Travel Preparation

• ✓ Lightweight hiking boots
• ✓ Comfortable walking shoes
• ✓ Light layers (weather varies)
• ✓ Long pants (cultural respect)
• ✓ Scarves or wraps
• ✓ Sun hat
• ✓ Sunscreen & lip balm

• ✓ Medications (personal)
• ✓ Copies of documents
• ✓ Power adapters
• ✓ Cash (USD & Afghanis)
• ✓ Camera + spare batteries
• ✓ Small gifts for guides
• ✓ Notebook & pen

💡 Skip it: Heavy luggage, revealing clothing, valuables you can't afford to lose, and expectations from home.

👕 Dress Code

• • Women: Long pants or skirts below the knee, shirts covering shoulders & midriff, headscarf for formal sites (mosques, etc.)
• • Men: Long pants, shirts with sleeves. Shorts are seen as disrespectful.

📸 Photography Rules

• • Always ask before photographing people. "Tasweer jaaez ast?" (Is it okay to photograph?)
• • Don't photograph government buildings, military, or police.
• • Women may decline photos from male strangers. Respect that.
• • Historical sites: Usually fine. Religious sites: Ask first.

🤝 General Etiquette

• • Remove shoes when entering homes or religious spaces.
• • Eat with your right hand (left hand is considered unclean).
• • Don't point with your finger. Use your whole hand.
• • Don't refuse tea or hospitality—it's offensive. You can accept and sip.
• • Greetings: "As-salamu alaykum" (peace be upon you). Handshakes are fine with same-gender folks.

💰 Currency

Afghanistan uses the Afghani (AFN). USD is widely accepted in Kabul. Exchange rates: ~1 USD = 60-70 AFN. Bring cash. ATMs in Kabul are unreliable. Credit cards rarely work. Bring $1-2k USD minimum for the duration, exchange at hotels or money changers.

📱 Communication

Buy a SIM card upon arrival (Roshan or Etisalat, ~$5). Data is cheap. WhatsApp works. International roaming is expensive—skip it. We provide a local number to reach us 24/7. Download offline maps before you go.

⚡ Power & Internet

Afghanistan uses 220V outlets (European two-pin plugs). Hotels have adapters. Internet is available in Kabul and Herat but slow. Bamiyan is limited. Download maps, articles, and music offline. Charging banks are recommended. Power cuts happen—bring a flashlight.