Mauritania: The Mystery of the Eye of the Sahara

7
days
16.10.2026
2 460 USD

16.10.2026 – 22.10.2026
7 days / 6 nights
Nouakchott – Terjit Oasis – Ouadane – Eye of the Sahara – Chinguetti – Atar – Zouérat – Choum – Nouakchott

A unique opportunity to travel for five hours across the Sahara Desert sitting on iron ore on the longest train in the world!

During the journey, we will visit the Eye of the Sahara — the most mysterious place on the planet.


Route map: Wave
We are waiting: Wave
Train travel
Let is see Chinguetti
Ancient UNESCO Cities
The real Sahara
The Mystery of Eye of the Sahara
Tour program: Wave

We set off on a real desert adventure! Ahead lies an off-road journey through endless waves of sand. Along the way, we’ll stop for a traditional lunch right among the stunning dunes.


Then we continue to Azweiga — the highest sand dune in the country, offering breathtaking panoramic views. This historically nomadic region has long served as a landmark for desert travelers and a well-known water source.

This area impresses with its beauty: giant soft dunes, oases, and mountain shadows.



Here we’ll spend the night in a desert camp under millions of stars.


We wake up with the first rays of the sun and continue our off-road journey — this time to the true heart of the desert. The road winds between small settlements and mysterious oases hidden deep within the Sahara.


And here it is — Terjit, a green paradise among the sands.

We’ll bathe in the oasis waters and then enjoy a delicious open-air dinner with traditional dishes. The aromas of spices and the hot desert air merge into a trail that will follow us onward.


Overnight stay in tents near the Terjit oasis.


After breakfast, we head to the ancient city of Ouadane, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll stroll through the old streets that preserve the memory of the country’s former glory.


The highlight of the day — meeting the Richat Structure, also known as the «Eye of the Sahara.» We’ll see this giant geological wonder with our own eyes — it’s even visible from space! Its concentric circles are about 40 km in diameter, and the oldest layers are nearly 600 million years old. How it was formed remains a mystery to this day.


Filled with impressions, we’ll have lunch and dinner with local dishes.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Ouadane.


After breakfast, we set out on an 80 km journey through endless desert and dunes. In the village of Tanounichert, we’ll stop to meet the locals and share tea with them.


Then we continue off-road to Chinguetti — one of Islam’s holy cities, also protected by UNESCO. We’ll visit an ancient library, historical monuments, and the main Friday Mosque, the national symbol of Mauritania. Every stone here breathes history.


In the evening, we’ll watch a stunning sunset from the surrounding dunes, bathing the city in golden light.


Dinner and overnight stay at a guesthouse.


After breakfast in Chinguetti, we continue our journey. We’ll stop at the Amogjar Pass to see prehistoric rock paintings over 6,000 years old and unique lava formations.


Lunch at a local restaurant in Atar, and then we drive on to Zoueratt, where a restaurant dinner awaits us.


Overnight at Hotel Zoueratt — a rest before the true adventure: the legendary desert train.



We have breakfast and take a short tour around Zoueratt.

After lunch at a restaurant, we head to the railway station. Ahead is a legendary experience — a ride on the longest train in the world, carrying iron ore through the Sahara. For 5 hours, we rush between dunes, dust, and breathtaking scenery — pure, wild freedom!

When we arrive in Choum, it feels as if we’ve become part of the desert itself.


Just 2 more hours of driving, and we’re in Atar — where a warm dinner and well-deserved rest at Étoile du Nord await.


After breakfast, we return to Nouakchott. The Mauritanian capital contrasts sharply with the silence of the desert — full of life and rhythm.


Here we’ll visit:

the fish market, colorful and bustling, filled with the scent of the sea and fresh catch;

the camel market, where we’ll see these majestic animals up close and talk to their owners;

the National Museum, where Mauritania’s history comes alive through artifacts and legends.


We’ll share lunch and dinner together, exchanging impressions.


Then we head to the airport transfer, our hearts full of memories of the desert that will stay with us forever.


The cost of the tour: Wave
2 460 USD
per person in a double room:
The price of the tour includes:
English, french speaking local Guide
Driver and 4×4vehicle A/C
Full board during the trip
Food ,water
Hotels
Blankets for the train with food and water
Entrance to visited sites
The price of the tour does NOT include:
International flights
Visa
PPE for the train like glass and clothes
Travel insurance
Meals not specified (on the arrival and departure day )
Everything is not specified on the above day-by-day program.
Our photo report: Wave

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