Tourism in the Afghan Hindu Kush & Pamir Mountains

[TheRockyafg]

great job guys

[borneo215]

im pretty sure they will fukk up the wakhan corridor it wont last the problem is so deep you have no idea what we are seeing in afghanistan is a take over its the arabization of my land if you read about my buddhist past language and people you will see whats going on inshallah is an arab word like i said my people are all brainwashed and have no idea what they are doing with the west using our stupidity

[JustinP]

nice to see where my marijuana comes from... "Hindu Kush" google it, its a great type of marijuana to smoke :)

[eflwinnie]

@JustinP ha ha I heard that too.

[cfabssoftware1]

I am interested in adding Afghanistan toursist attractions to familydaysoutonabudget com

[AFGHAN7GENERAL]

so beautiful

[turxon]

I hope you are not another thief, if you are then rest assured that you will meet your fate 100% accordingly.

[sskkyysaf1]

inshallah

[Mazunteful]

Afghanistan is absolutely amazing and Afghan people intriguing and hospitable, but it is a sad real truth that the security situations changes too fast. I travelled the road between Kabul and Faizabad, and between Kabul and Band-e-Amir, in Badakhshan, and Herat in 2009, with no problems. I was so fascinated that I went back in 2010, but the security situations had worsen. I hope Afghanistan will find some stability. It is a unique place. I also hope to go back and do the Pamir.

[nawidullah100]

the place is facinating

and brathtaking

[Haqyarsahib]

You are a great person and will gain many more successes , INSHALLAH

[afghanmsn]

I like your video mountunity tanks for opplaoding! I like to go around and show Afghanistan for you . you Are always welcome in Afghanistan feeling home bro

[91samer]

hello you are a good man :P

[tubebellator]

there is a small chance that your head will separate from your body if you visit afghanistan. just a small chance. the chance is higher if you're a christian , and even higher if you're a jew.

[notonmycrotch]

Imshallah there will be peace so that touring will be available

[MrTawalo]

что говорит ?

[patrickbseattle]

I would love to visit Tajikistan, Afghanistan and the rest of Central Asia...its been on my mind for awhile.

[ranveer1234567]

@patrickbseattle yea just dont get killed murdered or tell anyone your from seattle because both might happen

[mountunity]

@ranveer1234567 Life is dangerous, there's a 100% mortality rate. Sitting at home eating donuts is also fraught with danger. The Wakhan has still remained free from insurgency but we have to acknowledge that since we made this film the north east of Afghansitan has become more dangerous. Anyone that comes has to recognise they are undertaking a real adventure and that there is the possibility that bad things can happen. This definitely is not Disneyland it is the truly extraordinary Afghanistan

[bariqthekiller]

@mountunity

Thanx alot for visiting our country and trying to show its real beauty

Great work Keep it up!

[javed119]

wa alykum ba salaam brother

[javed119]

lets hope you re helpe is only for the sake humanity nothing els, if you are helping these people for no gain, may god reward u for it. because we afghans love our religion islam, islam comes first to our lifes. we prefer islam over any wealth or any thing els, when it comes to religion.

[mountunity]

@javed119 I first visited Afghanistan in 2002 and became convinced what the Afghan people needed more than anything else was jobs. Our project is all about that. Westerners coming to Afghanistan to have an enjoyable time in the country is not what this is about; it's about giving people who often starve in the winters a way to earn enough money to feed their families. The fact it builds bridges between nations is a bonus. If there were other job options there we'd be doing that too.

[javed119]

@mountunity thank you brother for u effort and hard worke to helpe the people of afghanistan, and may god reward you for ur hard worke.

[FKhorasani87]

@mountunity Dear brothers: this "javed119" is the typical pashtun wahabit terrorist. A redneck. Foreginers are welcome in our land because hospitality its part of our culture. Thanks to westers today Afghanistan has got some development.

Khoda hafez.

[borneo215]

@javed119 thats kind of state of mind blew up the giant buddhas of afghanistan genocide of other ethnic groups and this radical islamic look for other countrys to call us terrrorist fukk you im afghan and islam is a religion btw did you know that islam came to this country via arab islamic conquest do you know what a conquest is to conquer the land they killed every afghan buddhist to islamize this country you dont know fukk about this country you fukkin islamic taliban lol go suck arabs dick

[theking1175]

I just want to see some OG Hindu Kush

[mountunity]

@theking1175 You want to get high? Try climbing a mountain...

[fistway1]

I hope the taliban behead you all for ivading the lands of Islam.

[mountunity]

@fistway1 Dear fistway, I'm not sure if you are a Muslim but I'm sure you are aware how important hospitality is to the Islamic faith. If people come as guests and act respectful to the local people and Islamic culture then Muslims are very kind, loyal and protective to all. I would not deem to pretend any expertise on Islam but I am pretty sure that the slaying of civilians is Haram. This project is driven entirely by the local Muslim people, we are just doing what we can to help.

[fistway1]

@mountunity any non Muslim occupying force or an Ngo or other type of person of western influence are not welcom in the Holy lands , nor are tourists with their western ways or propaganda.

[mountunity]

@fistway1 Dear fistway1, I've been to Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Palestine, Oman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Indonesia and Afghanistan and from my experience I would say you are wrong. I have always been made very welcome by all the Muslim people I have met. We need to stop judging entire races by what we see on the news and read on Jihadi websites and make our opinions from what we actually experience.

[corderitodedios69]

@mountunity bro, please, im real sad. stupid people like "fistway1" are a shame for us. even i think that he is not afghan.

no matters if youre jew, christian, musleem or atheist. everybody is welcome in our land. ;)

respects.

[mountunity]

@corderitodedios69 Thanks, we've got to build bridges or we're going to be fighting over something none of us are sure about for the next hundred years. Thanks for having me in Afghanistan, it's a brilliant country.

[EpicOMGWTF]

@fistway1 You are an insult to all Muslims and Humanity as a whole.

Enjoy your eternity in Hell.

[Mathertron]

Amazing project. Inspiring stuff...

[mountunity]

@Mathertron thank you for your comment. We can only hope that all of Afghanistan will one day be peaceful and once again welcome visitors from all over the world.

[Makreel44]

Wow, you guys are simply amazing. Best of luck with your efforts.

[mountunity]

@Makreel44 Thanks. It has been a tough slog at times because people don't want to think there's anything in Afghanistan except war, opium and hatred. It's not true. The Afghanistan I know is full of great people who have been very protective and generous to us.

[LAJAWARD]

HI this is one of the greatest video ever watched 1000 bravo for making this video wish one day i visit this beautiful place. God bless badakshan and the one made it.

[LAJAWARD]

HI this is one of the greatest video ever watched 1000 bravo for making this video wish one day i visit this beautiful place. God bless badakshan and the one made it.

[mountunity]

@Juggernautishere Do some virtual tourism with us and join us on facebook - Mountain Unity

[voicesoul1]

WOW i love it,this is the really life of the world(luxury) its fantastic.

I am from afghanistan,but i living since 25years in germany (bulshit) and bulshit

earope,i hate this,its not life here. Peace for afghanistan(INSHALLAH)

[mountunity]

@voicesoul1 Yeah Afghanistan is an amazing place with amazing people. Certainly isn't luxury though. You should use your Afghan German links to help Afghan businesses export to Germany. It's all about the economy afterall

[MultiShamali]

oh man that is the world most beautiful country.

[mountunity]

@MultiShamali Yes it is, with beautiful, hospitable people.

[Mysteryskatin]

Best of wishes to the beautiful country. I wish America would stop spending it's money on war and start spending it's money on providing food and schooling for the children of Afghanistan, without forcing it's views upon them. Hopefully one day, when war is a thing of the past, there will be no more innocent children starving, anywhere. It really makes you feel guilty for taking advantage of the things you have, deserving it no more than anyone else. From an American...

[mountunity]

@Mysteryskatin We believe that trade not aid is the only way for the people of Afghanistan to improve their lives and take control of their own destiny. Coming to Afghanistan is one way you can help build links and the economy but there are other things you can buy. Search out and buy anything Afghan you can find (except drugs) and that way the Afghan's will be able to pay for their own schooling and healthcare. Check out Afghanistan; Enterprise for Peace on facebook to start buying and helping

[Mysteryskatin]

@mountunity I'll be sure to check that out. ;D Every little bit helps, I guess.

I don't consider weed a drug, so oh man I wish I could get my hands on some of that grade A Afghani Kush. ;P

Good to see you all helping the Afghan people.

[shapqat]

I donno wen will god give me an opportunity but i really want to help these people inshallah...

[mountunity]

@shapqat Hi Shapqat - get out there and seek out Afghan stuff you can buy. Join Afghanistan; Enterprise for Peace on facebook, tell all your friends. Get Walmart to stock Afghan pomegranates, dried fruit, tell your rich friends to buy Afghan carpets and jewelery. It's all, all, all about the Afghan economy.

[marumito]

what happened to the once Buddhist temples & minarets in Afghanistan? are they still standing there?

[mountunity]

@marumito There's certainly a lot of Buddhist stuff in Afghanistan still. Bamiyan is the famous centre.

[marumito]

@mountunity - oh wow! Thank you for the Info. I wish you all the Blessing of Allah & always take care... I would love to visit the wakan corridor someday... I better save up..thanks again Mountunity!!!

[mountunity]

@marumito Thanks marumito. We really hope we can keep at least one small corner of Afghanistan peaceful and allow people from all over the world come and see how Afghanistan could be. Buy Afghan goods!

[zahirulchowdhury]

inshalla, inshalla, inshalla

[mountunity]

@zahirulchowdhury Inshalla indeed. 

[iamirshadhussain]

I dont think there will be any tourism there for another million years. i am feel so sad.

[mountunity]

@iamirshadhussain You can book a trip for next year. Come along.

[madhuri4life]

I agree, the scenery is just beautiful and on-par with what Switzerland and Kashmir offer. There needs to be more organization and something needs to be done about the safety around these areas. This land would surely flourish as Afghans are known for their hospitality and hard-work :) God willing, I will one day visit Afghanistan and experience the untouched beauty myself , InshAllah :)

[mountunity]

@madhuri4life We are working hard to get medical and security plans in place. At the moment it is just for serious expeditions but hopefully there will be the opportunity for more people to experience the generosity of the Afghans and get a sense of what could be.

[BazeBaller1]

First you'd better get rid of the terrorists, and then people will come.

[mountunity]

@BazeBaller1 There's not been any attacks in the Wakhan so far and long may that last. Most insurgents are people without jobs, ready access to guns and someone willing to pay them to fight. You need to give people jobs first to get rid of terrorism not the other way round.

[BazeBaller1]

@mountunity

Yah sure, the moment they notice things are getting too westernized in a place that's too close to home those damn T's will be right there to below it up.

[mountunity]

@BazeBaller1 That's why we don't run tours ourselves. The Afghans do it so they protect their own businesses. All we do is pass interested people onto Afghan tourism service providers. Taliban didn't manage to take the Wakhan in 2001 when they were at their most powerful, hopefully they never will.

[pakdanerven]

the asian switzerland accept no swatch shops or swiss chocolate shops

[mountunity]

@pakdanerven A very accurate comparison. Switzerland was the barrier for expanding empires and the Swizz Europe's best soldiers.

[TheBackOfTheBoat]

You mean I can actaully visit the Kush mountains?

I'm gonna smoke some dank ass weed, imchala =)

[mountunity]

@TheBackOfTheBoat Or you could just stay home, get stoned and talk about it..... Been there done that, it's better out here dude.

[huskerjeff1]

I love this. One Love.

[mountunity]

@huskerjeff1 Let's become more possible than they can powerfully imagine! Join us on facebook - Mountain Unity & Afghanistan; Enterprise for Peace

[kandasoo]

Worldest Richest Contry Is Afghnistan You Poeple Are Bigger Stealing Afghans Deposite From Every Where

[mountunity]

@kandasoo It's all still in the ground. Afghanistan is POTENTIALLY the richest country in the world (maybe). Why not work to realise that potential?

[Ahmadkhanize]

Thank you for this brilliant video & i hope your son has already turned five inshallah...Fortunately your flight has successfully passed the Hindukush mountains not like pamir airways which crashed yesterday.Thanks

[Khamomil]

I was looking at the region on Google Earth recently and was wondering what the landscape looks like in the Wakhan Corridor. Wow, it's breath-takingly beautiful.

I noticed that the women in your film wear the same head-dress as those in the Hunza region. in North West Pakistan.

Congrats on your project. How about crafts? I have seen wonderful Afghan embroideries in several styles.

[mountunity]

@Khamomil The video doesn't do the landscape justice because it was filmed in the winter.

The people here and Hunza are Wakhi so lots of similarity.

We hope to do more with the crafts next year.

[Khamomil]

@mountunity Oh the landscape is beautiful in the winter too! Snow covered mountains are splendid.

Are you aware of the Chinese copper mining project in Afghanistan? What route will the road they will build take fo link both countries except thru the Wakhan Corridor?

About crafts: handspun yak wool could be sold on the fancy knitters'market or even unspun yak fleece for home-spinners in the US and Europe.

Also women in Wakhan could learn to knit by watching tutorials on YT.

[mountunity]

@Khamomil Yeah, heard about the copper mining but my understanding is they will take it south through Pakistan. A road through the Hindu Kush would be really, really expensive. I guess it depends on how much copper they find.

I think there could be a market for different wools. Hopefully will get the chance to investigate some day soon.

No youtube in the Wakhan yet. guess it'll come one day.

[fistway1]

@Khamomil the copper mine is run by the chinese and backed by the americans , Afghanistan has over 6 trillion dollars of iron ore , cobalt , gold , uranium , natural gas and heroin. Thats why the allies invaded.

[lakeon34thstreet]

Wonderful, Beautiful children.....

[mountunity]

@lakeon34thstreet Certainly are. Thanks for the feedback.

[lakeon34thstreet]

Wonderful, Beautiful children.....

[drunkenmathematics]

yeah they even more beautiful when the FIELD ARTILLERY guys get a FIRE FOR EFFECT BITCHES!

[mountunity]

@drunkenmathematics Er guess you haven't read any counter insurgency manuals recently! Back of the class soldier and give me 50 while you're at it.

[drunkenmathematics]

@mountunity no im in a fuckin TRADOC unit, we arent anywhere close to being deployed yet unfortunately. but why would they not be allowed to call for fire?

[khorish]

ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK YOU....

[mountunity]

@khorish It has been an absolute pleasure working with the Afghan people, so thank you.

[Marachuan]

like my trip to jamaica for cannabis fields sight seeing and morocco, afghanistan kush mountains would be cool to see the same, we all know the fields arent far out there, lol

[chernobylFarms]

The Pamir mountains are certainly beautiful, and I wish their people well in gaining a better tradestream to the ideas and goods of mainstream civilization, as the Nepalese are doing.

Similarly in South America the highlands of Peru have a similar appeal to a certain kind of hardy and successful person.

[MrIslaam]

beautiful looking forward for ur next videos , may allah bring unity between afghans and build our country , and allah give us tawfeeq to live in peace and with our neighbours aameen ,allmighty god bless afghanistan and our ppl aameen

[mountunity]

Dear MrIslaam,

thank you for your comment. We hope that in at least one small corner of Afghanistan people from different faiths and cultures will be able to come together as an act of peace and goodwill.

Let us struggle for peace not war.

[HAMERDIM2525]

my beautiful Afghanistan thx and keep it up:)

[mountunity]

@HAMERDIM2525 Thanks, and sorry for missing your comment. There's still hope!

[kabulscene]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Hope everything goes well with your projects and the tourist industry in Afghanistan. Keep us updated on how things are coming along. Cheers

[mountunity]

@kabulscene Back in Kabul meself now. Join us on facebook - Mountain Unity to keep up to date.

[kabulscene]

@mountunity already friends in facebook. Good Job you guys are doing.

[jaankhan23]

Locals of Afghanistan will never Depend on tourists and the Medicine of some sympathisers.

the good example is african countries where this kind of ppl r for a long time there. but africans r still starving.

[mountunity]

Hi Jaankhan23,

The difference is we are not running any tours ourselves. We pass on all the work to Afghan companies who provide everything. This way the money and control of the industry stays with the local people who can then use it to pay for their own healthcare.

Mountain Unity is all about trade not aid because we have seen what damage donor fatigue and aid dependency has done in Africa.

thanks for your comment

[gatheringleaves]

do they have any technology in this area of afghanistan? like tv and computers?

[mountunity]

@gatheringleaves I've actually seen a satellite dish and solar panels on the side of a nomads yurt in the Little Pamir. So yes but not much.

[TheReality88]

There are Tears in my eyes for diffrent reasons happiness and sadness, I am really happy to see my country got such beautiful places and sad for our peoples and the condition of life they'r having. But inshaullah everything can get better and we can rebuild our beautiful country by helping each others and contributing in rebuilding the country to end the poverty.

[mountunity]

Dear Reality88,

Afghanistan is a beautiful country and the people are incredibly generous and hospitable. There is still hope. Where ever there is peace it is up to us to re-inforce it. Encourage your friends to buy Afghan goods and invest in Afghan businesses. Inshallah there will be peace throughout Afghanistan.

[gatheringleaves]

When was this filmed?

[mountunity]

October and November 2008. Sorry for the late reply.

D

[hurlockbros]

Wow, beautiful amazing place

5 stars

[mountunity]

@hurlockbros Tashakor.

[AKafghan08]

Inshallah!

[crazy4n]

Super! and beautiful you are doing an extraordinary job, thank you for this video keep it up, and Good luck, thank you all again, Nice and beautyful Afghanistan!!!!

[mountunity]

@crazy4n join us on facebook to stay up to date with how we're getting on. D

[14CPO]

it sad what war has done to a beautiful country like adfhanistan. the mountain biking would be awesome here

[mountunity]

@14CPO Could be some trips to the Panjshir in 2011. Join Mountain Unity on facebook to watch how it develops.

[ampallang7]

Wow, cheers!

[00Ahdia00]

Thank you for this wonderful video, and for showing the world the beautiful side of Afghanistan.

[Nidoguljon]

well done!

[dailcais]

Great clip im Irish and since I was a kid I always had a thing about going to Afghanistan and im not sure if its a spiritual thing or or just a facination but from what I seen its a beautiful country....

[hurlockbros]

you're not going to Afghanistan

[mountunity]

@hurlockbros Whose not! Oh no too late I live here!

[mountunity]

@dailcais Thanks. Join Mountain Unity on facebook to find out more.

[pamir30]

As an Afghan, i want to say THANK YOU very much for your effort and goodwill, and showing the world what Afghanistan has to offer, wish you success and god bless you "inshallah".

[umkh]

Superb video! Really nice to see the positive side of Afghanistan for once and hats off to the ppl working on this project.

I would love to go trekking in this region. I wasn't aware that it was safe to do so.

[mountunity]

@umkh Thanks. We can never take security for granted but so far so good. Join us on facebook - Mountain Unity to find out more

[RadicalNoran]

beautiful

[AFGHANVIEW]

nice video

i,ll one day climb that mountain

inshallah

[mountunity]

@AFGHANVIEW 2011 it is. See you then. !

[vodkaab]

i hope it goes GOOD. ........best luck

[AFGHANVIEW]

wow

[mygaboo]

Small packaged tours marketed to the north american adventure/mountaineering segments could work. The trick is to become fashionable. Many are fascinated with the Kush region for spiritual and anthropological reasons. Properly packaged, you might inspire those seeking an exclusive quest. Best of luck!

[mountunity]

@mygaboo Thanks and sorry for taking a year to reply!!!! Would you mind joining Mountain Unity on facebook and getting some of the type of people you are talking about to join too?

[mbbugi]

I am working to preserve Kalash NEXT Door

few years ago a kind hearted Doctor was working in the areas and now u are there soon religious comunities will come and make a mess out of the area

17000 more troops are coming to the areas and the air polution alone will destroy the cristine quality of air snow ice and glacier water and you will not be considered Marco Polo or even a member of Man who would be king ,

There are so many people in this World which have good intentions

Inshallah .

[mountunity]

mbbugi

apologies for not replying to this for so long. There might be 17,000 more troops coming to Afghanistan but there are no plans for foreign troops in the Wakhan (as far as I'm aware) what would they do?

I really hope we won't make a mess of the area. We are very aware of the lessons of tourism in other fragile areas and are developping a code of ethics.

We are doing all this because the local people are keen for tourists to return. If they change their minds we will stop.

D

[mountunity]

Mbbugi,

apologies I just hit the remove button for your comment by mistake.

Mbbugi wrote that with tourism comes commercialisation which has a negative impact on the local culture and environment.

We agree and have spent time telling the local people about the bad things that come with money and tourists.

We hope that the local government will restrict the number and type of visitors to the area and that development will be in keeping with the local environment.

[dimputhegreat]

@mountunity really glad that these hindu kush,,pamir afghan was ruled by EMPERROR RANJITH SINGH & KING JAYPAL..from tip of afghan to sri lanka it was the pristine beauty of empire of hindu rulers..nice video mate,,thanks for sharing.

[opiator420]

i have always wanted to visit the middle east. the birth place of civilization.

[AKafghan08]

@opiator420 dear sir/ma'm, Afghanistan is not considered middle east. its either southwestern asia, or central asia. both of those are correct... thanks

[TrekkingforumDotCom]

Excellent video. Keep on informing the world.

[mountunity]

@TrekkingforumDotCom Thanks. Would you mind sticking a link on your forum to our page on facebook - Mountain Unity. Cheers

[riseofthepashtuns]

what beatifulcountry,rivers,mountai­ns,people,all is beautiful

[benbruise]

Superb film - very inspirational. Good luck with it all.

[justinmorgan]

Great video! And best of luck with it all.

[tansyflower]

Hope preps are going well. All so exciting - such a good snapshot of a beautiful country.

[judi753]

An amazing video & what a project, hope you have great success.

[Normandlandings]

A great video - what breathtaking scenery! I wish you every success.

[annainpinkx]

This was so incredibly fascinating and I wish you all the best - what lovely people you are going to and what quite stunning scenery. A wonderfully done film.

Ruth and Allan