109th on my continuing saga beyond the #lakbay100 journey
December 20 to 21, 2019
“It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime...” ― Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner
My 87th solo backpacking trip, 44th country to visit in Asian continent, 107th country visited on my journey beyond #lakbay100, 7th continent on my list and of course and usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. I did not research that much for this country due also on limited time and laziness.
Afghanistan has been the center of many powerful empires for the past 2,000 years. However, in the last 40 years the country has been in chaos due to major wars -- from the Soviet invasion of 1979 to their withdrawal in 1989 and from warlordism to the removal of the Taliban in 2001 and the ensuing American and NATO invasion. Afghanistan has spent the last 3 decades in the news for all the wrong reasons. While it has much to offer to the intrepid traveler caution is advised and travel to Kabul is STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.
https://wikitravel.org/en/Afghanistan
December 20 to 21, 2019
“It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime...” ― Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner
My 87th solo backpacking trip, 44th country to visit in Asian continent, 107th country visited on my journey beyond #lakbay100, 7th continent on my list and of course and usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. I did not research that much for this country due also on limited time and laziness.
Afghanistan has been the center of many powerful empires for the past 2,000 years. However, in the last 40 years the country has been in chaos due to major wars -- from the Soviet invasion of 1979 to their withdrawal in 1989 and from warlordism to the removal of the Taliban in 2001 and the ensuing American and NATO invasion. Afghanistan has spent the last 3 decades in the news for all the wrong reasons. While it has much to offer to the intrepid traveler caution is advised and travel to Kabul is STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.
https://wikitravel.org/en/Afghanistan
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| Budget Solo Week-end Trip in Winter Afghanistan |
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| Budget Solo Week-end Trip in Winter Afghanistan |
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| Budget Solo Week-end Trip in Winter Afghanistan |
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| Budget Solo Week-end Trip in Winter Afghanistan |
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN
timezone - UTC +0430H capital - Kabul language - Afghan currency - Afghani (AFN)
visa - need to apply first before travel (if applying outside your home country (UAE), requirements are; (2) filled-up online application form (3 pages), (3) passport photos 1pc, (4) passport, (5) Letter / NOC from employer, (6) passport copy with resident visa page and (7) visa fee of 478 AED ($130) if approved / 1-day rush processing) (8) application submission / passport claiming is everyday 0900H-1600H.
timezone - UTC +0430H capital - Kabul language - Afghan currency - Afghani (AFN)
visa - need to apply first before travel (if applying outside your home country (UAE), requirements are; (2) filled-up online application form (3 pages), (3) passport photos 1pc, (4) passport, (5) Letter / NOC from employer, (6) passport copy with resident visa page and (7) visa fee of 478 AED ($130) if approved / 1-day rush processing) (8) application submission / passport claiming is everyday 0900H-1600H.
1. Afghanistan has been invaded by Greek, Arab, Mongol, Mughal, Persian, British, Sikh and USSR empires. They all failed to capture Afghanistan completely.
2. Alexander the Great was the first to build Herat's ancient citadel when he captured the city in 330BC
3. Afghanistan’s highest peak is called Noshaq and it has an elevation of 7,492 metres.
WEEK-END SOLO TRIP IN WINTER AFGHANISTAN ITINERARY (DECEMBER 2019)
Preparation:
Afghanistan embassy visa application 478 AED
Flight Dec. 20-21 Dubai - Kabul 585 AED
Flight Dec. 20-21 Kabul - Herat $195 (717 AED)
Total: 1,780 AED
Day 1: December 20, 2019 Friday
2330H ETD Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal
0130H ETA Dubai; taxi to Terminal 2
0420H ETD Dubai UTC +0400H; flight FZ301
0735H ETA Kabul UTC +0430H; money exchange $1=70, $130=9,000 AFN
0830H ETD Kabul Airport; ask money exchanger outside airport for car rent day tour
Paghman Garden / Lake Qargha; Lunch (Afghan food) 670
National Museum (closed) / Dar-ul-Aman Palace; Bagh Babur 330; Chehel Sotun Garden 300
1530H ETA Kabul Airport; car rental fee 4,600
1815H ETD Kabul; flight RQ105
1930H ETA Herat; taxi to Hostel 350
Mowafaq Hotel (Chawk-e-Golha) 1N 1,100; Snacks 180
Subtotal: 7,530 AFN
Day 2: December 21, 2019 Saturday
0600H wake-up / breakfast
0630H Herat morning walk tour; Herat Citadel 500 / Blue Mosque
1000H ETD Herat Town; taxi to airport 300
1045H ETA Herat Airport
1210H ETD Herat; flight FG252
1320H ETA Kabul; 3hr transit; fridget magnet & snacks 570
1605H ETD Kabul (UTC +0430H); flight EK641
1835H ETA Dubai (UTC +0400H) Terminal 3
Subtotal: 1,370 AFN
TOTAL: 7,530 + 1,370 = 9,000 AFN ($130) + 1,780 AED ($485) = $615
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| Budget Solo Week-end Trip in Winter Afghanistan |
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| Budget Solo Week-end Trip in Winter Afghanistan |
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| Budget Solo Week-end Trip in Winter Afghanistan |
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| Budget Solo Week-end Trip in Winter Afghanistan |
Thank you very much Winter Afghanistan!
2019's 22nd country visited, 8 countries of Southern Asia
completed, 44th of 47 country in Asia, 87th solo trip and 109th country beyond
#lakbay100 :) #livealifeyouwillremember #kabul #herat #afghanistan
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