing it takes for evil to win is for good people to remain silent. And there are still many good people in Afghanistan that need a voice.

Afghanistan is probably not going to feature at the top of ‘best backpacking destinations’ lists any time soon.

But, Afghanistan has never stopped being an alluring destination. I heard through the grapevine that it was possible to go backpacking in Afghanistan, and I had to find out. 

I decided to first trek with my donkey companion in the Wakhan corridor (shoutout to Merzouka – the best ass a girl could find). Then, the sheer beauty of the people and the mountains pulled me back for a second trip around the country.

I have couchsurfed and free camped in a country that is at best known as a failure of geopolitical policy and at worst a terrorist’s playground. 

This is to say, travelling Afghanistan will take the notions you have of the world and bend them to breaking point. It is not an easy country to come to. It asks you to sit with a lot of contradictions and, at times, a lot of sadness. 

But for those who are prepared to set aside their preconceptions of a place, backpacking Afghanistan will reward you a hundredfold. 

Hiking in nomadic lands, the world’s oldest settlements, bustling bazaars, secret parties – Afghanistan is not a country stuck in any one period of time. It has relics of the ancient sitting right next to a trendy cafe in Kabul!

Of course, it is not easy to find information about travelling Afghanistan on a budget (or at all really). So, I’ve put together all the resources I would have wanted before I visited Afghanistan into one info-loaded travel guide! 

Forget what you know. Forget what you’ve been told. I’m about to show you the REAL Afghanistan.

A girl in a red cap crouches and looks at the Bamiyan mountains in Afghanistan.
The unseen country.
Photo: Marsha Jean

Editor’s Note: This guide was constructed from interviews and insights provided by Marsha Jean on her experience of backpacking in Afghanistan. It was written, edited, and constructed internally by two members of The Broke Backpacker team (and with that trademark Broke Backpacker edge).

Marsha Jean is not a writer and thus this guide is not her words verbatimm; consider it like a dramatised retelling of one traveller’s experience! And now, buckle up, because we’re going to Afghanistan. 😉

Why go Backpacking in Afghanistan?

Back in the 1960s and early 70s, Afghanistan was a very popular tourist destination. It was an important stop along the “Hippy Trail”. The OG vagabonds all agreed that the hashish here was some of the tastiest in the world, and the people were some of the friendliest and most laid back.

It’s almost like Afghanistan went into hiding within the collective consciousness, however, it still inspires the most daring of modern-day dirtbag-types to come and say hello. There really is just something about this place that draws a certain kind of traveller in.

Marsha Jean wears a headscarf in the market of Kabul. There are birds cages and a busy street behind her.
At the bird market in Kabul.
Photo: Marsha Jean

That something starts with the locals. If you have travelled in Pakistan, Iran, or anywhere else equally far off the beaten path, you will be familiar with the overwhelming hospitality. Even so, nothing is quite on the level of Afghanistan. The people here are bursting to show you the best of their country!

If you’re looking for faraway peaks to bag, Afghanistan boasts some of the best! Where the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Pamir mountains meet, you get the Pamir Knot. This intoxicating spread of snow caps has long attracted trekkers seeking the best. Amongst the mountains are incredible lakes – such as the lapis lazuli wonder in Band-e-Amir National Park.

And the food! Famous for its pomegranates and apricots, Afghanistan’s food is a delight to the senses. It smells like family and tastes like the perfect balance of sweet, spice, and everything nice.

Backpacking Afghanistan pushes you to your limits – as the best travelling does. It is a country that dances to the call of sonorous prayers and lilting rababs. Thousands of years of history continue to fill these mountains with mystique.

For those willing to plan their journey, keep their wits about them, and their mind open, Afghanistan promises the adventure of a lifetime.

The Travel Experience in Afghanistan: What it Was Really Like for Marsha Jean?

Until you are up close to the motorbikes and markets, until you are chatting with the people that live here, you can’t make a proper conclusion about the country. The narratives of good and evil don’t always neatly fit over any country – let alone one as complex as Afghanistan.

The contrast between each city is stark. One minute it’s hot chai in the mountains and watching buzkashi and the next it’s leaving the house in a full niqab. Always, there is life.

Some local kids in Nuristan - a province of Afganhistan.
And smiles.

My heart ached almost daily in Afghanistan. Sometimes it ached with joy! I was shown kindness like never before, and I made some friends for life here.

And on other days, when I saw the remanents of war or heard some of my friends’ stories, my heart ached with sadness. This is a beautiful and complex country, and I truly believe it had a defining influence on who I am today.

Wakhan Corridor Trekking

My first trip to Afghanistan began in the Wakhan Corridor. The Wakhan Corridor is incredibly isolated from the rest of Afghanistan; it’s only possible to reach there via a land border crossing from Tajikistan. That is because there are no public flights there and land travel via mainland Afghanistan is extremely dangerous. Therefore, any trip here would be its own separate journey, beginning in Tajikistan.

When you hear of rumours of people that never knew the Taliban invaded Afghanistan, these were those people. It is an isolated part of the world that encourages you to put away your phone and watch the sky.  

The best place to go trekking in Afghanistan is in the part of the Wakhan Corridor known as the Roof of the World. This is where three great mountain regions converge: the Pamir, the Karakoram, and the Hindu Kush.

A yak looks at the camera from the mountains of Afghanistan.
The keeper of keys to the Roof of the World.
Photo: Marsha Jean

While tourism is slowly increasing in the region, just be mindful of your impact on the area. This includes being sensitive in the way that you photograph people. It is normally ok for you to take a photo of a woman here, but make sure you get her permission first. In other parts of Afghanistan, it is taboo to take a photo of a woman.

It’s all about being a responsible traveller. And when it’s just you and your trusty donkey amigo wandering the eights of the Roof of the World, you’ll be inspired to be just that little bit more mindful!

I had such an incredible time in the Wakhan Corridor. Walking alone with my donkey compadre, Merzouka, was a profound reset that made me see the beauty in the world again. One moment, we would be walking side by side through untouched landscapes, and the next, Merzouka would bound ahead for a quick snack break on the grass while he waited for me to catch up. Truly, he was a hungry bastard.

The trekking was obviously a mind-blowing highlight, but as always in Afghanistan, it was the people that truly made it for me.

Every time I saw a person, there was a warm welcome and lots of smiles! There were, of course, many questions and a lot of miming as I tried to answer. But here I was, just a girl and her donkey, and I was at home.

A donkey with stuff strapped to his back eats grass while Marsha and her red cap stand to the side. There are mountains of Afghanistan behind them.
Marsha and her donkey in the Wakhan Corridor.
Photo: Marsha Jean

Highlights:

  • The scenery, man. The fucking scenery. This is the some of the most unspoilt, beautiful mountains that you can possibly find.
  • I honestly felt like I was looking at a painting sometimes.
  • The friendly Wakhi and Kyrgyz nomads.
  • A good cup of salty milk tea made from yak milk.
  • You and your donkey can disappear from the rest of the world here for a while.

The Grand Tour of Afghanistan

Route: Kabul -> Bamiyan -> Mazar-i-Sharif -> Herat -> Kandahar

The second time I visited Afghanistan, I was here longer. I did a kind of loop that let me see a good slice of Afghanistan’s more typical points of interest. The diversity is on full display, and I left with a full, humbled heart.

One of my favourite things about Afghanistan is that you never know what the next day will bring. There are so many different cultures and so much change in the landscape! BUT you know that there will always be time for chai!

For example, Mazar-i-Sharif is predominantly Tajik, while Kandahar is mostly Pashtun. The mosques in Mazar-i-Sharif are blue, similar to those famous in Iran, and the city is also home to many other of Afghanistan’s famous holy sites. This city has been spared some of the destruction of previous wars and is known to be relatively safe. Always, there is chai.

A marketplace in Afghanistan
Always, there is life!

Compared with Kabul, the countryside can seem otherworldly. There are no more blast walls, no more traffic, no more crowds. Kabul has its own kind of magic though, and like anywhere, when you lean into the chaos, you come to love it! (And still, there is chai.)

Kandahar is also an (in)famous destination of drug tourism for its fabulous hashish. Back in the days of the OG hippy-trailers, it was known as ‘Kandahar Jam’ because the high-quality goodness was smuggled through into Nepal via cute lil jam jars.

Kandahar was the first capital of the Afghan empire, as well as the birthplace of the Taliban. It is one of the oldest known human settlements in the world! Truly, you never know what you’re going to get with Afghanistan.

A woman pours a freshly brewed cup of chai into a cup in Afghanistan.
Chai time!

Highlights:

  • The Shrine of Hazrat Ali in Mazar-i-Sharif.
  • Skiing in Bamiyan.
  • Picnic in the park in Kandahar.
  • Bargain for some new clothes in the Herat market.

Editor’s Note: This travel guide for Afghanistan has been heavily edited from Marsha Jean’s experience of backpacking the country prior to the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021. While travel there is now most certainly a no-go, you can hear more on her personal take of her journey there, across other regions of South and Central Asia, and her in-depth views on offbeat travel in our exclusive interview with her.

Places to Visit in Afghanistan

Once you’ve answered the call to adventure travel and you’ve taken the plunge into Afghanistan, you need to figure out where exactly you want to go.

There is a lot of diversity in this country! Compounded with it being intimidating to travel, however, it can be hard to pick which beautiful places in Afghanistan to visit – no matter how badly you are ready to backpack through the country.

Backpacking Kabul

At first glance, Kabul may be one of the most intimidating cities in the world. The chaotic traffic in combination with the concrete blast walls covering many buildings can be overwhelming at first. Think India’s traffic madness with splashes of separatism and war thrown in for good measure. If you have been backpacking in India, Pakistan, or Central Asia, you may find some similarities.

But nothing quite prepares you for the sight of a prepubescent kid holding an AK-47 while women clad head to toe in blue burqas haggle for fruit.

Apart from this, there is also the fascinating juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern. You can see boutique cafes and citadel ruins. There is relics of Kabul’s storied past on every street. I would advise you to sit and take a beat – this can all be a lot to take in!

A blue mosque with people around it in Kabul.
Architecture to make you shiver.
Photo: Marsha Jean

However, there are plenty of chilled places in Kabul where you can find some tranquillity and local people to chat with too. Especially if you travel by Couchsurfing or become friendly with those running your guesthouse! You will find that, amongst the chaos, there are lots of lovely green spaces and people simply chilling out for a picnic.

The parks are where there’s a lot of shisha smoking and board games happening. You can simply hang out as you would in any other city in the world. At a certain point, you may pinch yourself as you realise you’re still in Kabul!

An Afgahni man weighs lemons.
A little sweet, a little sour.
Photo: Lauras Eye (Flickr)

Chicken Street is the once-famous strip where foreigners bought their souvenirs. It still exists, but, of course, after years of very few tourists, there is a very different vibe here. Many of the guesthouses are located nearby, and you can still have a look at some beautiful carpets and other trinkets. In fact, you won’t feel too much like you are on a tourist strip at all!

You must try some of the epic street food and fresh juices while you’re there! Afghanistan is famous for its pomegranates, grapes, and melons. But for me, I can’t get enough of their mangoes!

The Kabul Bird Market is another place I fell in love with. You can buy every type of bird here – from house pets to exotic rarities. There is a lot of noise between the calls of the birds and the haggling for prices. In between all this is the ever-present call to prayer or honking of the traffic.

I also hiked to the top of the Bibi Mahro Hill. You can see all of Kabul in its sprawling glory, and it really puts the city – and life in Afghanistan – into perspective.

We really are just little humans trying to figure it all out.

Day trips from Kabul

  • Panjshir Valley – A stunning natural getaway from Kabul. Go trekking, visit villages, the Massoud’s Mausoleum, and see some old destroyed tanks.
  • Istaliff – A small town renowned for its pottery.
  • Paghman Valley – A village with beautiful views and cool air.
  • It is important to keep moving around so that a curious crowd won’t build up around you. This is especially true if you’re a woman. As much as you might love exploring on your own, it might be best to go out with your couchsurfing host or local friend.
  • The Facebook group Kabul Security Now is a great place for updates on the security around Kabul. It pays to stay in the loop (for obvious reasons). As much as this city can be a safe and intoxicating place to explore, let’s not pretend that it doesn’t have its security threats.

Backpacking Bamiyan

Bamiyan is the capital of the Bamiyan province in Central Afghanistan. It is an adorable town surrounded by mountains, overlooked by the remnants of the giant Buddha statues carved alongside a cliff. They were once the tallest Buddhas in the world, but they were blown up by the Taliban in 2001. 

I would recommend packing some light hiking gear for a wander up through the tunnels and rooms inside the Buddha remains. There is a hidden viewing platform where you can see the view of Bamiyan from where the eyes of the Buddhas once were. It’s definitely eerie to stand in the place of destruction, but the views are epic, and it’s good to sit with the complexity.

You will need to buy a ticket for 300 Afghani (around $3.50 USD) to visit. This ticket includes entry to the Gholghola City ruins and Zahak ruins (red fortress).

A mountainscape picture of Bamiyan, Afghanistan.
It’s enough to take your breath away.

There are quite a few English-speaking tour guides that work in the area. From history to trekking to skiing, there are guides to suit everyone! Normally, I wouldn’t recommend travelling with a guide as they can colour your experiences of a place, however, I would actually recommend getting a guide here, as you get an insight into the culture that you wouldn’t necessarily get from walking around on your own.

A girl wearing a niqab stands in front of a mosque in Afghanistan.
The sheer beauty, man. Oi.
Photo: Marsha Jean

It is also very easy to hire taxis to drive you around. You can also hire cars or mountain bikes to explore Bamyan and Band-e-Amir National Park.

Afghanistan has been the meeting spot and melting pot of so many cultures over the generations, and you can see this here. Almost the entire population in Bamyan are Hazaras. Their physical attributes have been said to resemble those of Mongol descent. This is quite different from the Pashtun culture of a lot of people in Afghanistan.

This is quite interesting to the humble backpacker – people are people no matter where in the world! However, the Hazaras are one of the most oppressed ethnic groups in Afghanistan due to their Shia Islam faith. There is a long and brutal history of persecution of the Hazaras. 

This sits in stark contrast to the beauty of the landscape around you. It is quite eerie, and heartbreaking, to be aware of the full scale of complexities of a country. 

But that’s the point of travelling; to not close your eyes. To not look awayTourism can be dark, but sometimes it has to be.

Backpacking Herat

Herat has got to be the prettiest city in Afghanistan to visit! It’s all thanks to the stunning mosques, shrines, historical sites, and the Old City Centre. 

The Friday Mosque of Herat is the main attraction that lures people to Herat, and it’s easy to see why. The mesmerising tile work will convince you that Islamic architecture is the most impressive architecture in the world! The only side-effect of visiting Herat is using up your camera’s storage space!

Epic Friday Mosque!
Photo: Didier Tais (WikiCommons)

Just like most cities, you have to see the bazaar to see the soul of the place. Here in Herat, you can’t pass up the bazaar in the centre of the Old City. It is quite a trip for the senses here!

It actually feels more like a bazaar in Iran than in other parts of Afghanistan. You can pick up everything here from naan to kilos of raw spices, to exotic silks and skin. This is when you start to realise that national borders are somewhat arbitrary in the face of ancient historical and cultural ties.

Piles of spices in a market in Afghanistan.
Spice of life.

I also explored the city and drank plenty of chai – what else would I do in Afghanistan! As far as cities go, Herat is one of the most beautiful places in Afghanistan and will continually take your breath away; it’s important that you take a pause to appreciate where you are.

I went to the Musalla Minarets while I was here. These were built in 1415 and are still standing, intact, to this day. Nothing says Afghanistan like ancient ruins in the middle of a bustling city!

It is worth paying baksheesh to be allowed inside to view the stunning interior. It is indescribable to think that something so intricate and beautiful has stood the test of time.

Backpacking Mazar-i-Sharif

Besides the beautiful city itself, Mazar-i-Sharif is most well known for the number of Afghanistan’s most important historical and archaeological sites dotted around the city. 

Going on day trips to see the sites can be rather inexpensive and easy to arrange, even for backpackers on a budget. For example, a day trip in a taxi to Old Balkh to see all the different sites will cost you $20. 

Mazar-i-Sharif is a big contrast to other areas of Afghanistan, especially if you have just come from Herat. Here, you will see a lot more women just wearing a head covering, instead of a burqa. It has been known as a more liberal city in Afghanistan – as well as the home of some dope hash! 😉

Cars and bicycles and tuktuks on a street in Afghanistan.
It could be any city in the world.

The Shrine of Hazrat Ali (or the Blue Mosque) is one of the most iconic and recognizable mosques in Afghanistan. A great activity to do is people-watching in the surrounding park. This is actually something I do at busy, tourist-filled places all around the world. I marvel at the attraction in front of me, and then I marvel at the people around me.

It would be a very empty and boring world if all there was were monuments.

Backpacking Kandahar

In the 21st century, Kandahar is perhaps known for being the former de-facto capital of the Taliban, however, it really should be known for its epic history. It is one of the world’s oldest human settlements!

Kandahar was once a centre of world trade, art and culture for centuries. Many ancient empires have long fought over the city. The Persians, Greeks, Ghaznavids, Genghis Khan, Timur, Mughals and Turks had all once fought hard for control of this region. You can certainly see the influence when visiting different historical sites around the city. It’s also one of the most conservative places in the country, and therefore one of the most difficult regions to travel in, particularly for women.

Kandahar is also home to one of the holiest sites in Afghanistan – the Mosque of the Cloak of Prophet Mohammed. There is definitely a spine-tingling element to holy sites. Whether or not you believe in God, you have to believe in the creativity and devotion of the followers. We make art and ritual out of thin air – it’s a kind of magic.

Two women in white hijabs walk past a turquoise tiled mosque.
Sharing morning gossip on the way to prayer.

I also went to the ruins of Old Kandahar while I was here. Alexander the Great was said to have founded this city in 330 BCE – that’s a lot of footprints to have come before me! Afghanistan is a country that has not seen many days of peace in recent decades, but walking here gave me an odd sense of hope.

Many great empires came and fought here before, but the country survived. Afghanistan is known as the Graveyard of Empires. This is not a country that is easily broken. The people here are like a phoenix. Again and again, they rise from the ashes, more glorious than ever before.

Since Alexander the Great, there have been people here. In fact, even before him, there were people here. This is an ancient country. No matter what the war on terror, or the Taliban, try to throw at this country life will go on, and I find hope in that.

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Top Things to Do in Afghanistan

If you are lucky enough to touch down in Afghanistan, you want to make sure you see the best this country has to offer! Here are my top recommendations of what to do in Afghanistan when you visit!

1. Be Bedazzled By a Mosque

Afghanistan has a handful of mosques that are world-famous for their phenomenal architecture. Feast your pupils on some delicious eye candy be awe-inspired by the detailed tile work of the Blue Mosque or Friday Mosque of Herat. You can spend hours utterly mesmerized by the intricate colours and unique patterns. 

This is not about being religious, necessarily, but about appreciating the artistic and architectural flair of Afghanistan’s famous landmarks. These mosques are some of the most beautiful that I’ve seen in my travels.

2. And Indulge in the Village Life

The majority (70%+) of Afghanistan lives in rural areas. How could you really have seen Afghanistan without visiting one?

A man sits on his tractor in Afghanistan.
Far from the bustle of Kabul.
Photo: Peretz Partensky (Flickr)

Village life is a lot more laid back and charming. The ultimate experience is to stay in a homestay, or be invited spontaneously! When I praise the hospitality of the people in Afghanistan, I’m mostly referring to the rural areas.

3. Wander the Ruined Artefacts of Old

Afghanistan is heaven for archaeological nerds and history buffs. You can easily spend a whole month in the country and still not see all the historical sites Afghanistan has to offer. It’s all thanks to Afghanistan having a long history of occupation by different empires and being a crucial part of the ancient Silk Road.

4. Absorb Life in a Market

Every city’s heart and soul is located in the markets! Whether you are in Herat, Kabul or Kandahar, there are plenty of local markets where you can soak up the local life. Take the opportunity to chat with locals and eat local food.

Two men look on at blue glass in a market in Afghanistan.
Blue glass magic.
Photo: Wendy Tanner (Flickr)

While you are at it, shop the beautiful crafts, arts, textiles and antiques as souvenirs! Make sure you don your haggling hat too – the game is afoot! But go east: they need the dollaridoos more than you do.

5. Get Yo’ Cafe On

Most of the things you see of Afghanistan on mass media and the internet is of war and poverty, but there are plenty of developed areas in each major city that don’t get enough coverage. Head over to any trendy cafe and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea! You can admire the beautiful art and interior design that many of those cafes have while you watch the young elites of Afghanistan dressed in trendy clothes go about their lives.

6. Explore a National Park

If you come to Afghanistan without visiting at least one national park, you’d leave feeling incomplete! I highly recommend the Band-e-Amir National park in Central Afghanistan. They have some of the most pristine lakes in the world.

A backpacker in Afghanistan gazes out over a lake in Band-e-Amir National Park.
A moment of captivating contemplation.

There is some insane beauty in this country. The Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Pamir mountain range all come together in the ‘Pamir Knot’ in the Wakhan Corridor. There is some real world-class trekking to be found in Afghanistan.

7. Eat Every Fruit You Can Find!

Afghanistan is known for having some of the highest quality fruits in the world. They have one of the world’s sweetest and juiciest productions of mangoes, pomegranates, melons, grapes etc. Oh man – Thinking about Afghan mangoes makes me cry!

Pro tip: ask locals to show you how they cut open the mangoes. They have a special magical method.

8. Have Tea with Locals

You have got to take at least one of the tea invitations you will receive! Immerse your entire soul into the experience.

A man pours several cups of tea within snow capped mountains in Afghanistan.
There is ALWAYS time for chai!
Photo: Fae (WikiCommons)

Savour the tea and snacks. Remember the smiles and laughter. Tea time with locals will be the most memorable moment you take away from backpacking Afghanistan.

9. Visit a Garden

Afghanistan’s peaceful gardens are often referred to as hideaways from the chaos. The Mughals and Timurids loved building gardens as part of their legacy. Some of those gardens have been restored into beautiful spaces for relaxation, but the Gardens of Babur in Kabul is one of the best examples.

10. Play Buzkashi (or at least watch…)

Buzkashi is a beloved sport across Central Asia. For a second, imagine that you took elements of polo, mixed in a splash of basketball, gave all the players cute fluffy hats, and then instead of a ball, you used a goat carcass!

“A whose-in-the-wut now?”

The national sport of Afghanistan, Friday Night Lights is very much alive around the country. If you want to watch a dead goat get dragged around a big dirt pitch by aggro men on horseback, then just head down to a local sports field! Alternatively, you could read our guide on ethical animal tourism.

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Backpacker Accommodation in Afghanistan

You usually can only book rooms and other accommodation in Afghanistan by emailing/phoning the properties directly. However, foreigners are often charged more, so again, don yo’ haggling hat!

There are some expensive hotels that are listed on Booking.com or have websites of their own to make bookings. Airbnb (and the many sites like it) sometimes can net you a pretty dope pad! 

A donkey with a pack on it eats grass while Marha in her hiking shoes and red cap looks on.
Marsha and her donkey are camping in the Wakhan.
Photo: Marsha Jean

There are tonnes of options for budget places to stay in Afghanistan though! Guesthouses are usually clustered around the most touristy areas of each city. The cheaper the place, the fewer amenities, lower cleanliness, and less security it will have.

ALSO, most places will not host unmarried couples. The easy solution is to pretend to be married. …Or actually get married. 😉

One of the cheapest types of accommodation in Afghanistan is restaurants (chai khana) that rent out the eating rooms for sleeping at night. Many restaurants have multiple private eating rooms because the ladies (and gents) need privacy to eat, and some of them rent the rooms out at night for travellers to sleep in. They can be private or shared rooms (like a hostel) and you can expect to pay 1-5 USD a night. 

Wild Camping in Afghanistan

In typical South Asia fashion, you can get away with camping in most rural areas provided you find a relatively secluded spot. You may net some curiosity from locals, but nobody will give you a hard time if you’re keeping to yourself and being respectful.

All that said, I travelled Afghanistan with a personal safety alarm. This thing 140 decibels of pure banshee action; attach it to your bike, tent, mule, or hashish, and if anyone comes for your stash, make the muddatrucker wet their tunbaan!

The Wakhan Corridor is a very popular destination in Afghanistan for wild camping, especially in the remote areas of the Little Pamir and Big Pamir. Until mid-2021, the Taliban had never taken control of the Wakhan Corridor, so foreign and local tourists have ventured here for trekking and camping adventures for decades. You can pitch basically anywhere out in the wilderness, but if you want to camp near a nomadic settlement or village, it’s respectful to ask permission (or just wander a bit further on). 

There are plenty of unofficial campsites scattered around that the locals themselves have set up. Sometimes it’s just a few fireplaces, and sometimes it’s a shelter made of stones and cement. The Aga Khan foundation has a great brochure on trekking in the Wakhan Corridor to get you moving!

A backpacker in Afghanistan camping on a grassy flat in the Wakhan Corridor.
You’d be a dope NOT to camp!

Wild camping in the Wakhan Corridor has to be my fondest camping experience ever! Be prepared for the weather though. Sitting at around 3000m above sea level with the snow rolling in can get a wee bit chilly.

Band-e Amir National Park is another popular place to go in Afghanistan for camping. There are plenty of campsites in the main tourist area, but they do get quite crowded in the summer, particularly on weekends and national holidays.

I stayed with a local homestay and they told me wild camping was allowed in the national park. If you’re unsure, you can check with authorities, but it’s a big place… They’ll have to find ya to catch ya!

BUT as always, ask locals for advice before attempting to camp in any area in Afghanistan. There’s always the potential of wild animals lurking to steal your snackos or munch your face. It pays to be cautious.

But the final review on the camp-life in Afghanistan? Two thumbs up and 100% the way to go! Pack a good travel tent, get yourself a donkey companion, and go hard. And of course, leave no fucking trace.

Couchsurfing in Afghanistan

When I travelled Afghanistan, I went Couchsurfing quite a bit, and there is a very active community of couchsurfers here! It’s always such a privilege to be welcomed into someone’s home.

You can use Couchsurfing to find yourself friends in the strangest of places, but you need to be aware of the risks involved. It has been known for locals to face trouble after hosting foreigners. There might be some times when it’s just not worth the risk – for you or your host.

Marsha sits between her Afghani hosts. The woman's face is blurred out to respect her privacy.
Marsha and her Couchsurfing hosts in Afghanistan.
Photo: Marsha Jean

While your host may refuse for you to pay for dinner, I would recommend not taking advantage of their hospitality and finding a way to give back to them in some way. Even if this means slipping them some cash discreetly when no one else is looking. It can be hard to navigate something like the Pashtunwali code of honour, but at the end of the day, you’re being welcomed into the home of someone in a volatile country.

When you do stay in someone’s home, you’ll be bombarded with kindness and generosity. There will be a lot of food, a lot of dancing, and probably a lot of miming! It can pay to learn a few words of the local language!

Afghanistan Backpacking Costs

Afghanistan is one of the most affordable backpacking countries in the world! However, your budget can skyrocket if you want more secure accommodation or methods of travel. 

Want to hire a driver and a tour guide? That can be $50-$500 a day.

Often the only way to get from city to city without crossing through Taliban-controlled areas is to fly, but domestic flights generally cost between $50-$200. That can quickly add up in your travel budget.

Afghanistan is probably best done in two backpacking trips; one to the Wakhan Corridor, and one to a few safe cities. This way, you minimise the amount you spend on flights, while still taking in every drop of beauty this country has to offer.

A father and three kids all ride a bicycle together in Afghanistan.
Get on kids, we’re going shopping!
Photo: Laura’s Eye (Flickr)

The three things that will have the biggest impact on your daily travel budget in Afghanistan are:

  • Food – Eating out in Afghanistan is cheeeeeeap.  Dirt cheap if you don’t worry too much about what’s ‘hygenic’. I didn’t get sick when I was here – street food is your homeboy. You can fill yo’ belly for <$5.
  • Accommodation – Is a touch more expensive, but still cheap. $7-$10 can get you a basic room. The more amenities (and security), the pricier the rate is.
  • Transportation – Taxis around towns are very cheap too: $1-$2 a ride is the standard. Taxis for day trips can be quite expensive if you get ripped off, so booking a taxi through your accommodation is much safer.
  • Attractions – Many attractions are free to enter. Your main cost would be the transport getting to the attractions, especially if you want to travel outside of the main towns.

A Daily Budget for Afghanistan

Afghanisatan budget
ExpensesBroke BackpackerFrugal TravellerCreature of Comfort
Accomodation
$0-$9$10-$24$25+
Food$2-$5$6-$19$20+
Transport$2-$14$15-$44$45+
Nightlife$3-$9$10-$19$20+
Activities$0-$14$20-$39$40+
Total per day:$5-$51$61-$145$150+

Money in Afghanistan

Afghan afghani (yes, seriously) is the currency of Afghanistan. Although there are ATMs in major cities, it is a good idea to bring a good amount of cash in USD with you when you arrive in Afghanistan. In times of tension, the banks and ATMs can run out of cash, but there are many currency exchange shops in all major cities. 

Afghani money.
Gimme ALL da colours!

There are no ATMs in the Wakhan Corridor. Bring all the cash you need and an extra $300 in case you don’t find shared taxis and have to hire a ‘special tourist taxi’ to get you out. And as always, use a solid travel money belt for storing dem fat wads.

Tips for Visiting Afghanistan on a Budget

Travelling without much money? Travelling with NO money? Then try these money-saving tips when backpacking across Afghanistan!

  • Use Couchsurfing/Bewelcome – Not only do you get a free bed, but your host will likely-almost-definitely give you the full Afghan hospitality experience. It makes a whole world’s difference to experience life at the local level in any country. It’s always nice to repay your host(s) with gifts, particularly from overseas.
  • Take public transport – It might seem very daunting to understand how shared taxis within a city work. Any car could be a taxi, so do not be confused when private cars stop for you. Ask the driver if he’s going in your desired direction (so it helps to know some basic Dari). Buses are usually the cheapest mode of transport though.
  • You can bargain on your visa fee – Depending on your nationality, a one-month tourist visa can range from $0 to $300+; I paid $100 for the same visa at the same Afghan embassy in Pakistan that another traveller paid $200 for. It is thought that some embassies/consulates may not have a standardised fees for a visa for Afghanistan.
    The Afghan consulate in Khorog is well-known for this. I met three Italian travellers who bargained their fee down to $200 for three visas. Their fee is usually $100 per European traveller.
  • Find cheap flights – Use a VPN and apps like Skyscanner to find cheap flight tickets. But it is important to use a VPN so that the prices won’t go up when the site detects you looking for the same flight – that’s a pro-tip for finding cheap flights anywhere!
  • Bring supplies – Some foreign supplies are very expensive or even impossible to get in Afghanistan. If there’s anything you need and think it may be hard to source, bring them with you! 
  • Go fishing: Bring fishing gear and go fishing in the Wakhan Corridor and Band-e Amir National Park for a free. Always ask locals for advice beforehand, and share your catch too if you snag a good’n. You’ll make some friends!

Why Should You Travel to Afghanistan with a Water Bottle?

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful!

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller.

STOP USING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC! If you’d like some more tips on how to save the world.

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Save $$$ • Save the Planet • Save Your Stomach!
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Best Time to Travel to Afghanistan

Given that most of the country is at a high altitude, some parts of Afghanistan get extremely cold in autumn and winter. Flights may be delayed or cancelled, while roads may be blocked without much warning. 

An aerial picture of the mountains of Afghanistan.
Mountains so good, the snow looks like icing sugar.
Photo: Todd Huffman (Flickr)

It may be tricky to visit during the month of Ramadan as most people are fasting during the day. Restaurants are closed and opening hours can be affected. Unless you specifically want the experience, travelling is a little harder during this time (remembering that the exact dates of Ramadan change each year relative to our plebian Western calendar).

In general, the best time to visit Afghanistan is in spring (March – June). Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and you’ll probably get a bit cold, but you won’t freeze your toesies!

Festivals in Afghanistan

Here are some of the main festivals in Afghanistan to look out for!

  • Nowruz (The Afghan New Year) – March: This is one of the merriest days of the year in Afghanistan! Nowruz is the day spring officially begins. The celebrations can last up to two weeks and involve a lot of fruits and flowers, and if you want to watch a traditional sports game buzkashi, this is the time to visit.
  • Eid al-Fitr – in accordance with the Islamic calendar: This day marks the end of Ramadan. It’s the smaller celebration of the two Eids but still involve feasts and family visits.
  • Eid al-Adha – in accordance with the Islamic calendar: This is perhaps the most important holiday for all Muslims around the world. It lasts for four days, and you will witness the biggest feast of the year! Bring sweatpants.
  • Ashura (Muharram) – August: It is a festival to mourn for the death of Imam Hussain, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Some Shia Muslims celebrate by performing self-flagellation in public. Is it metal?
A live demonstration of ritualistic self-flagellation during an Ashura festival.
Bro… it’s metal.
Photo: Gabby Canonizado (Flickr)

What to Pack for Afghanistan

There are a few must-have travel essentials for any backpacking trip listed in the table below. In addition, when travelling Afghanistan, I would recommend packing extra-extra-extra female sanitary items (they are hard to find in some parts of the country) and a pocket knife for camping.

Product
Description
Somewhere to hide your cash
Pacsafe belt
Somewhere to hide your cash

Travel Security Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

For those unexpected messes
For those unexpected messes

Microfiber Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

When the power goes out
Gifts for backpackers
When the power goes out

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

A way to make friends!
A way to make friends!

‘Monopoly Deal’

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Keep your laundry organized and stink free
Keep your laundry organized and stink free

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Finding Internet in Afghanistan

Wifi can be found in most hotels, guest houses, and trendy cafes. It can sometimes be pretty unreliable though.

Your best bet is to get a SIM card and use mobile data: Roshan, MTN, and Etisalat are your best options for purchasing a SIM card in Afghanistan. 

Staying Safe in Afghanistan

Remember that the situation in Afghanistan can change in a matter of seconds. It is very important to be aware of the latest situation at all times. While the usual tips for safe travels apply, it’s crucial to go the extra mile in Afghanistan.

You are responsible for your own safety. Most countries in the world advise against travel to Afghanistan. There are risks of kidnapping and death that could result in a diplomatic nightmare and some very upset friends and family. Just stay in the loop, do your planning, and make an informed decision.

In the lead up to the onset of the global pandemic in 2020 and the events of 2021, many independent travellers had been venturing to Afghanistan and posting about their experiences on forums and social media. Back then, Afghanistan was RELATIVELY stable and visiting major cities was quite easy, especially with the rise of Couchsurfing and Airbnb hosts.

For tourists, there was a pretty damn low threat of kidnapping. The biggest threat was random bomb attacks, traffic accidents, and petty crime. Bomb attacks usually only occurred on important roads and near important government/NGO/education centres as well Shia religious sites.

Back then, my friend – who runs a local tour company in Afghanistan – told me that he believes major cities in Afghanistan are pretty safe for tourists to visit. There was no need for special armed security forces: they just bring more attention. To prove a point, he said quite a few foreign journalists and photographers lived in Kabul casually and without security escorts.

Perhaps the most important things for backpackers in Afghanistan to remember are:

  1. Keep a low profile: dress like a local and drive a shitbox car.
  2. Never have a crowd build up around you; stay on the move.
  3. Don’t leak your travel itinerary or post it online. 
  4. Only travel to ‘safe zones’, i.e. places that locals and foreigners say are okay to visit. ALWAYS stay updated on these.
  5. Be sensitive to local customs. For example, don’t harass women by staring at or touching them. Don’t enter sacred sites without a proper dress code.
  6. Simply, have common sense. 

Even though it is possible and I have done it myself, long-distance overland travel in Afghanistan is very dangerous because of the risks of Taliban roadblocks and robbery. I travelled between Kabul and Bamiyan by shared taxi twice in June 2019 because it had been clear of Taliban roadblocks for a long time (and I had a reliable source to confirm the safety).

Overland travel in Afghanistan be like!
Photo: Todd Huffman (Flickr)

Hitchhiking in the Wakhan Corridor is possible. I hitchhiked solo around 200 kilometres with no problem. However, I highly advise against long-distance hitchhiking in the rest of Afghanistan.

Cycle touring is possible and has been done often by travellers in Bamiyan and in the Wakhan Corridor. I mountain-biked alone around the Band e Amir National Park. Zenda from Hong Kong cycled across the entire Afghanistan in 2013. However, this guy has the balls of Honnold and I do not recommend anyone to cross Taliban territory. 

On Couchsurfing, you can look at the references some hosts have left. You will find many people (including solo women) who have travelled to Afghanistan and that allows you to gauge the relative safety of their experience..

Here are a few extra resources that may come in handy for your adventures in Afghanistan!

  • BBC
  • CNBC
  • Al Jazeera
  • TOLO News
  • Lawfare
  • Locally-owned travel companies: Silk Road Afghanistan Travel (the most experienced), Let’s Be Friends Afghanistan
  • Foreign-owned companies: Rocky Road Travel, Untamed Borders, Wild Frontiers, Secret Compass
  • Couchsurfing
  • Caravanistan forum
  • Lonely Planet forum
  • Kabulian – Facebook group
  • Kabul Security Now – Facebook group (Be cautious of how much information you disclose about yourself and your travel plans.)
  • Have the contact number of the embassy in Afghanistan most relevant to you. They are supposed to give you advice and assistance when required.
  • INSO (International NGO Safety Organization) offers reports of security incidents in Afghanistan.
Please, consider aiding relief efforts in Afghanistan. The people need your help – now more than ever.

Clothing

The standard backpacker outfit does not apply in Afghanistan; it’s important that you dress according to the local customs. This applies to both ladies and gents: no short sleeves, no shorts, and no tight-fitting clothes!

The best clothes to wear are traditional Afghan garbs to stay as low profile as possible. A peraahan tunbaan (long shirt and loose pants) for men, and tunbaan (long dress and loose pants) for ladies. Ladies of the buxom disposition should also cover the twins with a scarf.

Ladies may also wear a full-length cloak to stay more low profile. 

Women wearing the blue burqa in Afghanistan.
The blue burqa is very emblematic of Afghanistan.
Photo: Institute of Money, Technology and Finacial Inclusion (Flickr)

In more conservative areas and crowded places, ladies are advised to wear a hijab (head covering). Ask around or observe what the local women around you wear. 

In Kandahar, I wore a niqab (face covering) in public areas at the request of my host. In Bamiyan and the Wakhan Corridor, I did not wear a hijab as the locals told me it was not necessary. 

Women are not allowed to enter mosques without a hijab.

Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll in Afghanistan

All drugs – including cannabis – are illegal in Afghanistan. However, they are not difficult to find at all and are very cheap too. Hashish, in particular, is pretty easy to source (and it’s gooooooood).

There used to be many nightclubs in Kabul before one of them got attacked, but now there is only one left. The best parties happen INSIDE people’s homes. Some private bars are so beautiful that you’d forget that you are in Afghanistan, however, you’ll need an in (i.e. an invite from a local).

You may meet ex-pats who live their whole life in Afghanistan within secured compounds and are escorted everywhere. They may have a pretty different impression of Afghanistan.

Three bottles of alcohol and a soldier.
The naughty, naughty good stuff.
Photo: Todd Huffman (Flickr)

Foreigners are NOT prohibited from possessing or consuming alcohol, however, this exception might not apply if you have a Muslim name.

You are allowed to bring two litres of alcohol with you when arriving in Afghanistan. This can be the best gift to give to a host or local friends that drink! I mean, anyone who drinks will be pretty stoked to receive a little cheeky whisky.

However, these rules are almost certain about to change under the latest Taliban control in 2021.

It is important to note that foreign travellers have a very privileged experience in Afghanistan. For example, foreign women are considered a “third gender”. We are not treated like local women: we have the ability to move more freely than a lot of local women.

This can be confusing and confronting. But if you’ve chosen to come here, you will learn just how immense your privilege is.

That being said, many women can and do thrive and rise to become leaders of the community here. Famously, the student with the top marks in the university entrance exam was a girl in 2021. Especially in Kabul, many women did not even own a burqa and struggled to find one when the Taliban captured the city.

But, I still think it’s important to recognise the comparative ease I had as a foreign women travelling the country compared with those who live here. The tourist’s experience is never representative of the locals.

Travel Insurance for Afghanistan

Do you even need to think about getting insured for Afghanistan? There are only a handful of insurance companies that cover travel in war zones. They are not cheap, but they’re worth it when shit hits the fan.

Here are some popular options:

  • First Allied (most competitive price)
  • Battleface
  • Voyager Insurance

They all offer pretty good coverage. You have the options to include crisis response and ransom reimbursement.

While even the top travel insurance companies have varying policies about Afghanistan, it’s still worth considering taking out something. We’re not going to tell you that it’s mandatory, just that it’s nice to have your ass covered when things go wrong!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

How to Get into Afghanistan

There are two ways to enter Afghanistan:

  • By land
  • By air

Some travellers enter Mazar-i-Sharif via Uzbekistan, or alternatively Herat by land from Iran. So for the overlanders amongst us, there is a way to leave the country that is not by flight! However, it is dependent upon the security situation at the time. Sometimes your overlanding principles may be disrupted by a terrorist threat or attack.

A blast wall in Kabul that has been painted with graffiti promoting peace.
Blast walls of Kabul.
Photo: Marsha Jean

It is almost impossible to get a permit from the Pakistani Army to use their land borders. The land border with China is not open.

There are usually flights entering Afghanistan from Turkey, the UAE, Tajikistan, China, Russia, and India. If you are not going to the Wakhan Corridor, this is probably your best bet. Flying into Kabul or Herat is fairly straightforward.

Entering the Wakhan Corridor is only possible by land (through Iskeshim) from Tajikistan. This is a very beautiful stretch of the world, and there’s nothing like a little Dunshabe traffic chaos to get you inspired for the peaceful mountains!

Note that borders may be closed under the new Taliban control.

Entry Requirements for Afghanistan

A foreigners registration card for Afghanistan.
This is me, Marsha Jean.
Photo: Marsha Jean

Citizens from most countries will need a visa to enter Afghanistan. (Embassies may now refuse to issue tourist visas with the recent Taliban control.)

Getting a visa can sometimes be tricky as it seems like every embassy/consulate has its own set of rules. What’s more, the rules are constantly changing; sometimes they ask you to write a letter swearing you’ll take responsibility for your safety, and sometimes they ask you to have permission from your home country to grant you a visa. Sometimes, they simply ask you to fill a form and pay.

It’s a bit of wait and see, and roll the dice in the visa game.

If you are asked to have permission from your home country’s embassy, it sometimes works to say that you have asked and were told that it’s not necessary. (It happened to me in Pakistan.)

Sometimes, there’s no set visa fee so you can bargain the asking price down.

The embassies/consulates in Dubai, Khorog, and Karachi have been reported to be one of the easiest places to get a visa. The Lonely Planet forum and Caravanistan forum are good places to look for reports of visa applications around the world.

Some countries – like South Korea – don’t even allow their citizens to enter Afghanistan legally! You just have to know what passport you’re travelling on, where in the world you are, and what your best option is. Honestly, where there is a will there is a way. Sometimes, you just need a little patience.

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How to Get Around Afghanistan

Travelling by land within Afghanistan is extremely dangerous, especially since 2021. There are risks of Taliban roadblocks, robbery, and road accidents. The best way to travel is by air. Ariana Afghan Airlines and Kam Air are the two main airlines operating within Afghanistan. 

I have heard of travellers managing to purchase tickets for flights operated by NGOs in Afghanistan. You need to have a personal contact to do that. The locally-owned travel companies may sell those tickets.

Onwards Travel from Afghanistan

There are plenty of countries in the region for you to explore! Afghanistan serves as the bridge between South and Central Asia.

girl at rush lake backpacking in pakistan
The mountains of Pakistan are always a good idea.
Photo: @intentionaldetours

Here are some of the most popular destinations:

  • Pakistan – Ahh, backpacking in Pakistan – one of The Broke Backpacker’s favourite destinations! More unreal mountain scenery, steaming cups of hot chai, and epic hospitality awaits!
  • Iran – Iran and Afghanistan share some cultural similarities; Farsi and Dari are almost the same language! However, Iran is a Shia Islamic country while Afghanistan is a Sunni Islamic country. This is one of the main causes of conflicts between the two countries.
    Iran is a lot more developed to travel in comparison to Afghanistan. When the security situation is stable, it is possible to travel by land over to Iran from Herat.
  • Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan – Trace along the Ancient Silk Road through one of the most untuched remaining regions on the planet! When security is stable, it is possible to cross by land from Mazar-i-Sharif to Uzbekistan.
    These Central Asian countries also have many similarities to Afghanistan – especially in the Wakhan Corridor. Ancient empires have left their mark and continue to connect modern nation states of now.
Get some more epic travel content in ya to continue your journey!

What to Eat in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has some of the most delicious and hearty dishes in the world. Wheat, dairy products, fresh fruits, and vegetables are staples in the diet. Oh, and of course, a wide range of aromatic spices and herbs to make sure every meal is a sensual explosion!

At a more nuanced level, the cuisine changes specific to regions and the ethnicity of the denizens of the area. Both Pashtun cuisine and Hazaragi cuisine (of the Pashtun and Hazara people respectively) carry their own dishes, scents, and spices, though there are similarities between them.

Generally, you can expect your meals to be oily slick and cooked through with mutton fat. In the wintery heights of Aghanistan, such grub is a necessity to keep you warm!

Furthermore, backpackers with a softer disposition to the searing spice levels of the region will be delighted to know the food in Afghanistan goes easier on the heat than other cuisines of the surrounding South Asia locales. Emphasis is placed on the balance and the sweetness drawn through with dried fruits and nuts.

Bread is a staple and included alongside every meal. Of course, food tastes always best when mixed with the fingers, but cutlery is generally available in most restaurants for those uninitiated in this style. Remember to only eat and touch everything on the table with your right hand… the left hand is for going to the bathroom (i.e cleaning yo’ stanky bum!).

In most homes, it is common to eat on a special food rug on the floor. Guests will sit around the rug in order of importance. Therefore, it is important to follow your host’s instructions on where to sit. Sit cross-legged and don’t show the soles of your feet.

That’s just the technicalities though – the real question… “Is it good?”

Dude, it’s gooooooooooood.
Photo: US Military (WikiCommons)

Expect to EAT. Expect to EAT in LUDICROUS portions. Expect to EAT long past the point you should have stopped EATING because you JUST CAN’T STOP EATING.

And if you’re couchsurfing or staying with locals, bring your moomoo and leave the skinny jeans at home. Because you ain’t going home skinny!

Common Dishes in Afghanistan

  • Kabuli PulaoA delicious combo of lamb, rice mixed with raisins, caramelised carrots, nuts and spices. It is Afghanistan’s national dish for a reason!
  • Afghan Kebab – Charcoaled meat on skewers, usually of lamb. It looks like a simple dish, but the Afghan spices will have you ordering an extra plate in seconds.
  • Ashok Dumplings filled with leek served with a yogurt sauce infused with fresh herbs. The sauce is the secret weapon of this dish.
  • Sheer Yakh – Highly addictive traditional Afghan ice-cream! This is not just your mum’s ice-cream. Serve it up with your favourite fruits and caramelized nut toppings – just heavenly! I ate this daily and my newly formed love handles thanked me greatly.
  • Bolani – Pancake filled with potato/spinach/ pumpkin. They taste better at street vendors!
  • Borani Banjan – Fried eggplant in a delectable tomato and yogurt sauce with LOTS of Afghan spices. BEWARE! The creamy and tender eggplant in combination with the layers of flavour will cause a variety vocal noises of pleasure to escape your mouth.
  • Mantu – Steamed dumplings filled with ground meat and onion, topped with a refreshing yogurt herb sauce.
  • Afghan Mastawa – A sticky rice dish with chickpeas, sun-dried lamb, orange peel, and lots of herbs. The heartiness of the meat is balanced perfectly by the refreshing euphoria of the citrus.

Afghan Culture

There is a strong culture of hospitality and a code of honour among the various ethnicities of Afghanistan (particularly within the Pashtun people towards foreign guests. It’s entirely common for strangers to constantly invite you over for tea, a meal, or an overnight stay. 

Some people may refuse payment for food and drinks, and offer you these for free. You are supposed to refuse this offer, and instead, offer to pay yourself – the Pashtunwali honourable customs can be a confusing dance to learn! But at the end of the day, it’s good to pay for your food and drinks in some way, even if you have to subtly slip money to someone so they don’t lose face.

An old man selling clayware at a market in Parwan, Afghanistan.
Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

After decades of war, the attitude of some people towards foreigners may have changed. You may no longer be welcomed as an interesting distraction but instead with an air of tension. I think this is understandable, even if it makes it awkward for you. There is simply a lot of unsettled emotions regarding all that has occurred in the country.

But the people of Afghanistan are good, and all that separates you from them is the difference in geographical coordinates between your place of birth and theirs. A sincere smile and few words of Dari can often break the ice.

A young Afghan girl with blue eyes in a crowd of locals wearing burqas.

Most people are still eager to show you around their country and get to know you! The genuine kindness and generosity of the people will show you why Afghanistan is a place that all travellers fall in love with. Again, there is a certain something that just draws people here, be it the mysticism or the madness of it all.

BUT It is extremely important to follow local customs. Some leeway is allowed for foreigners, but it’s still important not to not offend anyone or make them uncomfortable in order to alleviate those cultural divides.

Be aware of the interaction between opposite genders; as a general rule, never touch people of the opposite sex, unless they have shown you that it’s okay to do so. Men should not stare at women. Understand that some local women never interact with men from outside the family. And of course, dress modestly for the sake of respect and your own safety.

Speaking Dari and Pashto – Useful Travel Phrases in Afghanistan

There are actually over 40 languages spoken in Afghanistan! Dari and Pashto are the two official languages, and many Pashto speakers can speak Dari, but not usually vice versa. 

Dari is very similar to Farsi and Tajik, so Dari is a useful language to know when travelling in the region. Generally speaking, learning a bit of the local lingo will always net you a few new friends!

Here are some useful Dari phrases to know-

  • Hello – Assalamu Alaikum
  • How are you? – Chitor hasti?/ Chitoori? (informal)
  • I’m fine, and you? – Man khoobam, va shoma?
  • Good morning – Sobh bekheir
  • Good afternoon – Scham bekheir
  • Bye – Khodahafez
  • Yes/no – Baleh/ ne (or naheir)
  • Thank you (very much) – (heili) tashakor!
  • How much? – In cheh gheimat ast?
  • What is this? – In chist?
  • Where is the toilet? – Tashnab kojast?
  • I’m sorry – Motasefam
  • Excuse me (for attention) – Bebakhshid
  • Help – Komak
  • Cheers – Be salamati
  • I’m married – Man moteahel hastam
  • Go away – Gom shoo
  • I’m lost – Man gom shodeham
  • Where? – Koja?
  • I don’t understand – Motevajeh nemishavam

Pro-tip: Memorise the written forms of “women” and “men” to avoid confusion at the bathrooms too.

Books to Read about Afghanistan

No great adventure is complete without a great book to read on all the boring transits! So how about some books to read about Afghanistan while you travel Afghanistan?

A Brief History of Afghanistan

Historically, Afghanistan was known as the “Roundabout of the Ancient World”. It served as a strategic stop on the Silk Road which allowed the flow of goods between the Mediterranean and China. The Persians, the Greeks (under Alexander the Great), the Buddhists of Bamiyan, the Turks, and even Genghis Khan all invaded and ruled Afghanistan at one point in history; none of these empires lasted.

A map od the Silk Road circa 1200 CE.
The Ancient Silk Road: From East tot West.
Photo: Gabriel Moss (WikiCommons)

Afghanistan and India have an especially long and entwined history. Afghanistan was the historical gate into India before the sea routes opened up. When the British had their colonial vice on India, they became increasingly interested in Afghanistan. They were also concerned about Russia’s growing influence in West Asia. 

This culminated in two Anglo-Afghanistan wars – the first of which the British lost. After the second war, the Afghans, in a move for peace, conceded to the British Raj, however, they maintained control over internal affairs. Afghanistan came to act as a buffer between the British and Russian empires.

A photo of fruit markets in Kabul circa 1961.
Always, there has been life.
Photo: Manh Hai (Flickr)

Afghanistan has always been a thriving and diverse place – and also one of strategic importance. By the 1970s they were long free of British influence and had embraced a mixture of liberal democracy (including advocating for women’s rights) and communism. 

The Russian invasion of the 1970s triggered a domino effect that, among other causal impacts, included the USA training Afghan rebels who would go on to become members of Al Queda. The invasion itself follows a long historical pattern of big world powers fighting to control Afghanistan and losing. Russia lost when they invaded Afghanistan in the 1970s, and the USA eventually lost in 2021 after a long period of invasion. 

Those that continue to bear the brunt of the invasions are the people that live in Afghanistan. In the aftermath of the fighting during the 1970s, the Taliban was formed. 

Afghanistan in Modern Times: Unpacking the Taliban

I think, above all, the most crucial aspect to note before addressing the Taliban is that normative Islam does not preach or condone extreme violence. But we live in a world of double standards.

In Uganda, there is a rebel group known as the Lord’s Resistance Army – a group that initiates extreme violence, developed around the cult of personality of the notorious Joseph Kony, and acting on what it believes is in accordance with the Ten Commandments of the Christianity. The persecution and systematic oppression performed by this group on men, women, and children rival that of anything the Taliban has done.

And yet no one is lining up leaders of the Christian faith and asking them to explain the differences between peaceful Christianity and the Lord’s Resistance Army. Perhaps, it is not the place of a travel guide to address the history and ideology of the Taliban. But this is not a travel guide for Afghanistan, because you cannot travel Afghanistan; because of the Taliban.

If we are to understand the complexity of Afghanistan, we have to also understand the complexity of the Taliban, one of the most heinous insurgent organisations the modern world has ever seen. But they did not emerge out of a vacuum; energy cannot be created or destroyed. Violence begets only violence.

A variety of weaponry used in the Afghanistan War.
War begets war.
Photo: Resolute Support Media (Flickr)

Religion is not truth, because there is no truth. There are frameworks with which individuals assess and order the inherent chaos of the universe. And much like Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, countless folk religions, Shintoism, and all the teachings of the Old Gods and the New, these teachings can be a tool harnessed for a greater good. But they are also susceptible to corruption.

Because ultimately, they are a tool of man. And no one man – or woman – can claim to know the mind of God.

Read more…

The origins of the Taliban lie rooted in one such interpretation of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, just the same as the Lord’s Resistance Army lies in one interpretation of the teachings of the Prophet Moses. During the 1980s, it is estimated that as many as 6 million refugees lived in camps in neighbouring Pakistan and Iran, their displacement being the direct result of the Soviet Union’s invasion.

It is here that temporary madrassas, or religious schools, emerged. But these were not contemplative schools of the teachings of the Prophet. These were angry, scared, young men with no familial structure and no cultural grounding left. What they had come to know was violence, and violence only begets violence. 

The Soviets were infidel invaders; the mujahideen – the jihadists meant to protect Afghanistan – were impotent and corrupt. If you grow up knowing only war, then war is all you’re comfortable in perpetuating. You cannot break the chain of abuse unless there is a kind guiding hand to show you the better way.

Following the civil war of the 1990s, the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. And therein lies the problem…

The Taliban weren’t educated and fully-formed adults capable of restoring a crumbling nation-state brought to its knees by pathological Western invasion: they were scared and abused children that had just been handed the reigns of power. And when you’ve spent your whole life learning to fight, and you’ve just fought the fight, and you’ve just won the fight, and all you know is the fight, what do you do?

You keep fighting.

A Taliban soldier in Afghanistan.
“The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children.”
Photo: newsonline (Flickr)

None of this is to justify the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Taliban – it is simply to understand how such a monster could be created. And to remember one simple truth.

Amputating the hands of thieves is not normative Islam. Stoning women to death who walk in public without a male relative is not normative Islam. And NONE of this is normative Afghanistan.

The Taliban is not the creation of the failure of Islam. Nor is it the creation of the failure of Afghanistan. The Taliban is the creation of the world’s failures.

All those scared refugees all those years ago needed was kindness; they needed to be shown a way out of the Hell they’d been handed. There are no monsters in this world save the ones we make.

It is not God that butchers the children nor fate that feeds them to the dogs. Only us.

Keep reading!

But listen, Afghanistan’s story is not over. Time and time again, angry men have tried to take what is not rightfully theirs. Afghanistan is not a country that is full of Taliban sympathisers: it is the exact opposite. It is a nation of tortured and persecuted people held captive in their homeland.

The Afghan people under Taliban rule have nothing to lose, moreso now more than ever given the USA’s recent abandonment of the war it started. And when you have nothing more to lose, you only have everything to gain.

“Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.” And in a country full of God-fearing people like Afghanistan, there will come a time for resistance once more. The story isn’t over, and neither is the war. Let’s just hope that next time, it’s fought by more righteous nations.

Locals walk down a dusty, desolate street in Kabul at sunrise.

But then, what do we know? This is just the collective thoughts of two well-read and well-travelled dirtbags and one veteran backpacker that’s actually been to Afghanistan.

If you’d like to find your own truth – which is the very heart of travel itself – then, please, do so. Here are some links below so you can start that journey. We hope it is enlightening.

Unique Experiences in Afghanistan

I mean, it’s Afghanistan: backpacking Afghanistan IS the unique experience! The country is well and truly off the beaten path; Afghanistan took the beaten path and gave it back to Pakistan saying, “Yo, cuz, ya dropped this.”

Every day will surprise you when travelling in Afghanistan.

However, Afghanistan also has some of the best travel experiences that you would normally associate with other countries. Adventure goodies, phenomenal architecture, and even winter sports! I like to believe in a parallel quantum reality where Afghanistan became a backpacker’s gem, everybody was going hard on these wild activities.

DON'T DIE OUT THERE! …Please 🙂
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Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

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Mountaineering in Afghanistan

A trekker in Afghanistan stands underneath an ice drift in Panjshir.
Ice ice, baby.

Did you know that more than 75% of Afghanistan is mountain ranges? The Hindu Kush mountain range bordering Pakistan is one of the most famous ones.

Being one of the most forgotten destinations at the Roof of the World (otherwise known as ‘High Asia’), there are numerous mountaineering locales. They are all suitably epic and far from anything that could be considered touristed.

The Wakhan Corridor, Mount Noshaq, Panjshir, Salang, and Bamyan are some of the most popular mountaineering destinations in Afghanistan. Pack yo’ best adventure gear cause we got mountains to climb!

I think one of the most epic mountaineering experiences would have to be conquering all of Afghanistan’s peaks. And, yes, you bet there are unbagged peaks too.

How many? Honestly, nobody knows. But that just means it’s time to start climbing!

Trekking in Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s natural beauty makes it one of the best places to go trekking in the world. However, you need to be prepared for difficult environs depending on when you visit.

Given that most of the country is at high altitude – particularly the trekking areas – and that you’ll be traversing huge areas of wilderness, be smart. Don’t go underprepared with your gear, do plenty of research before you arrive, and then always ask locals for tips and advice when you do.

Marsha Jean and her donkey companion while trekking in Afghanistan in the Wakhan corridor.
That’s one fiiiine looking ass. The donkey’s pretty cute too!
Photo: @themarshajean

And if you’re prone to bouts of loneliness, rent a donkey! I had many good conversations on my trips to Afghanistan, but none ever topped my chats with Merzouka the steadfast mule.

Here are the most popular areas for trekking.

  • The Wakhan Corridor: One of the most remote and surreal parts of the world. Trekkers have been coming to this part of the world for decades. It is relatively easy to find trekking guides, pack animals for rent or sale, and translators in the main villages of Ishkashem and Sharhad-e-Broghil.
  • Bamyan province: Bamyan is truly a heaven for trekkers. There are plenty of treks that even have established homestays along the routes. But the snows roll in hard over winter, so plan out your trips well!
  • Band-e Amir National Park: Pearly lunar lakes meet rising plateaus; there are numerous hiking trails around the park to knock your socks off. And if you want to pop off the trail for a spot of wild camping, the stars will blow your hat and mind away too!
    Band-e Amir is a super popular vacation spot for locals too. Avoid weekends and national holidays to maximise your solitude.

Skiing in Afghanistan

Skiing in Bamyan is slowly gaining popularity. The Bamyan Ski Club organizes annual ski competitions that have earned some notable headlines!

There are experienced Afghan ski guides who you can hire to show you what the mountains in Bamyan have to offer. The slopes are mean, and the powder is delish, but without ski lifts, you certainly have to be fit enough to make the climb!

The Last Word on a Backpacking Trip to Afghanistan

There are as many different ways to tell the story of Afghanistan as there are recipes to the perfect cup of chai. It is an infinitely complex country with a long, winding history and many different groups of proud and hospitable people. I fell in love with the place when I was here, and I’m not the only one.

Marsha Jean, Afghanistan backpacker, in Bamiyan.
Good vibes only.
Photo: @themarshajean

Of course, I fell in love with the wilderness and with the mountains. I fell in love with Merzouka – the loyal donkey that trekked and snacked his way through the Wakhan Corridor with me! I fell in love with the Bamiyan mountains, and with the deserts in between.

I loved the mosques, the ruins, the markets, the food. I loved the little moments of madness, and I loved the overwhelming periods of tranquillity.

But above all else, I fell in love with the people. Everywhere I went I was welcomed with unrivalled hospitality and kindness. I shared so many cups of tea, so many huge meals, and so many precious moments with people I now consider my friends.

I think what is forgotten most amongst all the stories of wartime and agenda-driven fearmongering is the everyday shopkeeper… the labourer… the teacher… the nurse. Even when war rages on, there are people trying to make a life for themselves. There are people that persevere through the struggle for their families because that’s the only choice they were given.

We forget that underneath it all – the sensationalism and big games of power played by little people – that we are ALL human. What has happened in Afghanistan now, in 2021, is a travesty of justice. But the people of Afghanistan always persevere.

Many an empire have tried to claim them. Many a conquest have failed. Nature always takes back what is hers.

While backpacking in Afghanistan, for now, remains a distant dream, this guide stands as an homage to what I experienced. It stands as a tribute to the goodness of the people of Afghanistan – the people that need a voice.

The heart may ache for what has occurred there: it aches a little more every day. But people – like a good cup of chai – are complicated. They are a delicately balanced recipe, and no two recipes are the same. But below it all, there is a sliver of light in even the darkest of souls.

Remember Afghanistan, and if one day you can, visit Afghanistan. But be kind, remember that nothing is true, never forget to enjoy the chai…

A small Afghan boy pushes his grandfather down a dusty road in a cart.
…and remember what peace there maybe be in silence.
Talk less, listen more.
About the Authors and This Backpacking Afghanistan Travel Guide

Marsha Jean - Afghanistan backpacker

Marsha Jean is a Hong Kong-born backpacker and slow traveller who adores stepping off the beaten trail and into the wild places. It’s at the edges of her comfort zone that she finds the most solace.

Amongst many other shenanigans, her adventures include two backpacking trips to Afghanistan, a bikepacking escapade across Central Asia, and several months exploring the icy heights of Pakistan.

This guide was pieced together through information provided by Marsha on her experience of travelling in Afghanistan. Her experience, coupled with the knowledge and skills of myself and Indigo Atkinson, another veteran travel writer from The Broke Backpacker Team with ample experience travelling the South Asia region, made this guide and tribute to the majesty of Afghanistan possible.

Thank you, Marsha. And thank you, Afghanistan. One day, the OG Hippy Trail will make a daring return. And until that day comes, we have these words.

To find out more about Marsha Jean and her work, you can visit her personal site!


And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!