Afghanistan

Welcome to Afghanistan

Capital of Afghanistan: Kabul
Population of Afghanistan: 37.5 million - 14th in Asia
Size of Afghanistan: 652,230 km2 - 11th in Asia
Languages in Afghanistan: Afghan Persian, Dari, Pashto

Although few travelers take a trip to Afghanistan for pleasure, this landlocked nation boasts breathtaking extremes of landscape and a rich history spanning over 2,000 years. Powerful empires came and went over the ages, leaving an indelible mark on Afghanistan's culture, arts, and religion. Afghanistan remains a battered though undeniably picturesque country slowly figuring out how to reinvent itself as a young democracy.

Highlights

See the ruins of the Buddhas of Bamiyan, monumental stone statues dating back to the 6th century, destroyed by the Taliban during a senseless act of cultural vandalism
Admire the tiled Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif
Explore the ancient city of Balkh
Gaze upon the stunning Band-e-Amir Lakes (Lake of Jewels), decorating one of the most beautiful hidden gems in the country, not far from the city of Bamiyan
Trek to the Panjshir Valley and the must-see Anjuman Pass
Journey to the Minaret of Jam
Take a scenic drive along the Salang Pass on the way to northern towns
Get lost in the awe-inspiring Tora Bora cave complex in eastern Afghanistan