Mauritania Round 9 for Easter – Against the Compass Expeditions

Mauritania is becoming our best-seller, so we decided to schedule it for Easter 2025.

From riding a mining train across the Sahara desert to visiting dreamy oases, Mauritania is an offbeat, adventurous destination, and one of the rawest, most untouched countries I have ever been to.

In this EXPEDITION, we will ride and spend the night on top of a train full of mineral ore. We will drive through the desert, get in touch with the local Bedouin culture and visit Medieval Saharan cities, once important trading centers for the Trans-Saharan routes.

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April 13th to 20th, 2025

1690€

8 days

Lead by Leti Lagarda

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Itinerary

Note that we always keep the itinerary flexible, and it may be subject to change, depending on the political situation.

Day 1 – Arrival in Nouakchott

Day 2 – Azouega

Day 3 – Chinguetti

Day 4 – Ouadane & Atar

Day 5 – Zouerat and the Iron Ore train

Day 6 – Nouadibou

Day 7 – Nouakchott

Day 8 – Departure

Day 1 – Arrival in Nouakchott

Day 1 is the arrival day in Nouakchott, a day which we will spend picking you up from the airport, welcoming you, and checking into the hotel.
To be honest, there aren’t many daily flights into Nouakchott, so many of you will certainly come to Mauritania on the same day.
In the evening, we will have a welcoming dinner to get to know each other while we discuss the upcoming adventure.
Overnight in 5-star hotel.

Day 2 – Azouega, the tallest dune in Mauritania

On the second day, we will go across the Mauritanian desert towards Azouega, the tallest dune in Mauritania.
It’s quite a long drive but on the way, we will stop in Akjoujt for a picnic lunch under a tree.
We are planning to get into Azouega around 5pm, when we will set up our camp right next to the tallest sand dune in Mauritania, and one of the highest in Africa.
Overnight in a tented camp.

Day 3 – Chinguetti via Terjit and Mheirith

Early morning, we will head to Chinguetti but not without first stopping in Terjit.
Terjit is a desert spring, more popularly known as an oasis. For centuries, many of the endless caravans traveling along the trans-Saharan route used Terjit as a place for shelter, a spot to break their journey and enjoy the cool breeze under the shade of the spreading palm trees.
We will take our time in Terjit, having lunch and walking over the edge of the valley.
Then, we will head for Chinguetti but on the way, we will stop in Mhaireth, located on the other side of the valley and with a sea of palm trees even bigger than Terjit’s.
In the evening, we will reach Chinguetti.
Overnight in Chinguetti.

Day 4 – Old Chinguetti, Ouadane and Atar

Chinguetti is a medieval trading center dating from the 13th century and one of the main centers for the trans-Saharan trading route.
It used to be a meeting point for Maghrebi pilgrims who were on their way to Mecca, so it became one of the holiest cities in West Africa, hence a renowned center for Islamic and scientific scholarship, the reason why Chinguetti is today home to several libraries containing ancient books and manuscripts.
We will visit all of that.
Then, we will head to Ouadane but instead of taking the normal road, we will drive through the desert over sand dunes, an epic trip only disturbed by occasional Bedouin settlements.
Ouadane is home to an old city today a UNESCO World Heritage site which, once upon a time prospered from the trans-Saharan gold trade. Overlooking the Sahara plains, the ruined old city is an absolutely impressive sight.
We will have lunch in Ouadane, visit the old city and then, we will go to Atar.
Overnight in Atar.

Day 5 – The Iron Ore train

Early morning, drive to Zouérat.
Every day of the year, a train 2.5 kilometers in length, travels more than 700km across the empty Sahara to Nouadibou, transporting hundreds of tonnes of iron ore which will be subsequently shipped to different parts of the world.
We will get on top of one of the 200 wagons, sit on the iron ore and travel along the 14-hour journey. This will be the most epic day of the trip and perhaps, one of your most epic adventures ever.
For me, it was indeed :).
The train can depart at any time between 12pm and 8pm but before that, we will have the chance to visit the actual mines, to see how they fill the wagons with the ore, an experience for which you need a special permit and very few travelers have been able to witness.
The journey to Nouadibou takes around 18 hours. Water and snacks will be provided.
Overnight on the train.

Day 6 – Arrival in Nouadibou

Nouadibou is the second city in Mauritania.
The arrival time is uncertain, but upon arrival, we will go straight to a hotel where we can have a much-needed shower.
Then, we will have lunch and visit the city.
Overnight in Nouadibou.

Day 7 – Nouakchott

Nouakchott is the capital of Mauritania, and a pretty weird capital, since this might be the only world capital where you may bump into small sand dunes in the middle of the city.
We will visit the camel market, home to the largest concentration of camels I have ever seen, and then, Port du Pêche, one of the liveliest fishing harbours in West Africa.
Dinner and overnight in Nouakchott.

Day 8 – Back home and transfer

After enjoying breakfast altogether, we will take care of your transfer to Nouakchott International Airport.

Gallery of photos

What’s Included

Airport transfers

7 nights of accommodation (twin shared)

Private 4×4 transportation and driver around Mauritania

All meals. We will be traveling with our private cook! On day 1, only dinner is included

English-speaking, knowledgeable Mauritanian guide

International tour leader

Local taxes and fees for all touristic sites

Not Included

International flights

Visa (€55)

Single supplement. Having your own private room costs €290

Travel insurance (from €38)

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April 13th to 20th, 2025

1690€

8 days

Lead by Leti Lagarda

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FAQ

Which hotels do we stay?

For security reasons, the name of the hotels we stay will only be shared upon booking your spot.

How does the room distribution work?

The price of the tour includes accommodation in a twin room.

If you are a solo traveler, you will share the room with another like-minded traveler from the group. Please note: we always try to group people of same gender and age but this can’t be always the case.

If you want a single room, you will have to pay an additional €290.

How to get a visa?

Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival, which typically costs €55 or $60.

Where does the trip start from?

The tour starts in Nouakchott, which has an international airport.

The most common connections to Nouakchott are via Paris (Air France), Morocco (Royal Air Maroc), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Tunis (Tunis Air) and even Las Palmas de Gran Canaria – Spain (Vueling).

How many people will attend this tour?

We limit our tours to a maximum of 12-13 people.

How does payment work?

To secure your spot on the tour, we require a deposit. We accept payments in both Euros and US dollars. All details will be shared upon booking your spot.

DISCLAIMER: Is it safe?

Information about the risks and dangers of the trip:

The traveler is expressly informed that the activities included in the travel itinerary are adventurous and/or take place in conflict zones, which entail dangers and imply the risk of physical, and psychological injuries, and/or death for the traveler.

Due to the characteristics of the destination and/or activities, the specific risks and dangers of the trip are, by way of example but not limited to, those listed below:

War; terrorism; political instability; arbitrary detentions, gunfire in the activity area; and/or violent crime.

Regarding the potential dangers of the destination, travelers are advised to consult the travel recommendations for the destination country provided by their country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For example, in the case of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), these recommendations can be accessed on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mauritania

FCDO advises against all travel to areas east of a line drawn between but excluding the towns of Kankossa, Akhreijit, Ghallaouia, Zouerat, Fderîck and onwards west to the border with Western Sahara.

FCDO advises against all travel to areas within 25km of the Malian border in the south, including Khabou.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 25km of the Western Sahara border, excluding the section of the Nouakchott-Nouadhibou road and the city of Nouadhibou.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the province of Tiris Zemmour, Assaba, Hodh el Gharbi, Gorgol and Guidimaka, and areas of Adrar and Tagant provinces, west of a line drawn between the towns of Ghallaouia, Akhreijit and Kankossa. This excludes: the areas west of a line running between Choum, Ouadane and where the 10th Meridian West meets latitude 18° 40° and the town of Ouadane, and the Tidjikja-Tichit road

Moreover, remember that Zouérat is within the areas where the FCDO advises against all travel and that the Iron Ore Train is an illicit and dangerous activity.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, if you want to join any of our expeditions, you must purchase travel insurance, this is non-negotiable, and it must be with IATI.

Why do we have to book it with IATI?

Against the Compass has been a partner with IATI for a very long time. We know their CEO, the marketing team and we do a lot of collaborations together so in the unlikely case something happened, we’d know what to do.

Moreover, IATI Insurance covers all the countries where the FCDO advises against all travel.

You may also benefit from a 5% discount if purchasing it from the below link.

Get a quote here to claim your discount

What’s the cancellation policy?

Please check our General Conditions.

However, specific conditions might apply depending on the destination. Example: when the trip includes airfare.

Full details will be shared upon booking your spot.