Is it Safe to travel to Afghanistan?
In general terms Afghanistan is a safe country. We believe it is safe to travel to Afghanistan, providing you are travelling with a legalized travel company who know where it is safe to travel and are constantly informed of the situation on the ground. Obviously there are risks involved that exist in few other places and this is definitely not a destination for everyone. We blend in with locals as much as possible when travelling around and use invaluable local knowledge to ensure our safety while seeing Afghanistan. In a country full of risks, minimizing and removing those risks is something we have been doing for years.

How do I get to Aghanistan?
Most people arrive in Afghanistan by flying into Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, and depart the same way. It’s not a very connected airport, but there are regular flights to and from Dubai, Istanbul, Islamabad, Doha, Delhi and a few other cities around the region. Kam Air and Ariana Afghanistan are the two main airlines, since the major airlines such as Emirates no longer fly to Afghanistan.
There are also several land borders that used to be possible to cross, however they are currently all closed for tourists except the border with Pakistan.

Where can I get an Afghan tourism visa?
Most Afghan Embassies and Consulates around the world are still controlled by the previous government, and therefore do not wish to support the new Taliban government. This means they won’t issue visas anymore.
The easiest places to get a visa for Afghanistan are Peshawar and Islamabad in Pakistan and in Dubai.
The documentation needed at the very least is a Letter of Invitation from a local inviting party, most commonly a tour company.
It is possible to get a visa by yourself, however if you decide to join a group tour we'll give you documents showing you're going to be travelling with reputable people who know the security situation on the ground and will ensure your safety, thus making getting a visa easier.

When is the best time to go to Afghanistan?
The best time of year to go is spring or autumn. Summer can be really hot in Afghanistan, while in winter they experience extreme cold and snow.

Do I need to take cash to Afghanistan?
You should definitely take enough spending money in cash to Afghanistan as Paywave and EFTPOS have not yet made it.
The official currency of Afghanistan is the Afghan Afghani and is abbreviated as AFN.
The current notes in circulation in Afghanistan are the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 Afghani notes, although the lower denominations also have coins in circulation of the same value and are therefore much less common.
The most common and reliable way to get your hands on some Afghan Afghanis is to go to an exchange shop. These are all over Kabul, as well as at Kabul airport. The smaller cities such as Mazar-e-sharif and Herat also have a large number of money changing options.
Most major currencies such as Euros, Pounds, Australian Dollars, Canadian Dollars, AED, and RMB are able to be changed, however USD is always the best bet as it will always be accepted.
The currency has been really quite stable. 1 US$ = 75-90 AFN

Can you use foreign currencies in Afghanistan?
The short answer is No. Most restaurants, cafes, supermarkets or small shops will not want foreign currencies. When buying more expensive items such as carpets, many will be willing to accept USD or Euros, however most other currencies wouldn't be accepted. The same applies to hotels, who would also be willing to accept foreign currencies.

Are there ATMs in Afghanistan?
Yes, there are ATMs, however do not expect to be able to use them. Very often the ATMs will not be working at all, and if you do find one that’s working, it’s likely that they do not have any money in them. And then if you do find one that’s working and also has money in it, your card probably won’t work in it anyway. And then if you do use your card, your bank will likely block it, and we don’t need to tell you how much of a pain that can be. Banks really don't like Afghanistan popping up on their customers’ accounts.
So although technically the answer to this question is yes, please expect to have all of your required money in cash.

What power outlets are used in Afghanistan?
The electrical voltage in Afghanistan is the same as the EU standard. In Afghanistan the power plugs and sockets are of type C and F. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Is it easy to find bottled drinking water in Afghanistan?
Bottled water is very cheap and readily available, so there’s really no need to risk it with the tap water. It is not safe to drink tap water in Afghanistan.

What is the Internet like in Afghanistan?
All guest houses/hotels have internet, and data plans for mobile phones are extremely cheap and have a reasonable speed.
If you don't want to get a local SIM card with mobile internet, then you'll have to wait until you’re back in your hotel as restaurants/cafes and other public places do not usually have WiFi.
Of course, like in any developing country, there are frequent services outages and the speed seems to slow down for no reason, but rest assured you'll be back to streaming youtube videos, you just might need to wait 30 minutes.

How are the hotels in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan has every type of accommodation from extreme opulence to lying on a rug on the ground.
We don't recommend staying at the more upmarket hotels such as the Serena or the Intercontinental, as they are obviously targets and have both been attacked multiple times before.
We stay in unmarked guesthouses which are extremely comfortable with amazing staff who we know well, and who know how to make you feel at home. But these places are usually unidentifiable from the outside and therefor don’t become targets.

What can I eat in Afghanistan?
Afghan food is simple and basic. It's also heavily dependent on meat, so it's not the greatest destination for vegetarians. Mantu, kebab, and pilaf are the main dishes.

How is nightlife in Afghanistan?
For a conservative, strict Islamic country, which has been in major conflict for about 40 years and on-going conflict for centuries, a country where alcohol is illegal, and the mixing of sexes is generally discouraged, you'd assume Afghanistan wouldn't really have a night life. And you'd be correct.
It doesn't have a night life and it’s safest to be back in your guest house late at night anyway. The upside of this if you'll be able to enjoy your fellow travellers’ company with a game of cards, a nice chat over tea or even get an early night's sleep. And don’t worry, the days will be exhilarating enough, you definitely won’t feel bored!

 

TRAVEL PROTOCOL

Following a travel protocol in Afghanistan is really important if you want have a safe trip and avoid unnecessary problems.
Your guide will explain you the protocol that you need follow and respect anytime. This protocol we propose the travelers is related to dress-codes, photography, food and drinks, and relationships with the local Afghan population in every region.