Afghanistan, officially the
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located within South Asia,
with its capital city in
Kabul. Afghanistan has four distinct seasons of spring, fall, summer and
winter. Summers here get extremely hot and there are prevalent sandstorms which
affects air travel, while winters make the roads and mountains difficult to
navigate. The peak travel time to visit
this country is during the fall or spring season when the weather is pleasant
and dry. Afghanistan is a multi ethnic
country, home to about 14 ethnic groups and a predominately Muslim community. It’s
most popular foods include, rice, dumplings, kebab and bread. Dari and Pashto
are the two official languages and widely spoken in Afghanistan too.
The Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul serves as the
main gateway into the country. For intercity travel, planes offer daily flights
between Kabul and the major cities. There is also a growing network of public
transportation in the country’s cities, buses, taxis, car rentals are available
for getting around Afghanistan. Afghanistan is a relatively safe place for
tourists to visit, the city of Kabul is considered safe if you stay within the
central downtown. However, it is advised to keep a low profile, avoid gathering
crowds and demonstrations.
Amazing festivals you should attend whenever you are in
Afghanistan include the Eid e Fitr, Ramadan, Ashura, Labor Day and Eid e
Qurban.
With a long, rich history and amazing culture dating back
5,000 years, there are quite a number of fascinating places of attractions for every
adventurous traveler to visit while in Afghanistan. These places of interest to
explore are:
·
Band-e Amir: this is the first national park in
Afghanistan, it has 5 lakes surrounded by breathtaking land formations and the
famous tomb of Amir, where you would find a women’s beach. You can explore the
trails to take in views of the deep blue waters and scenic paths.
·
Minaret of Jam: this 65 meter high minar
surrounded by rocky slopes and a crystal lake, is the second tallest of its
kind. You can take a look at the impressive and detailed cravings, reflecting
the prehistoric history of the country, around the minaret.
·
National Museum of Afghanistan: here, you will
find a great collection of important relics like the 15th century
black marble basin (Buddha’s Begging Bowl) and the Rabatak Tablet displayed in
the museum.
·
Sultani Museum: this museum features exhibits of
manuscripts, cravings, pottery, coins and other artifacts of the country of
Afghanistan.
There are
over 10,000 hotels and apartments to stay in Afghanistan, so you will be spoiled for choice
especially when in Kabul.
