12-Day Mauritania & Western Sahara Expedition – Fixed Departure

From €1650

Duration

12 days

Max People

Min People

Tour Type

Fixed

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Tour plan

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Description

Departures:

17th February to 28th February
21st April to 2nd May

A journey through the Atlantic coast, pristine desert landscapes, ancient caravan cities, oases, and the legendary Iron Ore Train.

This 12-day trip takes you along the Atlantic coast and deep into the Sahara. You will cross from Dakhla into Mauritania, ride a boat among many sea birds, see fishing villages, and walk on windswept dunes. You will sleep in hotels, simple ecolodges, and under stars in desert camps. Along the way you will visit old towns like Chinguetti, the huge Eye of the Sahara, and the long iron-ore train — each place shows a new kind of beauty.

The trip moves at a calm pace with time to rest and time to explore. It is good for people who love nature, quiet deserts, and small towns full of history. You will return with strong memories of wide skies, warm people, and places few travelers see.

Price Includes:

Accommodation in double occupancy for 9 nights + 1 night on the train
All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
All entrance fees and site visits
Bottled water throughout the trip
Transportation in 4x4 vehicles (4 people per car)
Bus tickets Dakhla → Nouadhibou and Nouadhibou → Dakhla
Professional local guide & driver
Desert camping equipment
Administrative assistance at borders

Highlights

Cross from Dakhla into Mauritania along the wild Atlantic coast
Boat trip in Banc d’Arguin to see birds, dolphins, and local fishing life
Sleep under the stars in beautiful Sahara desert camps
Visit ancient desert cities like Chinguetti and Ouadane
See the famous Eye of the Sahara and the giant Ben Amera rock
Ride the legendary Iron Ore Train across the desert

Tour Plan

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Day 1: Arrival – Nouakchott / Dakhla (depending on flight)

Upon your arrival, you will be warmly welcomed at the airport by our team. Transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Free time to rest or explore the surroundings at your own pace.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Dakhla → Nouadhibou (Mauritania)

Morning departure by bus from Dakhla heading south along the Atlantic road.

Cross the border into Mauritania and continue to Nouadhibou, the country’s second-largest city.

Check-in at the hotel and enjoy the cool maritime breeze.

Overnight in Nouadhibou.

Day 3: Nouadhibou – Cap Blanc – Tafarit – Iwik

* Visit Cap Blanc, home to dramatic cliffs and the last colony of Mediterranean monk seals.

* Continue along the coast to Tafarit, a peaceful fishermen village.

* Arrive in Iwik, gateway to Banc d’Arguin National Park.

Dinner and overnight in a local ecolodge / camp.

Day 4: Iwik – Boat Excursion – Chami

* Early morning traditional Imraguen fishing boat excursion in Banc d’Arguin, one of the world’s richest bird-migration reserves.

* Observe flamingos, pelicans, dolphins and unique fishing techniques practiced for centuries.

* Return to Iwik and drive to Chami, a small town near the desert.

Overnight in Chami.

Day 5: Chami – Akjoujt – Azouega Desert

Travel through changing Saharan landscapes toward Akjoujt and then enter the vast dunes of Azouega.

Settle in a beautiful desert space where golden dunes surround the camp.

Enjoy a traditional dinner, star-gazing, and a peaceful desert night.

Overnight in desert camp.

Day 6: Azouega – Tifoujar Pass – Terjit – M’heirith – Chinguetti

* Crossing Tifoujar Pass, one of Mauritania’s most scenic viewpoints.

* Visit the oasis of Terjit, famous for its natural hot springs and palm groves.

* Continue to the M’heirith region, known for its prehistoric rock engravings.

* Arrive in Chinguetti, the ancient caravan city and UNESCO site.

Overnight in a guesthouse in Chinguetti.

Day 7: Chinguetti – Tenouchart Desert Plateau

Morning exploration of Chinguetti’s old city, ancient manuscript libraries, and stone-built architecture.

After lunch, drive into the remote Tenouchart Plateau, an otherworldly landscape of dunes and eroded rock formations.

Overnight in the desert camp.

Day 8: Tenouchart – Ouadane – Richat Structure – Atar

* Drive to Ouadane, a UNESCO world-heritage desert fortress city.

* Continue to the incredible Richat Structure (the “Eye of the Sahara”), an enormous geological formation visible from space.

* Proceed to Atar, the lively capital of the Adrar region.

Overnight in Atar.

Day 9: Atar – Ben Amera Monolith – Choum / Tmeimichat – Iron Ore Train

* Visit Ben Amera, the world’s second-largest monolith.

* Reach Choum or Tmeimichat to board the legendary Iron Ore Train, one of the longest and heaviest trains in the world.

Spend the night on the train for a true Mauritanian adventure.

Overnight: On the train (open wagons or cabin depending on availability).

Day 10: Arrival Nouadhibou – Rest Day

Arrive in Nouadhibou and transfer to the hotel.

A full rest day to relax after the train journey.

Overnight in Nouadhibou.

Day 11: Nouadhibou Tour – Return to Dakhla

Brief city tour of Nouadhibou:

* Port

* Spanish lighthouse

* Local markets

* Bay of the Lagoon

In the afternoon, cross the border back to Dakhla.

Overnight in Dakhla.

Day 12: Dakhla – Airport / Departure

Transfer to Dakhla airport depending on your flight time.

End of the tour.

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