AFGHANISTAN (PART 1 & 2)

PART 1 - Highlights of Afghanistan

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Day 1: Arrival in Islamabad

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Arrival at Islamabad and drop at the Hotel. Guests will be briefed regarding the trip and will take a city tour .

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*For travelers departing from Bangkok, we recommend taking the flight TG 349 Bangkok-Islamabad on 12 September 2022 at 19:30-22:10

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Day 2: Islamabad to Peshawar

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We will take guests to the Afghan consulate for the visa. If time allows, we will visit the gun factory as well as the bazaar in the evening.

 

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Day 3: Peshawar to Kabul via Khyber pass and Torkham Border.

 

We will leave early in the morning for the Afghan border and will stop at Khyber pass and other historical places. It will take half an hour at the border then we will drive to Kabul from Torkham. Overnight in Kabul

 

Day 4: Kabul city tour

 

We will explore some of the sites of the fascinating city. Since the recent war and the fall of the Taliban there has been substantial investment in this unique city but many of the old areas including the Kabul museum, Old Palace, Babur Shah garden /palace. Birds Market is known as one of the oldest streets/markets in Kabul. Abdul Rehman Khan museum, King Zahir Shah's and his father's tomb, Omar landmine museum, TV tower mountains where you can have a great view of Kabul city, the curiosity shops of chicken street and the ruined Bala Hisar fort remains, and many more. Stay overnight at Guest

house.

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Day 5: Kabul to Bamyan

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We will drive via Bamian highway and the total distance is a three and half hour drive. On arrival we will have an introduction tour to Bamyan town and overnight in Bamyan.

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Day 6: Bamyan tour

 

The early riser may want to use this opportunity to take some photographs of the Hindukush, the remains of the Budha, and morning activities of the inhabitants of Bamyans. After breakfast we will visit the Buddhas; and if we are able, explore the surrounding cliffs that are riddled with caves that contain carvings and frescos. Unfortunately in the late nineties, the Taliban destroyed almost all of this. We drive a short distance to the base of the "Shahr-i-Golgola'' which was destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1221. Genghis Khan had destroyed Balkh and sent his teenage grandson with the army to capture Bamyans. The people of Bamyan resisted and Genghis Khan grandson was killed. Genghis Khan besieged and destroyed Golgula in revenge. If we do not explore the Shar-i-Zohak on the way to Bamyian we hike it up, too. After lunch at New Bazar, we drive up to the valley of the Dragon ( Darya Ajhahar). The massive rock formation is alleged to be the remains of a dragon that killed the villagers until Hazarat Ali cousin

and the son of the Prophet Mohammad killed it. The story is reminiscent of St George and the Drogon. In the late afternoon we will return to Bamyian. Overnight in Bamyian

 

Day 7: Bamyian - Band-I - Amir - Bamyian

 

You will have another early start before a 3 hour journey that take us to the extraordinary chains of lakes at Band-I-Amir. They are astonishingly beautiful - the water varies in color from turquoise to deep blue black from lake to lake. In the late afternoon we will return to Bamyian (Overnight local guest house).

 

Day 8: Bamyan - Minaret of Jam

 

We will Go from Bamyan to Minerat of Jam and its almost 7 to 9 hours distance. Reaching a dizzying height of 65m, the Minaret of Jam stands as a lonely sentinel at the confluence of the Hari Rud and Jam Rud rivers, the greatest surviving monument of the medieval Ghorid empire. Forgotten by the outside world until the mid-20th century, it remains a holy grail for many travelers to Afghanistan. The first view of the minaret as it looms suddenly and unexpectedly from the folds of the mountains is worth all the rough roads it takes to get there. Stay at Local house or Government guest house near Minarat.

 

Day 9: Minaret of Jam - Herat

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We will leave early in the morning from the guest house to Herat and it is approximately five to six hours away and we will try to reach there before afternoon.

 

We will spend our afternoon time after checking in the guesthouse on an orientation tour including the Citadel ( Qila Ikhtiyar Urdin). Once it cools down and the lights become better, we make a late afternoon visit to the Friday mosque( Masjid Jami). This is one of the finest examples of Ghorid and Timurid tilling and one of most stunning mosques in the world. There is an opportunity to see a famous 14th century bronze cauldron, alleged to be Taimurlane's sherbet bowl in the country yard. You will also be able to see the tile factory, which is claimed to be the oldest in the world and probably dates back to the 12 Century, where tiles are made in the traditional manner. Overnight in the Herat.

 

Day 10: Herat

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For the early raiser, there will be a visit to the old town to explore the Bazar. The rest of the morning will be spent visiting the 15 Century Masula Complex that includes the Minaret of Gohar Shad and her Mausoleum. Gohar Shad was the wife of Shah Rukh, son

of Taimurlane. In the afternoon we will visit the tomb of two princes, Qasim and Abdullah . Overnight in the Herat

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Day 11: Flight Herat - Kabul

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For the keen Photographers we recommend an early morning visit to the Friday mosque before midday flight to Kabul. In the afternoon we will visit the Sandy Gall Afghanistan appeal center. Overnight in hotel.

 

Day 12: Flight Kabul-Dubai

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Transfer to the airport for your flight to Dubai, then to your onward journey

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PART 2 - Unseen Afghanistan

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Note: The program is subject to change, depending on the situation on the ground. We always prioritize the group's safety. The accommodations are limited and basic. Prior travel experience recommended.

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*If you are already traveling with us in PART 1, your PART 2 program will begin continuously on 23 September

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Day 1: Arrival in Islamabad

​

Arrival at Islamabad and drop at the Hotel. Guests will be briefed regarding the trip and will take a city tour .

​

*For travelers departing from Bangkok, we recommend taking the flight TG 349 Bangkok-Islamabad at 19:30-22:10

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Day 2: Islamabad to Peshawar

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We will take guests to the Afghan consulate for the visa. If time allows, we will visit the gun factory as well as the bazaar in the evening.

 

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Day 3: Peshawar to Kabul via Khyber pass and Torkham Border.

 

We will leave early in the morning for the Afghan border and will stop at Khyber pass and other historical places. It will take half an hour at the border then we will drive to Kabul from Torkham. Overnight in Kabul

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Day 4: Flight Kabul-Herat

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Transfer to Kabul airport and take a flight to Herat. If time allows, we will walk along the shopping streets, markets, and visit the Herat Central Blue Mosque

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Day 5-6: Herat to Farah City

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We will drive from Herat to Farah and will arrive there at noon. After having lunch we will start our city tour and bazaars. Check in at the hotel.

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Farah is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, located in the Southwestern part of the country next to Iran. Shahr-e Kohn-e ("Old City") or Fereydun Shahr ("City of Fereydoon") is located in Farah city. This ancient city is more than 3,000 years old. It was one of the ancient places of the Persian kings, as Farah belonged historically to the Sistan empire. The name "Fereydun" here refers to a hero of the Persian epic Shahnameh. We will visit the city, local bazaar, fruits and vegetable market, the Farah Citadel, and the remains of the old city.

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Day 7: Farah-Helmand

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Depart to Helmand. Geographically and politically, it is known as one of the important provinces in Afghanistan specially for Taliban because its climate is suitable for the cultivation of a wide range of crops, including the opium that contributes greatly to the Taliban's finances.

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Day 8-9: Helmand-Kandahar

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On arrive, we will have lunch in Kandahar and go for the city tour in the afternoon. Kandahar was the capital of Taliban during the civil war in Afghanistan and also called the city of Mullah Umer. We will visit the bazaars and the Red Mosque, Kandahar city viewpoint, and bazaars. We will visit local sites including Mausoleum of Ahmad Shah Durrani, Mausoleum or Mirwais Hotak, Mausoleum of Baba Wali, and Kabul bazaar. Some other religious places include Friday Mosque of Kandahar, Shrine of the Cloak, and Mosque of the Hair of the Prophet.

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Day 10-11: Kandahar-Ghazni

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The city is strategically located along Highway 1, which was served as the main road between Kabul and Kandahar for thousands of years. On arrival, we will visit the local bazaar of the city, which was a famous strategic point during emperor Ghazni time. Visit Ghazni citedal, minarets of Ghazni, Palace of Sultan Mas'ud III, Tomb of Sebuktigin, Mausoleum of Sultan Mahmud, Mausoleum of Sanai, Museum of Islamic Art, Tapa Sardar Excavations and Tomb of Al Biruni.

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Day 12-13: Ghazni-Khost

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Arriving in Khost, we visit the city and bazaar before sunset. The following day, we will explore the grazing points and villages on the outskirt of Khost city. We will have a chance to meet with locals and have lunch with one of our friend's house.

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Day 14-15: Khost-Kunduz

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Arrive in Kanduz, before sunset, we visit the Balahisar fort. The following day, we will visit the Abadan desert and the Imam Sahib district, which is the significant place including Imam ahib shrine. Bazaar of Kunduz is a very interesting place. We will have a chance to see Buzkashi, Afghanistan's national sport, in Kunduz.

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Day 16: Kunduz-Kabul

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Depart for Kabul. Enjoy your last day in the capital and take a rest at the hotel.

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Day 17: Flight Kabul-Dubai

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Transfer to the airport for your flight to Dubai, then to your onward journey

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Price Includes;

 

- Accommodations as stated

- All visas (Afghanistan, Pakistan, and UAE)

- Domestic flights

- International flight Kabul-Dubai

- Expedition leader from Team Saga (Thai/English)

- Local guide (English)

- Breakfasts

- All entrance fees for attractions in the program

- Air-conditioned mini bus

- PCR test (if needed)

 

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Price Excludes;

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- International flights (Bangkok-Islamabad and Dubai-Bangkok)

- Meals and drinks not indicated in the program

- Tips for guides and drivers

- Travel insurance

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Saga club discount: You are automatically offered our club membership after your first expedition. The following discount applies: 3% on 2nd trip, 5% on 3rd trip, 7% on 4th trip or 10% all after. This cannot be combined with the early bird discount. 

 

Payment & Deposit:

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• 50% deposit payment is required for reserving your spots

• Balance payment is due 60 days before the departure date. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of booking.

• If the booking is made within 60 days of departure date, full payment is required. 

 

Cancellation policy:

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• In any case of cancellation, 20% of the deposit payment is refundable or the whole amount can be kept as credits for any other Saga expeditions within 2 years of the cancellation date. 

• In any case of cancellation, if full payment is made, a full refund will be issued minus a 10% cancellation fee and any cost to the third parties.

• If the cancellation is due to COVID19, a full refund will be issued minus any cost incurred. We always attempt to maximize the refund for our client’s benefit! 

• In the event of premature departure during the expedition for any reason, no refund will be issued.

• Saga Expeditions is not responsible for any cancellations or changes in flights and visas. Please have your travel insurance for entire duration of your trip

 

Important note:

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All of our expeditions take you through one of the most challenging roads in the world. While the Saga team endeavors to make the itinerary as accurate as possible, it should be considered as an approximate agenda of activities rather than a rigid schedule. Trip itineraries are subject to last-minute, and on-the-ground revision due to weather, road conditions, government and local restrictions, and other reasons beyond our control. Note that the order of visits and excursions can be modified according to local conditions (i.e. state of roads, market days etc.). If some visits and/or tours could not be done due to external conditions, they will be replaced when possible. Your safety is always our first priority!