A trip to Afghanistan without the Bamiyan Tours will always be incomplete.

Bamiyan is one of the main tourist attractions in Afghanistan, largely due to the colossal Buddha statues. It's also one of the most picturesque regions in the country. It is due to this that many tourists undertake Bamiyan Tours during their visit to Afghanistan. A trip to Afghanistan without the Bamiyan Tours will always be incomplete.

Bamiyan is the main town in Bamiyan Province. It lies at an altitude of around 2500 meters and is cooler than Kabul. Almost everything revolves around one main road running from east to west. The Buddha's statue is on the cliff facing the north.

Sightseeing in Bamiyan:

The ruined Buddha is the main reason that most tourists visit Bamiyan. Created in the 6th century, they were once the largest in the world and a pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

Over the centuries they were slowly damaged by various invaders, and in 2001 the Taliban declared them 'un-Islamic', rolled in tanks and destroyed them completely. All that remains are the 'footprints'.

The area around the Buddha and to the west is interesting to walk around. Many of the buildings were destroyed in war and there are occasional leftover weapons and destroyed jeeps, one of which is now used as a bridge over a stream.

The Shahr-e Gholghola is a fort high above the town that gives some of the best views of the entire valley. The Shahr-e Zohak is another fort some 20 kilometers back towards Kabul that requires a jeep to get to. The Band-e Amir is said to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

Accommodations in Bamiyan:

The really cheap option for travelers is to stay in one of several chaikanas, where your meal includes a space on the floor for the night. Most don't have toilets or showers, so take advantage of the hammam near the Zuhak Hotel.

Mama Najafs Restaurant is probably the most popular of the chaikanas, as this is where the minivans depart from and arrive.

Zuhak Hotel, towards the eastern end of the main street, is a popular place and has the cheapest rooms. Shared bathrooms have hot bucket water in the evenings.

Dinning at Bamiyan:

Several chaikhanas provide staple Afghani food such as pulao (rice with seasonal vegetable and mutton), naan and plenty of green tea. Alternatively have some kebab with fresh yoghurt from sheep milk. For fine dining, try the Hotel Silk Road Bamiyan. The food served at this restaurant is the best in the whole of Bamiyan. The tourists will find the Bamiyan tours to be very exciting.

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