National park · Afghanistan
Band-e Amir National Park
Enter Band-e Amir for ~150 AF minivan ride, walk the lakes for free; aim for April‑October before services close.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
2009
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut w…Check your own government travel advice for Afghanistan b…
- Central Asia ↗Keep every hotel registration slip or its e-registration record until you leave Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; border officers can ask for proof of where you slept and fine gaps.
- Central Asia ↗Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut with politics and demarcation deals; confirm the exact post is open to foreigners the week you cross.
- Afghanistan ↗Check your own government travel advice for Afghanistan before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Afghanistan ↗Visas and internal permits come from the Taliban authorities and change without notice; no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Afghanistan ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Afghanistan before you rely on it.
At a glance
- Country
- Afghanistan
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- check
- Established
- 2009
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- Not needed
Band-e Amir is Afghanistan's first national park, a series of turquoise alpine lakes at 2,900 m in the Hindu Kush. The area is guarded by a few rangers, most historic land‑mines have been cleared, and the lakes are reachable by shared minivan from Bamiyan followed by a short walk.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2009.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 2009
check
Why go
- A series of turquoise alpine lakes high in the Hindu Kush.
- Spectacular sunrise views from Band‑e Haibat and cultural sites like the tomb of Amir.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCold, some services closed.
- FebCold, limited access.
- MarRoad clearing, early season.
- AprMild, lakes accessible.
- MayWarm, full services.
- JunWarm, before closures.
- JulServices close mid‑Nov, risk of road issues.
- AugSame as July.
- SepSame as July.
- OctClear, before November closure.
- NovPartial closure mid‑month.
- DecLimited access, cold.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various alpine birdsMay–Jul · check | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bamiyan
Shared minivan to Band‑e Haibat, then 3 h walk to lakes
2–3 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Band‑e Haibat parking | Main access point, ticket booth, basic shops | Open during season. |
| Lake circuit | Five lakes linked by short trails | Free walking access. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; park area approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No formal fee; pay minivan driver. |
| Minivan from Bamiyan (shared) | AFN 150 | person | Thursday afternoon or Friday morning, high season. |
| Private hire minivan (3 h) | AFN 2,000–2,500 | vehicle | Bargain hard; may include overnight. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- AFN 150
- AFN 2,000–2,500
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no bins provided.
- Off‑road
- Stay on marked paths; land‑mine risk.
- Swimming
- Not officially permitted; locals claim health benefits.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bamiyan town
Guesthouses and modest hotels, 30 km (19 mi) away.Guesthouses and modest hotels, 19 mi (30 km) away.
Safety
Land mines medium
Altitude low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Walking trails are flat but uneven; not wheelchair accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Buy water in reusable bottles; refill from the spring.
- Avoid buying the swan‑paddle boats that disturb the lake.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Band-e Amir National Park?
There is no formal entry fee; the main cost is the shared minivan from Bamiyan (~150 AF per person) in high season.
What are the best hikes in Band-e Amir National Park?
A short 2‑3 hour walk links the five lakes; sunrise hike to Band‑e Haibat is popular and easy.
When is the best time to visit Band-e Amir National Park?
April to October offers open services and good weather; aim for sunrise in October for clear views.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Band-e Amir National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?