The main gateway is Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport. Ariana Afghan Airlines and Kam Air operate connections via Dubai, Istanbul, Doha and several Central Asian cities. Most travellers on Koryo Tours flights connect through Dubai: fly to Dubai, collect your visa at the Afghan consulate, and fly on to Kabul the following day. Domestic flights between Kabul, Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif are available and used on extended itineraries. Overland entry from Tajikistan via the Sher Khan Bandar border is also used by some travellers and includes a visa on arrival.
What are the restrictions for women travelling in Afghanistan?
Significant and non-negotiable. Women must wear a headscarf at all times in public, cover their arms and legs fully, and adhere to Taliban dress regulations throughout. Some sites are not accessible to women visitors: Band-e-Amir lake, for instance, cannot be entered by women, though the viewpoint above it is outstanding and accessible. In mixed groups, women's ability to engage freely with some local settings is restricted. The Afghan Sisters itineraries, run by Koryo Tours with local female guides, are specifically designed to open experiences unavailable to mixed groups, and are strongly recommended for women who want to engage more deeply with Afghan women's lives and culture.
When is the best time to visit Afghanistan?
Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are ideal: mild temperatures, clear skies and landscapes at their most colourful. Summer is hot in the lowlands but well suited to high-altitude destinations like Bamiyan and Band-e-Amir. Winter in the mountains is spectacular under snow, and some visitors come specifically for winter activities in Bamiyan. Nawruz, the Persian New Year festival around 21 March, is a culturally exceptional time to visit, particularly in Mazar-i-Sharif, where the ceremonies at the Shrine of Ali and the release of thousands of white doves is extraordinary.
What currency and money do I need for Afghanistan?
The Afghan Afghani (AFN) is the official currency. US Dollars are widely accepted in major cities and are the practical currency for tourist transactions. Bring new, clean hundred-dollar bills: old, marked or small-denomination notes exchange at a significantly less favourable rate. ATMs exist in Kabul but are not reliable enough to depend on. Your tour fees are settled with Koryo Tours before you arrive; daily spending money for meals, personal purchases and tips is what you need on the ground.
What are the accommodation options?
In Kabul, accommodation ranges from well-equipped hotels offering good facilities to modest but comfortable guesthouses. In Bamiyan, Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif, accommodation is in local guesthouses, clean and hospitable but basic: cold water and simple meals are the norm outside the capital. Staying in local guesthouses in smaller towns is consistently described by returning travellers as one of the most human and memorable aspects of the trip. Afghan food throughout is genuinely excellent: slow-cooked rice dishes, grilled meats, extraordinary flatbreads and some of the best fruit in Asia are consistent highlights.
Why Travel to Afghanistan with Koryo Tours?
Over 30+ Years' Experience
Koryo Tours has over 30 years of experience travelling in 'unusual destinations'. We're a small team of passionate individuals with expertise on each of the countries we work in.
Immersive Experience
Our Afghanistan tours truly offer an immersive travel experience - not for the faint-hearted. Think eating in local spots, cooking with local families, being invited for tea and honey in nomadic mountain tents, and much more! The type of experiences you find whilst solo travelling, but only possible on our group trips.
Safety
With very small group sizes, priority for returning travellers, and rigorous safety measures in place, these tours promise a deeply rewarding and responsible travel experience. We emphasise blending in, not sticking out, promoting a 'more is more' approach when it comes to respecting local norms and customs.
Giving Back
A percentage of every booking on our Afghanistan tours is donated either to the Women's Retreat Centre (Afghan Sisters Tours), an education centre or a similar initiative, Future Hope Charity Organisation orphanage in Kabul.
You can also donate to each of these privately.
(Please contact us for more information).
Is it Safe to Travel to Afghanistan?
Koryo Tours prioritise safety on all of our tours. This is especially so in Afghanistan. We have a strong network of partners on the ground and constantly monitor the situation both on the lead up to and during the tour. All of our itinerary items are subject to change up to and on the day of. We never shy away from cancelling or changing itinerary items to prioritise safety - although this is rare.
Travel to Afghanistan is possible and can be safe but highly situational and not without risk, with safety largely dependent on careful planning, local guidance, and traveller experience. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, much of the country has seen reduced large-scale conflict and a growing, though still limited, tourism sector, particularly in major cities like Kabul, Bamiyan, and Herat.
However, risks remain, including unstable regions, evolving political dynamics, and strict cultural and legal expectations that must be closely followed.
Travellers are generally treated with curiosity and respect, and the authorities often prioritise tourist safety, sometimes even providing escorts, but movement can be restricted and closely monitored. Ultimately, Afghanistan is not a destination for casual tourists; it is best suited to experienced travellers who join organised tours, follow local advice, and are prepared to adapt to rapidly changing conditions.
Our Afghanistan group tours are capped at 8-12 people, depending on the tour.
Small group sizes maximise safety and cultural experience. This is why we cap the tours at 8 for some of our more intense cultural experience tours to Afghanistan.
How to Get the Visa to Afghanistan?
You can get the visa for Afghanistan in consulates in Dubai and Islamabad. You can also apply online for the new Afghanistan E-Visa programme.
Read our full guides on how to get a visa for Afghanistan on our blog.
The short answer to this question is no, by visiting Afghanistan as a tourist you are not explicitly supporting the Taliban. However, there is a small amount of money from your trip that goes to the government. This is mainly in the visa, permits, and local attraction fees, totalling to a small percentage of your trip. It should be noted, however, that a lot of this money then circulates amongst the tourism industry such as helping to protect sites, pay salaries etc.
The rest of your money goes directly to local businesses. The restaurants, hotels, cafes, and shops we visit are all independent and your presence goes a long way to supporting a struggling economy.
Regular Afghanistan Tours vs. Afghan Sisters Tours?
Regular Afghanistan Tours
Travel to the main provinces and must-sees of Afghanistan, including Kabul, Bamiyan, Band-e-Amir, Mazar, Herat, Helmand, and conservative Kandahar.
Our regular Afghanistan tours travel Afghanistan by land and air as we tick off the main sites of each of Afghanistan's main provinces, as well as exploring its multiple hidden gems we've found along the way. All of our regular Afghanistan tour itineraries have been carefully developed together with our local partners and months of on-the-ground experience.
This gives you the best experience possible on your once-in-a-lifetime trip!
Afghan Sisters Tours
From the bustling streets of Kabul to the serene lakes of Band-e Amir, wandering through vibrant bazaars, exploring ancient landmarks, or sipping coffee at a female-run café, this is a truly unique tour curated in cooperation with local Afghan women and tour operators.
Join our signature Afghanistan tours are guided by the incredible women who call this country home. These tours offer a rare opportunity to explore Afghanistan’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture from a perspective rarely seen by outsiders.
The heart of this tour lies in the stories shared by Afghan women.
Entrepreneurs. Artisans. Educators.
Each of whom brings each site to life with their personal experiences and insights. Along the way, you’ll visit women-led initiatives, from craft markets to community centres, and gain a deeper understanding of their pivotal role in shaping Afghanistan today.
All whilst being guided by local female tour guides.
Which Tour to Afghanistan is For Me?
Choose from either of our Afghanistan tours offered throughout the year.
- Regular Afghanistan Tours
These are tours seeing Afghanistan's highlights & least-explored areas. They are more typical tours that cover the main areas of the country and spend a lot of time on the history of the region.
- Afghan Sisters Tours (Guided by local Afghan female tour guides - culture-focused)
These are tours to Afghanistan that see the main places and sites but have more of a focus on cultural aspects, visiting local homes, NGOs, charities, and women-led businesses. Less history, more culture.