DAY ONE
ARRIVAL
Arrival in Kabul
Your guide meets you at Kabul airport and takes you to your hotel for a welcome briefing.
- Airport pickup
- Hotel check-in
- Trip briefing
KABUL · BAMIYAN · PANJSHIR · GHOR · SAMANGAN · MAZAR-I-SHARIF · AFGHANISTAN
16-Day Central & Western Afghanistan
Sixteen days through six provinces, including the remote Minaret of Jam in Ghor, Bamiyan, Panjshir, Samangan and Mazar-i-Sharif.
16 Days
15 Nights
Private Tour
From $3,520
Book This Tour ↗
Since 2014 Licensed local operator in Kabul
Visa help Invitation letter & permits arranged
24/7 Local support on WhatsApp
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TOUR OVERVIEW
About this 16-day journey
For travellers who want more than the classics. This 16-day private journey adds the wild central highlands of Ghor and the UNESCO-listed Minaret of Jam to Kabul, Bamiyan, Band-e Amir, the Panjshir Valley, Samangan and Mazar-i-Sharif. Road conditions in Ghor change with the season, so we confirm the route with you before you travel.
THE JOURNEY
Your journey, day by day.
DAY BY DAY
The journey,unfolded.
A clear plan for every day. Final timings are agreed with you before you travel.
DAY TWO
HISTORY
Kabul Highlights
Kabul’s history and markets.
- Gardens of Babur
- National Museum
- Darul Aman Palace
- Old-city bazaars
DAY THREE
THE ROAD
Kabul to Bamiyan
Across the Hindu Kush mountains to Bamiyan.
- Drive or flight to Bamiyan
- Mountain viewpoints
- Hotel check-in
DAY FOUR
UNESCO
Bamiyan Heritage
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of Bamiyan.
- The Buddha niches and caves
- Shahr-e Gholghola (City of Screams)
- Shahr-e Zuhak (Red City)
- Bamiyan bazaar
DAY FIVE
NATURE
Band-e Amir National Park
A full day at the deep-blue lakes of Band-e Amir.
- Lake viewpoints
- Walk along Band-e Haibat
- Picnic lunch by the water
DAY SIX
THE ROAD
Bamiyan to Kabul
Return to Kabul through the mountains.
- Drive or flight to Kabul
- Evening free
DAY SEVEN
NATURE
Into the Panjshir Valley
Drive north through the Shomali Plain into the Panjshir gorge.
- Drive along the Panjshir River
- Village walk
- Overnight in Panjshir
DAY EIGHT
NATURE
Panjshir Valley
A full day in the green Panjshir Valley.
- Mausoleum of Ahmad Shah Massoud
- Viewpoints over the valley
- Tea with local families
DAY NINE
THE ROAD
Panjshir to Kabul
Return to Kabul and prepare for the west.
- Return to Kabul
- Evening free
DAY TEN
EXPEDITION
Journey to Ghor
Travel into the central highlands of Ghor.
- Flight or long drive to Chaghcharan
- Highland landscapes
- Hotel check-in
DAY ELEVEN
UNESCO
Minaret of Jam
Visit the 12th-century Minaret of Jam in its river gorge.
- Drive to Jam
- Minaret of Jam
- Hari River gorge
DAY TWELVE
THE ROAD
Ghor to Kabul
Return towards Kabul.
- Travel back to Kabul
- Rest evening
DAY THIRTEEN
THE NORTH
Kabul to Samangan
North over the Salang Pass.
- Salang Pass
- Arrive in Samangan
DAY FOURTEEN
HERITAGE
Samangan to Mazar-i-Sharif
Takht-e Rustam, then on to Mazar-i-Sharif.
- Takht-e Rustam stupa
- Drive to Mazar-i-Sharif
DAY FIFTEEN
HERITAGE
Mazar-i-Sharif & Balkh
The Blue Mosque and the ancient city of Balkh.
- Shrine of Hazrat Ali (Blue Mosque)
- Balkh old city walls
- Green Mosque of Balkh
- Local bazaar
DAY SIXTEEN
DEPARTURE
Departure
Fly home from Mazar-i-Sharif or Kabul.
- Airport drop-off
PLACES TO DISCOVER
Places to discover.
01
Kabul
Afghanistan’s capital: Mughal gardens, the National Museum, Darul Aman Palace and busy old-city bazaars.
02
Bamiyan
The giant Buddha niches carved into the cliffs, the ruined cities of Shahr-e Gholghola and Shahr-e Zuhak, and wide mountain valleys.
03
Band-e Amir
Afghanistan’s first national park: a chain of deep-blue lakes held back by natural walls of travertine.
04
Panjshir
A green river valley between high mountains, with stone villages, orchards and the mausoleum of Ahmad Shah Massoud.
05
Ghor
Rugged central highlands and the 12th-century Minaret of Jam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site deep in a river gorge.
06
Samangan
Takht-e Rustam, a Buddhist stupa and monastery cut straight down into the rock.
07
Mazar-i-Sharif & Balkh
The blue-tiled Shrine of Hazrat Ali and the old walls and Green Mosque of Balkh, once one of the great cities of Central Asia.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
What to expect
Minaret of Jam
A remote UNESCO site few travellers ever reach.
Six provinces
From Kabul to the far north.
Real expedition
Highland roads and village life.
INCLUDED
What's Included
- ✓Official invitation letter from HAMIDI TMC (for your visa application)
- ✓Help with the traveller permit letters for each province
- ✓Airport pickup and drop-off
- ✓Hotel accommodation (twin or private room)
- ✓Daily breakfast
- ✓Professional local English-speaking guide
- ✓Private transport with an experienced driver
- ✓24/7 local support from our Kabul team
NOT INCLUDED
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Lunch and dinner
- Entrance fees to sites and attractions
- Personal expenses and tips
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Interested in this tour?
Ask HAMIDI TOURS for the verified schedule, price, route, and service details.