Splendours and mysteries of northern Mauritania
In the heart of millennial ksour and golden ergs of the Mauritanian Adrâr
Duration
15 days
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Style
Expeditions
Comfort
rustique
Travelers
Solo, With friends, Couple
The spirit of travel
The golden dunes of the Amatlich erg rise toward a pure azure sky, while the palm groves of Chinguetti whisper the secrets of caravans past. Between the black cliffs of the Adrâr and the sandy expanses where the desert train winds, this circuit reveals a secret Mauritania, far from classic tourist routes.
From Chinguetti, the seventh holy city of Islam, to the giant monoliths of Ben Amira, the itinerary crosses the vestiges of the great caravan routes. The manuscript libraries of Wadâne border the concentric craters of Guelb er Richât, this mysterious "Atlantis of the Sahara" revealed by Théodore Monod. The iron mine of Zouérat offers a striking contrast with the verdant oases of Tanouchert and the permanent gueltas of Toungad.
The Ida Ouali, Kounta and Oulad Sassi tribes perpetuate here a way of life shaped by centuries of nomadism and trans-Saharan trade. This expedition into the Mauritanian Adrâr reveals the deep soul of a territory where traces of rock art still testify to the presence of elephants and giraffes more than 10,000 years ago.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
The Mauritanian Adrâr, the ancient caravan city of Chinguetti
Paris Aéroport → Atar
Departure from Paris by chartered flight.
As an indication, takeoff is scheduled for early morning with arrival in Atar at midday.
After formalities and baggage collection, you will meet our teams who are waiting for you in the airport terminal.
Transfer by 4x4 vehicles to reach the ancient city of Chinguetti (approximately 2 hours of travel).
The track to climb onto the plateau (dhar) is currently in good condition, but it can be damaged by rains that occur at the end of summer.
If we have time, visit to the old town: library(ies), palm groves and gardens. If not, this visit is postponed to the next morning.
Visits to Chinguetti
The ancient city of Chinguetti
Chinguetti was founded by the Ida Ouali around 1525, upstream from Abweyr, which has since disappeared and was itself created in 1261.
The probable etymology of the toponym shingitî would be:
horse well, from Soninké: si: well + n: of + gede: horse.
Chinguetti was the most active commercial center and the most important city in the western Sahara. It was considered by Mauritanians as the 7th holy city of Islam with its 11 mosques, its 100 wells and its circle of scholars.
In 1675, a massacre perpetrated by part of the Ida-ou-Ali led to the splitting of the group, whose survivors founded another ksar in Tagant, Tidjikja.
Today only a single mosque remains and the memory of prosperous periods…
The main tribes that make up its population are the Ida-ou-Ali, the Laghlal and the Oulad Gheilan.
With their narrow and winding streets, their numerous dead ends, their low and dark houses made of local materials, their near absence of squares and communal spaces, Chinguetti and Wadâne have the structure of old ksour densely huddled around their mosques.
The vast nomadic landscapes of the Adrâr and the ksar of Wadane
Chinguetti → El Kheouiya
An early morning wake-up allows us to visit this Saharan ksar, private libraries, gardens...
We continue our transfer by vehicle in an increasingly sandy environment. The "track" passes north of the dune massifs ofWâraneandAfam el Merzrougât.
45 km from Chinguetti, the semi-nomadic camp of El Rhéouiyya welcomes us.
El Kheouiya → Tanouchert
We leave the El Kheouiya semi-nomadic camp to venture into the sands towards the Herrour rocky ridge.
We cross this small mountain to reach the Tanouchert oasis.
The Tanouchert palm grove extends along the edge of the Warane erg. Large sand dunes dominate it. We reach it after a lovely ride.
During the afternoon, we discover what makes the wealth of our hosts. The cultivation of dates, as well as the strategic position of this water point are equally fascinating things.
As evening falls, we stay to sleep in traditional huts.
Tanouchert → Wadane
The track passes north of the small Herour massif. Between sand and rocks, we head towards the ksar of Wadâne, the last settlement before the great solitudes of the Mauritanian borders.
The ksar of Wadâne, (Ouadâne) which was founded, it is said, the same year as Tichîtt (1141), would derive its name from the Arabic word meaning "two river beds" (wadân). The clarifications that these two wadis would be the wadi of dates and the wadi of sciences are greatly to the credit of the city.
The ancient city is mentioned in writing in the middle of the 15th century in a Portuguese travel report, but it remains difficult to get a precise idea of the beginnings of the city despite its position on the western axis of trans-Saharan caravan trade.
Wadâne is a dense urban center, of the ksar type, formerly surrounded by a very secure fortified wall that resisted all foreign forces until the arrival of the French.
The dominant tribes are the Kounta, the Ida ou El Hadj, the Chorfa, the Amgârîj and the Aghzazir.
Heading north, the Adrâr cliff, El Beyyed
We drive towards the Meyateg palm grove which was once prosperous. The tribes originating from Wadane preserve date palm trees.
Arriving in the geomorphological system of Richat, we reach the ruins of the old Portuguese fort of Agueidir.
We arrive in the strange region of Guelb Er Richat.
The flattened dome of Guelb Er Richât, which appears during the secondary period, is located at the borders of the dark mountains of the Adrâr mauritanien, to the west, and the vast expanses of rocks, rocky slabs and dunes of the Taoudenni basin, to the east.
The strange system of concentric ridges of the Richât is so imposing that it now appears on all maps, even at small scales.
Richât is the plural of richa (feather), a term that well describes the appearance of its ridges, whose leeward sides are streaked with tongues of sand and which dominate the deep plains where goats and camels graze… when, by chance, it has rained.
Because of its very size, it was only revealed quite late, by professor Théodore Monod in 1934.
Indeed no one, whether coming from the rough plateaus of the north or from the dunes of Majabat Al Koubra (Monod, 1958), to the south and southeast, could imagine that these low ridges are organized into such a perfect concentric system, vaguely elliptical of 22 km and 25 km in diameter, emerging from a window of 45 km, the Taguenzé, opened in the sandstone plateau.
Guelb Er Rîchat (Camp Boisé) → El Beyyed
We cross the entire Guelb Er Richat to reach its northern edge. The stone desert of the Akerdil wadi is difficult for our vehicles as the track is for climbing onto the plateau's edge. The rocky enclosure around Guelb Er Rïchat is called the Taguenze.
We now drive on the plateau before reaching the northern edge of the Adrâr. A quick descent takes us into the El beyyed cirque.
The El Beyyed corridor presents, over nearly 20km towards El Ghallaouiyya, a considerable quantity of lithic material. The region offers some of the main sites of bifaces and worked pebbles in western Sahara. The multiple rock art sites represent here samples of so-called "Ethiopian" fauna such as giraffes, elephants, rhinoceroses… This fauna would have disappeared from the area approximately 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. El Beyyed is located at the foot of the great dhar of the Adrâr and, to the north, develops a vast and powerful erg: the Maghteïr.
Erg Makhteir and Aderg Incelberg
El Beyyed → Aderg
In the distance, the Aderg massif stands like the bow of a boat.. The Aderg inselberg reaches 650 m. in height and dominates the erg. Mauritanian nomads know this place well, where on the summit platform grows a plant rich in mineral salts, the Askâf (Nucularia perrini), which animals and humans alike need to survive.
TheErg Makhteir is one of these powerful dune massifs running from western Algeria, west of the Saoura to the shores of the Atlantic.
Born under the general name ofErg Chech, it ends its course in the ocean under the name of Azefal.
A cape of the Adrar plateau stands like a ship's bow, the tarfTazazmout.
Along the cliff of the Adrâr, to reach the mining town of Zouérat
Aderg → Dâr ech Cheikh Mohamed Fadel
In two days, we will cross mountains from the Adrâr to the Tirris region, the mining town of Zouérat.
Due west, between the high cliffs of the Adrâr and the edge of the Makhteir erg, we are now driving towards the great sebkha of Chemchan.
Straight and white for over 50 km, the atmosphere is extraordinary. We race across this solidified lake to reach an old madrassa of a Sheikh. This venerated man was very influential in the north of the country.
Dâr ech Cheikh Mohamed Fadel → In Tourine
We are now heading due north to reach the first tangled dunes that border the erg Makhteir. Deep desert navigation is necessary to cross this sandy region. Then, between the dunes, the ground is bare and allows for much easier circulation.
We emerge north of the erg Makhteir which marks the end of the Adrâr. We are now entering the vast Tiris Zemour region.
In Tourine → Zouérat
By a short drive with our 4x4 vehicles, we reach the city of Zouérat.
The mining city of Zouérat and the world's largest train
Early in the day, we head toward one of the world's largest iron mines. It is an unreal visit in a desert environment.
The first mineral train departs at 2 PM. We board the only daily passenger car. The journey lasts 4 hours until reaching the town of Choum, the first stop.
Taking a seat in the mineral train is an adventure in itself, we travel like Mauritanians, with them. Exchanges quickly become friendly and very interesting.
These extraordinary trains, which can reach lengths of 2.5 km, consist of 3 or 4 diesel-electric locomotives of 200 to 210 hopper cars for iron ore, with a payload of 84 tons, and a variable number of service cars.
Generally, the first daily train has passenger cars attached. These daily services are managed by a SNIM subsidiary.
The railway line between Zouérate and Nouadhibou allows iron ore extracted from the Kediet ej-Jill to be transported to the port of the country's economic capital, from where it will be loaded onto ore carriers bound for industrialized countries. This desert train was considered the longest (220 wagons for a length of 2 km), the heaviest (22,000 tonnes, 100 tonnes per wagon), and the slowest in the world (15 to 18 hours to cover the 650 km between Zouérate and Nouadhibou). Only this last point remains valid, as in recent years, an Australian train has become the longest and heaviest in the world.
The Ben Amira and Aïcha Monoliths
Choum → Ben Amira
We cross the large town of Choum to take the track due west. We skirt the border of Western Sahara, former Spanish Sahara claimed by the Sahrawi peoples.
The granite monoliths of Ben Amira and Aïcha raise their characteristic domes above the sandy plain.
The Ben Amira monolith is one of the most breathtaking places in Mauritania. The enormous mass of granite rock rises to over 600m.
With the sand dunes surrounding it, it provides an excellent Saharan landscape. Ben Amira is the largest monolith in Africa and the third largest in the world, after Uluru and Mount Augustus located in Australia.
The Erg Amatlich, dunes as far as the eye can see
Ben Amira → Erg Amatlich
After leaving behind the monumental granite domes, we plunge straight ahead into the vast arid plains of the Amsaga region.
These expanses are dotted with black rocky pyramids. We drive with ease to reach the great alluvial basin of Yagref.
The shimmering cliffs of the Adrâr outline themselves on the horizon. We cross the main road axis that connects Atar to Nouakchott, the Mauritanian capital.
By a chaotic track, we skirt the western point of the Adrâr to reach the magnificent dunes of the Amatlich.
The western part of the Adrâr in Mauritanie offers great landscape diversity.
The plateau is crisscrossed by a dense network of faults of tectonic origin through which wadis flow. Here blond ergs come to rest against the upright blades of black sandstone. Erosion has shaped the landscapes over millennia.
At the bottom of the valley, the softness of the palm groves stands out from the steep and austere mountain massifs. In secret crevices are set gueltas with clear waters.
Sedentary cultivators, established in the palm groves, continue their traditional life in this Sahara that can be generous. On the surrounding plateaus, nomads in search of pasture for their herds mark their time with long seasonal movements in search of life-giving rains. Their white or brown tents are there, sheltered from view, in the terrain's undulations.
Here in Adrâr, the complementarity between these two necessities of life takes on its full force. We cross the territory of the Oulad Sassi tribe of the Ideichily confederation.
We skirt the edge of the erg and the pure lines of the dunes guide our steps.
To the north unfolds, in alternating colors, the vibrant green fringe of palm groves then a mosaic of greens composed of different tree species such as Acacia raddiana (Talha), Balanites aegyptiaca (Teichot), Boscia senegalensis (Eizine).
Then comes the dark border of the Ibi el Akhdar massif at the foot of which nestle a few villages.
Between cliffs and sands, the Adrâr of palm groves and dates
Erg Amatlich → Passe Tifoujar
We skirt the base of the erg Amatlich to venture into the Adrâr plateau. A track allows us to access the edge of a cliff that overlooks the oued El Abiod, a great tectonic fracture with blonde sands and multiple palm groves.
Through the superb Tifoujar pass we reach the bottom of the valley. The landscape is grandiose and the drive is spectacular.
Passe Tifoujar → Wad el Abiod (Vallée Blanche)
Possible hike on the Tifoujar cliff (approximately 1 hour, easy):
Leave the vehicles at the top of the sandy corridor that descends towards Wadi El Abiod. On foot, follow the edge of the plateau along its southern lip for 2.5 km. First on sand, you walk in the last section on heavily fractured sandstone.
From small promontories, you now overlook the great tectonic fault of Wadi El Abiod. Return to the vehicles.
It is also possible to descend on foot through the Tifoujar pass. The vehicles will meet you at the bottom, at the exit of the sand corridor.
Wad el Abiod (Vallée Blanche) → Toungad
We are heading towards the guelta of Toungad where it is not uncommon to encounter some migratory birds (white stork, grey heron, various raptors, Saharan or passing through) attracted by the very beautiful body of water.
The Toungad gorge takes us to one of the most important palm groves in the region.
Possible hiking in the palm grove and the permanent guelta of Toungad - 1 to 2 hours of easy walking:
After leaving the cars at the entrance to the palm grove, you take the trails that wind under the date palms, being careful of the very dangerous thorns on the leaves and especially on the palm stems.
Heading east, you gradually emerge from the palms to reach the very beautiful circular guelta of Toungad. The water here is permanent. You can either return via the plateau to the south towards the village or to the north towards Chatô El Kbir.
On the way to Timinit
Toungad → Timinit
The black ribbon now climbs the N'Tourvine pass to reach the rocky plateau. Aoujeft, a large town, then we reach the break in the Timinit wadi where the green of date palm trees blends with the blonde sands and the dark rocks weathered by the scorching sun.
The canyon of El Berbera, the oasis of Mhaïreth and Tergit
Timinit → El Berbera
We resume our vehicles to complete this transfer to Timinit, dominated by a majestic dune, Zirat mint Laboudi.
We arrive early in the day at the small palm grove of El Berbera.
Possible hiking in the El Berbera canyon:
A 1.5-hour walk allows you to discover this secret canyon.
Nestled in a fracture of the plateau, this unique humid environment (small waterfall and permanent pool) features exceptional biodiversity: reed beds, resident or migratory birds, amphibians, mollusks, dragonflies and butterflies.
El Berbera → Mhaireth
Our 4x4 vehicles wind their way across the rocky plateau. Progress is slow. Our goal? To reach the largest palm grove of the Adrâr nestled in its gorge, Mhaireth.
We spend the midday break in the palm grove, in the shade and cool.
Mhaireth → Tergit
The track climbs the plateau and then, after a few kilometers, we reach the paved road. This road axis connects the Adrâr region to the Tagant region and its capital Tidjikja.
A nice descent allows us to access the Tergit oasis.
The site of Azûgi, located eight kilometers northwest of Atar, serves as a link between the companion of Abu Bakr the Almoravid, the qadi of Azugi who died in 489/1095-63 and the figure venerated today in this locality, Imam Al Hadrami.
It was indeed at this place that the faqih (jurist versed in Islamic jurisprudence) of Kairouan origin is said to have passed away, and it is also here that his tomb was miraculously "discovered" nearly six centuries later by al-Imam al-majdhûb.
Back to Paris
The city of Atar founded in the 17th century in the borderland plain (bâten) that stretches north of the great escarpment, is preserved from sand by its geographical location.
It is the most important city in the Saharan region. It was formerly an emirate city a garrison town for the Americans then the French and finally a regional capital.
Atar → Paris Aéroport
As an indication, the chartered flight departing from Atar is scheduled for early morning with an arrival in Paris in early afternoon.
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 Paris - Atar - Paris
- Entrance fees and/or taxes not included in the program,
- E-visa fees upon entry to Mauritanian territory,
- Tips are at your discretion,
- Annual cancellation, repatriation and first aid insurance.
Included
- Welcome and assistance at Atar international airport
- Transfer and 4x4 vehicle rental (fuel included) adapted for this type of trip, (one window per traveler: 3 people + 1 driver per vehicle),
- Drivers, cook and assistant cook with full support,
- English-speaking local guide experienced and trained in our trips,
- All camping equipment, cooking and supply materials (except sleeping bag),
- Full board throughout the trip in Mauritania,
- Entry to houses with manuscripts in Chinguetti, Wadane,
- Participation in the small museum of El Beyyed,
- Comfortable guesthouse in Chinguetti (amenities in rooms)
- Guest house in Wadane
- Simple guesthouse in Azougui
- Tazadit Hotel in Zouérate,
- Iron mine visit,
- Mineral train ticket
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.
Les informations ci-dessous concernent les voyageurs ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen (EEE), de la Suisse et du Canada se rendant en Mauritanie dans le cadre d'un séjour touristique. Les règles d'entrée pouvant évoluer, nous vous recommandons de vérifier les informations auprès des autorités officielles avant votre départ.
Passeport
Pour entrer en Mauritanie, votre passeport doit être valide au minimum six mois après la date d'entrée dans le pays et comporter au moins une page vierge pour les tampons d'immigration.
Le document doit être en bon état (pas de pages détériorées, déchirées ou modifiées).
Visa
Les ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen, de la Suisse et du Canada doivent en principe être munis d'un visa pour entrer en Mauritanie. Ce visa peut être obtenu :
auprès de l'ambassade ou du consulat de Mauritanie dans le pays de résidence avant le départ,
ou, selon les conditions en vigueur, à l'arrivée à l'aéroport international de Nouakchott (visa on arrival), pour un séjour pouvant aller jusqu'à 30 jours.
Il est fortement recommandé de se renseigner auprès des autorités mauritaniennes ou de l'ambassade compétente avant le départ, les modalités d'obtention du visa pouvant évoluer.
Les autorités peuvent demander :
un billet de sortie du territoire (vol retour ou continuation),
une preuve de ressources financières suffisantes pour la durée du séjour,
une réservation d'hébergement ou une lettre d'invitation.
Santé et vaccinations
Aucune vaccination n'est officiellement obligatoire pour entrer en Mauritanie, à l'exception du vaccin contre la fièvre jaune si vous arrivez en provenance d'un pays où cette maladie est endémique.
Cependant, plusieurs vaccinations sont fortement recommandées par les autorités sanitaires :
Hépatites A et B
Typhoïde
Méningite à méningocoque
Rage (selon les activités prévues)
Mise à jour du calendrier vaccinal habituel (diphtérie, tétanos, poliomyélite)
La prophylaxie antipaludéenne est recommandée pour l'ensemble du territoire mauritanien. Consultez un médecin ou un centre de vaccinations internationales avant votre départ.
Sécurité et enregistrement
Les autorités mauritaniennes peuvent exiger l'enregistrement des voyageurs étrangers auprès des services de police ou de la gendarmerie locale dans les 48 heures suivant l'arrivée, notamment en dehors de la capitale. Il est conseillé de se renseigner sur les obligations en vigueur au moment du voyage.
En raison du contexte sécuritaire dans certaines régions du pays, il est recommandé de consulter les conseils aux voyageurs délivrés par les autorités de votre pays de résidence avant le départ.
Voyage avec des enfants
Les mineurs doivent être titulaires de leur propre passeport valide couvrant la durée du séjour.
Dans certains pays européens, lorsqu'un mineur voyage sans l'un de ses parents, une autorisation de sortie du territoire peut être exigée selon la réglementation du pays de résidence.
Autres nationalités
Les conditions d'entrée peuvent varier selon la nationalité. Les voyageurs concernés doivent se renseigner auprès de l'ambassade ou du consulat de Mauritanie de leur pays de résidence.
Pour participer à nos voyages, il est fortement conseillé d'être assuré en assistance-rapatriement et frais médicaux à l’étranger.
Votre agence locale vous encourage à prendre connaissance du contrat spécifique élaboré avec notre partenaire CHAPKA ASSURANCES et AXA ASSISTANCE.
Pour souscrire à une assurance, connaître les garanties et les tarifs, suivez le lien ci-dessous.
CAP EXPLORER : La solution d’assurance complète conçue pour vivre sereinement votre voyage !
Choisissez la formule qui vous correspond le mieux:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Spécifiques à nos voyages, nous suggérons fortement d’y souscrire.
Si vous choisissez de souscrire à l’une de ces formules, la convention détaillant l’ensemble des garanties et les modalités de déclaration du sinistre sont disponibles sur le site Internet de l'assureur.
Votre agence locale en aura connaissance, mais seul le participant est responsable du respect des procédures de déclaration de tout sinistre. Le participant doit donc conserver cette convention avec lui pendant toute la durée de son voyage.
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 adventure — Adrar
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
