From Chinguetti to Tichitt and the Aouker Erg, the exceptional grand raid
During this beautiful journey, we will discover little-known places, off the beaten path. From north to south, we cross all types of landscapes, natural and human environments between the heart of the Sahara and the northern border of the Sahel. The idea of this trip is to go to the ancient caravan city of Tichitt by little-traveled tracks, then cross the Aouker erg to reach southern Mauritanie. This great car expedition will be punctuated by walks to immerse ourselves...
Duration
16 days
The spirit of travel
During this beautiful journey, we will discover little-known places, off the beaten path.
From north to south, we cross all types of landscapes, natural and human environments between the heart of the Sahara and the northern border of the Sahel.
The idea of this trip is to go to the ancient caravan city of Tichitt via little-traveled routes, then cross the Aouker erg to reach southern Mauritania.
This great car raid will be punctuated by walking excursions to immerse ourselves in the places we travel through.
As always in Mauritania, encounters and shared moments will enhance this colorful and flavorful journey.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
From Paris to the Mauritanian capital
Depending on your flight schedule to France, we will transfer you to the Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport.
Departure to the Adrar Plateau
After leaving the city and its suburbs, we take the beautiful paved road that heads northeast toward the mining town of Akjoujt.
The Trarza region and the Atlantic coast are now behind us, the vegetation changes and becomes increasingly Saharan.
The vast sandy plains of the Inchiri lead us to the somewhat surreal town of Akjoujt. A mining industry is present there and, since the Chalcolithic, man has been extracting copper, gold and other materials.
Gradually the landscape changes. You are now driving through the Amsaga region.
In the distance, to the east, the dark barrier of the Adrâr begins to take shape. You pass the great alluvial plain of Yagref and the village of Aïn Ahel Taya. The road crosses the first escarpment of the Adrâr.
After lunch, immediate departure to El Kheouiya camp.
The track to climb onto the plateau (dhar) is, to date, good but it can be degraded by rains that occur in late summer.
A small detour allows you to discover the grandiose landscapes of the Adrâr cliffs. The ruins of Fort Saganne, rock paintings, the sequence of plateaus on the horizon are so many attractions...
The last third takes place on the northern edge of the sandy area.
Late in the morning, we reach El Kheouiya.
It is the meeting place with our Moorish travel companions with whom we share these few days. They belong to this small semi-nomadic camp.
The semi-nomadic camp of El Kheouiya is settled there during major droughts. For the past few years, the camp has been organizing itself: development of goat and camelid herding (from 2 camels in 1993, there is now a herd of over 70 animals), creation of a school in 1994, birth of a small palm grove associated with gardens in 1999 and, now, some permanent structures.
"But we, we stay under the tent," Atfeil, the camp leader, assures us…
The ties we maintain with the different families of the camp are close and greatly friendly.
The Adrâr via the Cross-Country Routes, Chinguetti, Rachid
We head into remote regions between Adrâr and Tagant. On the western edge of Majabat al Koubra, we will discover isolated and little-known places. We reach the large town of Tidjikja.
The Dhar Tichitt between sand and rocks
The dhar Tichitt guides our progression.
The city of Tichitt is also part of the ancient cities of Mauritania.
Caravan activity is still present, among other things for the amersal harvested in the vast basin (baten) at the foot of the cliff. We will take some time to discover the surroundings of Tichitt.
Aouker Erg and Southern Mauritania
We backtrack a little to find the pass that allows us to reach the immense Aouker erg which develops at the foot of the Tichitt cliff. Taskass is a huge valley cutting through this powerful dune massif. This natural circulation route allows you to reach Tamchaket and Kiffa in southern Mauritania.
Crocodiles of the Tagant to the Adrâr Oases
Via the Road of Hope, we return to the western part of Tagant. N'beika, Matmata and Ksar el Barka are the essential stops before finding our way back to Adrâr. The western edge of the massif is very diverse, between rocks and sands, palm groves and ksour and sedentary and nomadic peoples. Our track will pass through the intimate palm grove of Aouinet Et Tiliski, N'terguent, El Meddah, Tifoujar.
Back in Nouakchott for the international flight to Paris
We take the beautiful paved road that brings us back to the capital of the Adrar.
We head westwards. We leave the last plateaus of the Adrâr to reach the Yagref basin.
The cones of black rocks, the dune cordons of the Amatlich mark the landscapes of the Amsaga.
Then, the vast plains of the Inchiri take us to the Atlantic coast and the capital of Mauritanie.
Following your flight schedule to France, we transfer you to the Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport.
Price per person
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International Flight from Paris - Nouakchott - Paris
- Entries and/or taxes not included in the program
- Visa fees upon entry to Mauritanian territory
- Personal expenses, drinks
- Tips at your discretion
- Cancellation insurance, first aid costs, repatriation
Included
- Reception and assistance at Nouakchott Airport
- Transfer and 4x4 vehicle rental (fuel included) adapted for this type of journey
- English-speaking local guide trained and experienced with our trips
- Drivers and cook with full support
- All camping equipment, cooking and supply materials (except sleeping bag)
- Full board throughout your trip to Mauritania
- Jeloua Guest House in Nouakchott on a double room basis, (subject to availability)
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Mauritania for a tourist stay. As entry rules may change, we recommend verifying this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Mauritania, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after the date of entry into the country and must have at least one blank page for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada must in principle have a visa to enter Mauritania. This visa can be obtained:
from the embassy or consulate of Mauritania in your country of residence before departure,
or, depending on current conditions, upon arrival at Nouakchott International Airport (visa on arrival), for a stay of up to 30 days.
It is strongly recommended to inquire with the Mauritanian authorities or the competent embassy before departure, as visa application procedures may change.
The authorities may request:
an exit ticket from the territory (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay,
a hotel reservation or an invitation letter.
Health and vaccinations
No vaccinations are officially mandatory to enter Mauritania, with the exception of the yellow fever vaccine if you are arriving from a country where this disease is endemic.
However, several vaccinations are strongly recommended by health authorities:
Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid
Meningococcal meningitis
Rabies (depending on planned activities)
Update of your routine vaccination schedule (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis)
Antimalarial prophylaxis is recommended for the entire Mauritanian territory. Consult a doctor or an international vaccination center before your departure.
Security and registration
Mauritanian authorities may require the registration of foreign travelers with local police or gendarmerie services within 48 hours of arrival, particularly outside the capital. It is advisable to inquire about the obligations in place at the time of travel.
Due to the security situation in certain regions of the country, it is recommended to consult travel advice issued by the authorities of your country of residence before departure.
Traveling with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an exit authorization from the territory may be required according to the regulations of their country of residence.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire with the embassy or consulate of Mauritania in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly advised to be insured for evacuation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partners CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The comprehensive insurance solution designed for a worry-free journey!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to one of them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of this, but only the participant is responsible for complying with claims reporting procedures. The participant should therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A tourist visa is required and is issued upon arrival at Nouakchott Airport or at the consulate. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. The security situation requires heightened vigilance. Before booking your trip, please check with the consulate or embassy of your destination for entry requirements applicable to your nationality.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between 180 and 300 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, 4x4 with driver and English-speaking guide. International flights (500-800 euros return) are additional. The desert, the Sahara train and the beaches offer unique experiences.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to travellers' profiles. For families, we prioritise relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until you reach the perfect version. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) coverage, which protects 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your next trip to Mauritania
Craftsperson of journeys in the heart of Mauritania, based in Atar
Mauritania is a country that reveals itself with respect and patience. My role is to help each traveler approach it in the best conditions, with confidence and curiosity.
— Isselmou
