"Khyber to Kabul" a Afghanistan Travel Page by Kanjoo

I had to go to India in November 2002 and there was no direct transportation between India and Pakistan at that while, so I had two options, one flying to Dubai and than Dubai to Delhi and second one was getting into Kabul by Road and than flying to Delhi from Kabul. As it was half cheap then first option i went for this one nevertheless of huge opposition from my family and friends specially my mother, i still made it becuz i had a dream to go to Mazar-e-Sharif where many believe Hazrat Ali Ibn-i-Abi Talib (first cousin and son in law of Holy Prophet Muhammad) is burried.

I got double entry Afghan visa same day which was gratis for those Pakistanis who holds the tickets of Afghan Aryana Airlines. I bought my Kabul-delhi-Kabul ticket from Aryana Islamabad office (they didnt have online booking at that time), and arrived in Peshawar same day and as it was my first visit to the city of Peshawar I went directly to the most famous place of city known as Kissa Khawani Bazaar (street of story-tellers) and had Kehwa. Next morning I left the hostel at 8 a.m and went to the place where the mini wagon departs for Pak-Afghan Torkhum Border passing the famous Khyber Pass and beautiful town of Landi Kotal.

Alexander the Great, the Moghuls and the British have all entered Afghanistan via the beautiful Khyber Pass and even with the current developments in Afghanistan; the Khyber Pass continues to play the frontier role. There can be no understanding of Afghanistan without first understanding the role of the Khyber Pass and its people.

Landi Kotal is a historic town lying at the famous Khyber route 20 minutes prior (by van or taxi) to Pak-Afghan, Torkhum Border. its the worlds highest railway station and track, however no more in use for public but there is a tour company who still take twice a month train from Peshawar to Landi Kotal in steam engine train for tourists.

Pak-Afghan border is built on town of Torkhum, which is almost two hours drive from Peshawar and almost 25-20 mins from Landi Kotal. one can get taxi which will cost around 500.00 PKR but there is a frequent van service from Peshawar to Torkhum via Lundi Kotal cost 60.00 PKR. one must remember the most important thing while arriving at Torkhum (keep your luggage in your hand, i witnessed two incidents of luggage lost, and it seemed officials were also involved in sort of shameful activites. when one reached at Torkhum number of youth will surround the van and if any luggage is placed on roof they will jsut try to grab, like porters, but if they are lost from your site, you will be never ever able to trace.