Home page   Map of office location   Hydropower services   Hydropower photos   The Lodge   Lodge photos   Map of Lodge location   Lodge reservations   Contact us   Rooms at The Lodge The Lodge has three bathrooms Garden seating Balcony area for each room Lodge hydropower plant Valley up the river from The Lodge

The Lodge desires to meet the need of the expatriate community for rest and relaxation. It is located 55 km from Kabul near the last village along the upper part of the Istalif River Valley. The communities along the Istalif River Valley are supportive of The Lodge. The Istalif area has been a popular tourist site in the past and currently is being developed with road improvements, local handicraft support program, and now The Lodge.

The Lodge is located 1 km from the end of the vehicle road where the last village is. Guests will be required to walk for about 15 minutes on a donkey trail to The Lodge. The Lodge is very private so you can enjoy just hanging around or take a day long trek to the springs that feed into the river. Many beautiful picnic spots are available nearby that will make your picnic lunch taste delicious.

• Brilliant stars and fresh clean mountain air
• Cooler weather because of high 2100 m altitude (Kabul is 1800 m)
• Quietness with soothing flowing river background sound
• Rugged mountains and lush Istalif Valley beauty
• Fabulous hiking and picnic spots free of mines
• Afghan hospitality with comfortable Afghan style sleeping arrangement
• Totally clean renewable energy provides power to The Lodge
• Locally produced healthy food cooked in our own kitchen
• Local village cooperation, support, and security*
• Safe transportation to and from Kabul with Istalif Valley drivers
• Visit to our micro hydro plant giving electricity to The Lodge
• Scenic 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Kabul up through Istalif Valley to The Lodge (55 km from Kabul)
• A place to grow friendships, unwind, and support the local economy
• An Afghan experience to never forget

• Smog, congestion, and noise
• Complicated logistics and pricing (leave Kabul and arrive in Kabul at one place)
• TV’s, ringing cell phones, calling bosses (a Thuraya sat phone is available at The Lodge)
• Parking problems (only horses or donkeys allowed)
• Expensive trips to Dubai for R & R (Rest and Relaxation)

• Groups of friends, co-workers, tourists, and others wanting to experience the real Afghanistan
• Business groups and others needing a unique place to brain storm and make strategic plans
• Families with children who enjoy getting outdoors and seeing Afghanistan’s rugged beauty
• Anyone who doesn’t get a chance to see rural Afghanistan and wants a unique unforgettable experience

• We only ask that all Lodge visitors respect the local customs of the village community. This means that no alcohol or drugs will be allowed. Groups will be asked to sleep in separate male or female quarters unless married couples are present. Please wear culturally acceptable clothing. (This means women should bring a head covering and not wear shorts).
• We ask that all lodge visitors consider themselves the guests of the local community. The lodge is 1 km from the village and they ask that our presence doesn’t disturb the village dynamics. For this reason we ask our visitors to not tour the village. We plan to offer an organized tour of the village for our guests.
• We expect that our guests have come to experiencing a unique resting and sightseeing spot along the famous Istalif River Valley. We want to make this possible in every way.

• Back in 1994/5 prior to the Taliban occupation, the co-developer of The Lodge visited the Istalif Valley communities for the purpose of installing micro-hydropower plants to produce electricity. On Sept 1, 1996, the community of Mazar-e-Mitalam (the last village along the Istalif Valley and where The Lodge is located) started using electrical lighting for the first time. Since then, three other micro-hydropower electrical plants have been installed along the Istalif Valley in 1998 and 2002. The four plants were built and installed by the International Assistance Mission as community development projects and supply power to about 500 families. Currently a large micro-hydropower plant is being built at the Istalif bazaar with Korean Govt. assistance.

• During the Taliban occupation of Istalif (about 3.5 years) all the villagers had to flee and most had their homes burned down. There was no “front line” established near this area during the Russian or Taliban invasion, thus few mines were planted. After the transitional Afghan Govt. was established in early 2002, USAID funded the rehabilitation of the two damaged plants and the installation of two new plants. This encouraged many of the displaced Istalif Valley families to return to their homes. The UN funded the house rehabilitation activities for those families who have made the choice to return. Many homes are still damaged near the Istalif bazaar, however, along the Istalif Valley you will see that most homes are being repaired and lived in, thanks partly to the micro-hydropower plants making life a little bit easier.

• The friendships made with the communities along the Istalif Valley allowed the development of The Lodge to become a reality. The most remote village was chosen due to its natural beauty, supportive community, having an ideal site for camping, picnicking, trekking, and the feel of “getting away from it all”. Local leaders have been supportive of this kind of eco-friendly, community based, and culturally sensitive development. We hope that this becomes a model of what can be done to encourage Afghanistan’s tourism industry. As you travel up the Istalif Valley you will notice a new school having been built. It is a dream of the developers of The Lodge that our visitors can contribute towards the education of both young and old alike. The micro-hydropower plant near the school could power computer classes and “after work” adult literacy training classes if adequate funds are collected. We want to offer this opportunity for you to help if you wish.

• Please enjoy the famous Afghan hospitality, the unaltered beauty of rugged mountain villages, the opportunity to walk and hike along a flowing river, the sight of millions of stars, and healthy food all made possible by Remote HydroLight Lodge

1. Why is it called a lodge and not a hotel?
   We prefer to cater to groups, individuals can come, but, it is slightly higher cost for them. Due to the remote and unique location of The Lodge, this isn’t a “drop by” hotel. Transportation to and from The Lodge is part of the package. We need to know who and how many are staying each night because of logistics.

2. Where is The Lodge located?
   The lodge is located about 6 km West and North of Istalif bazaar along the Istalif River Valley (GPS 34° 50.752' N, 69° 01.501' E). From Kabul it usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours by road (55 km) to get to the nearest village of Mazar-e-Mitalam. Visitors will walk the final 1 km from the village to The Lodge site along the river. Map of Lodge location

3. What can I do there for fun?
   Hike along the many trails used by villagers to get to their remote fields and high meadow grazing grounds, take a picnic lunch and enjoy being in the wide open spaces, climb the highest mountains, sit by the river and get wet, eat healthy food, enjoy the natural river valley sounds, star gaze, take photographs, enjoy your friends, make friends, tour the micro-hydropower plant, purchase local handicrafts, and give us suggestions of how to improve our service.

4. What should we bring?
   Bring copy of passport photo page for each person, lockable backpack, sun block lotion, flashlight, comfortable hiking or walking shoes, loose multi-layered clothing, toiletries, and an extra change of clothes. Snacks, drinks, and bottled water are available at The Lodge. The Lodge provides your bedding and bathroom towel. You are welcomed to bring your own sleeping bag if you wish and sleep outside on the roof.

5. What happens if there is an emergency?
   A Thuraya sat phone (dial 0088 216 212 73789 on a cell phone in Kabul) is always on at The Lodge and is available for calling anywhere on this globe. The transport vehicle will be parked at the village overnight incase a need arises to bring someone to Kabul quickly.

6. What kind of food is available at The Lodge?
   We offer a continental breakfast and a traditional Afghan dinner. Lunch (or picnic lunch) can be purchased at The Lodge. Snacks and drinks are also available to purchase. You are welcomed to bring your own snacks with you. Following Afghan tradition, we provide free all the green tea you can drink! Seven reason to drink green tea.