Adrar Region Extended Tour

We offer the complete city program. For example, the fishing port (Port de pêche) offers a fascinating picture in the afternoon sun with its artistically painted dugout canoes. On the other hand, the huge camel market in Toujounine also serves as a selling place for goats, cattle, and donkeys. Never have you seen more dromedaries than here. The Saudi Mosque (eig. Medina Mosque) is the most imposing religious building in the city.

A stroll through the city on the Marché Capitale practically gives itself, a trip to the nearby city garden will show you the green diversity that is otherwise missing in Nouakchott. Needless to say, you will be drinking Mauritanian tea quite often during the two weeks on the road - how about preparing the first glass in the evening on the beach of the capital?

The next day we drive to the oasis Terjit, which is one of the most popular destinations in the country. In addition to the year-round flowing stream, the numerous dates, and swimming in the natural pool, a delicious Mauritanian-style lunch awaits you, dates included, of course.

Not far away is the regional capital Atar, which itself has little to offer in terms of tourism, but can serve as a starting point and shopping opportunity for all further trips. Little does not mean anything: the local market in Atar is worth a visit, and July is the peak of the Guetna Festival, celebrating the two-month harvest of dates. By the way, Atar is set in gorgeous countryside.

The third day begins with a trip to Azougui, which is only a stone's throw away from Atar. Not only are there enchanting dunes in Azougui,, but the scattered village has also come to world importance as the former capital of the Almoravids.

After an opulent lunch, we leave familiar paths behind and avoid the asphalt road for quite a while. Because our goal is neither Chinguetti nor Ouadane yet. Our goal is the northern bypass of the entire Adrar plateau. The first stop: is Jraif (also: Jurayf), 70 km away. Jraif is no more than a village in the desert, yet regionally esteemed for its religious school. Arabic manuscripts can also be examined there.

After a night in the tent and breakfast outside, we continue our journey. To get to El Beyyed, which is 140 km away, we have to cross the Sebkha Chemchane. A sebkha (Arab. Sabḫa) is a lake basin filled only occasionally with water. The hardened subsoil allows us to make fast progress. Finally arrived in El Beyyed, a small Mauritanian-style prehistoric museum awaits us.

Arrowheads, mortars, and bifaces can be marveled at. There is also a well in El Beyyed, the basis of all nomadic life. A few kilometers away is a green valley where a guelta feeds nomads and herds of animals. We spend the night in beautiful scenery.

We have to drive just under 60 km east to see the first of the three forts planned for the trip. The French colonial forts of Bir Ziri and El Ghallaouiya are still well preserved today, the latter was even used by the Mauritanian army until the 2000s. Near El Ghallaouiya, prehistoric drawings and tombs from pre-Islamic times can be discovered. If time permits, we will drive to the mountain pass of Trig Choauil on the fifth day and have a look at the rock engravings there.

Since the rock paintings are distributed in different places around the Trig Chouail, we do not leave any time unused and take the morning for a look at those still unknown to us. Afterward, we make our way to Guilb er Richat. This, however, is more than 115 km away, moreover, soft sand roads and difficult terrain await us on the way. So the trip may take longer.

Once arrived in the Guilb er Richat, the huge geological structure also known as the "eye of the Sahara", we took the opportunity for a stay of several hours including food. By the way, the Guilb er Richat is as clearly visible from the moon as unclear in its origin. Scientific theories about meteorite impact and volcanic eruption have not been able to reach a research consensus so far. Before heading to Ouadane, we take a look at the remains of the Portuguese fort of Agouedir, located south of the Guild.

The 15th-century fort is now only in ruins, but it's worth the short detour just for the handmade crafts on offer there. To end the day: the trip to Ouadane and the overnight stay in the local auberge

Ouadane (meaning two valleys) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, as a Berber foundation, was once an important part of trans-Saharan trade. Besides that, it functioned as a starting point for pilgrimages and, along with Chinguetti, the religious and spiritual center of the region.

The extensive ruins of that very ksar can be walked through in Ouadane. The visit of the enormous old town built along the hill with its old - meanwhile partly restored - mosque is certainly one of the highlights of the whole tour.

A knowledgeable guide answers all questions as we stroll along the main street of the old town, Rue de 40 Savants. After visiting the old town, the modern city, and the dating oasis at the foot of the slope, we set out to see the next World Heritage Site - Chinguetti. Once again, we will avoid the asphalt road, so that we can see the enchanting oasis of Tanouchert on the way. We will spend the evening and night in Chinguetti.

The ninth day is also dedicated to Chinguetti. After breakfast, we take a look at what once made the Ksar famous: the old town with its mosque and minaret. Chinguetti's minaret is considered Mauritania's landmark and can be found in miniature not only on the ChingiTours logo but also in countless stone replicas for adornment. The city has 12 libraries that house a treasure treasure of knowledge that is largely neither copied nor digitized. Here, too, we will look at selected ones.

After lunch, a camel tour is on the agenda. The possible destinations range from oases like Entkemkent to the remote original Chinguetti. There are three Chinguettis, but more about that in due course.

After another night in Chinguetti, we drive to Mhaireth, 150 km away, this time for a change on the road - at least at the beginning. On the way, we pass two places that justify a stop. Very close to the Amogjar pass is the nearly 700 m high hill Agrour, where there are some rock paintings to see. The illustrations of lions and giraffes prove the former abundance of mammals in the country. Even dancing scenes were drawn. Just a stone's throw away is Fort Saganne, built in the early 1980s, especially for the movie of the same name. The film set looks deceptively real and the tour is well worth it.

But our real destination is still Mhaireth, part of the municipality of Maaden. There, not only a diverse oasis natural landscape between dunes, lakes, and rocks is waiting for you, but also lunch at the pool. Nearby, by the way, there are also worthwhile rock paintings. After lunch, you continue to drive towards Azouega passing Toungad then Tifoujar and the white valley.

You will arrive at a good time to climb the dune and behold the majestic Sunset. In the meantime, the team will set up tents at the foot of the dune.

After breakfast, you drive towards Nouakchott. Stop for lunch on the way then continue to Nouakchott. Once arrive in Nouakchott you will be taken to the accommodation to have a shower and some rest. Later transfer to the airport.

End of Tour