Oct’23 : 7-days trip Minaret of Jam

7-day trip: Minaret of Jam, Afghanistan

Trip assumed to originate from Kabul Airport

No. Of people: 2-10

Price: USD 1700

Date: Oct. 10-16, 2023

Day 1 Kabul Arrival

Date: Oct. 10, 2023

Arrival and briefing at the hotel and Then you will have time to visit the bird Market known as the oldest part of Kabul where birds from all over the world is exhibited. It’s not only a bird market but a big portion of life like blacksmiths, sellers, old shops etc is out there. You will see various types people from different ethnicities and places of Afghanistan. Then visit an old turquoise-tiled mosque named Sakhi Shrine in the west of Kabul. This place is very sacred to Shia Muslims, who believe it to be the final resting-place of Hazrati Ali, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad.

Overnight at Cedar Guesthouse

Day 2 Kabul to Bamyan

Oct. 11, 2023

Early in the morning you will journey out through the Ghurband valley to the famous ancient Buddhist complex. The Buddhas of Bamyan were two monumental statues carved into the side of a cliff in the Bamyan valley in the 6th century. These massive World-Heritage-listed statues, situated in the peaceful Hazarajat region of central Afghanistan, were deliberately dynamited and destroyed by the Taliban in March 2001, a great cultural loss to all humanity. Although the Buddhas are gone, the immense niches where they stood, and the extensive surrounding complex of caves and temples, cut into the cliff-face, are still an extraordinary historic site to explore.

After lunch we will visit Shahr-e Gholghola also known as the City of Screams, the ruins of a 12th century (and possibly much older) city near the town of Bamyan. The city was conquered by Genghis Khan in the 13th century after months of siege.

Overnight at Noor-Band Qala Hotel

Day 3 Band-e Ameer National Park

Oct. 12, 2023

Visit to the blue lakes of Band-e-Amir. The lakes are separated by natural dams made of travertine, a mineral deposit. The name Band-e Amir, literally means "Commander's Dam," which is believed by some to be a reference to Ali, the first Imam of Muslims (to Shias) and the fourth Caliph of Islam (to Sunnis). This area is dominated by ethnic Hazaras, who make up around 23% of Afghanistan's population. Band-e Amir was to become Afghanistan's first National Park in the 1960s but this was delayed due to successive political crises and decades of war. In 2004, Band-e Amir was submitted for recognition as a World Heritage site, and in 2009, it was finally declared as Afghanistan's first National Park. Since 2013 it has become a popular destination for both Afghan and international visitors. The Journey will continue to visit 63 meters Minaret of Jam, the second tallest ancient minaret in the world, coming behind only the Qutb Minar in Delhi.

Overnight at a Local GH in Ghur

Day 4 Visit to Minaret of Jam  

Oct. 13, 2023

The tower is covered in elaborate designs: patterns of pentagons, hexagons, and diamonds, and a Kufic inscription in turquoise tiles. The minaret, a feature of Islamic architecture used to provide a vantage point for the call to prayer, is located in the Ghur province of central Afghanistan, at the confluence of the Jam Rud and Hari Rud rivers. It was built in 1194 by the Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad and is composed of four cylindrical shafts made of fired bricks. The result is an impressive structure, rearing out of an otherwise desolate valley, made all the more intriguing to archaeologists

by the fact that the city that must once have surrounded as it is now buried.

Overnight at a Local GH in Ghur

Day 5 Drive back to Bamyan  

Oct. 14, 2023

Drive back to Bamyan.

Overnight at Noor-Band Qala Hotel

Day 6 Bamyan to Kabul and visit to Parwan Stupa

Oct. 15, 2023

Your journey towards north of Afghanistan passing through Hindukush ranges from Ghurband valley towards Parwan to see the amazing Buddhist Stupa from 2nd century and then continue your journey towards Kabul. While in Kabul, we will show you Shah Do Shamshira (the king with two swords) Mosque at the heart of Kabul city built by the King Amanullah khan in the memory of the Arab King who forced Kabul people in to Islam in the early 683 with his two swords. Then we will take you for an overall view of Kabul city at Bibi Mahro Hills.

Overnight at Cedar Guesthouse

Day 7 End of the trip (goodbye)

Oct. 16, 2023

Depends of your flight timing. We will make sure to drop you on time to the airport and this will be end of the trip.

Security/Do and Don’ts:

-      Local clothing: (Hijab for women) will be very helpful as it doesn’t only blend you in, respect to culture and our traditional outfit etc. but it creates a happy friendly atmosphere while locals see you wearing Afghanistan like attire. 

-      Locations safe: Normally the locations you will be visiting are safe and pre security assessed. Although you always cooperate with your guide in case of any emergency cases while the guide asks you to leave or jump in the car and s/he can always explain later.

-      People praying at the mosque: you will visit mosques during your visit and you might find people praying. Please never cross from the front of the person praying as it ruins the prayer. Sides and behind the person praying is fine.

-      Some students and young people ask questions: At the sites you will find some people trying to approach intending to talk to you. They normally ask questions like who you are, why you are in Afghanistan. It’s always OK to talk to them, tell them what your name is, you are a tourist and you coming from any country you are but please always keep your address, hotel, and itinerary secrete with you. Sometime they will ask for Facebook, WhatsApp etc. You can share just to keep the conversation smooth or friendly but it’s up to you reject them later.

-      Drink bottled water: Please always feel free to ask your guide for bottled water. The water from the tub in your hotel room is OK to take a shower, rinse your mouth, etc.

-      No photos of women, big military walls with barbed wires, security cameras etc. Women don’t like cameras in Afghanistan. You can always ask for permission if you wanted to photograph people and ask your guide if you are at the right place for photography.

-      No money for beggars: You will see beggars coming to you. You might want to help them and try to be kind to them but soon you will see loads of them trying to mob you. Please never offer anything to beggars and not promote beggism anymore in Afghanistan.

-      Change local money: You can always ask your guide to change local currency for you. Any time needed. 

-      Local time: Make sure you have the local time.

-      Question: Feel free to ask any questions any time from your guide, as much as you want.

Visas:

We can send you a Letter of Invitation (LoI) from our company to help with your visa application. Though not strictly speaking a requirement for a tourist visa, most Afghan Embassies and Consulates will ask for this when you you make your application. We will also send you a copy of our Registered Licence as an Afghan Governement approved Tour Operator.

Insurance:

For your travel insurance whilst in Afghanistan, contact any of the following High-Risk Destination/Activity Travel Insurance Providers:

Clements Travel Insurance 

https://www.clements.com/?fbclid=IwAR2ve4K72ecohJE2tOno7xQ6tweVHTDz1HMUJRw3u8oKHM7BINvQ-XpuWDM

New York International Group http://www.nyig.com/ 

Global Underwriters Travel Insurance https://www.globalunderwriters.com/

Global Rescue https://www.globalrescue.com/ 

First Allied (currently not offering services, should return soon) https://www.firstallied.co.uk/

Our tours are “all-inclusive”. Included in the trip:

 -   All accommodation.

 -   English-speaking local guide.

 -   All transportation.

 -   All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).

 -   All drinks (water and soft drinks).

 -   Domestic airfares from Mazar to Kabul.

 -   All site entries.

 -   All pick-ups and drop-offs.

You will not need to spend any additional money whilst in Afghanistan.

Tour Guide:

There will be a local English-speaking guide accompanying you throughout the whole tour.

Accommodation:

All accomodation is based on you having a private room in a standard, secure hotel or guest house. All the accomodation we use has armed 24/7 security.

Transportation:

We use our own very experienced drivers and their well-maintained vehicles, for all your transfers and road trips. They will expertly navigate the often-challenging road conditions and traffic of Afghanistan and ensure you have a safe and comfortable journey.

Looking forward to welcoming you to our beautiful and fascinating country !