With ongoing violence, kidnapping, and terrorist activity throughout the country, Afghanistan is not on most people's must see lists and it is one of the last countries I would recommend travelling to. However for the intrepid adventurer willing to risk the dangers of region, Afghanistan could be the unique destination of a lifetime. For the rest of us, here is a must see list of adventures to keep in mind for a time when peace returns to this war torn country.
1.) Band-e Amir National Park.
Located high in the Hindu Kush mountains of eastern Afghanistan, the lakes of Band-e Amir are the first Afghani National Park. The lakes are most renowned for their color which comes from the purity of the water and air in the area, as well as the minerals in the water. The five turquois lakes are beautiful, but remote. The easiest way to reach them is to catch a shared minibus out of Bamiyan. Be wary of travelling the roads to this place on your own however, and stick to well worn paths when walking, land mines are very common in the area. Make sure to plan your visit for the right time of the year, with the high altitude location, services in the area of the lakes run from May to mid-November after which they close down for the winter.
2.) Citadel, Herat.
The citadel of Herat dates back to the age of Alexander when the original fort was built by the conquor and his armies. Since that earliest incarnation its impressive walls have been destroyed and rebuilt many times. The citadel has been recently opened to visitors and with its position on a hilltop it provides excellent views of Herat.
3.) See A Game of Buzkashi.
Buzkashi is the national sport of Afghanistan and because of its popularity matches can draw thousands of fans. The game is played from horseback and and rather than being played with a ball it is traditionally played using the headless carcass of a goat. The object of the game is to get control of the goat and take it to the scoring area. It can be a dangerous game and riders generally wear bulky clothing to protect themselves from injury. If you get the chance, this is a unique and not-to-miss sport.
4.) Wakhan District.
The Wakhan is a sparsly populated, rugged district in the far northeast of Afghanistan. The region contains barely more than ten thousand inhabitants who mainly live through agriculture and nomadic herding. A remote finger of land stretched out between Tajikistan and Pakistan and divided from the rest of Afghanistan by the mountains of the Hindu Kush, this area of the country remains relatively untouched by the war which has plagued the rest of the nation. Because of its relative safety, the Wakhan has been gaining a recent popularity with foreign tourists. Hiking, mountaineering, and horse or yak trekking are the primary draws to this still largely wild land. Keep in mind however that the Wakhan's tourist season is short with warm weather starting in May or June and the ice and snow returning by October.
5.) Blue Masjid, Masar-i-Sharif.
The Blue Mosque of Masar-i-Sharif is a beautiful twelfth century mosque located in the capital of the Balkh province. It is know specifically for its beautiful blue colors and as the burial site of the fourth Caliph of Islam. The mosque is open daily for prayers. Also explore the area surrounding the mosque in search of hand woven persian rugs and search out the food stalls which line the street between the mosque and the Farhat hotel for fresh fruit smoothies and local food.
6.) Minaret of Jam.
Built deep within a river valley and flanked by mountains, this minaret is made all the more dramatic by its surroundings. Far from any towns or villages, the minaret is remote and difficult to get to however Afghanistan's first UNESCO world heritage site is well worth the effort. The twelth century era tower rises 65 meters from valley floor and is covered in geometric designs and inscriptions from the Qur'an. It is the second tallest brick minaret in the world and its architecture and ornamentation are exceptional. Despite its age, the minaret has never been reconstructed or restored, a testament to the excellence of its construction.
7.) Buddahs of Bamiyan.
The Buddahs of Bamiyan were two massive sixth century statutes carved out of the sandstone face of cliffs located in a valley in central Afghanistan. These were the largest buddah statues in the world until 2001 when the Taliban declared them idols and dynamited the statutes. The buddahs were almost completely destroyed. Since the bombing there has been a large international committment to rebuilding the statutes.
The recesses in which the buddahs sat still remain as do the monks caves and passages which connect them. Visitors to the site can explore these passageways.
The Bamiyan region is a growing eco-tourism destination. Skiing is a popular activity in the area and be sure not to miss the nearby site of Shahr-e Zohak, a ruined city twenty minutes away situated on the top of cliffs.
8.) Mount Noshaq.
Noshaq is the highest mountain in Afghanistan and the second highest mountain in the Hindu Kush range. It lies on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The mountain recently reopened to climbers after being closed for years due to security problems in the area.
9.) National Museum of Afghanistan.
Located at the center of the city of Kabul the National Museum of Afghanistan is home to many treasures including artifacts of early Buddhism and Islam. The museum is also home to a very large collection of coins. The museum is free to visitors but donations are welcome.
10.) Friday Mosque, Herat.
The Friday Mosque in Herat is over 800 years old and remains beautiful to this. While exploring the mosque be sure to find the craftsman shop behind the main entrance. A visitor to the shop can watch new tiles being cut and new pieces for the building being created.
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