14 DAYS
4×4 Trip
Oasis with thermal baths, Azougui capital of Almorávides, views of Amogjar pass, rock paintings, caravan city, ancient manuscripts, ruins of Ouadane, crater of Guelb er Richat “the eye of Africa”, lunar landscape, third monolith in the world, longest and heaviest train in the world, the port city of Nouadhibou, monk seals, sailing excursion in the Natural Park of Banc d’Arguin, untouched beach, bustling markets, museum, fishing harbor
The desert begins right outside of Nouakchott. We will drive about 400 Kms on a tar road to the mountains of Atar. There we will take a picturesque track into Terjit, an oasis with thermal springs and marvelous pools to bathe in. Lodging at a guesthouse with haimas (nomadtents).
First we head for Azougui, ancient capital of the Almoravids. After a short visit in Atar, we reach Amogjar pass with its stunning views over the mountains and cave paintings to arrive in Chinguetti. This city, half buried in the sand, has some private libraries with manuscripts of inestimable value, it is one of the seven sacred cities of Islam and declared World Heritage by UNESCO. Hostel accommodation.
From Chinguetti, our journey will take us across 120 km of fesh-fesh, the true sand dune desert without tracks, to experience the isolation of the lost cities of the desert. In Ouadane we will visit the ruins of this old caravan town. Camping.
Before the intense heat of the day, we will drive to the enormous crater of GuelberRichat, also called “the eye of Africa”, with a diameter of about 40 Km. In the afternoon we will continue to El Beyed to visit this incredible prehistoric site, which authenticates the presence of human beings in Mauritania as many as 700.000 years ago. Camping.
Our first visit today, surrounded by the sands of the Maqteïr desert, is Mount Aderg. Afterwards we will drive along the beautiful Sebkhet Chemchane (salt valley) to the village of Jraif, famous for the coranic school of Cheik Mohamed Fadel and its manuscripts. Camping.
We leave behind the mountains of Adrar and drive to Choum, located halfway of the railway line. This town was created only to maintain the railway. We stop for the day about 40 km before Choum in an enchanting moonscape. Camping.
About 80 km from Choum is the world’s third largest monolith, Ben Amira. We will also visit “his wife” Aisha, a somewhat smaller monolith, which has magnificent works of art carved in the rocks. Camping.
Our journey continues along the railway line, the train carrying iron ore from Zouerate to Nouadhibou. It is the longest (about 2 km) and heaviest train in the world. Camping.
After passing the last part in the desert, we reach the port city of Nouadhibou. It is the economic center of Mauritania and is growing day by day. In Nouadhibou, we will visit the city, go to the Cap Blanc to try to see the endangered monk seals. Hotel.
Our trip is now heading south to Iwik, a small fishing village in the Banc d’ArguinNatural Park, which is inhabited by Imraguen, a very old black race of Mauritania. Hostel accommodation with haimas.
Early in the morning we go on board with the Imraguen on their sailing boats and take a tour around the low-lying islands on which the migratory birds from around the world are. With a little bit of luck, we may welcome some dolphins and we might experience the Imraguen in their ancient form of fishing. Lodging at a guesthouse with Haimas.
Continuing south, we will reach Nouamghar where we will wait for the low tide to drive along the beach until close to Tiouilit, also a small fishing village. Camping.
Back in Nouakchott, we will visit the bustling markets, the musem and the colorful fish market. Hotel.
Accommodation:
• 14 days
• 2 hotel nights, 5 in guest houses, 7 camp nights
Minimum group:
• 2 Persons
Includes:
• Airport transfer
• Accommodation
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner (no alcoholic beverages)
• Camping gear (Haima (nomadtent), igloo tent, matresses)
• Transport in 4×4
• Boat excursion
• Guide
• Cook
• Entrance fees
NOT included:
• Air Ticket and fees
• Visa for Mauritania (120, – Euro at Nouakchott Airport)
• Travel insurance
• Tip
• Any other unspecified cost
Itinerary:
Due to the special nature of the trip, the itinerary may be changed at the discretion of the guide if there are justified grounds to do so. Travelers must be aware that conditions during the itinerary are not always predictable. Potential delays at border, mechanical problems and the poor state of the highways can give rise to undesirable adventures. We will, of course, do everything within our power to minimize any possible inconveniences.
Accommodations:
The itineraries include descriptions of four types of accommodations:
– hotels, in which you will always be in double occupancy tourist class rooms,
– guest houses with collective rooms, where we try to have maximum two persons
– guest houses with haimas (the typical nomad tents) which are the typical guest houses found in small cities with collective haimas where people sleep in sleeping bags,
– camping in the haimas we take along as part of our equipment or in igloo tents.
The guesthouses generally have common bathrooms and the provision usually includes enough water for a daily “shower” except on long trips where the guide will indicate the scarce water days.
Meals:
Breakfast consists of coffee or tea and bread with jam or cookies. Lunch is picnic style with sandwiches, salads and fruit. In the cities, dinners will be at restaurants where we sample typical dishes such as couscous and rice with fish. On the camping trips, there will be rice, pasta, etc. with vegetables, fresh fruit and of course the typical “mechoui”, roasted lamb.
Guide:
The guide will provide orientation and information throughout the trip as to what is most interesting to see and visit. He will organize the trip and resolve any unexpected events related to the route that may occur.
Group:
The make-up of the group can be quite varied. There may be people of very different ages, experienced and inexperienced travelers, people traveling alone, couples or groups of friends.
Due to the nature of the trip, we suggest having a certain spirit of camaraderie and cooperation in specific tasks such as setting up and taking down tents, clearing up camping equipment, etc.
19.11. – 04.12.2016
24.12. – 08.01.2017
08.04. – 23.04.2017
04.11. – 19.11.2017
23.12. – 07.01.2018
07 – 09 persons: 1.990, – Euro per person
10 – 12 persons: 1.880, – Euro per person
Single room supplement: 150, – Euro
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