If you thought Afghanistan was all minefields, mayhem and mandatory kidnapping warnings, think again or at least that’s what a baffling new promotional video would like you to do.

A 50-second clip began circulating on Taliban-linked social media accounts, presenting Afghanistan not as a war-torn no-go zone, but as the ultimate adventure travel destination. Produced by Yosaf Aryubi, a 28-year-old travel entrepreneur who splits his time between California and Kabul, the video has the internet equal parts chuckling, cringing and scratching its collective head.

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The video opens like a classic hostage crisis showing a hooded man kneels in the dirt, as ominous music plays. But then comes the plot twist! The hood comes off, revealing a wide-eyed tourist who chirps, “Welcome to Afghanistan!” with the energy of a Disneyland greeter.

What follows is a surreal montage that looks like National Geographic met Jackass. Armed locals flash peace signs and attempt yoga poses. One man does chin-ups using the barrel of a tank. Someone else floats blissfully in turquoise water, holding a gun. A diner enjoys lunch with a parrot nesting on his head. A flower gets jammed into a machine gun’s barrel; peace, quite literally, through firepower.

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At one point, a tourist laughs while handling a US-government-stamped M4 rifle, noting with glee, “It’s not even on safety!”. Probably the least reassuring phrase to utter while on holiday.

There are waterfalls, ancient markets, families living in caves and giant watermelons. It’s like a travel ad directed by Quentin Tarantino after a particularly weird dream.

But the punchline may be that the video isn’t satire; at least not entirely. Yosaf, who runs Raza Afghanistan, a tour agency, told The Independent that the video was made to “mock how most of the West sees Afghanistan” while showing what his guests actually experience.

“We offer a mix of cultural, historic and adventure packages,” he said, adding that visitors explore ancient forts, schools and even homes built into cliffs. Despite US government warnings against any travel to Afghanistan (the State Department literally says “for any reason”), Yosaf insists his tours are safe.

Admittedly, if your idea of a vacation includes armed chaperones, cave houses and watermelon the size of gym bags, then this might be your calling.