Day 10 – Kabul to Mazar-i-Sharif

Our flight from Kabul to Mazar-i-Sharif was scheduled to leave at 11am, so after breakfast at the hotel in Kabul, we headed to the airport to catch the Ariana Afghan Airlines for a 1 hour flight to Mazar-i-Sharif.

Upon reaching Mazar-i-Sharif, we headed to the city center to check-in to our hotel (Rahat Hotel), and explore some sights of Mazar-i-Sharif.

Shrine of Hazrat Ali

The Holy Shrine of Hazrat Ali — known locally as the Rawza — is the spiritual heart of Mazar-i-Sharif and one of Afghanistan’s most cherished religious landmarks. As you step into the vast courtyard, the first thing that strikes you is the breathtaking mosaic work: thousands of shimmering blue tiles catching the sunlight, giving the shrine an almost ethereal glow.

Pilgrims and visitors move gracefully across the marble pathways, pausing to offer prayers or simply absorb the serenity that hangs in the air. The gentle cooing of white doves, believed to be symbolic of peace and purity, adds to the shrine’s uniquely tranquil atmosphere.

During festivals — especially Nauroz, when the city comes alive with celebrations — the shrine becomes the center of vibrant ceremonies, traditional music, and colorful processions. Even on ordinary days, the surrounding bazaars bustle with life, selling everything from handcrafted souvenirs to fragrant street food.

Only Muslims are allowed to enter the mosque.

There aren’t many places to visit or see in Mazar-i-Sharif, except for the Blue Mosque. We got some much-needed rest at the end of the day, and stepped out for dinner before ending the day!

Afghanistan story highlights on Instagram This trip report can also be seen on our story highlights on Instagram account @travelonthedollar. Click the image on left to go directly to Afghanistan Highlights, or visit our Instagram profile and under ‘Highlights’, scroll to the right and click on ‘Afghanistan’.

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Mazar-i-Sharif
The breathtaking facade of the Blue Mosque showcases the pinnacle of Timurid architecture with its mesmerizing, sea-of-blue tilework.

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Sakhi Shrine, Kabul
The stunning blue tilework and domes of the Sakhi Shrine (Ziyarat-e Sakhi) stand beautifully against the setting sun.

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Bamiyan
A golden-domed mosque stands in the foreground of the towering empty niche of the Great Buddha carved into the sandstone cliffs behind it.

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Band-e-Amir National Park
The towering limestone cliffs of Band-e-Amir reflect perfectly in the deep, sapphire-blue waters of Afghanistan’s first national park.

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Takht-e-Rustam
The ancient, rock-cut Buddhist stupa carved directly into the Samangan landscape remains a powerful testament to Afghanistan’s pre-Islamic heritage.

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Minaret of Jam
The towering, 12th-century Minaret of Jam stands as a lonely, intricate sentinel amidst the rugged and sun-drenched mountains of Ghor.

Round Flag Sticker
Old Flag Round Sticker
Cut to the exact shape. Removable, low-tack adhesive that peels clean with no residue. Available in matte white, glossy white, or glossy transparent vinyl. Printed with solvent inks: fade-proof, waterproof, and scratch-resistant.

Round Flag Sticker
New Flag Round Sticker
Cut to the exact shape. Removable, low-tack adhesive that peels clean with no residue. Available in matte white, glossy white, or glossy transparent vinyl. Printed with solvent inks: fade-proof, waterproof, and scratch-resistant.

Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = AFN 67 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. Note that the expenses do not include international flights to and from Afghanistan.
 

 
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