Bamiyan Travel Guide

  Afghan women walking across the mountain
by Penelope4
 
  • Afghan women walking across the mountain
      Afghan women walking across the mountain
    by Penelope4
  •   Things to Do
    by Penelope4
  • Buddha site at present
      Buddha site at present
    by Cdnexpat
  • Red City ruins
      Red City ruins
    by Cdnexpat
  • View of Bamyan from the Buddha site
      View of Bamyan from the Buddha site
    by Cdnexpat
 

Explore Bamiyan

Things to Do  

Sites to see in Bamyan

Sites to see in Bamyan, Bamiyan

 Cdnexpat Says:  Once you make it to Bamyan, you can check-in at one of two hotes there, then organize your sight seeing trips.There are a few nice places to visit.Obviously, the Buddha site is the most interesting. It is close to the city, ans one can easily walk there.The Red City is 20... 

Hike or drive - look at the mountains!

Hike or drive - look at  the mountains!, Bamiyan

 Penelope4 Says:  You will need the best hiking shoes. Stones, sands, slopes - they make hiking not easy. The sights of Grand Canyon-like mountains make you forget the difficulties. 

Don't mind the crowd

Don't mind the crowd, Bamiyan

 Penelope4 Says:  Afghan people are kind-hearted although they are not wealthy. If you see crowds, don't be scared. Unlike in other countries where they would gather if guys are fighting or is being mobbed, in Afghanistan, they gather together if somebody's playing a musical instrument, if... 

Watching the lakes

Watching the lakes, Bamiyan

 Penelope4 Says:  The Band-e Amir lakes are totally awesome! Surrounded by mountains which will remind you of Grand Canyons, the lakes are clean, bluer than blue and has so many fish in them! 

Go swim with the fish

Go swim with the fish, Bamiyan

 Penelope4 Says:  The Afghans are not allowed to fish in the Band-e Amir lakes and this applies to you as well. But good news - you can swim with the fish which come a plenty! The water is bluer than the sky and you can dip with as much pleasure as you like - in summer where temperatures are... 

Take a boat as a group

Take a boat as a group, Bamiyan

 Penelope4 Says:  The boats provided at Band-e Amir lakes are good for 2-3 passengers. If you are travelling with friends, I would recommend that you bring a "boat" with you to make the most out of your visit. Or you can ask your contact to find out where you could rent a bigger boat. 

Restaurants  

There are many small eateries at Band-e Amir: Kebabs at Band-e Amir

There are many small eateries at Band-e Amir: Kebabs at Band-e Amir, Bamiyan

 Penelope4 Says:  Don't worry about food when you visit the lakes. There are many eateries there and even small shops for what-have-you. Just bring enough water or juice with you. Do not dare to bring alcohol. You will be in trouble. Kebabs smell so good in the mountains. Enjoy! 

Mama Najaf restaurant: the food of afghanistan

Mama Najaf restaurant: the food of afghanistan, Bamiyan

 hongmingd Says:  when it comes to eating, eating in afghanistan could be very boring and unhealthy. there are not too much choices of food, just palao, kabab (grilled meat), and nan.it's better to avoid the kabab, as the meat is very very dirty. we got stomachache after eating it. the palao... 

Nightlife  

Buddah Bar by Global: The best (and only) bar in Bamiyan
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mi5chelle 116 reviews

Ok, so let's not get too excited but yes, there is alchol available in Bamiyan -- in the bazaar in the black market (you must use the code names of famous people to identify which liquor you want) and in the recently re-opened Buddah Bar.

The first Buddah Bar was operated by ICRC and closed in 2003, after the last expat left. Now, Global Securiy, the gang of ex-soldiers and ruffians who give security to UNAMA's electoral registration teams, have re-opened a new Buddah Bar - complete with a brick mini rendition of the large buddah, masonry into the bar, itself.

There are carpets to lay on, a nice decorations. Drinks cost $3 a piece. No local Afghans are allowed inside, due to cultural and religious sensitivities.

The bar is open only on Thursday nights and really only gets going around 10pm. There is no curfew in Bamiyan, but most of the regulars come from the bar's own neighboorhood.

You heard it here, first.

Dress Code: No special dress, along as its conservative to Afghan standards. Be ready to chat it up with the usual cast of characters from the UN -- security guys, program officers, electoral workers, and folks from the various other non-governmental organizations and the occassional BBC journalist or vagabond from Kabul.

Written Sep 11, 2004

Address: In Sarasiyya area, near DDR complex

Related to:
 Budget Travel
 Singles
 Archeology

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Transportation  

Bus from Bamiyan to Kabul and Vice Versa
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hongmingd 49 reviews
Compression

Pictured beside is our view from the back of the minibus from Bamiyan back to Kabul. The minibuses always leave very early in the morning, in Afghanistan. I think this one left around 4:30-5:00am or similar. Day buses dont really run. All minibuses get this cramped, and often 18 people can be squeezed inside. Tough going when the trip is 12 or more hours,and the heat is tremendous. Very dusty also on dirt tracks.

Written Sep 29, 2003

Related to:
 Backpacking
 Road Trip
 Budget Travel

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Shopping  

Bazaar at the Band-e Amir lakes: Nothing for tourists, but go buy something

Bazaar at the Band-e Amir lakes: Nothing for tourists, but go buy something, Bamiyan

 Penelope4 Says:  The shops are now about three hundred meters away from the lakes. Loitering is strictly prohibited to preserve the nature.The bazaar is mainly for locals. You will find here household stuff like pails, ropes, nuts, some tidbits to eat and a few (just a few) pieces of... 

Bamiyan bazaar: bazaar is getting better every month

Bamiyan bazaar: bazaar is getting better every month, Bamiyan

 mi5chelle Says:  The bazaar has really grown and expanded in the last year-- you can buy a food and general househould items, clothes, mobile phone, kebab, DVDs, or get a room at cheap hotel. Look in the 'antique' shops for some decent Hazarajat klims. $40-80 depending on size and... 

Local Customs  

Smiles given is a smile gotten

Smiles given is a smile gotten, Bamiyan

 mi5chelle Says:  In addition to shaking hands and then placing your right hand over your heart, smiling is the best way to greet.Universally speaking, if you smile at someone they almost invariably will smile back and that's always a great ice breaker if you don't speak the language. 

The Hazaras

The Hazaras, Bamiyan

 hongmingd Says:  Everybody gettig in on the act. Notice the 3rd guy on the right with the moustache. His eyes are crossed. We noticed this phenomenon all around many of the people in the Band-E-Amir area, and suspected it was a genetic thing being passed on to each generation. 

Warnings and Dangers  

Afghanistan not safe for backpackers yet

Afghanistan not safe for backpackers yet, Bamiyan

 mi5chelle Says:  As I said in the intro, Afhanistan is still a very unstable and unpredictable country and should not be visited by adventure seekers and backpackers. Will keep the VT family updated if there are any positive changes. 

Landmines in Bamiyan

Landmines in Bamiyan, Bamiyan

 hongmingd Says:  This picture is sign of a discovered mine, which has yet to be activated. Rocks are painted red for later de-activation. When the rocks are white, the mine has been cleared. When there is no colour, then watch your step. Teams of mine seekers are in Afghanistan all the time.... 

What to Pack  

At 2,500 meters, its chilly even in Summer
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mi5chelle 116 reviews

Luggage and bags: Bamiyan is the heart of the Central Highlands and is surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountains so it can get cold.

For day treks bring a sturdy day backpack and a water container.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Always have a sweater or a fleece jacket when you come, summer, spring - anytime.

In the winter you had better have a parka and protection from snow, like a good outter water proof jacket. Hat is essential and good sturdy shoes or boots

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Always have sun screen cream and sun glasses. Ladies bring your own tampons and such since you won't find anything here.
The air is dry so bring body lotion and a lot of conditioner for your hair.

Photo Equipment: A digital camera is great. No film is on sale in the bazaar, that I know of.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Sleeping bag and liner is a good idea and maybe a walking pole or two if you are going to hike around the Buddahs or Koh-e-Baba mountains.

Miscellaneous: Thuraya phone, GPS, altimeter would be handy. Plus, Guess what? Bamiyan now has mobile phone accessibility so bring your phone and buy your Roshan chip here.

Written Sep 11, 2004

Related to:
 Budget Travel
 Historical Travel
 Backpacking

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Off The Beaten Path  

Watch a rug be woven

Watch a rug be woven, Bamiyan

 mi5chelle Says:  In any village, especially during winter time, you can pass by and ask to see a klim or rug being woven.You can even place orders with women to make a custom rug for you. Its a wonderful experience to sit and talk with the women about their cultural traditions in... 

Catch a live performance of music on the go

Catch a live performance of music on the go, Bamiyan

 mi5chelle Says:  Ever since the deposition of the Taliban, music is everywhere. Radio Bamiyan plays all the favorites from Pakistan, India and Iran, in additon to Afgan music.It is easy and cheap to rent a band, too. For about $25/night five musicians and a singer will come to your guest... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Watch a Buzkhashi match
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mi5chelle 116 reviews
Buzkhashi player

Well, Buzkhashi is the national sport of Afghanistan and is a sight to behold.

Two teams run around, on horseback, fighting one another for the possession of the carcass of a dead goat, because they want to carry it to the goal line.

It can be very exciting to watch and the fans are also a eyefull. Mazar-e-Sharif is considered the best place to see matches but we have a few teams in Bamiyan who play at least once or twice a month.

Admission is free
Prizes like vehicles, rifles, money and such are given to the high scorers.

Equipment: No equipment needed unless you plan to join in the melee.

Then, if you speak Dari, you should have a strong, fast horse, thick clothes (since you will get beaten by the opposition with riding crops) and gloves so you can securely hold the carcass as you gallop to the goal circle.

Written Jun 18, 2004

Address: Bamiyan, by the field near PRT

Related to:
 Backpacking
 Horse Riding

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Map of Bamiyan