SOUTHERN FORTRESSES & WESTERN MINARETS (10 DAYS)

Morning flight to Herat (approx. 1 hour). Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Begin exploring this city known as the “Pearl of Khorasan.” Visit the magnificent Friday Mosque (Jama Masjid), an architectural masterpiece with stunning tilework that has been rebuilt and renovated over 800 years. Explore the surrounding antique stores and book markets for which Herat is famous. Evening walk through the bustling local bazaars. Overnight in Herat.

Full day exploring Herat’s rich heritage. Visit the Herat Citadel (Ikhtiyaruddin), recently restored and offering excellent city views. Explore the Herat Museum housed within. Continue to the Musalla Complex, where the towering minarets are all that remain of a magnificent 15th-century religious complex built by Queen Gawhar Shad. Visit her beautifully tiled mausoleum. After lunch, visit the thought-provoking Jihad Museum documenting the Soviet-Afghan war, and the serene Khwaja Abdullah Ansari Shrine in Gazargah. End the day with a hilltop sunset view over the city and a visit to nearby saffron fields (in season). Overnight in Herat.

Today’s journey (approx. 7-8 hours) is an adventure through Afghanistan’s dramatic western landscapes. Depart early for Kandahar, crossing the deserts of Farah and Nimroz. Witness the striking contrast between the Helmand River oasis areas and vast arid expanses—the same terrain traversed by ancient caravans and armies. Stop for a picnic lunch en route. Arrive in Kandahar in the late afternoon, check into your hotel, and enjoy a well-deserved dinner. Overnight in Kandahar.

Kandahar, spiritual birthplace of the modern Afghan state. Begin at the most sacred site: the Shrine of the Cloak (Kerqa), housing what is believed to be the cloak of Prophet Muhammad. Visit the elegant tomb of Ahmad Shah Durrani, founder of the Durrani Empire and modern Afghanistan. Explore the bustling Old City bazaars, including the famous Saree Bazaar. After lunch, climb the historic Forty Steps (Chehel Zina) with its inscribed pillars from Babur’s era for panoramic city views. Overnight in Kandahar.

Day excursion from Kandahar. Visit the fertile Arghandab Valley, known for its lush pomegranate, grape, and almond orchards. Walk through gardens and learn about traditional agriculture. Continue to the Dahla Dam, Kandahar’s main water source, set in a dramatic canyon. Visit a local village to experience rural life, possibly sharing tea with a family. Return to Kandahar for evening relaxation. Overnight in Kandahar.

Depart Kandahar for Ghazni (approx. 6 hours). En route, detour to Lashkargah to see the remarkable arch of Bost Fort (Qala-e-Bost). This 11th-century archway is one of Afghanistan’s most impressive pre-Islamic architectural survivals, standing dramatically above the Helmand River. Continue to Ghazni, arriving in the afternoon. Check into your hotel (basic but best available). Evening free to explore the local market. Overnight in Ghazni.

Morning exploration of Ghazni, once the glorious capital of the Ghaznavid Empire that stretched from Iran to northern India. Visit the iconic Minarets of Ghazni, elegant 12th-century towers adorned with intricate brickwork and inscriptions. Explore the massive Bala Hisar citadel overlooking the city. Pay respects at the tomb of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, the empire’s greatest ruler. After lunch, drive back to Kabul (approx. 3 hours). Check into your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating your journey across southern and western Afghanistan. Overnight in Kabul.

Free day to explore Kabul based on your interests. Options include:

• Visiting the OMAR Mine Museum for sobering insight into the landmine issue

• Shopping for traditional crafts at Bird Street or Chelsitoon

• Day trip to Paghman Gardens or Qargha Lake

• Visiting the Afghanistan Center at Kabul University

• Simply relaxing and processing your journey
  Your guide will be available to assist with arrangements. Final group dinner. Overnight in Kabul.

Transfer to Kabul International Airport for your departure flight, carrying memories of Afghanistan’s southern fortresses and western minarets.