By now, you have likely seen many travel influencers and bloggers creating content about their travels to Afghanistan. A reoccurring theme with this content which is quite obvious, is that these videos and content with the Taliban is almost always created by male travelers.
So what is it like traveling to Afghanistan as a woman? Where are the women?
Let’s talk about Afghanistan Women-Only Tours and I will answer some of the most asked questions from my perspective as a Tour Leader who has traveled to Afghanistan many times with mixed and female-only groups.
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What Is It Really Like To Participate in Afghanistan Women-Only Tours
The reality is there are usually more barriers than foreign men traveling to Afghanistan, however foreign women receive more privileges than local women. One important thing to note is that you could have all permissions to visit every site in Afghanistan, but may find it hard to be given approval to enter on arrival. For example, in 2024 our Afghanistan Women-Only Tour group was denied entry to the Hazrat Ali Shrine and Mosque in Mazar-E-Sharif (The Blue Mosque) despite waiting for half an hour in the hear. While disappointing, we saw muslim Afghan women visibly upset that they couldn’t enter their place of worship. Our disappointment seemed a little misplaced after that.
In 2025, our group of 9 women were able to enter the Blue mosque complex with barely any wait time and no issues on a Thursday – which is one of the busiest days for visitation.
Largely, approval to enter anywhere relies on the approval of the Taliban at the time of entry. Recently, it seems as though the restrictions on foreign woman have been peeling back.
Traveling as a woman, even on an Afghanistan Women-Only Tour you will feel more red tape than fellow male travelers, but the gap between you and local women will be significantly larger, uncomfortable and harder to ignore.
Can Traveling On Afghanistan Women-Only Tours Be Advantageous?
Of course – culturally, Afghan women would usually not interact directly with men they do not know and are not related to. This gives women a rare insight to speak, photograph and get to know women who may otherwise shy away from male tourists.
In 2024 and 2025 we were able to speak to local women – in airports, in ice cream stores, in clothing shops. While sometimes brief and polite, these interactions offered some insight. In some instances, we were able to meet female CEO’s, working women and young women with perfect english who were happy to practice with foreigners. Most importantly, they were excited to know what we thought of Afghanistan.
Do All Afghan Women Wear The Burqa?
No. Infact in many capital cities of more liberal provinces, you would rarely see a women in a burqa. In Kabul, and Bamiyan for example, you will see many women in abayas and scarfs, niqabs and burqas, all walkign down the same street together. In more conservative provinces such as Khandahar and Hellman, these typical images of Afghan women become more accurate.
After all, the image plastered on our screens of Afghan women are usually the Burqa clad women in more conservative cities. What the internet usually succeeds in ignoring is the diversity of women – you have Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Turkmens, Hazaras, Balochis and Nuristanis and many more, living in different areas of Afghanistan wearing different clothing.
Diversity in Afghanistan is something that is often overlooked, purposefully or ignorantly.
If Local Women Can’t Enjoy These Activities, Should You? What Do Afghan Women Think Of Tourism?
This is an important question in which only Afghan women can answer. I asked 3 young Afghan women;
“What are your thoughts about tourism in Afghanistan? Do you like foreigners coming even though we get special treatment and can go places you are not permitted?”
These women were almost shocked I asked.
“Of course! Afghanistan is a beautiful country and we want the world to see Afghanistan for its beauty and not its war”
“You are always welcome, Jan”
Recapping our Afghanistan Women-Only Tours in 2025:
We were a small group of women, moving through cities and villages most people only ever hear about on the news with negative headlines. We were constantly welcomed with warm hospitality and curiosity from locals. We explored ancient ruins, mosques and mausoleums pivotal to Afghanistan’s extensive history, and we had those kind of conversations that stick with you. Reflecting on our luck and privilege, we were able to understand the tribulations of women much clearer than we ever could from behind a computer screen. There’s nothing quite like seeing a place for yourself, especially one the world keeps trying to define for you. It is not always comfortable and sometimes confronting – but that is exactly why it matters.
To the Afghan women we have had the opportunity to meet, support and learn from – you have taught me things I would have never else comprehended, displayed strength where I would crumble, showed me hospitality in the gravest situations, and have always loved despite obstacles. Your struggles are not forgotten, your message of hope will not shrivel, and your beauty will be forever admired.
Join Us On A Special Expedition: Afghanistan Women-Only Tours in 2025 and 2026
Join us in summer or autumn for our Women’s Tour To Afghanistan – hurry, there are limited spots available!
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