Nine Days Tour

Day 1

Nouakchott -Atar

The road will pass to the spectacular scenery of the desert passing in a unique landscape of dunes.

Lunch at the mining town of Akjoujt. In the second part of the itinerary the landscape will change to spectacular mountains and wadi. We are entering to the region of the Adrar. Arrival to Atar in time to have a walk in the busy market in the centre of town.

Dinner and overnight in Atar in an Air-conditioned room at the hotel.

Day 2 Atar- Chinguity

Morning departure for Chinguetti. The stone citadel of Chinguetti dates back to the 13th century and is a crossing point of several trans-Saharan routes connecting the Mediterranean coast to black Africa. The atmosphere of the old stone town, the architecture, some ancient manuscript collections from the Middle-ages and the oasis with their “green miracles” of palm trees and gardens surrounded by the immensity of the Sahara are the special highlights of Chinguetti. Large chains of yellow dunes are the western boundary of the town that “fights” not to be covered by the sand.

The main Mosque and the stone minaret: Chinguetti mosque is the second oldest still operating in the entire Muslim world.

We will spend the whole day in the magical atmosphere of this desert citadel, which is considered the jewel of Mauritanian oasis, discovering two ancient manuscript collection, including Ould Habott, the largest in Mauritania.

Dinner and overnight in Air-conditioning room

Day 3

CHINGUITY - OUADANE: THE REMOTEST -

We will join Ouadane in an absolute “out of any tracks” itinerary that follows the Ouadi (dry creek), discovering remote tiny oasis hidden in the high dunes. Ouadane is the remotest oasis in Mauritania, an outpost in the emptiest part of the Sahara. Founded in 1147. Mainly in ruin, some of his stone-houses perched on a rocky hill surrounded by the immensity of the desert are still inhabited. In the ancient days this town was an important caravan trading point between Maghreb and black Africa. Trading was so flourishing that in 1487 Portuguese built a fortified trading counter in the region.

Guelb Richat: It's also known as the eye of Sahara/ the eye of Africa: the site when it's prominent circular shape has a question scientists. 40 km ( about 25 miles) is the circumference of the largest of three concentric circles, with a dome in the center. Most recent theory believes that it was a giant volcano collapsed and eroded.

Dinner and overnight, Hotel Agueidir, comfortable air-conditioned room

Day 4 Ouadane Atar

We will follow a rough road to Atar.

At the horizon we will see the ruins of Fort Saganne, built to set the namesake film: Fort Saganne.The Agrour site, located at the top of the Amogjar pass, hides cave paintings featuring bovids, hunters and herders. Then we go to Terjit.Terjit oasis nestles i a gorge on the western edge of Adrar plateau with the palm grove stretching a few hundred meters a longside a stream which emerges from a spring. With its charm, fresh water and shade you be blown away.

Then evening arrival to our hotel in Atar and relax to prepare the next intense days.

Day 5

FROM ATTAR TO ZOUERATE, then take the TRAIN TO NOUADHIBOU.

Very matinal departure is required to be able to join the Iron train in Zouerate.

The train links the iron mines of Fdérik in north of the country to the industrial harbour of Nouadhibou on the Atlantic Ocean. The more spectacular way to travel on this freight train is on the top of the wagons loaded of iron ore as most freight wagon of the local do. A specialized guide will be with you with mattress, mat, water and food. The arrival in Nouadhibou is expected early next morning but the schedule is approximate.

NOTE: the experience can be very rough, and dusty, during the day under the sun of the Sahara and night can be cold in the desert. The atmosphere is often very dusty and sand storm can happen. Plastic trash bags can be useful to protect the luggage from the dust. Turbans and sunglasses are mandatory, Swimming goggles can be useful. During the short stops, due to the fact that the train can be 2,5 Km long it will be difficult to switch from the open sky freight wagon to the passenger’s wagon that is often crowdy and dusty.

Day 6

Arrive in Nouadhibou.

After an adventurous afternoon and night on the top of a train a vehicle will be at the station ready to bring our guests to a comfortable room for a well-deserved shower rest and relax.

Evening tour in the city.

Day 7 Nouadhibou - Banc d'Arguin national Park. spend the rest of the day relaxing near the beach and take a swim if you like and behold the magnificent beauty of the sunset over the ocean

Dinner and overnight at Cap Tefarit in a traditional Mauritanian Tent.

Day 8

After breakfast, you will drive to Iwik where you will be sailing on a traditional boat to the birds. Banc d'Arguin is a world heritage site. Two million birds make of this ornithological and nature sanctuary one of the three most important migratory birds breeding site on Earth. Pelicans, flamingos broad-billed and sandpipers are common. Thanks to the mild climate, to a scarce a human presence and to the rich fishy ocean migratory birds winter here from Greenland Siberia Island Scotland making the largest water bird colony in the African continent. In this tour you will have the chance to sail with the Imragen ( fishermen tribe) in their traditional boats and enjoy watching the colony of the birds.

Dinner and overnight at Iwik camp

Day 9 Iwik -Nouakchott

After breakfast, we drive towards Nouamghar. We stop for lunch. Then we drive by the ocean if it's a low tide. We will arrive in a good time in Nouakchott to see the fish market and how crowded it is in the evening. We will also see the fishermen coming in with fresh fish. Then we will go to a sea food restaurant to have dinner.

Then transfer to the airport

Tour includes

*Accomodation

*Entrence fees

*A local guide

*An air conditioning 4*4 car

*Water

*Breakfast, lunch, dinner

*Airport pick up and drop off

Tour excludes

*Other drinks

*Tips for photos, guides, drivers

*Whatever is not mentioned in inlcluded is excluded