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Hazarajat
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Explore Hazarajat’s high valleys, Hazara heritage, Bamyan archaeology and Band-e Amir landscapes through Afghanistan’s central mountain region.

Hazarajat is the historic highland homeland of Afghanistan’s Hazara people, occupying a broad, mountainous area in the country’s central interior rather than a single modern province. Its commonly understood core includes Bamyan and Daykundi, with parts of neighbouring provinces also associated with the region. The landscape is defined by high plateaux, deeply cut valleys, barren ridges and severe winters. Roads are long, often rough and vulnerable to seasonal disruption, while settlements are generally small and widely dispersed.
Read more about Hazarajat
Bamyan Valley is Hazarajat’s best-known cultural landscape. Sheer cliffs rise above cultivated fields and the remains of the colossal sixth-century Buddha statues, destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, remain visible in their niches. Nearby archaeological traces, including the remains of Shahr-e Zohak and cave complexes around the valley, testify to Bamyan’s importance on historic routes linking Central Asia, the Iranian world and the Indian subcontinent. The surrounding highlands also contain Band-e Amir, a chain of intensely blue travertine lakes set among rugged mountains and Afghanistan’s first national park.
Daykundi presents a more remote aspect of Hazarajat, with high valleys, dry hillsides, orchards and market settlements centred on Nili. Livelihoods have traditionally depended on small-scale agriculture, livestock and seasonal movement, although limited infrastructure and decades of conflict have shaped everyday life. Winters can be extremely cold, and access is particularly difficult when snow closes mountain roads. The region’s physical isolation has helped preserve a strong sense of local identity while also making education, healthcare and commerce more difficult to reach.
Hazarajat’s significance is cultural as much as scenic. Hazara communities have their own historical memory, social networks and traditions within the wider religious and linguistic diversity of Afghanistan; many speak Hazaragi, a variety of Dari Persian. Poetry, storytelling, family gatherings and local foodways remain important, while regional dishes commonly draw on bread, rice, dairy, pulses, meat and dried fruits. Because Afghanistan’s security situation remains exceptionally serious, foreign governments generally advise against all travel to the country. The information here is therefore cultural and geographical rather than an encouragement to visit, and any future journey would require rigorous official advice, locally informed security planning and respect for communities and religious sensitivities.

When is the best time to visit Hazarajat?

Best: June–August · 20–22°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January020
February225
March730
April1235
May1640
June (best)2030
July (best)2225
August (best)2125
September1730
October1235
November730
December225

Getting to and around Hazarajat

How to get there

Hazarajat has no single international gateway. Bamyan Airport serves Bamyan town, but air links and operating arrangements are subject to change and should not be assumed. Most overland approaches involve long journeys from Kabul or other Afghan cities on difficult mountain roads; Daykundi is still more remote and access can be disrupted by snow, landslides or insecurity. Afghanistan is currently a highly dangerous destination, and many governments advise against all travel, so practical access information must be treated as subordinate to official security advice and any applicable restrictions.

Transportation

Travel within Hazarajat is slow and demanding. Roads between Bamyan, Band-e Amir and other valleys vary greatly in condition, and routes to Daykundi and smaller settlements can be particularly arduous. Public transport is limited, schedules are not reliably published and vehicles may be shared minibuses or private cars arranged locally. A robust, locally vetted vehicle and experienced driver would be necessary for any permitted journey, while walking between settlements is not a practical substitute because of distance, altitude, weather and security concerns. Night travel should be avoided.

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Best attractions in Hazarajat

Hazarajat’s attractions are primarily archaeological, cultural and environmental rather than urban or commercial. Bamyan Valley contains the rock-cut niches of the sixth-century Buddha statues, monastic caves and the remains of a historic landscape that linked Buddhist Central Asia with South Asia. The nearby ruins of Shahr-e Zohak occupy a dramatic fortified position above the valley and convey the strategic importance of medieval Bamyan. Band-e Amir National Park is the region’s major natural attraction, with a series of mineral-rich blue lakes separated by limestone and travertine formations. The wider highlands offer stark plateaux, irrigated fields, mountain passes and remote valleys, although access is difficult and facilities are sparse. Daykundi provides a less visited landscape of orchards, dry hills and high settlements around Nili, but it is not equipped for conventional tourism. Archaeological sites require conservation-sensitive conduct, and current security, access permissions and official restrictions should be checked before considering any journey.

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Best landmarks in Hazarajat

The Buddha niches of Bamyan are Hazarajat’s most recognisable landmarks. Although the monumental statues were destroyed in 2001, their vast cliff openings, surviving fragments and surrounding cave complexes remain a powerful archaeological and cultural site. Shahr-e Zohak, often called the Red City, is another defining landmark: its fortified ruins rise above the approach to Bamyan and illustrate how medieval settlements used steep terrain for defence and control of movement through the valley. Band-e Amir’s chain of blue lakes forms the region’s principal natural landmark, with sharply defined water basins and pale mineral terraces set against high mountain scenery. Bamyan’s agricultural valley, cliff line and archaeological remains together create a landscape of unusual historical density. These places are fragile and politically sensitive, so visitors must follow current heritage instructions, avoid touching or climbing ruins and establish whether access is permitted before travelling.

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Best restaurants in Hazarajat

Hazarajat has no developed international dining scene, and food is generally encountered in family homes, modest local eateries, tea houses and small guesthouses rather than dedicated destination restaurants. Meals commonly centre on naan, rice, soups, beans, yoghurt, dairy products, meat and seasonal vegetables, with dried fruits and nuts reflecting the region’s cold climate and orchard economies. In Bamyan, visitors may find a wider choice of simple Afghan dishes, while smaller settlements offer fewer provisions and less predictable supply. Green or black tea is an important part of hospitality, and meals are often shared communally. Travellers should not assume that dietary alternatives, refrigeration or reliable bottled water will be available. Alcohol is prohibited under Afghan law, and visitors should respect Islamic customs concerning food, fasting and mealtimes. Local produce and home cooking reveal more about Hazarajat’s food culture than any formal restaurant ranking.

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Best bars in Hazarajat

Hazarajat does not have a conventional bar or nightclub culture. Alcohol is prohibited under Afghan law, and evening social life generally centres on family visits, tea drinking, conversation and community gatherings rather than commercial nightlife. Bamyan town has had a small number of modest guesthouses and cafés serving visitors and aid workers, but opening arrangements and the wider operating environment can change quickly. In rural Daykundi and the high valleys, evening facilities are particularly limited, and darkness, weather, poor roads and security concerns make unnecessary movement inadvisable. Visitors should not seek out alcohol or nightlife venues, and should observe local expectations around gender, dress, photography and public behaviour. Cultural encounters are best approached through appropriate daytime visits arranged with trusted local contacts rather than through entertainment assumptions imported from larger international destinations.

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Best nightclubs in Hazarajat

Hazarajat does not have a conventional bar or nightclub culture. Alcohol is prohibited under Afghan law, and evening social life generally centres on family visits, tea drinking, conversation and community gatherings rather than commercial nightlife. Bamyan town has had a small number of modest guesthouses and cafés serving visitors and aid workers, but opening arrangements and the wider operating environment can change quickly. In rural Daykundi and the high valleys, evening facilities are particularly limited, and darkness, weather, poor roads and security concerns make unnecessary movement inadvisable. Visitors should not seek out alcohol or nightlife venues, and should observe local expectations around gender, dress, photography and public behaviour. Cultural encounters are best approached through appropriate daytime visits arranged with trusted local contacts rather than through entertainment assumptions imported from larger international destinations.

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Best shops in Hazarajat

Shopping in Hazarajat is practical and small-scale rather than centred on major retail districts. Bamyan town has the broadest selection of everyday goods, while markets in Daykundi and smaller settlements serve local agricultural and household needs. Visitors may encounter dried fruit, nuts, dairy products, local textiles, woollen goods and handmade items, but availability varies by season and transport conditions. Traditional Hazara foods and regional produce can be more meaningful purchases than generic souvenirs, provided that customs and import rules allow them to be taken abroad. There is no dependable luxury-shopping infrastructure, and card payments may not be accepted. Bargaining can occur in informal markets, but it should be conducted politely and without turning ordinary sellers into touristic spectacles. Avoid buying archaeological objects, old coins or artefacts, since removing cultural property from Afghanistan may be illegal and contributes to the loss of the region’s heritage.

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Hazarajat essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Afghan afghani, coded AFN. Cash is the principal practical means of payment in Hazarajat, and access to functioning banking facilities, foreign exchange and electronic payments is limited outside larger towns. Carrying sufficient clean, small-denomination afghani notes would normally be important, but visitors should obtain current advice on lawful currency arrangements and financial restrictions before travelling. Do not assume that international cards, mobile payments or ATMs will work, particularly in rural areas.
Safety
Hazarajat faces serious risks arising from armed conflict, terrorism, criminality, unexploded ordnance, road accidents, harsh weather and very limited emergency services. Hazara communities and Shia religious sites have also been affected by targeted violence in Afghanistan. Mountain roads can be hazardous, and sudden snow or rain may isolate valleys. Travellers should not rely on the relative quiet of a particular district as evidence of safety, should avoid photographing security facilities or military personnel, and should follow current government and locally authoritative advice rather than informal assurances.
Emergency Situations
Emergency communications and rescue capacity in central Afghanistan are limited and may be unreliable. Afghanistan does not offer visitors a dependable, region-wide emergency response comparable with systems in many European countries, and access to police, ambulance, fire services or specialist mountain rescue can vary sharply by district. Before any authorised journey, arrange a tested communications plan, evacuation insurance that explicitly covers Afghanistan, local security support and a contingency for medical evacuation. Carry essential medicines and emergency supplies, and notify trusted contacts of your route.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly and conservatively, particularly around mosques, shrines and villages, and observe local guidance during religious occasions. Ask permission before photographing people, homes, public buildings or archaeological remains. Do not discuss politics, security operations or sectarian issues casually, and never photograph checkpoints or military installations. Avoid public displays of affection and alcohol, which is prohibited under Afghan law. Follow instructions about access to Band-e Amir and heritage sites, do not climb or touch fragile archaeological features, and do not assume that hospitality removes the need for careful cultural boundaries.
Local Tips
Bamyan is the most practical cultural reference point, but it should not be mistaken for a base from which all of Hazarajat can be easily explored. Daykundi and the more distant high valleys have different access conditions and fewer services. The best time for road access is generally the warmer part of the year, although this does not remove security risks. Local Hazara guides, community representatives and heritage authorities are essential sources of current information, while independent route changes, camping and unannounced visits to villages should be avoided.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
Helloسلام[Salam]
Goodbyeخداحافظ[Khuda hafiz]
Yesبله[Bale]
Noنه[Na]
Please/You’re welcomeلطفا/خوش آمدید[Lotfan/Khosh amadid]
Thank youتشکر[Tashakkor]
Excuse me/Sorryببخشید[Bebakhshid]
How are you?چطور هستید؟[Chetor hastid?]
Fine. And you?خوبم. شما چطورید؟[Khobam. Shoma chetorid?]
Do you speak English?آیا شما انگلیسی صحبت می‌کنید؟[Aya shoma engilisi sohbat mikonid?]
I don't understandمن نمی‌فهمم[Man nemifahmam]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseلطفا منوی را ببینم[Lotfan menu ra bebinam]
I don't eat meatمن گوشت نمی‌خورم[Man gosht nemikhoram]
Cheers!به سلامتی![Be salamati!]
I would like to pay, pleaseلطفا می‌خواهم پرداخت کنم[Lotfan mikhaham pardakht konam]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!کمک![Komak!]
Go away!برو برو![Boro boro!]
Call the Police!پلیس را صدا کنید![Polis ra seda konid!]
Call a doctor!دکتر را صدا کنید![Doktor ra seda konid!]
I'm lostمن گم شده‌ام[Man gom shode-am]
I'm illمن بیمار هستم[Man bimar hastam]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...من می‌خواهم بخرم...[Man mikhaham bekharam...]
I'm just lookingمن فقط نگاه می‌کنم[Man faghat negah mikonam]
How much is it?قیمتش چقدر است؟[Gheymatash chaghar ast?]
That's too expensiveاین خیلی گران است[In kheili gheran ast]
Can you lower the price?آیا می‌توانید قیمت را پایین بیاورید؟[Aya mitavanid gheymat ra paein biavarid?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?ساعت چند است؟[Saat chand ast?]
It's one o'clockساعت یک است[Saat yek ast]
Half past (10)نیم ساعت (۱۰)[Nim saat (10)]
Morningصبح[Sobh]
Afternoonبعد از ظهر[Bad az zuhr]
Eveningعصر[Asr]
Yesterdayدیروز[Dirooz]
Todayامروز[Emrooz]
Tomorrowفردا[Farda]
1یک[Yek]
2دو[Do]
3سه[Se]
4چهار[Chahar]
5پنج[Panj]
6شش[Shesh]
7هفت[Haft]
8هشت[Hasht]
9نه[Noh]
10ده[Dah]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?کجا است ...؟[Koja ast ...?]
What's the address?آدرس چیست؟[Address chist?]
Can you show me (on the map)?آیا می‌توانید به من نشان بدهید (روی نقشه)؟[Aya mitavanid be man neshan bedahid (ruye naqsha)?]
When's the next (bus)?کی (اتوبوس) بعدی است؟[Ki (otobus) ba'di ast?]
A ticket (to ....)یک بلیط (به ....)[Yek belit (be ...)]

History of Hazarajat

Prehistoric Settlement and Ancient Mountain Routes

The valleys of central Afghanistan have supported human settlement for millennia, although the archaeological record is uneven and many sites remain insufficiently studied. Hazarajat’s passes connected the central highlands with northern Afghanistan, the Kabul region and routes leading towards the Iranian plateau and South Asia. Agriculture developed in irrigated valley bottoms, while upland communities relied on herding and seasonal movement. These geographical links help explain why the Bamyan basin later became a significant cultural and commercial stopping point despite its difficult terrain.

Bamyan’s Buddhist Centuries

From late antiquity into the early medieval period, Bamyan developed as a major Buddhist centre associated with routes across the Hindu Kush. Monasteries occupied caves in the valley cliffs, and two colossal Buddha figures were carved into the rock, traditionally dated to the sixth century. Murals, sculptures and monastic spaces reflected artistic influences travelling between Central Asia, Gandhara and the wider Buddhist world. Although the statues were destroyed in 2001, the niches, caves and surviving archaeological remains continue to demonstrate Bamyan’s international importance before the spread of Islam in the region.

Islamisation and the Medieval Highlands

Islam gradually became established across central Afghanistan through changing political relationships, trade and religious networks. Bamyan and neighbouring highlands were incorporated into the spheres of successive Islamic dynasties, while local political authority remained difficult to control in the mountains. The ruined settlement known as Shahr-e Zohak, east of Bamyan, reflects the strategic importance of fortified sites overlooking routes and river valleys. Accounts of the Mongol invasions in the thirteenth century describe severe destruction in Bamyan, an event that entered the region’s historical memory and left lasting archaeological traces.

Formation of Hazara Identity

Hazara identity developed over centuries through the interaction of central Asian, Persianate and local highland communities. The region’s inhabitants have commonly spoken Hazaragi, a form of Dari containing vocabulary and influences associated with the wider history of the central Asian highlands. Religious affiliation, kinship, shared experiences and attachment to the mountain homeland all contributed to a distinct collective identity. The boundaries of Hazarajat were never fixed like those of a modern province, and the term has consequently carried geographical, cultural and historical meanings that overlap but are not identical.

Conquest and Marginalisation in the Late Nineteenth Century

During the reign of Amir Abdur Rahman Khan in the 1890s, the Afghan state forcibly incorporated much of Hazarajat after prolonged resistance. Military campaigns, confiscation of land, displacement and enslavement imposed heavy costs on Hazara communities, while sectarian discrimination reinforced their political marginalisation. The period also altered patterns of landholding and migration across central Afghanistan. Memories of these campaigns remain central to Hazara historical consciousness and help explain the community’s later emphasis on education, political representation and protection from persecution.

War, Development and Cultural Loss in the Twentieth Century

Hazarajat experienced political exclusion and repeated conflict during the twentieth century, including the Soviet war and the civil wars that followed. Bamyan became an important centre under the Hizb-e Wahdat movement during the 1990s, while roads, schools and public services remained limited across much of the highlands. In 2001, the Taliban destroyed Bamyan’s giant Buddha statues after their international significance had long been recognised. The destruction became a global symbol of cultural loss and of the vulnerability of Afghanistan’s archaeological heritage during war.

Post-2001 Institutions and the Taliban’s Return

After 2001, Bamyan received international attention for reconstruction, heritage conservation, education and tourism initiatives, and Band-e Amir was designated Afghanistan’s first national park in 2019. Development remained uneven, and Hazara communities continued to face insecurity and targeted attacks in different parts of the country. The Taliban’s return to national power in 2021 brought renewed uncertainty over rights, representation, archaeological management and access. Conditions, regulations and security can change rapidly, making current official guidance essential for anyone considering travel or research.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Hazarajat

Discover Hazarajat with Evendo's 100% free app. From landmarks and restaurants to tours and experiences, find everything you need to make your trip unforgettable!

  • Detailed information on top attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
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More about the Evendo app

Evendo is your comprehensive travel guide to Hazarajat, Afghanistan. Discover top attractions, book hotels and tours, and get local tips—all in one free app.

  • Comprehensive history of Hazarajat
  • Travel essentials and local advice
  • Easy navigation through the app and destination
  • 'Near me' feature to discover nearby attractions
  • Curated local tips to experience the destination like a local
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs
  • Global coverage with information on over 7,000 other destinations

Planning a trip to Hazarajat, Afghanistan? Let Evendo be your ultimate travel companion. With detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities, Evendo makes it easy to explore Hazarajat. Whether you want to visit the stunning Band-e Amir National Park, explore the ancient ruins of Shahr-e Gholghola, or dine at the renowned Bamyan Restaurant, Evendo has got you covered.

Each location comes with rich details including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it effortless for you to plan and organize your trip. The app also allows you to easily book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences, saving you the hassle of multiple searches and bookings. From historical sites to local eateries, discover amazing new things in Hazarajat with just a few taps.

With features like a comprehensive history of Hazarajat, travel essentials, tons of good local advice, and easy navigation, Evendo ensures you get the most out of your visit. The 'Near me' feature lets you see what's around you, no matter where you are, helping you to experience the city like a local. And the best part? Evendo is 100% free to use with no in-app purchases or additional costs.

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