Come and experience the most EPIC TRAVEL ADVENTURE on the planet, hitching a ride on the Iron Ore train through the Sahara (Now officially in the cabin rather than atop the iron ore as per the law). In one of the world's least visited countries, Mauritania.*
Mauritania, in West Africa, is what real travel is about. Feel the culture of the nomadic tribes, road trip deep into the desert, camping under the stars, but remember to watch out for wild camels as you cross the road though.
Starting in Nouakchott, we'll get to know our new group before we venture into the desert. Here we'll visit one of the ancient cities of Islam, Chinguetti. We'll also be off-roading through the sand dunes and staying in local villages. It doesn't get more real than this.
And then of course, there's the iron ore train (Now officially in the cabin rather than atop the iron ore as per the law). We'll hop on the iron ore train, and ride it through the night to the Atlantic coast. See you there!
NOTE:
I'm also organising a 160km ULTRA MARATHON in Mauritania at the same time as this tour (both trips run concurrently). You'll have a western guide and a local guide for the first few days of this trip, then on Day 4 - Dec 9th - you'll arrive in Chinguetti and watch us finish the ultra marathon, and then both trips will be on the same schedule for riding the iron ore train together!).
The iron ore train has now been deemed illegal by the company. Now officially in the cabin rather than atop the iron ore as per the law.
(Not including the first night)
You'll have a guide throughout of course, and on Day 4, you'll finally join with me (Johnny) too.
FOR LIFE!
If you wish to arrive a day or 2 early, or stay a day or 2 later.
December 6th. Arrive in Nouakchott anytime, your guide will hold a briefing this evening.
It’s our first full day in Mauritania’s capital. Culture shock. This is what travel is all about. We’ll check out the city, a museum, the administrative center.
Lunch on the beach and a visit to the local fish market. One last dinner & sleep in civilization before we head off to the desert.
We hit the road today. 450km, so 5 or 6 hours inwards into the Sahara. We’ll reach one of Mauritania’s absolute gems, the Terjit Oasis. Palm groves, cooling water.
Like something from a cartoon as a kid. Here we’ll bed down in our tented accommodation, have dinner under the stars and soak up just where we are in the world.
An action-packed day. We start with hitting up the White Valley, via the epic Tifoujar mountain pass.. Before heading deeper into the Mhairett Oasis later in the afternoon.
Soon we’ll reach the Ancient Dynasty of Azougui where we can visit the ruins and chill in the Palm Groves. We'll then head to Chinguetti, a 2 hour drive, to try to get there in time for the ultra marathon runners to finish the EYE OF THE SAHARA ULTRA, where you'll meet Johnny (half-dead from the 150km run!)
First, a little-known secret of Mauritania, the Rupestrian Paintings in Agrour Cave dating back THOUSANDS of years. Then we’ll move on to Fort Sangenne
Up next is Islam’s 7th Holiest City, and a World Heritage Site, Chinguetti. We’ll visit the Medina, the Ancient City, followed by the ancient Mosque and library of the old city.
We’ll have sunset in the sand dunes of Chinguetti and sleep just outside the town itself.
What can I say? Today we make our way towards the depths of the Sahara, to Choum, and the train tracks that mark our pick-up spot.
After lunch, we’ll prepare ourselves. Lined up, and relaxing. Waiting for the noise of the train approaching. At this point, we’ll hustle. Get your bags ready, your calf muscles prepped. Once the train pulls in, we’ll be joining the official passenger carriage, 4 to a carriage, to claim our spot for the night.
Now officially in the cabin rather than atop the iron ore as per the law.
Early arrival into the port town of Nouadhibou. Here we’ll have an early check-in to our hotel for a WELL EARNED shower.
The day is a free day as we never know when we pull into the town. Dinner & overnight in the hotel. And maybe another secret bar to celebrate. Watch this space!
That’s the end of the line. For the intrepid, you’ll overland north to Western Sahara. For those with return flights from Nouakchott, we have a bus transfer back to the Capital City, it takes about 6 hours or so.
Depending on your flight time, you can stay an extra night or leave the same day, we can help organise that stuff for you.
