INFAMOUS
MAURITANIA

Day 1 — Arrival in Nouakchott

Land in Mauritania's windswept capital — most flights arrive late. Airport pickup, transfer to the hotel, and a first briefing with your guide.

Overnight: Nouakchott Hotel

Day 2 — Nouakchott

A day in the capital: the camel market on the edge of town, the famous fish market, and the souvenir souks. Then we leave the city behind for our first night in the desert.

Overnight: Desert Camp

Day 3 — Into the Sahara → Azouegua

Deeper into the desert, with a lunch stop under an acacia tree, to Azouegua — the tallest dunes in Mauritania. Climb them for sunset, then dinner at camp. Tents, mattresses and camp all set up by the team.

Overnight: Desert Camp, Azouegua

Day 4 — Azouegua → Terjit → Chinguetti

Sunrise over the dunes, then past the Mheirith Oasis to Terjit: lunch and a swim in natural spring water inside a palm-shaded canyon. Over the Amogjar Pass with a stop at its prehistoric rock art, arriving in Chinguetti for sunset.

Overnight: Chinguetti Hotel

Day 5 — Chinguetti → The Iron Ore Train

Morning in Chinguetti's ancient manuscript libraries, the old Grand Mosque and the historic quarter. Supply stop at Atar market (water, snacks, face coverings), then the Agrour rock engravings, Ben Amera — the second-largest monolith on Earth — and the Choum Tunnel to Tmeimichat, where we wait for the train. It has no fixed schedule and usually rolls in late at night. The main event: ride on top of the wagons through the Sahara night, your guide with you the whole way.

Overnight: The Train (bring goggles)

Day 6 — Nouadhibou

Sunrise from the top of the train as it crosses the Sahara, then arrival in Nouadhibou where the driver is waiting. Shower, rest and lunch, then an afternoon at Cap Blanc and the ship graveyard at the port.

Overnight: Nouadhibou Hotel

Day 7 — Depart from Nouadhibou

Fly out of Nouadhibou. End of trip.

*This itinerary may be adjusted slightly. Usually to add experiences.

The Route