8-Day Afghanistan Heritage Tour through Kabul, Bamiyan and Herat

Morning/Afternoon:

Arrive in Kabul, settle into your hotel, and complete any required final regional permit registrations.

Late Afternoon:

Visit the historic Babur Gardens (Bagh-e Babur), the final resting place of the first Mughal emperor, and enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Evening:

Enjoy traditional Afghan dining at a local restaurant in the city center.

Morning:

Depart Kabul for a dramatic drive through the steep walls of the Kabul Gorge (Tang-e Gharu) toward the warm, subtropical city of Jalalabad.

Afternoon:

Arrive in Jalalabad and stroll through the lush olive groves, orange orchards, and public parks that give the city its winter-capital charm. Visit the vibrant local markets filled with fresh citrus and regional spices.

Evening:

Settle into a local hotel and enjoy the distinct, spiced culinary styles of eastern Afghanistan.

Morning:

Take a short excursion toward the scenic areas near the historic trade routes heading east, then begin your drive back up the gorge to Kabul and continue onward to Bamiyan city.

Afternoon:

Stay in Bamiyan city.

Morning and afternoon:

Tour Ghulghula city, Buddha temple sites, Zuhak city, and local culture shops and foods.

Morning:

Drive out to Band-e-Amir National Park, Afghanistan's first national park, famous for its six intensely blue, natural travertine lakes.

Afternoon:

Hike along the dramatic lake cliffs, take a paddleboat out on the water, and visit the local shrine.

Evening:

Return to Bamiyan city.

Morning:

Drive back from Bamiyan to Kabul.

Afternoon:

Head directly to the airport for a domestic flight to Herat, the cultural heart of western Afghanistan.

Evening:

Arrive in Herat, check into your accommodation, and take a relaxed evening walk through the nearby local markets.

Morning:

Explore the magnificent Herat Citadel (Qala Iktyaruddin), which dates back to Alexander the Great, followed by a visit to the spectacular Great Mosque of Herat (Jame Masjid) to watch traditional tile-makers at work.

Afternoon:

Visit the historic Musalla Minarets and the Tomb of Gauhar Shad.

Evening:

Dine at a traditional restaurant specializing in western Afghan cuisine such as Kabab-e-Herati.

Morning:

Spend your final hours in Herat wandering through the ancient Chahar Suq Bazaar to shop for saffron, glasswork, and silks.

Afternoon:

Catch your return domestic flight back to Kabul.

Evening:

Rest and prepare to exit from Afghanistan.