Prepare yourself for a visit to Afghanistan. We go over all the key things to know before you go and how to maximise safety on your tour to Afghanistan.
The question of ‘Is it safe to visit Afghanistan today’ is certainly going to yield some mixed responses. But with tourism to Afghanistan increasing year by year, it might just be the right time to start planning your trip to Afghanistan.
Indeed, having recently released our new tours to Afghanistan (Afghan Sisters Discover Afghanistan / Discover Afghanistan Tour), we certainly think so.
In this blog, we go over the main aspects of safety when visiting Afghanistan as a tourist. We try to cover it from as many angles as possible. If you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Note: This blog concerns only the safety aspects of travelling to Afghanistan. If you are interested in reading about the ethics of travel to Afghanistan, please head to our blog post here.
Feel free to skip to the relevant area below;
Tourism in Afghanistan Today
Safety and Security: Key Considerations
Cultural Sensitivity and Etiquette
Travelling Under Taliban Rule
Solo Travel in Afghanistan
Is It the Right Time to Visit?
So, is it Safe to Visit Afghanistan Today?
Maximising Safety on an Afghanistan Tour
FAQs: Afghanistan Travel Safety
Tourism in Afghanistan Today
Following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Afghanistan’s political and social landscape has transformed dramatically.
This shift has created both new challenges and unique openings for foreign travellers. Under Taliban rule, the country’s leadership is aiming for stability, and, so far, large parts of Afghanistan have remained free of armed conflict since 2021.
Many people are understandably cautious about what this means, especially for international travellers, and for good reason.
A Rise in Tourism to Afghanistan
That said, there’s been a rise in organised tours led by experienced operators with local guides who know how to navigate both the country and the complexities of its political and cultural realities.
Tourism may be new in Afghanistan with a distinct lack of infrastructure, but what is becoming increasingly noticeable is the rise in tourism for Afghanis who have moved abroad and are finally returning to Afghanistan; either for travel or a permanent move back. Many have not been back to Afghanistan for several years due to security concerns, but more and more are starting to see now as a good time to come back.
Although tourism is still in its infancy here, it’s increasingly possible to visit Afghanistan, especially with responsible, informed planning.
Safety and Security: Key Considerations
Afghanistan presents both unique and familiar challenges when it comes to safety.
Here’s an overview of some of the main factors:
1. Political Climate
While the Taliban administration controls nearly all of Afghanistan, internal dynamics are evolving. For the most part, the new government is focused on stability, with efforts toward ensuring security across the country.
However, certain areas remain off-limits, particularly regions where sporadic resistance groups or Islamic State factions might be active. When planning a trip, avoid regions with known security issues.
2. Attitudes Toward Foreigner
Many Afghan people are curious and welcoming towards foreigners, eager to share their culture.
While the Taliban government has different expectations for behaviour, visitors are often treated respectfully. There is a sense of mutual understanding between foreign visitors and locals who are fascinated by each other’s cultures.
Still, adhering to local customs, dressing conservatively, and showing respect for religious and cultural practices are essential for staying on good terms.
3. Local Knowledge and Guidance
Having a local guide or local contact isn’t just helpful here. It’s essential to assist with your safety in Afghanistan.
Locally guided tours aren’t just about knowing where to go; they offer crucial insight into Afghan culture, social dynamics, and how to communicate respectfully.
Local guides know the areas that are currently open and stable and can interpret any changes in real time.
Koryo Tours work with experts who can navigate Afghanistan’s landscapes, both cultural and physical, allowing you to experience the country with greater security and understanding.
We explore this further below.
4. Restricted Areas and Government Permits
Certain places require permits to access. Your guide or tour operator will often handle the logistics, ensuring that your travel is permitted and aligning with any evolving restrictions.
This step is crucial, as unauthorised travel to certain areas could lead to serious consequences.
5. Health & Wellbeing
Altitude
Afghanistan is a mountainous region. Kabul is over 1500m (5800ft) above sea level, and some areas such as Bamiyan reach over 3000m (8300ft). There are some areas even higher. You may feel the effects of the altitude, especially at higher altitudes. These should disappear over time, but if you are sensitive to high altitudes you may want to be prepared.
Staying Fit
Depending on the season there may be different things to look out for. You might want to bring face mask coverings for the excess dust you may find on the streets in Kabul and vitamin tablets.
Extreme Temperatures
Depending on the season, you should be aware of heat stroke or extreme cold.
6. Prohibited Items
Two main things to watch out for on your tour to Afghanistan is not to bring anything political (books, flags etc), and don’t bring a drone - unless you have explicit permission and a license.
Attempting to sneak in any drone equipment may result in punishment, including detention in the country and hefty fines.
A Guide to Etiquette and Cultural Sensitivity
In Afghanistan, social customs, religious practices, and local etiquette are deeply rooted and essential to observe.
It’s not an option to simply… not follow the cultural norms.
You should prepare yourself well before a trip to Afghanistan.
Women in particular must adhere to the strict cultural norms and expectations when visiting Afghanistan, including being fully covered. This stands from the moment you get off the plane in Kabul.
Here’s a quick guide.
Dress Conservatively
Afghanistan is a conservative society, and both men and women need to dress respectfully. Women should wear a headscarf (hijab) and clothing that covers the body entirely.
Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts.
This small gesture goes a long way in respecting local norms and minimising attention.
Respect for Religious Practices
Afghanistan is an Islamic country, and respect for religious customs is essential. Prayer times are observed daily, and Fridays are holy days. Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Photography Guidelines
Taking photos of people, especially women, without permission is a big no-no. Many people are cautious about being photographed, particularly in rural areas where traditional values are strong.
Asking for permission is always appreciated, and if someone says no, respect it.
Is It the Right Time to Visit Afghanistan?
There may never be a ‘right’ time to visit Afghanistan.
You can only make the judgement for yourself after weighing up all the factors.
Some people may want to take advantage of the more adventurous aspect of travel to Afghanistan. At the moment, tourism is increasing. But it is still only just starting. This means that there are still very few tourists there.
Certainly, you don’t have to fight the crowds at world-class sites.
For some, they may prefer to wait until there is more established infrastructure. And others may prefer to wait for future changes.
In short, safety depends on careful planning, being informed, and travelling with professionals who understand the terrain and the people.
For those with a strong interest in history, and culture, and a desire to see Afghanistan with their own eyes, now might be the time. It’s worth noting that Afghanistan is not for the casual tourist.
It’s best suited for experienced travellers who value cultural immersion and are comfortable adapting to unique situations.
Travelling Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule
It may sound odd, but when you’re travelling Afghanistan, the Taliban are on your side.
We won’t go into too much detail here on the ethics and the politics. However, it is important to state that whilst Afghanistan is under Taliban control, and the Taliban are the current government, not every person in Afghanistan shares the same mindset - and indeed, not all workers in tourism - and even the government - share the same extremist values.
One thing that is generally universal throughout the country, however, is that tourism is a good thing. For the government, it is no secret that tourism contributes to the soft power of a country. And for locals working in tourism or hospitality, it brings business.
Both the Taliban and local workers wish to promote tourism in Afghanistan. This means that the Taliban will go above and beyond to ensure your safety and ensure you have a good time - to go home and tell all your friends and family about the beautiful country.
There may be some times that you get stopped at a security checkpoint and held for a while. They may ask for your contact number and may even check up on you via call, or by visiting your hotel room. There may even be some times that the Taliban wish to accompany you in a certain area. For this, they provide an armed escort - for free (although they may request tips, this is certainly not mandatory).
Finally, there may be some times that, due to security reasons, the Taliban strongly suggest that you don’t visit a certain area, or simply do not let you visit. This is due simply to their on-the-ground security information. It is wise to adhere to their advice.
Overall, however, you will find that the current government is very tourism-friendly.
In fact, recently, Afghan tour companies banded together and went to make a plea at the ministry to stop allowing solo travellers and to make it compulsory to have a guide with you. The Taliban refused as they didn’t want to be seen as restricting ‘like North Korea’ but wanted to make Afghanistan as enticing a travel destination as possible. We see this as very positive for tourism and in terms of how important the Taliban sees tourism and tourists.
It should be noted, however, that this value of the positivity of tourism is not necessarily shared throughout the whole country and you may find some people who dislike the outside input into the country. This is a factor contributing to the fact that some areas may be safer than others, or some areas simply not safe to visit at all.
Solo Travel to Afghanistan
There are plenty of solo travellers to Afghanistan. This includes both male and female solo travellers.
There are a few more considerations when travelling solo in Afghanistan, and you certainly need to prepare more to ensure your safety. But it’s certainly not impossible.
The lack of English spoken and the lack of tourism infrastructure will certainly make this more complicated and difficult. And having someone on the ground is really essential to have a good understanding on the safety aspects of travel in Afghanistan. Things can change very quickly, so it is always good to stay informed.
Many people today choose to travel to Afghanistan solo and do so safely.
Nevertheless - it's probably not the ideal destination for a first-time solo traveller.
So, is it Safe to Visit Afghanistan Today?
As a travel agent and tour company, we have to assess the risks of all our trips. Working in more unusual locations over the years means that we have practical experience of assessing these risks.
No travel company wants to put you at risk. Aside from prioritising and caring about your safety, any travel company working in the more ‘off-the-beaten-path’ locations has to consider various factors before deciding to work in a certain country.
It is after such assessment that we have deemed Afghanistan a safe destination to run tours to. We remain in constant contact with our partners on the ground in case of any changes and have implemented multiple measures to ensure maximised safety when on a tour to Afghanistan.
What Does Koryo Tours Do to Maximise Safety on Tours to Afghanistan?
Safety is the number one priority on any Koryo Tours tour.
This might lead to some disappointments on the trip. There may be some times when we are unable to visit a location originally on the itinerary due to security concerns at the time, or it may be that the itinerary has to be changed in other ways. Nevertheless, those who sign up for a Koryo Tours tour to Afghanistan can rest assured that we will do our best to ensure an incredible trip, and the safety of the group as well as the guides and partners we work with.
We have implemented a number of measures in order to prioritise safety on your tour to Afghanistan.
Below are just a few examples;
We never publish our full itineraries online
Koryo Tours Afghanistan Tour full itineraries are available only upon inquiry. We do not publish them publicly.
We never publish our exact itinerary dates online
Whilst the tour dates on our website for our Afghanistan Tours are correct, we never publish the exact date with the location.
We travel with a safety vehicle and hand-held receivers.
On our tours, we have an extra safety vehicle travelling with us as well as extra staff members, all with access to hand-held receivers in case of need whilst travelling through areas without mobile network coverage.
We go off-the-beaten-path, but not too far
We are excited to bring our two Afghanistan tours that offer both the highlights in Afghanistan as well as something unique. Nevertheless, the main itinerary is focused around the must-sees in Afghanistan, meaning that the areas we visit have been regularly visited by tourists - both foreign and local tourists. Despite Afghanistan tourism only starting up in more recent years, there has been a steady increase in tourism to the country. The main provinces we visit (Kabul, Herat, Bamiyan, Mazar, Kandahar) are the provinces where tourism is most common.
We currently offer two types of Afghanistan tours; our women-focused Afghan Sisters tours, and our Discover Afghanistan tours.
Our Afghan Sisters tour takes you to many unique areas and does many unique activities in the sense that is has a focus on learning about the lives of Afghan women in context.
Our Discover Afghanistan tours offer a more regular itinerary but have some unique items to make the tour extra special.
Afghanistan has enough to see that is readily available - and the available locations are only growing day by day. We are very happy to explore new and exciting places - once they have been correctly assessed and deemed safe.
We adopt the ‘more is more’ approach
When visiting Afghanistan, there is no need to do the 'bare minimum' in terms of respect in a lot of places. In fact, the more respectful you are, the more it will be appreciated by locals.
When it comes to respecting Afghanistan's cultural norms, we’re not there to change ideals. Instead, we’re happy as travellers and guests in a country to respect local norms and conform to requirements, which sometimes are very conservative.
We highly recommend our male participants to wear local Afghani clothing, and our female participants are encouraged to wear dark-coloured abayas (long dresses) and must cover their arms and legs. They must also wear a hijab (head covering).
When it is appropriate, female participants may also be encouraged to wear a niqab (face covering).
Travelling by multiple modes of transport
We utilise various modes of transport, including small and large vehicles, depending on the location and which environment suits which vehicle the most.
Working with female guides, we prioritise their safety
The safety of our local female guides is of utmost importance. Our tours are in cooperation with local female guides. We have researched and planned itineraries together and always let the local female guides make the final decision. We never try to push itinerary items or access to a certain area.
Partnering with an officially licensed company
We have a partnership with a local licensed company to run our trips.
In case of emergency
We have a network and a strong list of contacts in case any emergency does arise.
FAQs: Afghanistan Travel Safety
Q: Is Afghanistan safe to visit in 2025?
Safety depends on informed planning, travelling with trusted operators, and staying updated on current conditions. Major tourist areas are generally stable, but caution is necessary.
Q: Do I need a visa for Afghanistan?
Yes, most travellers require a visa, obtainable from Afghan embassies. Requirements may vary, so check before applying.
Q: Can I travel solo in Afghanistan?
Solo travel is possible but challenging. Hiring a local guide is strongly recommended for safety, navigation, and cultural insights
Q: What should I wear when visiting Afghanistan?
Dress conservatively. Women must wear long dresses, a headscarf, and cover their arms and legs. Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless tops.
Q: Can I bring a drone or political items?
No, drones and political materials are prohibited and could result in serious consequences.
Q: Is photography allowed everywhere?
No, always ask permission before photographing people. Avoid taking photos near government buildings or checkpoints.
Q: How can I stay healthy while in Afghanistan?
Bring essential medications, drink bottled water, and eat at reputable spots. Be prepared for altitude effects and seasonal weather extremes.
Q: What is the safest way to explore Afghanistan?
Join an organised tour with local guides and operators experienced in the region. They ensure safety, handle permits, and provide cultural insights.
Q: Will the Taliban monitor my travels?
Possibly. You may encounter checkpoints or be assigned escorts in certain areas for your safety. Always comply with local guidance.
Q: What regions are most popular for tourism?
Kabul, Herat, Bamiyan, Mazar, and Kandahar are commonly visited and considered safer compared to other areas.
Afghanistan offers unparalleled experiences for adventurous travellers but requires respect, preparation, and adaptability.
Koryo Tours
Afghanistan Travel Guide
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