AFGHANISTAN TOUR
A cultural tour of Afghanistan

Afghanistan is little known and yet most talked off. This country has for the last several decades been undergoing challenging times with wars and security issues. Given that the problems in Afghanistan are far from over, there are certain parts of the country that have, in the last few years, become less dangerous. This is a tour for those who want to visit the country knowing the situation and aware that situations can change at any time as so will the tour itinerary and arrangements. The selection of the places we visit include some of the most culturally and historically rich areas in the country.

Day 01: Arrive Kabul
Upon arrival at Kabul airport we are met and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Kabul InterContinental (1 night) (D)

Day 02: Kabul / Bamiyan
We start off with our journey of Afghanistan with a drive to the famous place Bamiyan – known for the two huge Buddha statues, which were destroyed by the Taliban government on January 25, 2007. The statues at 38 and 53 meters were the largest Buddha statues built anywhere in the world and were once decked in dazzling ornaments. We visit the sites trying to capture the image of what it was before the tragic date.
Overnight: Hotel Silk Road (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 03: Band-e-Ameer Excursion
At the outskirts of Bamiyan lie the enchanting Band-e- Amir lakes.  These fabled lakes lie deep in the arid Ochre Mountains of Koh-e-Baba Range. Legend has it that the miraculous presence of these glittering lakes in such a desolate land is attributed to the superhuman powers of the first Imam of the Shiites - Ali, who not only made the dams, which created the lakes, but also killed the dragon of Bamiyan all in one day. We then visit the Buddha caves and the remains of the Buddhist complex, which even survived the march of Ganges Khan.  (B, L, D)

Day 04: Bamiyan – Jab-ul-Seraj
A scenic and rural drive through the Ghourband Valley to Jabal-u-Seraj on our way to the Afghanistan’s most beautiful city, Mazar-e-Sharif. It is believed that at this Mazar (mausoleum) lie the remains of Ali.  
Overnight: Guest House (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 05: Jab-ul-Seraj - Mazar-e-Sharif
An interesting drive to the most well-known tourist site in Northern Afghanistan. We drive by the Hindukush range and use the Salang pass tunnel, which was built by the Russians in the 60’s. It was engineering marvel as the tunnel is 3365 meters above sea level The tunnel is 2.7 kms long and additional galleries were built to keep the approaches free of snow. Further up in the North we pass by the busy towns of Pol-e-Khomri, Samangan and Khulm. At Mazar-e-Sharif (tomb of the saint) we visit the Ali mosque and tomb, a marvel of Islamic architecture with its blue tile work and Central Asian influence.
Overnight: Guest House (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 06: Balkh Excursion
We drive to the ancient and historical city of Balkh. En route we to visit the Haji Payada Mosque, which dates back to the 9th C. This is the oldest Islamic monument identified in Afghanistan. The aesthetics of this unique nine-dome structure can still be seen in its magnificently decorated brick and earthen arches. As we continue to the modern day town of Balkh we pass through the city wall of the ancient town that flourished during the period of the Bactrian Greeks. We also see the 15th C Timurid Shrine of Khawaja Parsa and its impressive tiled façade, which is flanked by two unique corkscrew columns. Nearby is the tomb of the 9th C Poet Rabia Balkhi. Our last stop will be at the massive ruins of the ancient citadel of Balkh located outside the city of Balkh. Although very little remains, one can get a fairly good picture as we walk along the various streets and lanes. Marco Polo described Balkh as “a noble and great city”. Balkh was originally a Zoroastrian city and is famous as the birthplace of Mevlana Jajaluldin Rumi. (B, L, D)

Day 07: Mazar-e-Sharif - Kabul
A leisurely drive from the holy city of Mazar-e-Sharif to Kabul crossing via Pul-i-khumri and the Salang Pass.
Overnight: Hotel InterContinental (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 08: Kabul
Today is a full day in the capital city of Afghanistan. We start our tour with the Kabul museum. Adjacent to the museum is the King’s Palace (which was destroyed during the Russian bombings just after the overthrow of King Zahir Shah). We continue to the recently restored Babur Gardens – brings into light the good old days of Kabul prior to 1979. We also visit Tapa Nadir Shah, the Balahisar Fort, Mausoleum of Timur Shah, Pol-e-Khishti Mosque, Eid Gah mosque and the stadium followed by some time at the famous Chicken Street – an ideal place to do your Afghan shopping. (B, L, D)

Day 09: Departure
After an interesting insight into Afghanistan, we are transferred to the airport for our flight. Optional tour extension to Pakistan, Iran, Central Asia & India. (B)

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Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Apr 14
Private tours to suit your own dates also available.
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotel Accommodation as mentioned or similar including hotel taxes Any airfares & airport taxes Meal Plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L = Lunch, D=Dinner) Insurances / Visas All sightseeing and transfers by private transportation Tips / Gratuities to Drivers & Guides Services of local English speaking guides   Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2012 US $ 3190 US $ 595
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1900 USA - West Coast US $ 1800 Canada - East Coast US $ 1700 USA - East Coast US $ 1600
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 08 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us 800.663.0844.