OUR GUESTS

Thank you for hosting an amazing trip to Afghanistan, it was thoroughly enjoyable. Kabul and Bamian especially were amazing to see. I truly enjoyed meeting all your friends in Kabul and getting the chance to share a meal with them and learn about Afghan culture and traditions. I especially want to say thank you for catering to my special dietary allergy needs – you guys really went above and beyond with that! There were so many emotions experienced on this trip, from amazement and awe of the beautiful mountain sights, to sympathy and compassion for the numerous orphaned kids we encountered who’d lost their fathers to war, to pure delight and gratitude towards your local friends who literally opened their homes (and carpet shops) to us to share a delicious homemade Afghan meal with them. This was truly a rare opportunity and a thoroughly enjoyable one. Hopefully I’ll be back to do Pakistan!

All the best guys,

Jimmy Song, USA 2010

 Jimmy visited Afghanistan during the Nau Ruz celebrations as part of a group of students from the London School of Economics 

"Despite the warnings of travelling to Afghanistan I couldn't resist visiting as i had travelled to all of the rest of Central Asia. Uncertain of what to expect, I enlisted the help of Kausar Hussain from Untamed Borders. His assistance proved to be indispensible as he knew local people and languages in the areas of interest for tourists. Kausars courage, determination and thorough knowledge of the country swiftly gave me confidence and his lessons of political and historical issues made me understand the current situation and passed the time on the long overland trips. 
The Central Route from Kabul via Bamian and the Band e Amir lakes onward to the Minaret of Jam is incredibly stunning! I must acknowledge to have visited one of the most beautiful countries ever and will remain my favourite place in the region. Needless to say that with the solid help of Kausar & Untamed Borders I felt always safe and can only recommend their services and adventurous tours."
 

Gerd Sonnleitner, Austria 2009

Untamed Borders arranged a bespoke trip to Afghanistan for Gerd visiting Kabul, Mazar e Sharif, Balkh, Herat, Bamian and a magical trip to the Minaret of Jam.

"Fantastic."

Nigel Green and Andy Drury, UK 2009

Nigel and Andy took a bespoke trip with Untamed Borders to Amritsar and Dharamsala in India and were guided by Prince in the Punjab and Peshawar in Pakistan.

"Afghanistan is not the Costa del Sol. But then, if you've stumbled upon Untamed Borders, the latter is probably not the sort of thing you're looking for. What you might want instead is the chance to visit a part of the world that is completely different to anything you've ever experienced before (or will ever experience again), to encounter the limitless hospitality - and humbling dignity - of the Pashtun people, and to see the reality behind the distorted media image of this troubled and volatile region.

If you're like me, the first thing on your mind will be safety. All I can say is that James and Kausar from Untamed Borders are the only two people in the world you want to be looking after you. I would (and probably did!) trust them with my life. They have been living in and guiding people around Afghanistan and Pakistan for many, many years; they speak the languages - but most importantly, they know the people. Dressed in local clothes, in a local car driven by a trusted local driver, I felt far safer than the foreign aid workers in their great shiny land cruisers, surrounded by armed guards and an obvious target. And as I travelled with James and Kausar around Peshawar and then from Kabul to Bamian and Mazar e Sharif, I never ceased to be amazed by the number of their friends who invited us into their homes, fed us, and delighted in showing us their lives.

I was also surprised by how different James and Kausar are from your standard 'guides'. They are not in this business to make money. They do what they do because they are passionate about these lands: their people, their history, and their astonishing natural beauty. If you go with them, I suspect some of that passion will rub off - and I hope that, like me, when your trip is over you will feel lucky to count them as your friends."

Jake Lander, UK 2009

"It was great to meet you all and I was extremely pleased with your help and kindness. I did enjoy the trip and because of you i had this amazing opportunity to experience another dimension of Peshawar"

Zygmunt spent time with Untamed Borders in Peshawar and is a keen photographer. He showcases some of his fabulous photos of Pakistan and Afghanistan on his website.   www.zygmontek.com  

Zygmunt Korytkowski, Poland 2009

"A quick note to say how much I appreciated my recent tour of Peshawar.  From the mainstream sights to the hidden secrets, it was a whirlwind tour of epic proportions!  I had a fantastic time, learned a lot, saw some fascinating sights, dined like a king, and met some wonderful people.  Most of all, it was a pleasure to meet you - your warmth and generosity was overwhelming - and I would not hesitate in recommending your services to others."

Rob Jardine, Australia 2009

"Every time I hear someone mention Peshawar, a chilly thrill crosses my spine, heating my heart. One unforgettable, intense day spent with Hussain, from the storytellers to the refugee camps. It is amazing how, in such a short time, he managed to give me a deep insight of the real Pakistan. This region and its folks are gorgeous, I wanna come back and will ask him to show me around again, and enjoying one more cup of chai."

"I spent 1 week in Afghanistan in July 2008. It's a fantastic country and one that people do not think of visiting due to the current situation. For peace of mind I asked Hussein to come along with me, and I am very glad he did. Being with someone who knows Afghanistan so well allowed me to relax and enjoy myself, he also showed me some wonderful places. He is an interesting and charming man, who gets on easily with people. I thoroughly recommend his services, but be warned once he starts talking he's hard to stop!!!"

"James from Untamed Borders gave me much valuable balanced advice on the risks of walking in Afghanistan. He was generous with his time and even gave me a handful of Afghanis to get me started once I crossed the border from Tajikistan. His knowledge and experience of the country gave me the confidence to pass through Afghanistan on my Peace walk to Tibet."

"I am not one to ever take tours but crossing the border areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan was different and I felt I needed some support. Hussein ensured my crossing of the Khyber Pass was hassle free. The places he showed me in and around Peshawar are something that will live with me for a long time"

Mark Williams, UK 2008

 "I was concerned that Pakistan and Afghanistan were not the places for an American to be given the current world political climate. I was proved very wrong, all the people I met where incredibly friendly and hospitable. Far removed from some of the fears I first had. James and Hussain proved to be wonderful company and gave great insight into the local political situation as well as the cultural and historic history of Afghanistan and Pakistan. I only wish they did trips to more places."

Ben Walker, USA 2008

 "Hussain took me on one of the most adventurous trips I ever had in Pakistan. Meeting people from the tribal areas - the last free place on earth. We visited a madrassah school, a brick factory made and run by Afghan refugees and a workshop for Pakistans funky multicoloured trucks.

 Egill Bjarnason, journalist for 24 Stundir, Iceland 2007

"On principle I NEVER take tours.  However there are times and places that you need to and this is one of those places.  I went with Untamed Borders to the Khyber Agency and Afghan refugee camp in the tribal areas, which would have been absolutely inaccessible on my own. I had an incredible time and it was totally worthwhile.  Besides this, I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with Hussein and Prince, besides being extremely professional they are (more importantly) really great guys you can trust.  I highly recommend spending time with them to find what you'll only see on CNN/BBC, at very least for the travel street cred."

 Adam Todd, Canada 2007

"In Untamed Borders I found people who enabled my friend Alex and I to do something we would not have otherwise done alone.  Hussein showed us around Peshawar, introducing us to their friends and giving us a feel of the frontiers of Pakistan.  Then we crossed over the Khyber Pass, and we were taken through Jalalabad, into Kabul and then up to Mazar-e-Sharif and Balkh. They assisted us in purchasing carpets, made sure we were fed (and clothed in Shalwar Kameez and traditional scarves), and generally kept really good company. I can only recommend Hussain; we felt very safe in his capable hands."

Simon Maydon, UK 2007