MAURITANIA
Highlights
Under the stars of the Sahara in the desert train caisson
Guelb el Richat, the eye of the Sahara visible from the moon
Migratory birds and the turquoise ocean of the Banc d’Arguin
Tea at all hours, like real Mauritanians
Where will we sleep
Berber camping sites, local hotels in Nouakchott and Chinguetti
How we will get around
4×4 SUV with driver and local guide, freight train
RATING
Per altre informazioni sui nostri viaggi, consulta la sezione FAQ.
Evening: Meet up in the evening in Nouakchott and transfer to the campsite by the sea for the first night
Morning: We’ll wake up, have breakfast on the beach prepared by our chef, have a quick dip and depart to Banc d ‘Arguin National Park with our 4×4 Jeep. Arrival in the late morning
Afternoon: Excursion in pinasse to the National Park of the Banc d ‘Arguin, UNESCO World Heritage Site for its incredible biodiversity, where we can admire thousands of pink flamingos and many other species of birds. Lunch and transfer to Cap Tafarit
Evening: Arrival before sunset, swim in the sea, dinner and night in Berber tents
Morning: Wake up, have breakfast on the beach and then departure for Nouadhibou. Arrival in the late morning, lunch and wait for the “Train du Desert”. The train operated by the SNIM mining company for the transport of iron dust between the Zouerat mine and the port of Nouadhibou, doesn’t have a fixed timetable. It may therefore be necessary to wait 3 to 8 hours before departure
Afternoon: Climbing aboard the wagon of the longest freight train in the world (up to 3 kilometres of wagons)! This takes about 12 hours to cover the 420 kilometres deep in the Sahara as far as Choum. Afternoon and evening aboard the train’s cargo bed, for the most unforgettable sunset and travel experience of your lives!
Evening: Outdoor night aboard the train’s cargo bed
Morning: Arrival of the train in Choum, either at night or at dawn. Travel to the village to have a shower and breakfast, guests in a local family
Afternoon: Continuation of the journey in a 4×4 SUV along the desert that leads to Atar, the main town of the Adrar region. Stop along the way to grab some lunch on the road. Visit the fascinating Atar Market, an authentic mosaic of Saharan colours and traditions. Travel to the desert at the borders of Atar for the night
Evening: Setting up the open fielded tent, dinner under the stars and night in the desert
Morning: A day entirely dedicated to the Sahara, following an itinerary of over 12 hours immersed in the desert. The end and the views however will not be monotonous: beaten tracks, dunes of soft sand and bitter stones will alternate along the way. Stop off at the El Beyedh Desert Museum, a project created by the NGO Children in the Desert
Afternoon: Visit of the Richat Structure, also called “Eye of the Sahara”, impressive and mysterious circular geological structure, of uncertain origin, measuring about 40km in diameter. Continuation for Ouadane
Evening: Arrival and preparation of the pitched field, dinner and overnight stay
Morning: Visit to the old town of Ouadane, founded in 1147 by the Berber tribe Idalwa el Hadji. This was an important stop along the caravan routes at the time, which today has almost completely been incorporated by the desert. Departure for Chinguetti, late morning arrival, check-in and lunch at the hotel
Afternoon: Relax in the hotel and in the streets of Chinguetti. Seventh holy city of Islam, formerly a ksar and an important centre along the caravan routes of the Sahara between Marrakech and Timbouctou. It is famous for its 24 libraries, where you can admire some of the oldest manuscripts of Islamic culture
Evening: Return to the hotel, dinner and a dancing evening
Morning: Wake up early, breakfast and departure to the oasis of Mhairith, with a pit stop to admire the fantastic panorama from above. Continuation to the Terjit oasis, inhabited by some local breeders’ families, with the possibility of taking a dip in the cool waters in the shadow of a fascinating date palm forest
Afternoon: Lunch in Terjit and transfer to Benichab. Here is where we can find one of the few mineral springs in Mauritania that you can see unusual meadows of green grass from the desert
Evening: Setting up of the camp in the surroundings of Benichab, dinner and night in the desert
Morning: Wake up very early, breakfast and departure to Nouakchott. Arrival in the capital and lunch in a restaurant along the long Nouakchott beach
Afternoon: In the early afternoon we’ll walk to the beach on the occasion of the return of the fishermen. This is when hundreds of crews and colourful wooden boats flock to the beach, unloading tons of fresh fish. Visit the adjacent fish market, one of the largest and most photogenic in Africa. Arrival at the hotel, check-in and relaxing in the garden
Evening: Dinner and night in Nouakchott
Morning: check out in the morning and it’s time to go again. We bid farewell to our fellow travelers and hope to see you again on the next trip!
