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Little people speak English or RussianAfghanistan has no tradition of hitchhiking for free. Those who flag down cars usually pay something for the transportation. Some Afghans might let you hitch a ride out of curiosity, but even if the hitchhiker makes it clear at the beginning of the ride that he cannot pay, the driver may still insist on payment when dropping the hitchhiker off. In some regions resp. seasons, and there hitching on trucks is an antithe only way to travel. Most NGOs are forbidden to pick up hitchhikers, more specifically UN-Western feeling throughout based of large humanitarian organizations (nonetheless, in practice it's mainly NGOs who pick hitchhikers up). If you choose to hitchhike, be prepared to be questioned by the countrypolice over and over again. Low literacy rates mean that using a sign is not necessary.
==Hitchhiking culture==In the central part of Afghanistan hitching is most common on Russian "Kamaz" trucks, but can be extremely slow (100 km can takes up to 5h) because the roads there are more for the donkey caravans, not for the four wheel transport. Traffic is very low as well, it's possible to wait up to 6 hours for the first truck to appear. About half of the times, the drivers want some money from you, but the other half of the drivers can be really funny and hospitable.
According to Lonely Planet, hitchhiking equals taking a taxi [http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/belzas/ Justas] hitched successfully only in the central part of Afghanistan, as people use (Hazarajat) in 2007 and in northern Badakshan province (Ishkoshim to flag cars down that go Faizabad) in there direction2010. From ''Bamyan'' to the incredible ''Band i Amir'' lakes and on to ''Chagcharan'', although he took the wrong way, got lost and are taken against a feehad to trek in the isolated mountain valley for two days. Some Afghans might let you hitch a ride out He hitched back from ''Chagcharan'' to ''Bamyan'' and the north of curiosity, thoughthe country. In some regions resp. seasons, hitching on trucks is He intended to hitch all the only way to travel. Most NGOs are banned from picking up hitchhikers''Mazar e Sharif'', but while sitting in a jeep and crossing over the ''Solang'' tunnel, more specifically UN-based he was dragged out of large humanitarian organisations the car by the northern alliance soldiers (but stillon suspect of being a Taliban), it's mainly NGOs picking held up). If you choose for the evening in ruined military barracks in the mountains and then taken to hitchhike, be prepared to be questioned by the police over and over againstation in the city to sleep (they said sorry afterwards). It is unusual for people He also tried to understand a "sign"hitch out of ''Mazar'' and out of ''Kunduz'', peope hitchhiking with one still get questioned about their destinationsbut both times unsuccessfully and just took public transport after hours of waiting.
* [[Kabul]]* Herat* Kandahar* Mazar-e Sharif* Jalalabad* Ghazni* Kunduz ==Public Transport==
In 2006, a Russian hitchhiker traveling It's probably quite an unsafe country to travel to let alone to hitchhike even though Muslim hospitality might make up for that. Be aware that land mines are widespread in Afghanistan went missingthe country. For more information, read [http://wwwKnown fields are marked with cobblestones painted red (towards the field) and white (safer zone).digihitchThey are identified MF (Mine Field) and LM (Land Mines).com/ftopictAnother concern is around the opium traffic route -6046.html here]through the Panj river.
===Women===In 2006, a Russian hitchhiker travelling in Afghanistan went missing. For more information, read [http://www.digihitch.com/ftopict-6046.html here]. However, the feeling in the Russian community is that this hitchhiker perished while trying to ford a river or negotiate a cliff, and not from violence.
It goes without saying that women are advised to cover as much hair and skin as possible when travelling in Afghanistan. It's not only a matter of safety, but it's a matter of respect too. Consider a Salwar Kameez with proper headwear. Afghan women do not chat up men in public, or make eye contact with them, or smile to them. Keep in mind that your behaviour and body language might send strong messages to men. Avoid all bodily contact in public. It is generally advised to travel with a male companion.=== Women ===
Women Woman have hitchhiked in Afghanistan in the company of one or more male hitchhikers. It goes without saying that women are advised to cover as much hair and skin as possible when travelling alone in group taxis Afghanistan. This is not only a matter of safety, but of respect as well. Consider a ''salwar kameez'' dress with proper headgear. Afghan women do not chat up men in public, or make eye contact with them, or smile to them. Keep in mind that your behaviour and body language might send strong messages to men. Avoid all physical contact in public. It is generally have advised to pay for two seats at the front rather than sitting by travel with a man's sidemale companion.
While researching on Women travelling alone in group taxis generally have to pay for two seats at the topic, [[user:Perilisk|perilisk]] couldn't find any woman's account of hitchhiking in Afghanistanfront rather than be allowed to sit next to a man.
==Accomodation & Sleeping==Food should be approached with a discerning eye, hygiene standards can often be lacking. Hot, freshly cooked food is generally safer. Bottled water is also advised, unless you have your own purification system.[http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Afghanistan#Stay_healthy]
[[de:Afghanistan]] [[wikipedia:Afghanistan]][[wikitravel:Afghanistan]][[digi:Afghanistan]]__NOTOC__
→English News Websites
{{Infobox Country
|country = Afghanistan
|pop = 28,150,000
|currency = Afghani (AFN)
|hitch = from {{Senseless}} to {{average}}<rating country='af' />|paved = 8,231 km|avp = afghanistan
}}
'''Afghanistan''' is a country in [[Asia]]. The capital is [[Kabul]]. It has borders to [[Iran]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Tajikistan]], [[China]] and [[Pakistan]]. Part of the [[Silk road]] and formerly part of the so-called [[Hippie trail]], it has since been invaded by the Soviets, ruled by the Taliban and attacked by the United States.
Few people speak English or Russian, and there is an anti-Western feeling throughout the country, but the hospitality to individual travellers is immense. Afghanistan has the lowest rate of cars per inhabitant in the world. Travelling by public transport or staying in hotels is rather expensive compared to Central Asia. '''AfghanistanWarning:''' Information about hitchhiking in Afghanistan is hard to get, and usually a country in [[Asia]]little old (2-5 years). The capital country is [[Kabul]]rapidly changing and some areas deemed ''safer'' by previous hitchhikers might now be more at risk. It has borders Make sure to [[Iran]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Tajikistan]], [[China]] and [[Pakistan]]. Part of check the [[Silk road]] local news and formerly part of to ask around what the so-called [[Hippie trail]], it has since been invaded by the Soviets, ruled by the Taliban current reality is; and attacked by the United States. come back to update this page! == Hitchhiking culture ==
[[User:Xnothingxheldxbackx|Taylor]] tried to hitch in Afghanistan has the lower rate of cars per inhabitant in the world2009, dressed as a local. He was confused for one several times and it might not have helped him because showing yourself as a foreigner will attract attention to you, especially from people trying to protect you. The downside is that it makes you also easier to spot for Talibans or other radicals. Travelling He got his ride on buses paid by public transport or staying in hotels is rather expensive compared kind people as he didn't manage to Central Asiareally hitch.
===Maps===
* [http://www.aims.org.af/maps/national/routh_maps/road_network/road_network.pdf A recent road map of Afghanistan (2004)]
==Cities==[[Kabul]], [[Herat]], [[Kandahar]], [[Mazar-e Sharif]], [[Jalalabad]], [[Ghazni]], [[Kunduz]]
Collective taxis with fixed fares travel between cities once they are filled with passengers. Travelling with a backpack there means extra cost, but that's where you can bargain. There are also minibuses, a bit cheaper but much more crowded.
==Safety==It's probably quite an unsafe country to travel to let alone to hitchhike even though Muslim hospitality might make up for that. Be aware that land mines are widespread in the country. Known landfields are marked with cobblestones painted red (towards the field) and white (safer zone). They are identified MF (Mine Field) and LM (Land Mines). Another concern is around the opium traffic route - through the Panj river.
==Border Crossing==
Hitchhikers have crossed to Afghanistan:
* from [[Iran]] via Eslam Qal`'eh. Advice given by locals is to reach Kabul using the ring road via Kandahar in the South since it is a main road used by international peace keeping forces.
* from [[Pakistan]], via Torkham. The trip from Peshawar to Kabul takes about 7 hours.You must obtain a free permit the morning of the departure and a have a bodyguard accompanying you to the border. There is also a checkpoint via Chaman.
* from [[Tajikistan]], via Panji Poyon.
* from [[Turkmenistan]]
* Some people allegedly tried to cross from [[Uzbekistan]], via Termez on the Afghanistan–Uzbekistan Friendship Bridge, it used to be off-limits but were refused, as only NGOs are allowed to cross there (no tourists)I personally crossed this border 4 years ago.
==Eating & Drinking==
== Accommodation & Sleeping == While hotels in [[Kabul]] can be extremely expensive, attempting to camp in the street will attract local people, who will then insist you stay in their homes. In the centre of Afghanistan you can sleep in road side restaurants (mostly just mud buildings) for free as long as you eat dinner and breakfast there. ==Other Useful Info==
* [http://www.digihitch.com/article987.html Pashtunistan, Moses, and the Lizard... Hitchhiking Pakistan with Juan Villarino] - a travel story about hitchhiking Afghanistan.
* [http://acrobatoftheroad.blogspot.com/search/label/Afghanistan Across Afghanistan by Thumb], by Juan Villarino
* [http://traveloblog.com/trip/ludovic-hubler/asia-afghanistan-kabul-.html Ludovic Hubler's entry on Pakistan/Afghanistan]
* [http://wikitravelen.wikivoyage.org/enwiki/Afghanistan Afghanistan on WikitravelWikivoyage]
* [http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http://www.afghanistan.travel.ru/&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&usg=ALkJrhhdsnaxXeOsRJbIiRzuK1gj31gOmQ Google translation to English of the AVP Afghanistan page]
===English News Websites===
* [http://www.e-ariana.com/ e-ariana]
* [http://www.myafghan.com/ MyAfghan]
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
{{nomadwiki}}
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Southern Asia]]
[[Category:Afghanistan]]
[[de:Afghanistan]]
