Panjshir and Badakhshan provinces in north-eastern Afghanistan received two groups of Russian tourists during September 2026, on trips focused on mountain landscapes, historical sites and adventure tourism. The group visiting Panjshir comprised 70 tourists, while another 22 travelled days later to the Wakhan Corridor, one of the country’s most isolated areas.
Russian convoy explores Panjshir’s landscapes and landmarks
The Russian group arrived in Panjshir in a convoy of 13 vehicles to visit the province’s natural and historical landmarks. Its itinerary included green valleys, mountain rivers and historical sites spread among the mountains, as officials and tourism workers said the area was attracting growing interest from local and foreign visitors.
The Russian tourist Yekaterin, who was part of the group, said what she had heard about Afghanistan before her visit differed greatly from what she saw on the ground. She added that the tourists were surprised by the mountain scenery and green valleys, and that they were struck by the way local residents treated visitors and the warm welcome they received during the trip.
Yekaterin said her aim was not limited to seeing the natural scenery, but also included learning first-hand about Afghanistan’s history, culture and residents’ daily lives. She said her experience differed considerably from what she had read and heard before travelling, and that what she saw had made her consider returning to the country.
Fakrit, another participant in the trip, said a Russian travel company had organised the visit so the group could see Afghanistan for themselves and learn directly about conditions there. He said much of the information they had received before travelling was linked to a negative image of the country presented by the media.
Fakrit added that the group’s experience in Panjshir had shown, as he put it, a different picture from those earlier impressions. He said the tourists found the province suitable for exploration and tourism, noting that the mountains, valleys and other natural sites were among the aspects of the trip that attracted their greatest interest.
Visitor numbers and expanding tourism activity in Panjshir
Laton attributed the rise in visitor numbers to improved facilities and services for tourists. He identified Khawak and Bazarak districts, along with natural valleys and waterfalls, as among the main destinations attracting visitors, saying the growth in tourism activity was beginning to affect the local economy and encourage the development of infrastructure and related services.
Afghan tour guide Reza Azizi said Russian tourists’ interest in Afghanistan had grown recently, particularly among those seeking non-traditional destinations and wishing to explore mountain landscapes and local cultures.
He said the Panjshir and Wakhan trips during September had focused on natural and historical sites and activities linked to adventure tourism. Azizi said many tourists arrived in Afghanistan with an image shaped by international media, but their impressions changed after seeing conditions first-hand.
He added that most were surprised by the warm welcome from local residents and impressed by the country’s landscapes, history and culture. Many said at the end of their trips that the experience had been completely different from their earlier expectations. According to Azizi, Panjshir and Badakhshan, particularly the Wakhan Corridor, are among the main destinations for Russian and other foreign tourists.
The list of most attractive areas also includes Kabul, Bamyan and Band-e Amir, which offer mountain landscapes, historical sites and opportunities for exploratory trips and adventure. Tourism programmes in Afghanistan usually last between 6 and 10 days, according to Azizi, while some visitors choose longer trips allowing them to travel between several areas.
Lack of accommodation and roads limits tourism growth
These programmes allow visitors to combine visits to historical landmarks with exploration of mountains and valleys and an introduction to local communities and cultures in more than one province. Despite rising visitor numbers, Afghanistan’s tourism sector continues to face challenges linked to shortages of infrastructure and basic services in some areas.
The needs include accommodation facilities, hotels, roads and support services for visitors. Tourism workers say improving these elements is essential to receiving larger numbers and gaining economic benefit from growing tourist activity. Azizi said developing these facilities could increase economic returns and attract more local and foreign tourists.
He said tourism activity provides sources of income for guides, drivers, hotel and restaurant owners and craftspeople, extending the impact of trips across several sectors within local communities rather than limiting it to tour operators. He added that Afghanistan had substantial tourism assets based on its landscapes, history and cultural diversity.
He said increasing facilities and improving service standards could help the country attract more foreign visitors in the coming years, particularly those interested in mountain destinations, local cultures and non-traditional trips.
22 Russian tourists travel to the Wakhan Corridor
Russian interest also extended to the Wakhan Corridor in Badakhshan province, where 22 Russian tourists arrived to explore the area, one of Afghanistan’s most isolated regions, known for its mountain landscape. Zohurullah Fakhri, an official with the state-run Afghan Tour company in Badakhshan, said the group entered the province via Panjshir and Kiran wa Manjan district before travelling to Wakhan.
Fakhri added that the group’s programme included visits to several natural and tourist sites in the area. The Wakhan Corridor extends to the Chinese border at the meeting point of the Hindu Kush and Pamir ranges. It is known for its high peaks, broad valleys, glaciers and rare wildlife, factors that have made it an increasingly popular destination for nature lovers and adventure tourists.
Fakhri said Badakhshan had recorded an increase in foreign visitors in recent months. He said Afghan Tour had helped facilitate trips by dozens of tourists to natural and archaeological sites in the province, as part of efforts to boost tourism and showcase the area’s natural and cultural assets. Afghan Tour is one of the oldest organisations arranging tourist trips within Afghanistan.
The company coordinates visits by foreign delegations, provides logistical services and secures the permits required to reach different destinations. According to its data, it facilitated visits by more than 150 foreign tourists to Badakhshan during the second quarter of 2026. The visits included multiple historical, archaeological and natural sites across the province.
Tourism workers say the increase in foreign trips to Panjshir and Badakhshan reflects growing interest in nature and adventure tourism, alongside efforts to develop services and improve infrastructure to allow more visitors to be hosted.
Those working in the sector believe the unspoilt landscapes of Panjshir and Wakhan, along with Afghanistan’s historical and cultural heritage, are attractions for travellers seeking adventure and new destinations. They also say the increase in foreign visitors, particularly from Russia, is redirecting attention towards Afghan areas that remained off global tourism maps for decades.
