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Our Charity Skiing in Afghanistan Tour 2024

My charity foundation, Mudita Adventures, is back! Now come join us on our charity skiing Afghanistan tour in 2024!Way back in 2015 when I getting close to finishing my ‘every country in the world‘ trip, one of my best buddies and I created a little foundation to give back to travel. Travel had given me everything I had, so we wanted to do some charity stuff to help out the destinations we visited. And so we did that, projects in Senegal, Ethiopia, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia all followed. Donating over $250,000USD. COVID hit and it all paused.

But in 2024, we’re back. For 2 trips we hope, this Afghanistan one and an epic Pakistani Kashmir one (watch this space!). Long story short, come to Afghanistan with us in February. We’re going skiing there! But first we’re going to do a huge food distribution and donation and the funds for the trip will pay for that.

If you’re keen to join, read more of the info below:

Why Visit Afghanistan?

Afghanistan has long been one of the least visited countries in the world. Although, prior to the 1970s it was a staple on the old backpacking circuit. Since then, the Taliban, the US, the Russians etc have all left in a rather precarious state. And then, in 2021, the Taliban once again took over. And that doesn’t look likely to change any time soon. A sad state of affairs, indeed.

Due to the new Government, all NGOs, charities, organisations etc pulled out instantly. Leaving people in dire situations. So we want to help a local community in Bamiyan, with a large food donation before exploring the country and even doing a bit of skiing.

How Did This Come About?

I recently climbed Mount Everest, as many of you who follow me on instagram.com/onestep4ward will know. Part of my expedition was a lovely Afghani guy called Sam. Sam was aiming to be the first Aghan to ever summit Everest (and he did it!). During the 2 months together on the mountain, we cooked up this idea to help out a community that he knows in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. So now I’m fulfilling my promise.

Is it safe!?

Sadly, ironically, distastefully, yes. Due to the Taliban’s rule, it’s never been safer for foreigners to visit. Please also understand, our visit isn’t an endorsement of the regime. It’s simple an opportunity to help a community, and to visit a country that needs some tourist dollars.

Afghanistan Tour Itinerary

Our Afghanistan itinerary includes both the United Arab Emirates, where can need to go to Dubai to pick up our Afghani visas en route, and then onto Kabul. The whole trip is 7 days. And the itinerary looks like this:

Day 1:

Our group will meet in Dubai. We’ll have an evening dinner (and probably some ridiculously overpriced Dubai-beers) and then overnight in Dubai.

Day 2:

Admin day. We’ll have our group transport pick us all up and ferry us to the Afghan embassy in Dubai. Our fixers will have briefed them about our applications, so it’s simple a formality. We will submit the documents and head back to the hotel. Once the visas are stamped we’ll pick the passports up and we’re set. You’ll have some free time today to explore Dubai too.

Day 3:

As is often the case with our trips to some of the least visited countries in the world, the flight times are a challenge. We’ll head to the airport in the early hours, and arrive in Kabul for brekkie. Today, we’ll have the privilege of exploring a post-Taliban Kabul. Our local guides will be bringing us around the city. Local souqs, local restaurants. Qale’H-Ye-Balahissar fortress and epic views from TV hill. We will overnight in our comfortable Kabul lodgings for the night.

Day 4:

Afghani road trip! We’ll be taking our private transfer across Afghanistan today. Once we reach Bamiyan, we’ll visit the destroyed ruins of the ancient Buddhist complex, the Buddhas of Bamiyan. Carved into the cliff face in the 6th century, the (former) UNESCO World Heritage Site was destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. It holds great significance historically, both from the 6th century and 21st century. After lunch, we visit the 1000 year old ruins of the City of Screams Shahr-e Gholghola. En route to our hotel, we’ll pass some Soviet Tanks. A stark reminder of the recent history this country has endured from both domestic and foreign powers. Late afternoon, we’ll visit the local village elders and donate our food stuffs. We’ll share tea, share some stories and then head to dinner before overnighting in Bamiyan.

Day 5:

SKIING IN AFGHANISTAN! A genuine bucket list item today folks. Depending on the ski conditions, we’ll be visiting the mountains of Chapdara, Shahidan, Ali-Big, Qazan, or Khushkak. With the local ski guides, you’ll be one of the very, very, very few people to have ever skied these hills. For the more advanced skiers in our group, don’t worry. The 100 year old skis that we rent will be a great leveller!

Day 6:

We have the morning on the slopes to get our final taste of one of the most unique travel experiences in the world, skiing in Afghanistan. After an early lunch, we’ll visit the Band-E-Amir national park. The national park, a chain of six lakes in the mountainous desert of central Afghanistan, has been created by natural dams high in the Hindu Kush. We’ll overnight in Bamyan one last night

Day 7:

Today is our last day in Afghanistan. After breakfast in Bamyan, we’ll make the journey back to Kabul. Stopping on the way for an Afghani lunch stop. Our flight back to Dubai is in the evening, so depending on police stops etc, we may have time for a mini tour in Kabul, or straight to the airport. Dubai here we come.

FYI: Depending on interest, we may do a Dubai add-on where we explore Dubai properly, stay in the desert, and finish off with an infamous, boozy Dubai brunch.

Afghanistan Tour Dates and Cost

Our afghanistan tour 2024 dates are: February 28th to March 5th (7 days)

The cost of the tour is $2,899USD**

What’s Included?

• Food donation and distribution to local community in Bamiyan, Afghanistan from your funds (thank you!)
• Dubai Accommodation for 2 nights
• All Afghanistan Accommodation
• International guide (Johnny and Josh)
• Local guides
• All transport in Afghanistan
• Afghani visa support
• Dubai transfers to/from embassy
• All entrance tickets and fees in Afghanistan
• Ski rental in Afghanistan
• Price based on per person sharing, single supplement is available for those who want to have a room to themselves.

What’s Not Included?

• **The return flight from Dubai to Kabul that we all take together ISN’T included. We will give you the flight number with Kam Air to book yourself. Right now it’s about $650 return.
• Afghanistan visa fee. Ranges from $50 to $150 depending on nationality
• International airfare to/from Dubai.
• Airport transfers in Dubai (we can assist with this)
• Any meals not listed
• Travel Insurance (please make sure you’re covered for Afghanistan. We also recommend having cancellation insurance too)

How to Book?

You can book it on my foundation website HERE:

https://muditaadventures.com/product/afghan-alpine-adventure/

If you have any questions, DM me on Instagram.com/onestep4ward or email me.

Final thoughts on Traveling to Afghanistan in 2024?

I have been to Afghanistan before (I actually took my mum there on holiday!) but not since the Taliban took over. I’m proud and happy that our charity trips are back on, and I feel fortunate to have met Sam during our Everest expedition to make this happen.

It’s a difficult country to visit, so if you’ve ever dreamed of it, now is the time to do it. And to do it ethically, knowing that your funds are helping out while also getting an opportunity to visit a country most people will never go near. We have 14 spots available so be quick. These trips sell out super fast.

FAQs about our Afghanistan tour

Can Americans join your afghanistan tour?

Yes, no problem at all. We have strong connections with the authorities, so visas etc won’t be a problem if you travel with us.

Is it honestly safe?

Yes, honestly. Now that the Taliban have the power, they don’t need to demonstrate any shows of force anymore.

Can women come? Do they need to wear headscarves/burqas etc?

Yes women can come. Actually, women make up more than 50% of my travel groups to be honest. Head scarves aren’t compulsory for foreigners, but we’d still recommend they are worn when we’re in busy places so as not to offend anyone.

Why is so pricey?

Like my trips to Central African Republic, South Sudan, Yemen etc, these countries are difficult to organise trips in. Plenty of envelopes need to go to plenty of people in order for it to run smoothly. I’m sure you get the picture.

Can I come solo?

Yes! Most of our travelers come solo. We match people up to share rooms by their gender, or you can pay for a single supplement option too and get your own room if you prefer.