5 days · 4 nights
Buzkashi and northern culture
Buzkashi Season Tour
Two days in Kabul, then three in Mazar-e-Sharif, the home of buzkashi, planned so that a Friday game falls during the stay.
$750–$1,100 per person
Tours by interest
Afghanistan Winter Tours: Where to Go from December to February
Tours that work in the cold months: the warm, green east around Jalalabad, the mild south of Kandahar and Helmand, Herat, the sights of Kabul, and Mazar-e-Sharif in buzkashi season. Bamyan, Band-e Amir, Panjshir and the high north are best left for late spring to autumn.
Prices checked on 2026-09-30 and quoted per person, in US dollars.
- 13 tours
- 2–5 days
- from $300 per person
Winter tours
5 days · 4 nights
2 days · 1 night
River valley
Jalalabad River Route
River banks, orange groves, and the warm city pace of Jalalabad.
$300–$440 per person
3 days · 2 nights
Nature and city
Nangarhar Escape
Add the dam, bazaars, and a longer riverside walk to the route.
$450–$660 per person
4 days · 3 nights
East Afghanistan
Eastern Gateway Tour
A broader eastern route with Nangarhar as the centerpiece stop.
$600–$880 per person
3 days · 2 nights
Ghaznavid heritage
Lashkar Gah & Qala-e Bost
The 11th-century arch of Qala-e Bost and the palace ruins of Lashkari Bazar, from Kandahar to Lashkar Gah on the Helmand River.
$450–$660 per person
3 days · 2 nights
Southern culture
Kandahar City Tour
Shrines, bazaars, and pomegranate orchards on a classic southern route.
$450–$660 per person
2 days · 1 night
Heritage
Sacred Kandahar
A short focused trip around the sacred landmarks and old city walls.
$300–$440 per person
2 days · 1 night
City loop
Herat Bazaar & Citadel
Compact option with the citadel, bazaar life, and a clean short-trip feel.
$300–$440 per person
3 days · 2 nights
Architecture
Herat Architectural Trail
Mosques, workshops, and old city lanes built around Herat's visual character.
$450–$660 per person
3 days · 2 nights
Pilgrimage
Spiritual Route
Blue Mosque, Balkh, and calm courtyard walks with a reflective pace.
$450–$660 per person
2 days · 1 night
History first
Kabul Heritage Walk
A shorter route with museums, old streets, and clear sightseeing without rushing.
$300–$440 per person
3 days · 2 nights
City rhythm
Kabul City Tour
Old city lanes, bazaars, gardens, and easy cafe time for a balanced city break.
$450–$660 per person
4 days · 3 nights
Two historic cities
Gardens and Minarets
Kabul's gardens and old city, then an hour's flight west to Herat for the Great Mosque, the citadel and the leaning minarets of the Musalla.
$600–$880 per person
Where is it warm in Afghanistan in winter?
Jalalabad, under 600 meters above sea level, is the warmest: typical January days reach about 16°C, which is why Afghan rulers used to spend the winter there. The south is mild too, with about 15°C in Lashkar Gah and 13°C in Kandahar. Herat (about 10°C) and Mazar-e-Sharif (about 9°C) are cool and often sunny, and Kabul, at 1,800 meters, is cold, at about 7°C by day and below freezing at night. These are typical January daytime highs; nights are near freezing almost everywhere except Jalalabad.
What is closed or hard to reach in winter?
Snow closes or slows the high roads from about December to March. Bamyan and Band-e Amir are very cold and often snowbound, and the lakes freeze. Panjshir, Nuristan, Badakhshan, the Wakhan Corridor and the road to the Minaret of Jam are summer trips. The Salang Pass between Kabul and the north can close for days after heavy snow or avalanches, so in winter the flight is the reliable way to Mazar-e-Sharif, and the easiest way to Herat and Kandahar.
Why travel to Afghanistan in winter?
Buzkashi, the national horseback game, is played across the north from late October to about March, usually on Fridays in Mazar-e-Sharif; the first game of the 2026–27 season there is on Friday 23 October 2026. Jalalabad's orange groves are in fruit, the sights are quiet, and the south and west are pleasant to walk around by day, instead of being too hot as they are in summer.
What should you pack for winter?
Warm layers, an insulated jacket, a hat and gloves for Kabul and the north, and shoes with a good grip for icy streets. Hotels are heated, but power cuts happen, so keep a warm layer for the evening. In Jalalabad and the south a light jacket is enough by day. See our Afghanistan packing list.
What does every tour include?
- 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 book and ticket both for you), lunch and dinner, and the visa fee.
Questions about winter tours
Which Afghanistan tours can you take in winter?
Buzkashi Season Tour (5 days, $750–$1,100); Jalalabad River Route (2 days, $300–$440); Nangarhar Escape (3 days, $450–$660); Eastern Gateway Tour (4 days, $600–$880); Lashkar Gah & Qala-e Bost (3 days, $450–$660); Kandahar City Tour (3 days, $450–$660); Sacred Kandahar (2 days, $300–$440); Herat Bazaar & Citadel (2 days, $300–$440); Herat Architectural Trail (3 days, $450–$660); Spiritual Route (3 days, $450–$660); Kabul Heritage Walk (2 days, $300–$440); Kabul City Tour (3 days, $450–$660); Gardens and Minarets (4 days, $600–$880). All of them are private tours.
How much do they cost?
$300 to $1,100 per person, depending on the tour, the size of the group and the season. Every price includes an English-speaking guide, a private vehicle and driver, hotels with breakfast, and help with the visa letter and provincial permits.
How long are they?
From 2 to 5 days. Any of them can be shortened or extended around your flights, and several provinces can be combined into one trip.
Are permits needed for these tours?
Yes. A visa covers entry, and moving between provinces needs a travel letter. We arrange the invitation letter and the permits, and the permit paperwork is part of the price.
Can you visit Afghanistan in winter?
Yes. Kabul, Jalalabad, Kandahar, Helmand, Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif can all be visited from December to February. Jalalabad and the south are mild, Kabul is cold, and the high mountain areas such as Bamyan, Band-e Amir, Panjshir and the Wakhan are best left for late spring to autumn.
Where is the warmest place in Afghanistan in winter?
Jalalabad, in Nangarhar. It lies under 600 meters above sea level, and typical January days reach about 16°C, while Kabul, a few hours away by road, is much colder, with frosty nights.
Can you see buzkashi in winter?
Yes. Buzkashi is a winter game, played from late October to about March, usually on Fridays in Mazar-e-Sharif; the 2026–27 season there starts on Friday 23 October 2026. Our Buzkashi Season Tour is planned so that a Friday falls during your days there.
Is Band-e Amir open in winter?
The lakes freeze and the roads around Bamyan are often snowy from about December to March, so Band-e Amir is best visited from May to October.
What should you read before you book?
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