Located at the junction between the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent, Afghanistan was historically significant due to its geographical location. Balkh, located in the North, is known as the birthplace of the prophet Zoraster, and is the country’s oldest intact city. Nearby, Mazar-e Sharif features the country’s holiest shrine -- a striking blue tiled mosque widely held by Afghanis to be the burial place of Ali ibn Abi Talib (conventionally, his resting spot is believed to be in Iraq). Cross over to the northeastern Afghanistan to find the Pamir Mountains, home to the rare snow leopard and Marco Polo sheep. This remote region is isolated, but memorable as you cross stark alpine meadows sprinkled with the occasional grazing animal and stray wild poppy. Central Afghanistan contains Afghanistan’s greatest natural wonder – the lakes of Band-e-Amir. This is the region where the famous Buddhas of Bamyan once were. The Band-e-Amir lakes are situated high up in the mountains at an elevation of 3000m. Their high mineral content created rich and varying shades of blue and turquoise, and are framed by tall travertine walls. Visit the Minaret of Jam, the second highest in the world at 65m, and when you’re all done, head to Mazar-e Sharif to shop for some of Afghanistan’s
famous carpets.
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