7 days
UNESCO expedition
Minaret of Jam Tour
Kabul, Bamyan and Band-e Amir on the way to the 12th-century Minaret of Jam, by 4x4 across the central highlands.
Plan This Tour
UNESCO World Heritage
Ghor
The Minaret of Jam: 65 metres of carved brick from the 12th century, standing alone in a mountain gorge by the Hari River.
BookABOUT THE TOUR
Short answer
Ghor is home to the Minaret of Jam, a 65-metre brick minaret from about 1194 and Afghanistan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Al Hamid Tour and Travel's Minaret of Jam Tour takes 7 days and costs $1,199 to $1,499 per person, with an English-speaking guide, private transport and hotels with breakfast. The best season is May to October.
Ghor is a remote mountain province in central-west Afghanistan and the home of the Minaret of Jam. It was built around 1194 for the Ghurid sultan Ghiyath al-Din and is covered in brick patterns, Kufic inscriptions and glazed turquoise tile. In 2002 it became Afghanistan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reaching it takes long 4x4 drives on rough roads, which is why so few people see it.
Typical stay1 to 2 days
Best forUNESCO heritage and expedition travel
Best seasonMay to October
Day 1
Kabul
Arrive in Kabul, meet your guide and settle in.
Day 2
Bamyan
Drive to Bamyan through the central highlands and see the Buddha niches.
Day 3
Band-e Amir
Stop at the Band-e Amir lakes, then head west into Ghor by 4x4.
Day 4
Minaret of Jam
Spend the day at the Minaret of Jam and walk the Hari River gorge around it.
Day 5
Ghor highlands
Drive back east through the Ghor highlands to Bamyan.
Day 6
Kabul
Return to Kabul by road.
Day 7
Kabul
Airport drop-off for your flight home.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Guides
English-speaking tour guides who know everything about the destination
Flights
Routes and booking coordination assistance
Transfers
From the airport to the hotels and all locations
Hotels
Comfortable accommodation, 2 people per room, breakfasts included
Ghor tours at a glance
| Tour | Length | Price per person | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minaret of Jam Tour | 7 days | $1,199–$1,499 | UNESCO expedition |
Ghor tour questions
How many days do I need in Ghor?
Most travelers spend 1 to 2 days in Ghor. Our packages here are 7 days, and any of them can be shortened or extended around your flights.
How much does a Ghor tour cost?
Ghor trips start from $1,199 per person. Al Hamid Tour and Travel's set Ghor packages cost $1,199 to $1,499 per person: Minaret of Jam Tour, 7 days, $1,199 - $1,499. The exact figure depends on group size and travel dates — send us your dates on WhatsApp and we will quote it.
When is the best time to visit Ghor?
May to October. That is when Ghor is at its best, and when we run most departures there.
How do I get to Ghor?
The Minaret of Jam can only be reached by road: long 4x4 drives on rough mountain roads, from Kabul through Bamyan or from Herat along the Hari River. The roads are usually passable from about May to October, and the route is checked before every trip.
What is the Minaret of Jam?
A 65-metre brick minaret built around 1194 for the Ghurid sultan Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad, in a remote gorge of the Hari River in Ghor. It became Afghanistan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002 and is the second-tallest historic brick minaret in the world, after the Qutb Minar in Delhi.
Can I visit the Minaret of Jam as a day trip?
No. It can only be reached by long 4x4 drives from Kabul or Herat, and you cannot get there and back in one day, so a visit takes at least four days.
Who is a Ghor tour best for?
UNESCO heritage and expedition travel. For travelers who want to see one of the great medieval monuments of Central Asia and are happy with long days on rough mountain roads.
What is included in a Ghor tour?
An English-speaking guide who knows the region; private vehicle and driver, including airport transfers; hotels with breakfast, two people per room; help with the visa invitation letter and the provincial permits. Not included: international and domestic flights (we can book the domestic ones for you), lunch and dinner, and the visa fee.
Do you arrange the visa and permits for Ghor?
Yes. Al Hamid Tour and Travel issues the invitation letter for every guest and walks you through the application, whether you use the online e-Visa or an embassy, and handles the provincial travel permits for Ghor once you land. The visa fee itself is paid by you.
More about Ghor: read our Minaret of Jam guide.
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7 days
GALLERY
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