The best time to visit Afghanistan

The short answer: spring and autumn. For most of the country, April and October give you dry, mild days and clear skies. But Afghanistan runs from hot lowland plains to peaks above 6,000 metres, so the best time really depends on where you are going. Here is how the year breaks down.

• Best overall : April and October

• Spring : March to May, green and in bloom

• Summer : June to August, for the high mountains

• Autumn : September to November, dry and clear

• Winter : December to February, cold, the buzkashi season

Spring, March to May

Spring brings the country back to life. The plains turn green, orchards blossom, and Nowruz, the Persian new year around 21 March, fills the shrines with colour. Expect some rain and the tail of the snowmelt, which can make mountain roads muddy, but the light and the greenery are worth it.

Summer, June to August

Summer is hot in the lowlands. Mazar and Herat can pass 35 degrees, and Kabul, higher up, sits around a comfortable 30. This is the season to go high: the Wakhan Corridor, the Pamir, and the lakes of Band-e-Amir are at their best when the lowlands are baking.

Autumn, September to November

For most travellers this is the sweet spot. The heat has broken, the air is dry and clear, and the Kandahar pomegranate harvest is in full swing. October in particular is close to perfect across Kabul, Bamyan, Mazar and Herat.

Winter, December to February

Winter is cold and snowy, and some high passes close. But the cities are quiet, the light is beautiful, and it is the season for buzkashi, the national game, played on the northern plains. If you want Afghanistan without other visitors, this is it.

By region

• Region : Best time

• Kabul, Bamyan, Band-e-Amir : Spring and autumn, summer is pleasant at altitude

• Mazar and Herat (lowlands) : Spring and autumn, summer is hot

• Wakhan and the high Pamir : Summer only, June to September

• The north for buzkashi : Winter, on Fridays and at Nowruz

When we run our trips

We run most departures in spring and autumn, add winter trips built around buzkashi, and time the high Wakhan for summer. Tell us when you can travel and we will point you to the right season, on a group tours or a tailor-made trip.

Common questions about timing

What is the best month to visit Afghanistan?

April and October stand out. Spring and autumn as a whole give you dry, mild weather across most of the country.

Can you visit Afghanistan in winter?

Yes. It is cold and some mountain roads close, but the cities are quiet and winter is the season for buzkashi in the north.

When can you visit the Wakhan Corridor?

Summer only, roughly June to September, when the high passes are open and the weather up there is at its best.

What is Nowruz and when is it?

Nowruz is the Persian new year, around 21 March. It is one of the liveliest times to travel, with festivals and crowds at the shrines.