Mauritania Iron Ore Train Tour | Epic Desert Journey

Discover the captivating wonders of Mauritania on an extraordinary adventure. This tour combines the allure of the Sahara Desert, the rich history of ancient cities, and the breathtaking landscapes of Banc d’Arguin National Park. Experience the thrill of riding the legendary Iron Ore Train and explore historic sites that echo centuries of stories.

Imagine standing atop majestic sand dunes at sunset. Witness the vibrant life of local markets. Savor traditional Mauritanian tea in serene oases. This immersive experience is perfect for adventure seekers, history enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike.

Itinerary

Day 1: Nouakchott – Akjoujt – Terjit – Mhairith – Chinguetti

Morning:
- Departure: Leave Nouakchott at 7:30 AM.
- Drive Time: 3 hours (260 km) to Akjoujet.
- Akjoujet: Quick tea stop (15 minutes) in this former mining town.
Afternoon:
- Drive Time: 2 hours (160 km) to Terjit.
- Terjit Oasis: Relax in the shade of palm trees and enjoy traditional tea.
- Drive Time: 30 minutes (30 km) to Mhairith.
- Mhairith: Visit this oasis known for its date palm cultivation.
Evening:
- Drive Time: 1 hour (60 km) to Chinguetti.
- Chinguetti: Explore the ancient city and visit the old mosque. Discover ancient libraries filled with priceless manuscripts.
- Sunset Experience: Climb the nearby sand dunes for breathtaking sunset views and perfect photo opportunities.
- Overnight Stay: Rest in Chinguetti.

Day 2: Chinguetti – Ouadane – Atar

Morning:
- Drive Time: 1.5 hours (128 km) to Ouadane.
- Ouadane: Explore the old city and the Street of Scholars.
Afternoon:
- Drive Time: 3 hours (180 km) on unpaved roads to Atar.
- Atar: Visit the vibrant Central Market for traditional handicrafts and spices. Overnight in Atar.

Day 3: Atar – Zouérate – Riding the Iron Ore Train of Mauritania

Morning:
- Drive Time: 4 hours (306 km) to Zouérate.
- Zouérate: Learn about the mining operations in this major town.
Afternoon:
- Iron Ore Train Ride: Board the train at 12 PM for a 5-hour journey to Choum. Enjoy the stunning desert landscapes along the way.
- Drive Time: Return to Atar after the train ride.
- Evening: Overnight stay in Atar.

Day 4: Atar – Banc d’Arguin National Park – Iwik

Morning:
- Drive Time: 8 to 9 hours drive to Arkeiss in Banc d’Arguin National Park.
- Arkeiss Camp: Stop for lunch at the camp, located in the park.
Afternoon:
- Drive Time: 1.5 hours to Iwik.
- Iwik: Experience the fishing village. Watch local fishermen and bird watch in this beautiful coastal area.
Evening: Overnight stay in a camp in Iwik.

Day 5: Iwik – Nouakchott

Morning:
- Drive Time: 4 hours back to Nouakchott.
Afternoon:
- Camel Market: Visit the lively market where traders showcase their livestock.
- Fish Market: Explore one of the largest fish markets in West Africa.

Highlights

Ride the legendary Iron Ore Train of Mauritania: Iron Ore Train Tour
Explore ancient cities like Chinguetti and Ouadane.
Experience Banc d’Arguin National Park‘s diverse ecosystems.
Enjoy traditional Mauritanian tea in Chami.
Capture stunning sunset views from Chinguetti‘s sand dunes.

Book Your Tour

Join us for an epic journey through Mauritania! Adventure, history, and natural beauty await. Book now with Mauritanian Best Tours for an unforgettable experience!

Nouakchott Private Tour: Lively camel market in Nouakchott, showcasing traders, camels, and traditional desert culture

Mhairith Oasis in Mauritania, featuring lush date palms and desert surroundings, offering a serene escape.

For More Information or to Book Now:

For Unforgettable Tours in Mauritania, We Recommend These Experiences!

Explore the Vibrant Culture of Nouakchott with a City Tour
Adrar Tour: Experience the Rich Heritage of Mauritania
Unveil Mauritania: A 7-Day Expedition from Desert to Coast
Discovering Banc d’Arguin: Your Ultimate Tour Experience
We also serve on TripAdvisor Guide

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 47 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Dodowings 
 
 
 
 Verified Brilliant day in Nouakchott
A brilliant tour, encompassing all the main attractions of Nouakchott. Mohamed was extremely professional, messaging before hand to confirm the bookings and pickup times. In addition to being extremely informative about the society and history of Mauritania, he was good company which is vital when traveling solo. Would love to go back and explore more of Mauritania with Mauritania Best Tours! Thank you Mohamed.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   OnTheGo 
 
 
 
 Verified Loved the Pictographs
Our tour was well planned and very organized. We were here in the heat of the summer and Sellami and Mamby made sure we were comfortable while completing our walking tours. We visited Atar, Oudane and Chinguetti. Mauritania is absolutely amazing. Getting past Nauochott is a must!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Ngaka 
 
 
 
 Verified Desert meets the Atlantic: Banc d’Arguin
Mohammed was super nice. He took the time to answer all our questions and offer explanations.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   ALICIA R 
 
 
 
 Verified A Must-Do Tour in Mauritania
I highly recommend this tour. I was in awe of everything we saw and did. I highly recommend our guide as well and would do it all over again. 10/10!

Owner's reply
Thank you so much, Alicia! We're delighted you enjoyed the tour. It was a pleasure showing you around Nouakchott, and we hope to welcome you back to Mauritania someday!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Cornell B 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing!
I had an amazing tour of Nouakchott thanks to Muhammad. To begin with, before I even arrived in Mauritania he aided me with the right steps in the process to secure my tourist visa. This was highly appreciated on my part. The city tour of Nouakchott itself was fantastic and Muhammed made sure I had everything I needed from exchanging currency to finding all of the souvenirs I was looking for. My highlight of the tour was the visit to the Camel market. The fish market was also very nice given the beautiful scenery of the Atlantic Ocean. Muhammed was an overall great guide and a nice guy to talk to. Especially about the diversity and culture of Mauritania. I highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in visiting Nouakchott.

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for your amazing review and kind words. It was a pleasure to help you discover Nouakchott and Mauritanian culture. I’m very happy you enjoyed the camel market, fish market, and the overall experience.Thank you for your recommendation, and I hope to welcome you again in Mauritania!Best regards,Mohamed – Mauritanian Best Tours
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jared H 
 
 
 
 Verified Great City Tour
I contacted Mohamad on WhatsApp to arrange a private Nouakchott City Tour and he responded right away and provided clear pricing. My flight ended up arriving a day late, but Mohamad easily changed the date of my tour without issue. He picked me up promptly at my hotel and gave me a wonderful 6-hour guided tour of everything worth seeing in Nouakchott. Highlights were the camel market, massive fish market, and people watching while drinking mint tea. I was taken great care of, and had really good conversations! Would recommend 100%

Owner's reply
Thank you very much for your kind review !It was a pleasure showing you Nouakchott, and I’m glad you enjoyed the tour and our time together.You’re always welcome back, and thank you for the recommendation!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Dan Thu 
 
 
 
 Verified Superb tour to the Adrar region
This was a truly perfectly organized all-inclusive 4-day tour to the Adrar Plateau. From the booking process and pre-tour communication to the tour itself, everything was faultless: comfortable transportation, the super friendly, fun, and helpful guide and driver (thank you Ahmoud and Mohamed!), good hotels with restaurants, and, of course, the amazing ancient caravan towns of Ouadane and Chinguetti and the magnificent natural landscapes of the desert (the Richat structure, sand dunes, canyons, valleys, and the lush green oasis of Terjit). I highly recommend this tour if you are short on time but would like to experience a bit of the Mauritanian desert!

Owner's reply
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re very happy you enjoyed your 4-day tour in Adrar and that everything was well organized.It was a pleasure guiding you through Ouadane, Chinguetti, the Richat Structure, and Terjit. Your kind words mean a lot to us.You are always welcome back!Warm regards,Mohamed
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Pathfinder795729 
 
 
 
 Verified Great tour with helpful staff
Excellent tour with helpful staff; I was well fed with great food along the way. Driver and guide were reliable, punctual and trustworthy. Great itinerary!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Matvl 
 
 
 
 Verified Great day of exploring
I had a great day in Nouakchott with Mohammed. We had communicated via WhatsApp in advance and Mohammed picked me up at my hotel as expected. We visited some of the city sites including the museum and central market, went to the camel market and the fishing port and had a great lunch of thieboudienne followed by Mauritanian tea. Mohammed was helpful, knowledgeable and interesting and I’d certainly recommend him.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   roger_martins 
 
 
 
 Verified Thank you for the unforgettable Mauritania trip
A fabulous 8-day trip for two through Mauritania, taking in a variety of desert, coastal and urban landscapes, with visits to historic sites and UNESCO World Heritage sites. The itinerary was Akjoujt, Azouega, Atar, Ouadane, Richat Structure, Chinguetti, Tejit, Banc d’Arguin, Nouakchott. We were accompanied by the brilliant guide Mohamed and the experienced driver Ibrahim, who were incredibly dedicated, attentive, friendly and always concerned for our well-being. Mohamed was extraordinary in organising the trip, always available, clear in his communications, and offering competitive and fair prices. The trip went exactly as agreed, without changes. I recommend 'Mauritania Best Tours' without any hesitation and without any ‘buts’.