Backpacking Afghanistan | best places to go

Visit Afghanistan

Embark on a truly unconventional backpacking journey in Afghanistan, where rugged landscapes and ancient history create a destination like no other. Pros? Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Afghan culture, explore historical sites, and witness breathtaking mountain vistas. Afghanistan offers an authentic experience, untouched by mass tourism. However, security concerns are paramount, and travel advisories must be strictly heeded. Yet, for the exceptionally bold and culturally curious backpacker, Afghanistan offers a glimpse into a resilient nation's history and traditions, providing a profound and transformative travel experience found nowhere else on Earth.

Best known for:Known for: mountains | people
Best time to visit: March - May, September - November

Safety warning

The current risk level for Afghanistan is high. Check the advice before going.

Why to go?
Why backpacking in Afghanistan

Mountains

The Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan is a great place to explore. It offers stunning natural beauty, with rugged peaks, deep valleys, and pristine alpine meadows. The range is also home to a rich cultural heritage, with ancient villages and …

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People

Afghan people are incredibly hospitable, often welcoming guests with open arms and offering them food, tea, and a place to rest. It is customary for Afghans to treat visitors with warmth and respect, regardless of their background or nationality. …

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💡 Highlights
Top-5 things to do in Afghanistan

Bamiyan Valley: Explore the breathtaking beauty of the Bamiyan Valley, home to the ancient Buddha statues carved into the cliffs. The valley is also known for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
Kabul: Visit the capital city of Kabul, where you can explore historical sites such as the Kabul Museum and the Babur Gardens. Experience the vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and bustling markets of this dynamic city.
Band-e-Amir National Park: Discover the natural wonders of Band-e-Amir National Park, a series of mesmerizing turquoise lakes surrounded by stunning cliffs and waterfalls. Enjoy hiking, picnicking, and swimming in these serene and picturesque surroundings.
Herat: Explore the ancient city of Herat, known for its exquisite Islamic architecture, including the Herat Citadel and the Great Mosque of Herat. Immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and vibrant arts scene.
Panjshir Valley: Venture into the picturesque Panjshir Valley, surrounded by towering mountains and dotted with charming villages. Experience the warm hospitality of the locals, go hiking, and witness the natural beauty of this hidden gem.

But Afghanistan offers more...

🌆 Cities: Bamyan, Herat, Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar-i-Sharif

🎎 Festivals: Afghan Independence Day, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Nowruz, Silk Road Festival

🏔️ Hikes: Bamyan Valley, Panjshir Valley, Salang Pass, Wakhan Corridor

🏞️ National parks: Bamyan Plateau, Band-e-Amir, Nuristan, Wakhan

🌤️ When to go?
Best time to go backpacking Afghanistan

The best time to visit Afghanistan for backpacking is during the spring and autumn seasons. From March to May, and from September to November, the weather is generally mild and pleasant, with comfortable temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). These seasons offer a good balance between avoiding extreme heat or cold and minimizing the risk of heavy rainfall or snowfall.

During spring, you can witness the beautiful blooming of flowers and enjoy the vibrant landscapes. Autumn, on the other hand, brings pleasant temperatures and clear skies, perfect for exploring the country's natural beauty.JANFEBJUNJULAUGDEC

detailed advice per month

Risk level: high (100%)
Safety advice for Afghanistan

The situation remains volatile and dangerous. Afghanistan is under Taliban control, and several other armed Islamist groups are active in Afghanistan. All travel throughout Afghanistan is extremely dangerous. There are Taliban checkpoints on roads throughout the country, including in Kabul. Border crossing points may be closed without notice due to increased border tensions or concerns of an increased risk of a terrorist attack.

You must consider the risks carefully before attempting to leave by any route. The Australian Government can't offer advice on the safety of travelling to departure points. Any travel options you pursue are taken at your own risk. You're responsible for your own safety and that of your family.

There's an ongoing and very high threat of terrorist attacks across the country. Locations including markets, cafes, restaurants, hotels and government buildings, including hospitals, may be targeted. Attacks have occurred in the vicinity of the Kabul International Airport. Airports and aviation remain an attractive target for terrorist attacks. There's a heightened threat of terrorist attacks in or around religious sites and during religious festivals, such as Ramadan. See 'Full advice/Safety' section for more details.

Kidnapping is a serious and ongoing threat. Terrorists and criminal groups target foreigners and dual citizens. Aid and humanitarian workers and medical providers are not safe from harassment, the threat of terrorism or kidnapping. Terrorists continue to target both local and foreign NGO operations across the country and within Kabul, including politically motivated and kidnap-for-ransom abductions. Convoys have been targeted.

There's a significant risk of arbitrary detention of foreign nationals. Foreign nationals, including aid and humanitarian workers, have been detained without due process. Reasons for detention may be unclear. Detention can be lengthy and damaging to health and welfare. The Australian Government may not be notified about a detention, and our ability to assist is severely limited.

If, despite our advice, you're in Afghanistan, ensure your accommodation is secure and regularly review your personal security plans. Take all extra precautions for your safety. Make contingency plans to leave when it's safe to do so.

There are no Australian consular officials in Afghanistan. Our ability to provide consular and passport assistance is severely limited and can't be delivered in person, nor can we facilitate the delivery of passports into Afghanistan.

source: smartraveller.gov.au

source: www.gov.uk

Afghanistan
My tips to get you on the way!
Does Afghanistan sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.

Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.

Lonely Planet

Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Afghanistan. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Afghanistan may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.

Check visa requirements for Afghanistan

Check vaccination requirement for Afghanistan

Get your travel insurance

Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Afghanistan, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.

Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.

Hostelworld

Expedia

My personal packing list 🎒
author

Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.

Money & Documents
Passport, visa (originals + some photo copies)
Passport photographs
Credit and debit cards (on world profile)
Cash (US$ or €)
Money belt
Vaccination proofs

Clothing
Light, quick-dry clothing
No jeans, too heavy
Ultralight rain/wind jacket
Thermo underwear
Quick-dry towel
Sunglasses

Electronics
Mobile phone + charger
Power bank
Travel adapter
Local sim card (buy it on arrival)

Health
Toothbrush
Deo
Sunscreen, lips sunburn
Anti-diarrhea
Paracetamol
Blister plasters
Anti-mosquito (DEET)
Toilet paper
Nail scissors

Others
Small number lock
Waterproof packing cubes (for dirty clothes)
Card game(!)
Ear plugs
Travel pillow