Aerial Photos Of Afghanistan

I am obsessed with Afghanistan. It is a beautiful country full of people who are world-renowned for their hospitality. Unfortunately a few bastard terrorists are ruining the public image of this once normal country and forcing even proud, honest Afghans to reluctantly flee their homeland. Ever seen photos of Kabul in the 1960’s? It looked like a normal Western city, full of international university students, businessmen, travelers and hippie backpackers, free-thinking idealists, and oh my! even women walking around in skirts!

Afghanistan in the 1960's
Afghanistan in the 1960's
Afghanistan in the 1960's
Afghanistan in the 1960's
Afghanistan in the 1960's
Afghanistan in the 1960's

Photos © Dr Bill Podlich — see more here

Although Kabul, the country’s capital, is still rife with suicide bombers during the summertime, west of Kabul lies the safe and untouched magical winter wonderland of Bamyan. Back in the 1960’s Bamyan was part of the Central Asia hippie trail and a popular stop with travelers en route to India.

Nowadays the province is still a popular skiing destination every winter and home to Bamyan Ski Club. Every year they host the Afghan Ski Challenge and 2017 is the 7th one. Skiers from around the world flock to the mountains here to ski alongside Afghan’s best.

Imagine skiing down these pristine Afghan slopes  

Aerial Afghanistan. So peaceful when seen from above. This is Bamyan province, a completely safe part of the country and amazing winter destination for skiing
Aerial Afghanistan. So peaceful when seen from above. This is Bamyan province, a completely safe part of the country and amazing winter destination for skiing
Aerial Afghanistan. So peaceful when seen from above. This is Bamyan province, a completely safe part of the country and amazing winter destination for skiing
Aerial view of Bamyan province, Afghanistan, a completely safe part of the country and amazing winter destination for skiing

More Aerial Afghanistan Photos  

Aerial view of Bamyan province, Afghanistan, a completely safe part of the country and amazing winter destination for skiing
Aerial view of Bamyan province, Afghanistan, a completely safe part of the country and amazing winter destination for skiing
Aerial view of Bamyan province, Afghanistan, a completely safe part of the country and amazing winter destination for skiing

  The 7th Annual Afghan Ski Challenge takes places on March 3rd, 2017.

Along with a friend from Kabul, I hope to be able to take part in this years ski challenge. But will I be able to? Not 100% sure. I’m currently in Scandinavia on a project and have two other potential gigs scheduled for late February and early March that are still in negotiation. I contacted Untamed Borders in the hopes of coming to a mutually beneficial relationship but they politely told me that they do not offer any media discounts, and that the price remains firmly set at $2,750 USD.

However if I fly into Afghanistan and arrange everything myself then entry into the Bamyan Ski Challenge is only $100 USD 😉 Schedule permitting, this will be how I do it. (Never been one for group tours anyway.)

“All I want to know now is….who’s coming with me?!?” 😉

Would you go skiing in Afghanistan?

If you still think Afghanistan is a scary place, I urge you to follow my friend   @Afghanistan_You_Never_See   to glimpse the REAL Afghanistan 😀

The beauty of Afghanistan is a side the media never shows.
The beauty of Afghanistan is a side the media never shows. Click to enlarge. All photos from the amazing Afghanistan You Never See Instagram account
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About Derek Freal

"Some people eat, others try therapy. I travel."   Cultural enthusiast. Adrenaline junkie. Eater of strange foods. Chasing unique and offbeat adventures around the world since 2008. Derek loves going to new destinations where he does not speak a word of the local language and must communicate with hand gestures, or places where he is forced to squat awkwardly to poo -- supposedly its healthier and more efficient. For more information (about Derek, not squat pooing) including popular posts and videos, check out his bio.

45 thoughts on “Aerial Photos Of Afghanistan”

  1. Sorry Jeff Jim Alexandra once again my fat fingers got the best of me and I hit post without adding the link. Just edited the post to include it…check out all the photos! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Great aerial photos of Afghanistan. Not that long ago I was fly from Dubai to Seattle and we were flying over Iran fro couple hours. This was such a rear opportunity for me and I took many aerial photos of that country and I don’t care if it legal or NOT. I really would love to visit Afghanistan and Iran one day.
    Well, I hope you will make to Bamyan Ski Challenge.

    Reply
    • Iran is also on my list!Visa on arrival to 150+ nations around the globe but sadly as a US passport holder visiting is not easy. MFA approval of itinerary and tour guide are required to apply for the visa. How did the country look from 39,000 feet up in the air? I’ve heard nothing but the best things from all the European travelers I have met who passed through Iran…

      Reply
    • Indeed, so beautiful. Shame the news never covers that side of Afghanistan. But I still want to visit, even if its risky. The country does have a fledgling tourism industry and I would like to help. But helping also means going when I have like $10k+ extra just blow on the trip to do it proper, pay for security and trips out to the countryside to meet with locals but do it all safe, authentic and get some stunning video content in the process. Definitely don’t want to visit on some guided tour or a budget trip lol

      Reply

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