Our biggest and most complete expedition: a full loop through deep Mauritania combining giant dunes, mountain passes, oases and gueltas, all four UNESCO World Heritage caravan cities (Chinguetti, Ouadane, Tichitt, Oualata), the Eye of the Sahara, and even Saharan crocodiles! A journey for those who want to see all of Mauritania... not just a part of it. Route: Nouakchott – Azoueiga dune – Tifoujar Pass – White Valley – Terjit – Ouadane – Richat Structure – Tanouchert – Chinguetti – M'Haireth – Guelta of Timinit – Ksar el Barka – Guelta of Matmata – Tidjikja – Tichitt – Lemkhroukat – Lesba'a dunes – Oualata – Néma – Guelta of Metrouchet – Aioun – Kiffa – Aleg – Boutilimit – Nouakchott. Transport for the full circuit in a convoy of 4x4s with professional drivers and expert local guides who know the remotest desert tracks. Varied accommodation: hotels in Nouakchott, auberges and guest houses in the historic cities, and fully equipped desert camps, with an accompanying cook, all meals and water throughout the trip. Distances and driving times are indicative and may vary with track and weather conditions; camp locations are chosen according to field criteria (water, shade, shelter from the wind). Highlights: the fishing port and markets of Nouakchott · the Azoueiga dune, the Tifoujar Pass and the White Valley · the oases of Terjit, Tanouchert and M'Haireth · the Eye of the Sahara, visible from space · all four UNESCO cities: Chinguetti, Ouadane, Tichitt, Oualata · Saharan crocodiles at the Guelta of Matmata · the ruins of Ksar el Barka and the old caravan trail · the Guelta of Metrouchet and the dunes of Boutilimit. Mauritania is not a destination... it's an experience that changes the way you see the world.
Itinerary
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1
Arrival — Nouakchott–Oum Tounsi International Airport
Nouakchott →Welcome to Mauritania! Upon your arrival at Nouakchott–Oum Tounsi International Airport, our team will be waiting to greet you with a warm Mauritanian welcome and the traditional three glasses of tea.
Transfer to your hotel in the capital, time to rest after your flight, and a first briefing about the great adventure ahead.
Overnight: hotel in Nouakchott.
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2
Discovering Nouakchott
Nouakchott →A full day to explore the capital and its most iconic places: the famous fishing port (Port de Pêche), where hundreds of colorful pirogues land their catch in one of West Africa's most vibrant scenes; the bustling Marché Capitale with its fabrics, silverwork and crafts; the Saudi Mosque, landmark of the city center; the National Museum for a first insight into Moorish culture; and the Atlantic seafront.
In the evening, a welcome dinner with the crew.
Overnight: hotel in Nouakchott.
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3
Nouakchott to the Dune of Azoueiga
The Great Dune of Azoueïga →We set off from Nouakchott in the morning in our convoy of 4x4s, heading east into the desert. Our first target: the Great Dune of Azoueiga.
We arrive in the afternoon and climb the towering dune to watch the sunset from the summit over a sea of golden sand — the dune that gave our agency its name.
Overnight: desert camp at the Dune of Azoueiga.
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4
Tifoujar Pass, the White Valley, Terjit and Ouadane (UNESCO)
Ouadane →A spectacular day of driving through the best of the Adrar: we cross the majestic Tifoujar Pass with its panoramic views, descend into the White Valley (Oued El Abiod) and stop at the famous "Château" rock formation, sculpted by the wind into the shape of a fortress.
We pause at the enchanting Oasis of Terjit, where fresh springs flow between narrow canyon walls, then continue northeast to the historic city of Ouadane, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — with an evening tour of its majestic stone ruins cascading down the mountainside.
Overnight: auberge / guest house in Ouadane.
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5
The Eye of the Sahara, Tanouchert and Chinguetti (UNESCO)
Chinguetti →In the morning we visit the Eye of the Sahara (Richat Structure) — the giant circular formation about 40 km in diameter, visible from space. We then take the sandy track toward the peaceful Oasis of Tanouchert for authentic Mauritanian tea among the palms.
We continue to the venerable city of Chinguetti, traditionally counted as the seventh holy city of Islam: its ancient libraries, the Old Mosque with its famous stone minaret, and the old town resisting the sands. At sunset, we climb the high dune overlooking the city.
Overnight: auberge in Chinguetti.
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6
The Oasis of M'Haireth and the Guelta of Timinit
We head to the vast Oasis of M'Haireth — more than 7,000 palm trees and a large natural swimming pool surrounded by greenery — for a swim and lunch in the shade.
In the afternoon, we bid farewell to the Adrar and drive south along magnificent desert tracks to the Guelta of Timinit, its waters sheltered among the rocks, where we set up camp for a peaceful night under the stars.
Overnight: camp at the Guelta of Timinit.
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7
Boua'boun and Ksar el Barka — Into the Tagant
We continue south through the Boua'boun area toward the Tagant plateau. In the afternoon we visit the ruins of Ksar el Barka, the historic caravan city of the Tagant, and set up camp nearby as the stones glow in the evening light.
Overnight: desert camp near Ksar el Barka.
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8
The Guelta of Matmata (Saharan Crocodiles!) and Tidjikja
Tidjikdja →Our destination this morning is one of Mauritania's true wonders: the famous Guelta of Matmata — permanent rock pools that are home to Saharan crocodiles, the last surviving crocodiles of the great Sahara!
We then continue to Tidjikja, capital of the Tagant, surrounded by palm groves famous for their dates — a tour of the city and its market, and a chance to stock up before the great desert stage ahead.
Overnight: auberge in Tidjikja.
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9
Crossing the Desert Toward Tichitt
A day of pure adventure: we leave Tidjikja heading east on a sandy track far from any paved road, between dunes and plateaus in one of the purest and most isolated regions of the Sahara — where the only sounds are the wind and the engines of the convoy.
Overnight: camp in the heart of the desert, its location chosen by field criteria: water, shade and shelter from the wind.
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10
Tichitt — The Forgotten City (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Tichitt →We reach the legendary city of Tichitt, one of the oldest caravan cities and among the most beautiful, with its decorated colored-stone architecture.
A tour of the old town, its ancient mosque, and a meeting with its people, guardians of centuries of heritage.
Overnight: guest house in Tichitt.
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11
On the Old Caravan Trail — Lemkhroukat
We begin the great desert crossing between Tichitt and Oualata along the historic caravan trail, passing through the Lemkhroukat area. Tracks known only to the most skilled guides — a true feeling of being at the end of the world.
Overnight: camp in the desert.
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12
The Dunes of Lesba'a
The crossing continues through the golden dunes of Lesba'a — a day of pure Saharan immersion, far from everything, in landscapes that have not changed since the age of the great caravans.
Overnight: camp among the dunes.
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13
Oualata — Pearl of the Desert (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Oualata →We reach Oualata, the fourth World Heritage city of our journey and the most enchanting: its houses adorned with unique red-and-white painted motifs, its manuscripts, and its history as a great station for caravans of scholarship and trade.
A full tour of the city and its libraries.
Overnight: guest house in Oualata.
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14
Oualata to Néma, the Guelta of Metrouchet and Aioun
Aïoun El Atrouss →We leave Oualata and join the paved Road of Hope at Néma, then continue west to Aioun, stopping at the Guelta of Metrouchet with its famous rock formations sculpted by wind and time — one of the most photogenic spots in eastern Mauritania.
Overnight: hotel / auberge in Aioun.
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15
Aioun to Kiffa, Aleg and the Dunes of Boutilimit
Continuing along the Road of Hope through the city of Kiffa, famous for its glass beads, then Aleg, we reach the golden dunes of Boutilimit — home town of great scholars and gateway to the Trarza sands — for one last magical night camping in the desert.
Overnight: desert camp in the dunes of Boutilimit.
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16
Boutilimit to Nouakchott — Farewell and Night Transfer to the Airport
Nouakchott →A short final drive brings us back to Nouakchott. Time to freshen up, do some last souvenir shopping, and share a farewell dinner with the crew — the perfect moment to relive the highlights of an extraordinary journey.
The same night, transfer to Nouakchott–Oum Tounsi International Airport for your departure flight — carrying with you the sands, the stars and the stories of deep Mauritania.
Price includes
- Airport welcome and transfers (arrival and departure); transport for the full circuit in a convoy of 4x4s with professional drivers; expert local guides who know the remote desert tracks; all overnight stays (hotels, desert camps, auberges, guest houses); all meals, with an accompanying cook; and full camping equipment and water throughout the trip.
Not included
- International flights and visa (visa on arrival available at the airport); travel insurance (mandatory); personal expenses and souvenirs; personal equipment — sleeping bag and warm clothing for the desert nights, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat or cheche, headlamp and power bank; and tips for the team — guides, drivers and cook: not included, left to your discretion and always warmly appreciated.
