Come with us to AFGHANISTAN!
2026 Trip Dates:
TRIP 1: May 26th – June 2nd, 2026
TRIP 2: October 27th – November 3rd, 2026
Cost: €2,350
Countries: Afghanistan
The first trip sold out almost instantly. If you’re super keen, be sure to book FAST.
Get ready for one of the most eye-opening adventures of your life as we take you on an incredible 8-day journey through a country that’s been misunderstood for far too long.
This is Afghanistan beyond the headlines, its natural beauty, ancient history, and some of the warmest people you’ll ever meet.
Picture this: standing in the ancient Buddha niches carved into cliffsides, floating in impossibly turquoise lakes at Band-e Amir, exploring fortresses that have stood since Alexander the Great, and meeting inspiring female tour guides who are rewriting the narrative of their country.
Afghanistan can feel absolutely impossible to tackle solo, but with our group? You get to experience all the magic with expert female guides, seamless logistics, and a group of adventurous women by your side.
NOTE: You must spend 1 night in Dubai before the trip starts to get your Afghan visa, so keep this in mind when working out how much annual leave you need. We can all go to the embassy together.
What’s Included
Expert local tour guide
Experienced International leader
All domestic flights & transport
All accommodation
2 meals a day
Activities, as listed
Airport pick-up on day trip starts
Airport drop-off day trip ends
Tips for guides
Excluded
Personal expenses
International Flights
Travel insurance
Visa fees
Accommodation
Throughout our trip, we’ll stay in a mix of comfortable hotels that showcase Afghan hospitality. We’ve handpicked accommodations that are safe, clean, and offer a real taste of local culture!
All rooms on all trips are shared, with 2 people in each room. We will partner you with an adventure buddy – an amazing way to make new friends! You’ll be moved around to pair up with a new friend every couple of nights.
All rooms will be twin-sharing, private rooms.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Kabul
Welcome to Afghanistan!
You’ll arrive in Kabul at 8.30am (we encourage the entire group to take the same 4am flight from Dubai), where our incredible team will meet you at the airport with a Janet’s Journeys sign and whisk you to your hotel.
After settling in, we’ll jump straight into the madness of Old Kabul with a visit to Bird Street and the oldest restaurant in the city to try their lamb stew (optional).
Next up is the Sakhi Shrine, one of Kabul’s most beautiful shrines with absolutely stunning blue tilework.
To finish off the day, we’ll visit something really special: the Art Gallery of Zarmina, a female-run gallery.
Zarmina has been painting for 8 years and teaching girls and boys for 5 years. It’s these kinds of inspiring encounters that make this trip so much more than just ticking off tourist sites.
Included meals: Welcome Dinner
Day 2 - Bamiyan
After breakfast, we’ll hit the road for a 3-4 hour drive to Bamiyan through absolutely stunning mountain landscapes.
Upon arrival, we’ll explore Gholghola City, an ancient citadel with dramatic ruins perched on a hilltop, and a haunting history that’ll give you goosebumps.
Then comes one of the trip’s most powerful moments: a visit to the world-famous Buddha Niches. These are the remains of the giant 6th-century Buddhas of Bamiyan, carved into the cliffs. Sunset here is a truly magical experience.
Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 3 - Band-e Amir National Park
Early start today because trust us, this is worth waking up for!
We’re heading to Band-e Amir National Park. This chain of six vivid turquoise lakes sits at an altitude of 2,900 meters, surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs in the Hindu Kush mountains. The colours on this site are unreal!
We’ll also visit Dragon Valley, a spectacular natural formation that lives up to its dramatic name.
In the afternoon, we’ve arranged something really meaningful: a visit to an English school for children and girls in Bamiyan.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet local students and see the incredible work being done to provide education in this region. These are the moments that stick with you long after you’ve returned home.
We’ll finish the day with a stroll through the local bazaar, where you can chat with locals and experience the legendary warmth of the Hazara community firsthand.
Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 4 - Bamiyan to Kabul
After breakfast, we’ll visit the local market in Bamiyan and then one final site in Bamiyan, another ancient city taken by Genghis Khan.
We will then make our way back to Kabul by road (another 4 hours of mountain scenery).
Once in Kabul, we’ll check back into our hotel and then head to Chicken Street for some souvenir shopping, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 - Fly to Herat
After our morning flight to Herat, we’ll check into our hotel and go for an early lunch.
We’ll then wander through the Old City of Herat, soaking in centuries of history, explore the Caravanserai of Mukhtarzada (an ancient traveller’s inn where Silk Road merchants once rested), and visit Carpenter Valley, where traditional crafts are still practised today.
We’ll also visit art galleries and stores owned by female artists – a true highlight of Herat!
Day 6 - Herat
Today, we dive deep into Herat’s jaw-dropping heritage!
First stop: the magnificent Blue Mosque of Herat (Masjid-i Jami). This is genuinely one of the most beautiful mosques in Afghanistan.
Next, we’ll explore Qala Ikhtyaruddin, a massive fortress with origins dating back to Alexander the Great around 330 BC. It’s been beautifully restored and offers incredible panoramic views over the city.
We’ll visit the Musalla Complex to see the remains of Timur-era minarets that once stood as part of a grand mosque and madrasa complex. Nearby is the Gawhar Shad Begum Mausoleum, honouring one of the most influential women in Central Asian history, a queen, patron of the arts, and political powerhouse.
And here’s something brilliant: we’ll visit a girls’ martial arts centre in Herat. It’s an inspiring example of how Afghan women are breaking barriers and pursuing their passions despite the challenges.
Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 7 - Herat & Back to Kabul
This morning, we’ll visit the Khaja Abdulla Ansari Shrine, the beautifully tiled mausoleum of the great Sufi poet and mystic of Herat, known as the “Sage of Herat.” It’s a significant spiritual and cultural landmark.
Before catching our flight, we’ll have lunch at a women-only restaurant, a unique and meaningful dining experience that directly supports local women entrepreneurs. It’s these kinds of experiences that show you a side of Afghanistan you’d never discover on your own.
We’ll then fly back to Kabul in the afternoon and head to another local restaurant for dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8 - Departure Day
After breakfast, it’s time to explore the final sites of the journey.
We’ll visit the stunning Babur Garden, the final resting place of Mughal Emperor Babur.
This beautifully restored garden is a peaceful oasis and your first glimpse into Afghanistan’s incredible Mughal heritage.
Time permitting, we’ll visit any extra sights we missed earlier in the tour.
We’ll arrange your airport transfer to Kabul International Airport based on your departure flight time.
Safe travels, and thank you for exploring Afghanistan with us!
Included Meals: Breakfast & lunch
FAQ & Itinerary Note:
This itinerary, as always, is open to small changes depending on the weather, flights, etc. It should be made very clear, this it not your normal tourist destination, so often times the itinerary may require small changes to to the political situation, safety etc.
Fear not, if we have to make any adjustments, it will be to swap something out with an equally, if not better, experience!
I'm ready! How do I book?
Ready for an unforgettable adventure in Afghanistan? Click the BOOK NOW button and fill out the interest form and we’ll send you the booking link to pay your deposit of €950, then the remaining balance will be paid in cash on arrival.
Remember, spots are booked on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait!
If you have any questions regarding the payment processes, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Is Afghanistan safe for tourists?
We completely understand this is the number one question on everyone’s mind, and it deserves a thorough answer.
Afghanistan has been working hard to rebuild and welcome responsible tourists. We work with experienced team oflocal guides who know the country intimately and understand how to navigate it safely.
We’ll be travelling as a group, which adds an extra layer of security, and we have protocols in place for every stage of the journey.
Our local partners have been running tours successfully for years and have extensive experience hosting international travellers. We wouldn’t offer this trip if we didn’t feel confident in the safety measures we have in place.
That said, Afghanistan is an adventurous destination that requires flexibility, open-mindedness, and a sense of adventure. This isn’t a trip for everyone, and we’re looking for travellers who understand that they’re visiting a country that’s still rebuilding and may have challenges along the way.
How many people are on the trip?
This trip requires a minimum number of guests to proceed, and this minimum must be met at least 4 months before departure to be guaranteed. If the minimum number of guests is not met by then, a full refund will be issued.
Expect to travel with 8-10 new friends!
What about visas?
Yes, you’ll need a visa for Afghanistan.
This best and easiest place to get a visa is in Dubai and can be secured in less than 2 hours. We’ll send you an email with more info on this, but you need to spend at least 24 hours in Dubai before this trip to secure your visa. We will then all take the same early morning flight to Kabul.
So if the trip begins on the 27th you will need to plan to be in Dubai in the morning of the 26th to apply for the visa. There will be more information on this process sent to you after booking.
Why are deposits non-refundable?
The deposit for your trip is non-refundable due to several important factors. Firstly, when you book a spot, we immediately begin the process of planning and preparing for your journey. This involves engaging staff who work diligently behind the scenes to ensure every aspect of your trip is meticulously organised. These preparations often involve upfront costs that are incurred from the moment your booking is confirmed. Additionally, by requiring a non-refundable deposit, we aim to ensure that all participants are committed to the trip.
We understand that plans can change, which is why we insist all travellers have trip insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances that might affect their ability to participate.
What about my other payments? Are they refundable?
All payments, except your deposit, are fully refundable three months prior to the departure date. After the three-month mark, any payments made are non-refundable. This is because we are usually unable to find a replacement at such short notice, and have contracts in place with our vendors that need to be fulfilled.
Again, we strongly recommend all travellers have travel insurance so that they can refund you should your plans change. At the end of the day, we are a small business, and we want nothing more than to continue showing our guests the world. We hope you understand the importance of adhering strictly to this policy.
How much money will I need for non-included meals, alcohol, and souvenirs?
We receommend bringing at least 200 USD for spending money,
For souvenirs, Afghan handicrafts are absolutely stunning and very affordable! Beautiful carpets, lapis lazuli jewelry, handwoven textiles, and traditional ceramics make incredible souvenirs.
Don’t forget to bargain at the bazaars, it’s expected and part of the fun!
What currency should I bring?
Bring US Dollars (USD) or Euros (EUR) in cash, these are the easiest currencies to exchange in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s local currency is the Afghani (AFN), and at the time of writing, €1 is approximately 77 AFN.
Important tips:
- Bring clean, newer bills. Damaged, torn, or very old bills are often rejected
- Smaller denominations are helpful. Bring a mix of €5, €10, €20, and €50 notes (or $5, $10, $20 bills)
- ATMs are available but often unreliable; don’t count on being able to withdraw cash. We’ll make stops at money changers where you can exchange your USD/EUR for Afghani as needed
- Credit cards rarely work. Only major hotels in Kabul might accept cards, and often with hefty fees
How does tipping work?
For this trip, to ensure our local guides get tipped generously, we’re including the tips in the price of the tour.
How physically demanding is the trip?
This trip has a moderate activity level. You don’t need to be an athlete, but a basic level of fitness will help. Expect to walk 2-4 hours at a time exploring cities, historical sites, and bazaars, often on uneven terrain, cobblestones, and stairs. We’ll visit Band-e Amir National Park at 2,900 meters altitude, where some people feel mild effects like shortness of breath, and we’ll have some 3-4 hour drives through mountainous terrain. As long as you can comfortably walk for a few hours with breaks, climb stairs, and handle uneven ground, you’ll be absolutely fine.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Absolutely! Afghan cuisine features lots of rice, bread, vegetables, and grilled meats. Most meals will have vegetarian options, and we can accommodate most dietary restrictions with advance notice. Please inform us of any specific needs when you book.
What if I want my own room?
We believe that rooming is one of the best parts of the experience. It feels a little like adult summer camp and has always been a highlight for our guests, with nothing but positive feedback in the past.
That being said, if you feel that sharing does not suit your travel style, we are happy to discuss the option of a single room supplement. Simply reach out to us at janetsgrouptrips@gmail.com and we will do our best to accommodate you.
What are the health and vaccination requirements?
There are no mandatory vaccinations for Afghanistan, but it’s wise to be up-to-date with routine vaccinations. We recommend consulting with a travel health clinic about recommended vaccinations like Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus. Please do your own research and speak with a healthcare professional.
Who’s leading the trip?
Janet will lead the first Afghanistan trip, along with an experienced local tour guide.
The second will be led by a JJ leader and an experienced local tour guide.
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