Ancient Deserts & Atlantic Coastline

Day 1, 20 November - Arrive Nouakchott

You'll be met from your international flight by your guide. You'll be driven to your hotel in Nouakchott to rest for the evening, before you begin your journey along the coast the next day.

Accommodation: Sheraton Nouakchott Hotel

Days 2-3, 21-22 November - Nouakchott - Nouamghar - Atlantic Coast

After breakfast you'll depart North and travel along the Atlantic Coast. At low tide, enjoy a spectacular drive on the sand between the dunes and ocean, passing flocks of seabirds and small fishing villages. You'll take a cruise in the gulf on a traditional boat to experience this natural paradise from the water. You will spend your nights fly-camping on the beach in the Banc d’Arguin area – immortalized in Gericault’s painting ‘The Raft of Medusa,’ inspired by a shipwreck in the shallows. Banc d’Arguin is one of the world's richest bird reserves due to its vast tidal flats and lagoons.

Accommodation: Fly-Camping

Day 4, 23 November - Witness the Iron Ore Train

Today you will leave the ocean and head further north to Bou Lanoir. Here you will see one of the world’s longest trains – the carriages can stretch to 3km in length. These trains transport billions of tons of iron ore annually. The Mauritania Railways system links the port of Nouadhibou with the iron mines of Zouerat. Ben Amera is a great viewpoint to observe the train. You’ll set up camp near this incredible granite monolith.

Accommodation: Fly-Camping

Day 5, 24 November - Ben Amera - Ben Aicha – Choum – Kser Torghane

Take a morning walk amongst the massive monoliths. Ben Amera is second only in size to Uluru in Australia. After visiting Ben Aicha, you’ll head onto Choum, on the edge of the Adrar Plateau in the region of Ksar Torghane. Enroute you will meet with the camels and set up camp for the night.

Accommodation: Fly-Camping

Days 6-7, 25 – 26 November - North Adrar – Aderg – El Beyyed

For the next two days you’ll experience the Sahara on foot, as you trek the desert alongside camels. You’ll travel from the Aderg Oasis to El Beyyed oued – a sight of great archaeological importance. Stone tools from the early Palaeolithic period were found in this area. Travel between yellow-orange dunes and the rocky cliffs of Tazazmount.

Accommodation: Fly-Camping

Day 8, 27 November - Guelb el Richat – Ouadane

Switching back to motor power, you’ll explore the incredible Guelb el Richat geological dome; known as the eye of Africa. This immense dome eroded into concentric rings of volcanic rock which can be visible from space. You will then cross a sea of sand dunes until you reach the historic town of Ouadane founded in the 12th century, once a main stop on the caravan trade routes and a focal point of Islamic culture.

Accommodation: Auberge Vasque

Day 9, 28 November - Tanouchert – Chinguetti

Following the ancient caravan routes through the dunes of Erg Ouarane, you’ll arrive in the medieval city of Chinguetti. This is the seventh holiest city of Islam, a long-time gathering place for those on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Discover the ancient mosque, desert fort, and legendary libraries of this UNESCO world heritage site. The custodians of the libraries have kept thousands of ancient manuscripts preserved on fragile parchments past down through families for thousands of years.

Accommodation: Auberge La Gueila

Day 10, 29 November - Mhereth – White Valley – Maden

Today you’ll continue along the off-road tracks to the White Valley, named for its bright chalky dunes that shift hue with the sunlight. Here the dunes make a striking contrast to the dark rocky cliffs. You’ll have the chance to explore the area on foot, before heading south through the Maden dunes to the traditional village of Ouagchodda, where gardens are cultivated between shady palm groves.

Accommodation: Fly Camping

Day 11, 30 November - Lanouk – Intergen – El Katt – Oued Rachid

Following the Lanouk Valley you’ll cross to the little-known desert of El Katt with white and pink dunes rising amongst the cliffs. You’ll climb to the Tagant Plateau before descending into one of the most beautiful wadis in the Sahara; Oued Rachid. Here you will meet the elegant and hospitable Mauri nomads.

Accommodation: Fly Camping

Day 12, 01 December - Oued Rachid – Tidjikja – Matmata

Today can be a challenging travel day with a long track from Oued Rachid to Tidjikja. Here you’ll wander around the traditional market and old quarter, known for their houses decorated with intricate triangular motifs. In the afternoon you’ll continue to the great guelta of Matmata.

Accommodation: Fly Camping

Day 13, 02 December - Exploring the Guelta of Matmata

In the morning set off on a hike to discover the deep canyon of Matmata’s – where the emerald green pools are home to a colony of Saharan crocodiles. Alongside the Guelta d’Archei this is one of the last refuges of the Saharan crocodile, relics from a wetter era in the Middle Holocene.

Accommodation: Fly Camping

Day 14–15, 03–04 December – Boutelmit – Nouakchott – Departure

You’ll begin your journey back to the capital, stopping en route at an expansive camel and livestock market. This bustling hub is one of the most remarkable sights in West Africa, offering a vivid glimpse into regional trade and daily life.

The following morning, visit Nouakchott’s famous fish market, where hundreds of brightly painted boats line the shore as fishermen bring in their daily catch. It’s a vibrant and energetic scene, full of colour and movement.

Later, you’ll be transferred to the international airport for your onward flight home.

Accommodation: Sheraton Nouakchott