In front of the monastery - the town of Aibak is behind the monstery

The narrow passes in the mountains of northern Afghanistan

The narrow passes in the mountains of northern Afghanistan

The mountains of northern Afghanistan

The mountains

Off the main road on way up the mountain to Takh-e-Rustam

Takhat-e-Rustam, a ancient Buddhist Stupa carved out of rock

In front of Takht-e-Rustam

With Political Counsellor Khalid Farid

With Council General Mazar Sharif Ziad Khan

The bridge our the deep ditch around Takht-e-Rustam

Under Takht-e-Rustam - View from the cave

Ditch around Takht-e-Rustam, which was filled with water to provide security

View from under the Takht-e-Rustam

From under the Takht

The rock-a view from Takht-e-Rustam - the town of Aibak in the background

(Qutbuddin Aibak was born here)

In front of the monastery in Samangan

In front of the monastery

Enterance to monastery hewn in the rock

Inside a hall (cave) believed to be the meeting place of the monastery

Inside the meeting room

Inside the meeting room

Passage from one room of the monastery to the other

This hall is believed to be the market place of the monastery

Another view of the market place

Watermill of the monastery also hewn in the mountain

In front of the ancient watermill

Our convoy parked next to Takht-e-Rustam

Mountains of Samangan in northern Afghanistan