Mauritania Iron Ore Train Tour

Name: Mauritania Iron Ore Train Tour
Start: 2025-11-21
End: 2025-11-27
Location: Nouakchott

Start

Nov 21, 2025
Nouakchott

End

Nov 27, 2025
Nouakchott

Duration

7 days

Price

EUR1575.00

TOUR OVERVIEW

Starting and ending in the capital of Nouakchott, this tour offers some unmissable highlights for an action-packed glimpse of Mauritania. We start the tour off by immediately hitting the road to one of the most famous oases in the country, where you’ll get a taste of some wild desert driving. At Tergit oasis, we can swim, relax, hike and we will camp overnight in traditional tents. We will also visit the impressive library town of Chinguetti, now a UNESCO world heritage site. This city was once an important stop on the pilgrimage to Mecca, and over the years amassed a vast collection of historical and Qur'anic texts. Today, it is slowly being buried by the Saharan sands, but there are still librarians protecting the scrolls and artifacts at the 5 remaining libraries.

Of course, the highlight for most visitors is hitching a ride on the iron ore train, the longest and heaviest train in the world. We will quickly climb aboard and lay on top of the iron ore as it barrels across the Sahara under the night sky. After some rest, we will explore the city of Nouadhibou and relax by the sea. Our final day will be spent back in the capital of Nouakchott for a full day of amazing sights like the bustling central market, the famous painted fishing boats, and the second largest camel market in Africa.

View the full itinerary

If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.

INCLUSIONS:

✓	Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels (breakfast included)
✓	Transport as per itinerary, beginning and ending in Nouakchott
✓	Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary
✓	SAIGA guide and local guides
✓	Dinner at the oasis, and lunch and dinner in Chinguetti

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: EUR 300

EXCLUSIONS:

⨯	Visa fee if required (many nationalities visa free)
⨯	Meals other than those stipulated
⨯	Transport to Nouakchott at the beginning of the tour
⨯	Accommodation and any other services before or after the tour
⨯	Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities
⨯	Any COVID related expenses

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Ride the iron ore train, the longest and heaviest train in the world!

Explore the brick libraries and winding streets of ancient UNESCO site Chinguetti

Camping in traditional tents at the beautiful Tergit Oasis and swimming in its natural springs

Itinerary

Day 1Fri Nov 21

Nouakchott - Tergit

In the morning, we’ll depart Nouakchott and get our first taste of driving through the Sahara as we head to Tergit Oasis in 4x4 vehicles.
At the oasis we will explore the nomadic home structures, swim, and have the option to hike up a nearby cliff to watch the sunset over the desert
Tonight we will camp at the oasis in traditional tents
In the morning, we’ll depart Nouakchott and get our first taste of driving through the Sahara as we head to Tergit Oasis in 4x4 vehicles.
At the oasis we will explore the nomadic home structures, swim, and have the option to hike up a nearby cliff to watch the sunset over the desert
Tonight we will camp at the oasis in traditional tents.

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Day 2Sat Nov 22

Tergit - Chinguetti

In the morning, we will depart the oasis for Chinguetti.
After lunch, we’ll spend the afternoon exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Chinguetti’s old town, including the Great Mosque and the old libraries. In the 8th century, Chinguetti was a common stop on the pilgrimage to Mecca and soon became an important city of libraries, five of which still exist today and house medieval Quranic texts and local history.
Sunset and tea on a sand dune.
Tonight we will have an outdoor feast followed by live music from some local musicians, and of course some dancing!
Overnight in Chinguetti.

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Day 3Sun Nov 23

Chinguetti - Atar - Choum - Iron Ore Train

Today we will drive to Choum for the highlight of the trip, the Iron Ore Train!
We’ll make stops at Azoughi Oasis and the Amougjar Pass, where we can see 2000 year old cave drawings and will get incredible views of the surrounding areas.
In Atar, we will stop at the market to discover local handicrafts and goods and stock up on snacks for our upcoming epic train ride.
We’ll continue the journey to Choum, a desert village known as a stopover for the Iron Ore Train. Here, we’ll rest and have tea in a local home as we wait for the train to arrive.
Overnight on the Iron Ore Train.

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Day 4Mon Nov 24

Nouadhibu

We’ll arrive in Mouadhibou at some point between 6am and 10am, filthy and exhausted, but full of adrenalin!
After arriving, we’ll head straight to the hotel to clean up. You can either catch up on sleep or have free time to explore the city.
In the afternoon, we’ll visit Cap Blanc, known for its white sand dunes and picturesque coastline. And for a bit of a change of pace and scenery, here, you can go for a swim in the sea if you’d like!
In the evening, we’ll see a bit more of Nouadhibou and can eat at our favorite Chinese restaurant if we’re ready for some variety in cuisine.
Overnight in Nouadhibou.

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Day 5Tue Nov 25

Nouadhibu - Nouakchott

Today we’ll have a full day of driving from Nouadhibou to Nouakchott.
We’ll make a stop for lunch by the sea in Banc D'Arguin National Park.
Depending on how our drive goes, we will likely have some time to explore the Central Market or other parts of the city after we arrive back in Nouakchott.
Overnight in Nouakchott.

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Day 6Wed Nov 26

Nouakchott

In the morning, we will visit the fish market, where we can witness the bustling trade of fresh seafood and see the countless unique and colorfully painted boats on the shore.
We’ll then explore the camel market, where you can observe and interact with camels as far as the eye can see.
Visit the National Museum in Nouakchott to delve into Mauritania's history and culture.
In the evening, those who are joining us on the Algeria tour will head to the airport for our evening flight to Algiers.
For others staying in Mauritania, overnight in Nouakchott.