7-Day Itinerary

Mauritania 7-Day Tour: Iron Ore Train, Chinguetti & the Sahara

Our most popular itinerary. Seven days covering the Adrar plateau's ancient cities, the hidden Terjit Oasis, the Eye of the Sahara, and the legendary Iron Ore Train journey from Choum to the Atlantic coast.

Duration

7 days / 6 nights

Group size

1–8 people

Start / End

Atar / Nouadhibou

Season

October to March

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Day by Day

Full Itinerary

1

Day 1

Arrive Atar — Gateway to the Adrar

Fly into Atar from Nouakchott (domestic connection) or arrive by road from the capital. Your guide meets you on arrival for a full pre-departure briefing covering the route, safety protocols, and packing. Afternoon walk through Atar town. First night in a local guesthouse.

Atar guesthouse
2

Day 2

Atar to Terjit Oasis

Leave Atar in the 4×4 and descend into the Terjit canyon — a narrow gorge where a thermal spring feeds a hidden palm oasis in the heart of the Adrar plateau. Swim in the natural pools, walk the canyon floor, and camp beneath the palms. One of the most atmospheric overnight stops in Mauritania.

Terjit camp or guesthouse
3

Day 3

Terjit to Chinguetti

Drive 80 km east through open desert to Chinguetti, the seventh holiest city of Islam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive in time for a guided walk through the old quarter (ksar), visit the 13th-century mosque and minaret, and tour one of the surviving manuscript libraries where 700-year-old Islamic texts are stored in family collections.

Chinguetti guesthouse
4

Day 4

Chinguetti — Full Day Exploration

A full day in Chinguetti. Morning walk along the advancing sand dunes encroaching on the old city. Visit a second manuscript library, meeting the family custodians who maintain these collections. Afternoon camel ride to a dune viewpoint at sunset. Evening conversation with local guides about life in the Adrar.

Chinguetti guesthouse
5

Day 5

Chinguetti to Ouadane via the Richat Structure

Drive north to Ouadane (55 km), passing near the Richat Structure (Eye of the Sahara) — the ancient eroded dome visible from orbit that has become one of Mauritania's most recognisable landmarks. Explore Ouadane's fortified old city, another UNESCO-listed ksar, quieter and more remote than Chinguetti.

Ouadane guesthouse
6

Day 6

Ouadane to Choum — Iron Ore Train

Long overland drive northwest to Choum (approximately 300 km, full day). Choum is the boarding point for the Iron Ore Train heading west toward Nouadhibou. Late afternoon arrival, brief stop, then board the Iron Ore Train in the evening. Choice of open ore wagon (free, exposed, extraordinary) or passenger carriage (basic seats). The train departs as darkness falls.

Iron Ore Train
7

Day 7

Arrive Nouadhibou — End of Tour

The train arrives in Nouadhibou between mid-morning and early afternoon, depending on freight stops. Your guide meets you at the station. Transfer to Nouadhibou airport for onward travel, or take an optional half-day to explore the coastal city before departure. Tour ends in Nouadhibou.

Nouadhibou (departure day)

Pricing Transparency

What's Included

Included

  • 6 nights accommodation in local guesthouses and desert camps
  • All meals during the desert stages (Day 1 dinner through Day 7 breakfast)
  • Private 4×4 vehicle with experienced driver throughout
  • Dedicated local Mauritanian guide
  • Iron Ore Train boarding support and logistics
  • Chinguetti and Ouadane manuscript library guided visits
  • Pre-departure WhatsApp briefing and packing list
  • Emergency desert protocols and first aid kit

Not Included

  • International flights to Nouakchott and domestic flight Nouakchott–Atar
  • Mauritanian visa
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending and tips
  • Alcohol (not available in Mauritania)

Pricing is quoted per person based on group size. Contact us via WhatsApp or the booking form for a full quote based on your dates and group.

Customise Your Trip

Optional Extensions

The 7-day tour is our standard itinerary, but every trip is adjustable. Common extensions include:

  • Add a 2-day Ben Amera extension (one of the world's largest monoliths, in Tiris Zemmour)
  • Start in Nouakchott and add a Banc d'Arguin coastal stop (flamingos, UNESCO park) before flying to Atar
  • Extend to 10 days with a full Sahara camping circuit and a second Iron Ore Train stage
  • Begin in Dakhla (Western Sahara) and enter Mauritania overland — see our Dakhla–Mauritania tour
Build a private custom tour →Dakhla overland entry →

Book the 7-Day Tour

Fill in the booking form or message us on WhatsApp. We'll confirm availability, agree pricing, and send a full pre-departure briefing.

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