Holiday in Afghanistan

Mountains · Heritage · Resilience

The travel experts at Holiday Hamster can plan your trip to Afghanistan, taking care of all the details, so all you have to think about is what to pack.

Afghanistan: Ancient Wonders

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Asia. Located at the crossroads between Central and South Asia, the country is bordered by Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Considered to be the heart of Asia thanks to its central position along many trade routes, including the Silk Road, which was used for over 2,000 years, the country is known for its rich supply of natural resources such as gold, marble and coal, and it has one of the youngest populations in the world with around 65% of the population under the age of 25.

Alongside rich natural resources and a youthful population, you’ll be surprised to find that Afghanistan has a wealth of incredible sights to see and things to do.

Hiking Through History

Band-e Amir is the country’s first national park, and rugged dry mountains surround the turquoise blue waters of the lakes in a park 3,000 meters above sea level. The park is popular with hikers in the warmer months, where they can marvel at the fantastic mountain lake scenery.

To see glimpses into the pre-Muslim past of this Asian country, then head to Samangan to admire the incredible cave complex of Takht I Rostam, where you will find Buddhist images carved into the rocks – a fascinating look at the country’s forgotten past.

Faizabad is where you will find rustic villages nestled into the Afghan mountains. Discover local life here as farmers and highlanders go about their daily lives.

Echoes of Ancient Times

Head to the incredible city of Herat to marvel at the spectacular Friday Mosque. This magnificent architectural delight is thought to be more than eight centuries old and is covered in delicate tiles giving it a majestic feel.

Bamiyan is where you can see the ruins of two giant Buddhas destroyed by the Taliban two decades ago. Now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to prevent further damage, these incredible stone sculptures signified one of the most important places for Western Buddhism.

Admire the beautiful Mazar-e Sharif, otherwise known as the Blue Mosque, with its turquoise blue domes and intricate tiled detailing, which is thought to be the burial site of the prophet Mohammed’s cousin – Ali bin Talib.