Thinking of traveling somewhere far off the beaten path? The Independent spoke to tour guide Matthew Leeming, who offered tours in the region. 

Leeming is very clear that safety is certainly an issue, and he tells travelers that Afghanistan is not a place you want to travel to alone. 

“The key to travel in these kinds of places, he says, is who you go with. His biggest piece of advice is to never go it alone…” the Independent writes of Leeming's advice. 

He also recommends traveling with a reputable local.

“Traveling with a reputable local is most important when plotting a visit to such an extreme destination,” Leeming says to the Independent.

Leeming insists that going with a local is a key to staying safe. 

READ MORE: Where to See Snow Leopards in Afghanistan 

“We never had any near misses on our tours because Muqim always checked things out in advance – he’s very responsible and very good at what he does,” Leeming tells the Independent. 

For those worried about safety, Leeming adds that the whole country is not affected.

“Traveling to this kind of place sounds scarier than it actually is,” Leeming tells the Independent. “Most wars are very localized. Away from the front, you’ll almost always find areas that are totally safe to visit.”

Where does he take visitors? Leeming focuses on the areas of Bamiyan and Herat. 

For more on Leeming and his plans for offering tours in Afghanistan, read on here.

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