Band-e Amir National Park, National park with blue lakes in Bamyan, Afghanistan.
Band-e Amir National Park is a group of six lakes with deep blue water divided by natural travertine walls located in the Hindu Kush mountains at roughly 2900 meters elevation. The lakes were formed through mineral deposits built up over long periods by water seeping through rock.
The area served as a major trading route across Central Asia for centuries before becoming Afghanistan's first national park in 2009. This designation marked the start of a new chapter for protection and preservation of the region.
The name comes from Dari and means 'the Ruler's Dam,' a title deeply rooted in the identity of local Hazara communities. People in the region view this place as part of their connection to the land and their way of life in the mountains.
The park is open year-round, though winter brings heavy snow and frozen lakes that make visits more challenging at this high altitude. Prepare for cold temperatures and the effects of elevation when planning your trip.
Water seeping through rock faults leaves behind mineral deposits that form natural dams, creating one of the few travertine lake systems found anywhere on Earth. This geological process continues actively and constantly reshapes the landscape.
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