Tours in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is safer for tourists now, especially under the current administration, which has made efforts to ensure stability and protect visitors. RJ Travel works with local authorities and follows strict safety protocols, including obtaining travel permits, paying relevant taxes, and securing tourism licenses​. However, it’s important to stay cautious and follow the guidance of your tour guide, particularly at checkpoints​.

People are extremely friendly and welcome tourists with open arms. Before traveling to Afghanistan, you must open your mind, go out of your comfort zone, and embrace this fantastic destination. You will realize the country is “normal” just a few minutes after arrival.

The crime rate toward tourists is relatively low. Safety in Afghanistan is one of the best in the region.

Is Afghanistan safe for tourists? Definitely yes.

Also, if you’re wondering if Afghanistan tours for US citizens are safe, local people are very welcoming and love tourists from all over the world. People from Afghanistan learned not to mix politics with personal relations and human interaction throughout history.

Yes, you will need a visa to enter Afghanistan. We make the visa process as straightforward and efficient as possible. The easiest way to get your visa is through our Dubai-based service, where our team handles everything for you.

Upon your arrival in Dubai, one of our representatives will meet you at your hotel at 8:00 AM to collect your passport and the visa fee. From there, we submit your visa application and complete the process within the same day. You can expect to have your passport returned with the approved visa by the afternoon, saving you from long waits and unnecessary delays​.

The visa fee is 300 USD for most nationalities. However, U.S. citizens will need to pay 400 USD due to additional requirements​. To apply, you will need a passport valid for at least six months, a passport-type photo, and your flight details, such as arrival and departure information​.

Our services cater to travelers from all nationalities, including Americans, Europeans, Australians, and others. We ensure that your visa is processed efficiently, allowing you to focus on the exciting adventure ahead​​.

Afghanistan is rich in historical, natural, and cultural heritage, with countless tourist attractions reflecting its unique position at the crossroads of cultures. The country boasts two Afghanistan UNESCO sites: the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam and the Bamiyan Valley. Additionally, notable sites like the City of Herat, Balkh, Band-E-Amir, and Bagh-e Babur are on UNESCO’s tentative list. As an experienced Afghanistan tour operator, we design our packages to meet your needs, offering top services, knowledgeable guides, and carefully vetted accommodations.

At RJ Travel, we offer both private tours and group tours to Afghanistan, tailored to your preferences and travel needs.

Our private tours provide a more personalized experience, allowing you to explore Afghanistan at your own pace, with flexible itineraries and departure dates.

For those who prefer a shared adventure, our group tours operate with guaranteed monthly departures, ensuring that your trip will take place even if only one traveler has booked​​.

The tour packages include accommodations with breakfast, an English-speaking local guide, all transportation costs (driver, fuel, vehicle), sightseeing tickets, airport/hotel transfers, and Government taxes and permits​​. Drinking water and soft drinks are also provided​.

The tour package does not include flights, so you will need to arrange both international and domestic flights separately, such as from Dubai to Kabul. Lunch and dinner are also not included, but you’re free to explore local dining options or coordinate meals with your guide.

Additionally, you must arrange your own Afghanistan travel insurance coverage before the trip, and we recommend IATI Travel Insurance for full coverage. Visa fees for Afghanistan are not part of the package, and personal expenses like souvenirs, extra drinks, and other incidental costs are also not covered.

The best time to visit Afghanistan is in spring and autumn, specifically from April to June and September to October. These months offer pleasant weather for traveling around the country​​.

We offer tours year-round, from January to December, and winter in Afghanistan is especially magical. Bamiyan and Band-e Amir National Park transform into stunning snowy landscapes, offering breathtaking views. Our hotels are equipped with proper heating systems, so all you need is a good jacket to enjoy the beauty of Afghanistan in winter!

Direct flights to Kabul are available from Dubai with Air Arabia, Ariana, FlyDubai and Kam Air. Kam Air also operates flights from Istanbul, Doha, Tashkent, and Dushanbe.

Our trips are typically planned around the Kam Air or Air Arabia daily flights, departing from Dubai around 3:00 AM, which arrives in Kabul early in the morning. This timing allows you to make the most of your first day in Afghanistan, starting with a seamless arrival and immediate tour activities.

The flight takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes, so you’ll arrive in Kabul around 6:35 AM, giving you plenty of time to settle in before beginning your adventure​​. This early arrival is perfect for adjusting to the new environment, and our airport meet-and-greet service ensures a smooth transition from the airport to your hotel. You’ll have time to rest for a few hours before kicking off your tour with a morning city exploration​.

During the tour, you’ll travel in comfortable vehicles with a professional driver, and all transportation needs are fully covered as part of the package, making it easy to explore Afghanistan’s major attractions.

For tours that require domestic flights, we ensure the best airlines with convenient departure schedules, such as Ariana Afghan Airlines or Kam Air. The price of the domestic flights is included in the package, both for the client and the accompanying tour guide, who will be with you during flights between larger cities.

Common connections include Kabul to Herat, Kandahar to Kabul, and Kabul to Mazar-e-Sharif, ensuring smooth travel throughout the country​​.

Accommodations are typically in 3 to 4-star hotels, featuring private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The hotels are carefully selected for their safety, comfort, and proximity to major tourist attractions. Wi-Fi is generally available, although the quality may vary by location​​.

You should bring USD in large denominations (preferably $100 bills) that are crisp, clean, and dated after 2009. There are no ATMs available for foreigners in Afghanistan, and exchanging money is typically done at local exchange offices​.

The official language of Afghanistan is Pashto. In large cities, the middle and upper class know English as it allows them to have more accessible contact with the rest of the world, making the trip much more accessible. Either way, all our travel packages include a full-time Afghanistan guide who speaks the local language so that you feel comfortable learning about the culture of Afghanistan, its history, and traditions.

Afghanistan is a conservative Islamic country, so modest dress is required. Men should wear long trousers and cover their shoulders, while women are expected to wear a headscarf and a long-sleeved abaya or similar modest attire. While a burqa is not necessary, dressing respectfully is essential​​.

When you travel to Afghanistan, it’s important to be mindful of local customs and laws to ensure a smooth and respectful experience. Minor cultural missteps, like taking photos without permission or wearing inappropriate clothing, can make you stand out, but more serious actions could lead to dangerous consequences.

Always dress modestly, ask permission before taking photos, and avoid public displays of affection. Respect religious customs by removing shoes in mosques and homes, and never engage in sensitive topics like politics or religion, as these can lead to confrontation.

More serious issues include avoiding any photos of military or government installations and refraining from alcohol or drug use, as both are illegal. Always respect religious symbols and avoid any form of blasphemy, which can have serious legal repercussions. Being cautious and respectful will help you enjoy your trip while staying safe.