Image gallery
Shrine of Hazrat Ali, Afghanistan
By any stretch of the imagination, Afghanistan isn’t the simplest country to travel in. For the visitor, it’s a world away from backpacking in Thailand or island-hopping in Greece. It’s a country recovering from nearly three decades of war, with a host of continuing problems. You’ll need to invest time getting the latest safety information, and news from other travellers or colleagues working in the country.
While it remains a volatile, often hostile area, Afghanistan contains some incredible treasures. Kabul sets a buzzing pace and Mazar-e Sharif & Northeastern Afghanistan is the home of the country's most sacred site. Samangan (Aibak) is the site for the caves and shrines of Takht-e Rostam, a hidden Buddhist gem and while the senseless destruction of the Buddha statues of Bamiyan still resonates, their ruins, set in a serene valley, are an awe inspiring sight.
But with the right preparations, and a constant ear to the ground once you’re there, travel in Afghanistan is not only a possibility but also incredibly rewarding. The post-Taliban scene has brought investment to the country for the first time in years, and the logistics of getting around and finding somewhere to stay has become increasingly straightforward. Not only that, it’s an addictive country to visit. Once in Afghanistan, there’s something about the people, the history and even the air that can get in your blood and promise to draw you back again. Do your research, and you’ll find Afghanistan a truly rewarding country.
When the Taliban fled Kabul in the face of the post-9/11 US bombing campaign, they left a city wrecked by years of war.
Perhaps more than any other city in Afghanistan, Herat speaks of the country’s position at the heart of the Silk Road.
The mention of Afghanistan’s second-largest city conjures up a collage of terrorist training camps, rugged terrain, warlords, narcotics, fierce tribes and the War on Terror.
Mazar-e Sharif is north Afghanistan’s sprawling urban centre, a relatively modern city standing on the wide steppes near the border with Uzbekistan.
Bamiyan sits at the heart of the Hazarajat in a wide valley braided with mountain rivers and is one of the poorest yet most beautiful parts of Afghanistan.
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