10 Days / Desert - Nomad Life - Iron Ore Train ride - Oasis - Expedition
Mauritania: The Desert Paradise (10. Dez - 20. Dez 26)
Day 1 – Arrival in Nouakchott / Dakhla / Dakar → Adrar Region
Arrival in Nouakchott, with optional pickup from Dakhla in Western Sahara or Dakar in Senegal.We meet for a welcome dinner, get to know the group and prepare for the expedition ahead.
Day 2 – Nouakchott → Atar → Into the Desert
We leave the city behind and make the long journey towards the Adrar region.Once we arrive in Atar, we continue deeper into the desert. Our first night is spent in a traditional Mauritanian tent.The camels are already waiting for us. We enjoy our first desert sunset and begin to experience a completely different way of life.The expedition begins.
Day 3 – Into the Sahara | Camel Trek
We start our camel trek through the Sahara, passing through the beautiful oasis of Terjit, where we can cool down and swim in the natural pools.From there, we continue through different desert landscapes, far away from the usual tourist routes.As the sun sets, we set up our traditional desert camp and spend the night under the stars.
Day 4 – Camel Trek | Oases & Ancient Rock Art
Our second day on the camel trek takes us even deeper into the desert.Along the way, we discover ancient rock paintings and carvings left behind by people who lived in this region thousands of years ago.We stop at another remote oasis for lunch and another refreshing swim before continuing our journey through the desert.In the evening, we reach our desert lodge, where we spend another night surrounded by the Sahara.
Day 5 – Azouiga Dunes | Desert Camp
We leave the camels behind and continue by 4x4.Our route takes us through some of Mauritania's most spectacular desert landscapes towards the Azouiga Dunes, among the largest sand dunes in the country.We set up our tents right in front of the dunes and spend the night surrounded by nothing but sand and stars.
Day 6 – Azouiga → Chinguetti → Ouadane
Before heading towards Chinguetti, we pass through a local nomadic market and get a glimpse into everyday life in the desert.We then continue to Chinguetti, one of Mauritania's most fascinating historic desert towns.We explore the ancient town, its traditional architecture and historic libraries before continuing towards Ouadane, another ancient settlement surrounded by endless desert.Overnight in Ouadane.
Day 7 – Ouadane → Eye of the Sahara → Atar → Choum
We start the day exploring the ancient town of Ouadane before heading towards one of Mauritania's most spectacular natural landmarks: the Richat Structure – the Eye of the Sahara.The enormous geological formation looks almost unreal from above.After exploring the area, we continue by 4x4 back towards Atar, where we stop for food before continuing to Choum.There, we wait for the legendary Iron Ore Train.Once it arrives, most likely during the night, we climb aboard and find our place on the iron ore wagons.
Day 8 – The Legendary Iron Ore Train
One of the most extreme experiences of the entire expedition.We spend the night and day travelling on the legendary Mauritania Iron Ore Train, crossing the endless Sahara for around 18 hours.Surrounded by nothing but desert, the journey is raw, dusty, loud and completely unlike any normal train experience.It is one of those moments that makes you realise how small you are in this enormous landscape.This is not luxury travel. This is the adventure.Once we arrive in Nouadhibou, we head to a lodge for the night.
Day 9 – Nouadhibou → Banc d'Arguin National Park
We start with a relaxed morning in Nouadhibou, giving us some time to rest after the train journey and experience a different side of Mauritania.Later, we leave the city behind and head towards Banc d'Arguin National Park, where the Sahara meets the Atlantic Ocean.The landscape changes completely: endless sand, ocean, wildlife and remote coastal scenery.We spend the night in this extraordinary environment.
Day 10 – Desert Meets Ocean → Nouakchott → Departure
Our final morning begins where the desert meets the sea.After breakfast and some time to enjoy the surroundings, we begin our journey back towards Nouakchott.Along the way, we stop for lunch at a nice beach bar before continuing to the capital.The expedition ends in Nouakchott.An unforgettable journey through one of the world's most remote landscapes.
