Afghanistan

So given all this history, who on Earth would plan a bespoke vacation in Afghanistan? Well, we have to concede, not too many people. But while it’s a destination that may conjure up images of conflict, it’s also a starkly beautiful country whose proud people greet you warmly as an honoured guest. So if you have any kind of interest in the region, what better way to see what’s really happening today than to travel there?

Kabul is a practical and fascinating starting point for your journey. When the Taliban were kicked out in 2001, the city lay largely in ruins. But many new buildings have gone up over the past decade, while the historic bazaars are as busy as ever with Pashtun merchants doing deals on their cellphones. You’ll also want to spend a few hours in the main museum – if only to imagine how much more would be on display had the Taliban Minister of Culture (a supremely ironic title) not gone around smashing exhibits with a hammer. 

For adventures outside the capital, we recommend the Wakhan Corridor, a strip of land between Tajikistan, Kashmir and China that was created as a buffer between imperial Russia and British India. You’ll get to know the local Kyrgyz and Wakhi people as you travel by foot, horse, jeep or helicopter, taking in dramatic mountain vistas – and maybe tandem paragliding to gain the ultimate views.

Whether you’re skiing at the Bamiyan “resort” west of Kabul or joining tribesmen in a game of buzkashi – a kind of polo using a headless goat instead of a ball – Afghanistan is unlike any place you’ve ever visited. We’ll help refine that critical difference between being caught off guard and embracing the unexpected.