3 days
Buddhist heritage
Takht-e Rostam & Mazar
The carved stupa and monastery caves of Takht-e Rostam in Samangan, with the Blue Mosque of Mazar-e-Sharif and old Balkh.
Plan This Tour
Buddhist heritage
Samangan
Takht-e Rostam, a Buddhist stupa and monastery carved down into the rock, two hours from Mazar-e-Sharif.
BookABOUT THE TOUR
Short answer
Samangan is home to Takht-e Rostam, a Buddhist stupa and monastery carved into the rock near Aybak, about two hours from Mazar-e-Sharif. Al Hamid Tour and Travel's Takht-e Rostam & Mazar takes 3 days and costs $649 to $849 per person, with an English-speaking guide, private transport and hotels with breakfast. The best season is spring and autumn.
Samangan lies on the road between Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif. Its town, Aybak (also spelled Haibak), is home to Takht-e Rostam: a stupa and monastery cut into the bedrock more than 1,500 years ago. It is one of the best-preserved Buddhist monuments in Afghanistan.
Typical stay1 day
Best forBuddhist heritage and history
Best seasonSpring and autumn
Day 1
Mazar-e-Sharif
Arrive in Mazar-e-Sharif and visit the Blue Mosque at an easy pace.
Day 2
Takht-e Rostam
Drive about two hours to Aybak for Takht-e Rostam: walk the trench around the carved stupa, step into the monastery caves, then return to Mazar.
Day 3
Balkh
See old Balkh, the "Mother of Cities", before your flight or drive 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
Samangan tours at a glance
| Tour | Length | Price per person | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Takht-e Rostam & Mazar | 3 days | $649–$849 | Buddhist heritage |
Samangan tour questions
How many days do I need in Samangan?
Most travelers spend 1 day in Samangan. Our packages here are 3 days, and any of them can be shortened or extended around your flights.
How much does a Samangan tour cost?
Samangan trips start from $649 per person. Al Hamid Tour and Travel's set Samangan packages cost $649 to $849 per person: Takht-e Rostam & Mazar, 3 days, $649 - $849. 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 Samangan?
Spring and autumn. That is when Samangan is at its best, and when we run most departures there.
How do I get to Samangan?
Aybak, the town beside Takht-e Rostam, is about two hours by road from Mazar-e-Sharif, which is about an hour from Kabul by domestic flight. Aybak is also on the main road from Kabul to Mazar over the Salang Pass.
What is Takht-e Rostam?
A Buddhist stupa and monastery carved out of the bedrock in the 3rd–4th century AD, 2 km south of Aybak (Haibak) in Samangan. Its name, "Throne of Rostam", comes from the Shahnameh story of the hero Rostam and Tahmina, the daughter of the king of Samangan.
Can I visit Takht-e Rostam as a day trip from Mazar-e-Sharif?
Yes. Aybak is about two hours from Mazar-e-Sharif by road, so the drive there and back and a visit fit in one day.
Who is a Samangan tour best for?
Buddhist heritage and history. A good fit for travelers interested in Afghanistan's Buddhist past, and an easy addition to a trip to Mazar-e-Sharif.
What is included in a Samangan 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 Samangan?
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 Samangan once you land. The visa fee itself is paid by you.
More about Samangan: read our Takht-e Rostam and Samangan guide.
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