Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Nouakchott
Welcome at Nouakchott International Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Afternoon exploration: Nouakchott’s legendary Port de Peche — a mesmerizing spectacle of painted fishing boats, fish auctions on the sand, and the rhythmic choreography of fishermen hauling nets. Visit the camel market on the outskirts of the city where nomads trade their animals. Evening: traditional Mauritanian dinner — thieboudienne, the national dish of fish and rice cooked in tomato sauce. Overnight in Nouakchott.
Day 2: Nouakchott → Atar — Into the Sahara
Early departure heading northeast. The road transitions from coastal plain to the rocky desert landscapes of the Adrar region, Mauritania’s most spectacular area. Stop at Akjoujt, a historic mining town, for mint tea. Continue to Atar, the Adrar’s capital — a bustling desert town that serves as the gateway to Mauritania’s ancient caravan cities. Afternoon exploration of Atar’s souk: Moorish silver jewelry, hand-tooled leather goods, and Berber carpets. Overnight in Atar.
Day 3: Terjit Oasis & Amogjar Pass
Morning drive to Terjit Oasis — a slice of paradise hidden in a narrow canyon. A natural spring emerges from the rock, feeding a series of pools shaded by date palms. Swim in the crystal-clear water, then relax in the shade with mint tea. Picnic lunch. Continue through the Amogjar Pass: stop to view Neolithic rock paintings depicting giraffes and cattle — evidence that this now-arid landscape was once lush savannah. Visit the ruins of a French Foreign Legion fort perched dramatically above the pass. Overnight in Atar.
Day 4: The Trackless Desert to Chinguetti
One of the great desert journeys on Earth — 75 miles of trackless sand from Atar to Chinguetti. Your experienced desert driver navigates by landmarks, instinct, and generations of knowledge. The landscape shifts through every shade of gold, orange, and red as the sun moves across the sky. Arrive at Chinguetti, the “City of Libraries” — a UNESCO World Heritage site where stone houses rise from the encroaching sands. Visit a family library to see ancient manuscripts — Qur’ans, astronomy texts, and poetry — some dating to the 9th century, preserved by families who have guarded them for generations. Camel trek into the dunes at sunset. Overnight in Chinguetti guesthouse.
Day 5: Chinguetti → Ouadane → Zarga Mountains
Sunrise over Chinguetti’s dunes — an image that has inspired travelers for centuries. Drive to Ouadane, another UNESCO World Heritage site — a ruined city on a hilltop that was once a thriving center of trans-Saharan trade. Walk its ancient streets and visit the museum. Continue to the Guelb er Richat — the “Eye of the Sahara,” a 40-kilometer-wide circular formation that has fascinated scientists and travelers alike. Picnic lunch at this extraordinary site. Afternoon: the Zarga Mountains, dramatic black rock formations that rise from the golden sand. Overnight in desert camp.
Day 6: Return to Nouakchott & Departure
Drive back to Nouakchott along desert tracks, with stops at remote villages and oases. Arrive in the capital for last-minute souvenir shopping — Mauritanian silver jewelry and handwoven textiles make exceptional gifts. Transfer to the airport. The call of the Sahara will stay with you.
