Upcoming Trips in Afghanistan:
Past and Present: from the Timurids to the Taliban (15 nights) -
3rd-18th May 2025
13th-28th September 2025
Introducing Afghanistan (7 night) -
24th to 1st May 2025
The Road to Oxiana (14 Nights)
19th May - 2nd June 2025
30th August - 13th September 2025
25th April - 9th May 2026
The Afghan Weekender (3/4 nights) - private trip
The Afghan Silk Road (6/7 nights) - private trip
Latest News
Our original vision for Safarat was to meld our experience and passion for Afghanistan with our contacts and connections from our careers in journalism. We hoped that we would be able to tell the country’s story better, blending tourism with a shot of realism.
Too many tour operators offering journeys through “difficult” places in the world gloss over the ongoing suffering around them – they often proudly share reviews from their clients riddled with cliches about media bias and perception.
A further note published by the Taliban Ministry of Affairs confirms a tweet made by Minister Balkhi last year suggesting that the IEA will no longer be accepting visas issued by European and other embassies still under the control of the former government.
We are Afghanistan’s leading DMC (Destination Management Company) - we don’t just operate our own tours.
What next for tourism in Afghanistan after the Bamyan attacks – will the Taliban implement a more restrictive North Korean model of tourism? What steps will the government take to protect tourists? How will the attack impact us as travellers?
An update on the security situation in Afghanistan after the Bamyan attack on Spanish tourists in May 2024.
Safarāt travellers were recently invited inside the factory that the Turqouise Mountain Foundation are assisting in Aqcha, Afghanistan on order to see how some of the world’s best kilim rugs are produced by Turkmen craftsman.
One of the most common questions we get asked about our “Road to Oxiana” journey and from travellers on their way to Mazar-E-Sharif in Afghanistan’s north is how to watch the game of Buzkashi as part of their tour.
The situation with Afghan Consulates around the world is currently confused due to the change in regime in Kabul in August 2021.
We are working towards making sure that 10% of our profits go to good causes in Afghanistan. These are the first direct beneficiaries of Safarāt.
Testimonials and Reviews….
-
"Wherever we traveled in Afghanistan our visits were greeted with the warmest hospitality and steaming mugs of chai."
Travelling with Joe and Safarat has been a most revelatory and incredible adventure, an adventure I never imagined possible. I am hugely grateful to Safarat for enabling such a wonderful journey, and I return instilled with hope for Afghanistan’s future years.”
JBD - United Kingdom
-
"If you are committed to visiting this beautiful yet troubled country I don't think you should consider any group other than Safarat"
"Joe has a deep understanding of the country, its culture, and its challenges, and the Afghans he works with on the ground are always happy to provide deep local knowledge. The reality is that if you aren't smart in this country it could majorly backfire, but Joe and the team navigate all the potential pitfalls for you in the background so you can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip."
-
"Joe's leadership, his enthusiasm, his intimate knowledge of the country, his thoughtful itinerary, his expertise at handling problems big and small"
"I've recently returned from my two-week 'Past and Present' Safarat tour of Afghanistan, and the rewards of this extraordinary journey are just beginning to sink in. It may sound strange to younger travelers, but Afghanistan has been on my bucket list for 45 years, after I regrettably missed the opportunity to visit before the Soviet invasion of 1979""
JM, United States
-
As a woman travelling alone, I felt totally comfortable.
Joe made himself available through the planning process and was quick to answer my many questions. I was also provided detailed information about what to pack, and what to expect on arrival. The security paperwork was reassuringly thorough!
As a woman travelling alone, I felt totally comfortable. Safarāt made sure I understood any specific situations where I might be treated differently, and always checked in to ensure I was at ease. I never felt unsafe or a burden as a result.
LC, New Zealand
-
"The trip was easily among my top 3 travel experiences "
“ the diversity of cultures, the unbelievable hospitality of its people, the complex history of the country, the natural rawness and beauty of the country - all added to an unforgettable experience.
Joe and Noori were outstanding guides and leaders - always looking to add different experiences to the program and with an ability to make changes on the fly as the situation demanded. They succeeded far begin my expectation in providing an intimate, honest and authentic view of the country and its people - a view that went beyond the often sensational headlines of the Western news channels.”
KP, Denmark
-
“My tour to Afghanistan with Safarat in May was without doubt the best I’ve ever done."
“The sights we saw every day were remarkable and the local people in the markets were happy to chat and have their photos. I particularly turning off the road one day to visit a village where we we made very welcome and they made green tea for us.
I could go on and on but just to say you will not regret joining Safarat on a tour of Afghanistan.”
JF- United Kingdom
-
“Joe and Noory are a highly professional team operating in Afghanistan.”
“Will be back and recommend anyone considering travelling to the country to at least have a chat with the pair of them.”
MJ, United Kingdom
-
"A dream come true"
"Being able to visit Afghanistan was a dream come true, Joe and Noory made it happened. The country has so much to offer in terms of ancient and modern history, landscape, local hospitality, food, sense of adventure, etc. Of course, there is a level of risk associated with travelling to Afghanistan, but Joe, Noory and their local team are ensuring the maximum level of security possible."
What next for tourism in Afghanistan after the Bamyan attacks – will the Taliban implement a more restrictive North Korean model of tourism? What steps will the government take to protect tourists? How will the attack impact us as travellers?