Tajikistan & Afghanistan

DIFFICULTY 4.5/5 | FITNESS 2.5/5 | ADVENTURE 4.5/5 | CULTURE 5/5

dates

DURATION

10☀︎9☾

5th - 14th June
2026

GROUP

11 PAX

A powerful 10-day expedition through some of Central Asia’s most dramatic landscapes.


Bathe in the freezing mountain lakes of Iskanderkul and soak in the unique oddities of Dushanbe. Cross into the past as Afghanistan's immense history awaits you in the shape of mosques, ancient buddhas, bustling Kabulian streets and the azure lakes of Band e Amir National Park.

$2390 USD

  • Arrival in Dushanbe, local markets and welcome dinner
    Arrive in Dushanbe in the morning to meet your new Far Corners expedition crew! Explore the local Mehrgon markets and enjoy a relaxed city stroll before gathering for welcome dinner and drinks in Dushanbe’s bustling centre.
    Overnight: Dushanbe

  • Iskanderkul Lake day trip
    Take a scenic day trip to the beautiful alpine lake of Iskanderkul in the Fann Mountains. Enjoy short hikes or lakeside relaxing amidst the towering peaks before returning to Dushanbe. Splurge on afternoon tea at the famous Rohat Teahouse.
    Overnight: Dushanbe


  • Dushanbe city tour & free time
    Tour the capital with stops at the National Flagpole, Hissar Mosque, main square, and lunch at a favorite local spot. Afternoon free time to explore or relax with a spa session.
    Overnight in Dushanbe.

  • Cross into Afghanistan: Kunduz to Mazar
    Drive early from Dushanbe to the border at Shir Khan Bandr. Cross into Kunduz and stop for lunch and a visit to the money exchange and clothing stores. Continue on to Mazar-i-Sharif.
    Overnight: Mazar-i-Sharif.

  • Marvel at the Hazrat Ali Shrine and ruins of Balkh
    Morning trip to ancient Balkh, one of the oldest cities in the world. In the afternoon, visit the striking blue Hazrat Ali Shrine. Evening food, markets, and jewellery shops as the city comes to life after dark.
    Overnight: Mazar-i-Sharif

  • Fly to Kabul: explore bird market & Babur Gardens
    Take a short but scenic flight to Kabul. Explore the bustling bird market, the historic Babur Gardens, and catch sunset views from a scenic lookout before wandering Chicken Street.
    Overnight: Kabul

  • Drive to Bamiyan: Buddhas, ruins & tank graveyard.
    Travel through central Afghanistan to Bamiyan. Visit the Citadel of Zohak, the City of Screams, the Buddhas of Bamiyan, Soviet tank graveyard, and local markets. Relax in the evening as the locals come out for volleyball in the main park after dinner. Distribute water filtration kits in xxx village as part of our social development projects.
    Overnight: Bamiyan

  • Band-e-Amir National Park
    Day trip to Afghanistan’s first national park. Swim in the azure waters of the seven lakes, hop aboard swan pedal boats and admire Band-e-Amir’s sapphire lakes. Return through the rugged mountains to Kabul in the evening.
    Overnight: Kabul

  • Kabul culture & farewell dinner and drinks
    On the last full dayvisit the National Museum, the historic Ali Cloak Mosque, and the Chehelston Gardens. Wrap up the trip with sunset views from a rooftop bar and final group dinner and drinks.
    Overnight: Kabul

  • Depart Kabul
    Enjoy breakfast together before final goodbyes and airport transfers and departures. Flight to Almaty for those continuing onto Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan which you can book here.

ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

This unforgettable journey begins in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, with market strolls, lakeside hikes at Iskanderkul, and cultural sightseeing. Crossing into Afghanistan, travelers explore historic Kunduz and Mazar-i-Sharif, marvel at the ancient city of Balkh, and visit the iconic Hazrat Ali Shrine.

In Kabul, highlights include Babur Gardens and the vibrant bird market, before heading to Bamiyan to see the Buddhas and support a local village by installing Walter filtration systems as part of our social development project and collaboration with Sawyer. The adventure wraps with swimming at Band-e-Amir National Park and a farewell in Kabul, blending natural beauty, rich history, and meaningful cultural exchange.

WANT A HAND GETTING TO THE START LINE?
OUR FAR CORNERS CREW ARE HAPPY TO HELP!

    • One way flight from Mazar-i-Sharif to Kabul 

    • Accommodation in 3/4* share/single rooms (where available) as per itinerary

    • All meals in Tajikistan; Breakfast each day in Afghanistan

    • All entrance and permit fees

    • All ground transportation and driver costs

    • FCT guide and local English-speaking guide in each country

    • Welcome dinner and farewell dinner

    • Visa help (Evisa for most countries for Tajikistan, VOA for Afghanistan)

    • International flights to Dushanbe and from Kabul

    • Other meals in Afghanistan

    • Visa fees ($30 USD for Tajikistan (if applicable), $80 to $100 USD cash for Afghanistan)

    • Travel insurance

    • Spending money

    • Tips for guides

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SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

A cornerstone of Far Corners vision is the provision of sustainable support to locals. These social development projects aim to improve the living standards of the communities that are the foundation of our tours.

We’ve teamed up with Sawyer Products, an inspiring company who were stoked to be working with! This expedition gives back through the delivery and installation of Sawyer water filtration systems in the villages of Bamiyan province. These water filters last a lifetime and we’ll also be providing the necessary training so the locals are educated in maintaining these innovative products!

As part of our itinerary, we will be visiting these villages to install the systems and see the benefits of your contribution!s. in action.

FAQs

  • 96 nationalities do not require a visa to Tajikistan (check if you do here). Nationals that require an eVisa can apply here in advance. All nationalities require a visa to enter Afghanistan. Our itinerary is built around the fact that we can acquire a Visa On Arrival at the land border with Tajikistan. Afghan visas will be paid in cash at the border and cost $80-100USD.

  • Absolutely, we have planned out the tours so the dates align enabling you to be able to jump from one tour to the next. We can advise the best way to get from one tour to the next if you choose to book more than one tour! Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan is our final stop on our Central Asia route but have a look at our previous tour Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan here!

  • Yes, all adventurers that join us on our Far Corners expeditions are required to have comprehensive travel insurance. Given some of the destinations we visit, it can prove difficult (or very expensive!) to have travel insurance that covers you. At Far Corners we have used Safetywing for our personal and business travels for years and the best part is they don’t break the bank.

  • To get to Dushanbe you’ll either be coming from our previous tour in Uzbek/Turkmen or flying in to meet us. Dushanbe is reasonably well connected by air from the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia.  We recommend arriving in the morning of the 5th of June to ensure a smooth start to the trip.

  • Traveling to Afghanistan is the safest it has been in decades for tourists. Our local partners are experts in guiding clients and are constantly monitoring the situation to respond accordingly to any safety issues. Safety is our number one priority and therefore we reserve the right to adapt the itinerary if necessary. The details of our tour are not publicly available, nor our hotels. We also blend in wearing local clothes which adds to the magic of the expedition.

  • Yes, at checkpoints but interaction will be minimal as your local guide and FCT guide will keep you one-step removed from the bulk of interactions. All permits will be taken care of in advance to ensure smooth travel and minimal time wasted at checkpoints.

  • This tour specifically does not have as much strenuous activity as some other Far Corners offerings. However, the pace of travel will be quite intense and an ability to walk for most of the day will be required although multi-day trekking experience is not needed.

  • We choose to run our Far Corners tours during the prime season to ensure all activities are available. We will visit diverse landscapes (mountains, lakes, canyons, cities) so temperatures will fluctuate. Snow is unlikely in the mountains but could occur.ion

  • Yes, a non-refundable deposit of $1000 is required upon booking. Alternatively, you can also pay the full amount at booking.