Combined North and Coast: between desert, ocean and traditions
2025
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage, Faune and flora.
Best times to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Printemps, Automne, Hiver.
Petit Futé
The map of your stay "Combined North and Coast: between desert, ocean and traditions"
Detail of the stay : Combined North and Coast: between desert, ocean and traditions
How to get there - Parc National Du Banc D'Arguin
From Nouakchott to the Banc d'Arguin
The easy solution is to make this journey on tarmac. If you have the time and prefer the smell of adventure to that of overheated asphalt, we advise you to take the track. Right from the start, you're in for a real treat: this journey, several hundred kilometers long, will take you the whole day. Destination Iwik, or Arkeiss.
Visit to the Banc d'Arguin National Park
Steps: Parc National Du Banc D'Arguin
Here the journey begins in earnest. The sound of waves, sea air, birdlife, fishermen's boats and many glasses of tea. It's a place where you can disconnect and enjoy life to the rhythm of the elements. Discover the Banc d'Arguin by swimming, fishing, simply walking on the beach, sailing or watching the birds through binoculars.
From Banc d'Arguin to Nouadhibou
Steps: Nouadhibou
Heading north. After a few hours on tarmac, you're in the economic capital. A city stranded on its peninsula, itself cut off by the border between Mauritania and neighboring Western Sahara. Take advantage of the end of the day to discover the atmosphere of this port city, its fish market, its artisanal fishing port - in short, to stroll around.
Nouadhibou and Cap Blanc
The city and its surroundings have a lot to offer. Whether it's the beaches of Cabano, or the Cap Blanc reserve and its mythical lighthouse, a full day exploring the surroundings won't go amiss. A stay in Nouadhibou is also an opportunity to enjoy its fish and seafood. You'll find octopus, lobster, etc. on the menu of the town's good restaurants.
From Nouadhibou to Atar
Steps: Azougui
To reach the capital of the Adrar region, the easiest option is to take the road via Bénichab, which allows you to avoid Nouakchott, otherwise long hours on the track. The adventurous can try the mining train, or the track along the rails, which allows you to stop off at Ben Amira. Rather than sleeping in Atar, we recommend Azougui as an introduction to the desert.
From Atar to Chinguetti
Steps: Passe D'Amogjar
The old track that wears out the Amogjar pass, even if its crossing is increasingly uncertain, is more beautiful than the new one. The journey takes about an hour longer, depending on your driver's ability to find "the pass", but the scenery you'll see will confirm that it's not a waste of time. En route, don't forget to visit Terjit and Fort Saganne.
Chinguetti
Steps: Chinguetti
Chinguetti is one of the most important Islamic sites in Mauritania, and one of the four UNESCO-listed towns in the country, famous for its ancestral manuscripts. Because of its geographical location, Chinguetti is fighting a battle with the desert, the outcome of which is uncertain at best. Staying in a hostel, you'll meet the locals, who'll be able to guide you to the old mosque, the highest dunes and much more.
Ouadane
Steps: Guelb Er-Richat
Ouadane is another World Heritage town, a kind of end of the world. 500 years ago, it surpassed Chinguetti, culturally and commercially. You can take the most direct route via Tanouchert. From Ouadane, if you still have some strength left, try an expedition to the astonishing Guelb er-Rîchât. There, visit the ruins of the city.
Ben Amira and Ben Aïcha
Steps: Choum
Ben Amira and Ben Aïcha are located some 100 km west of Choum. In fact, they are imposing monoliths that invite you to climb, but also to bivouac. The track leading to it from Atar is a little long and rough, so don't plan to make a round trip in the same day. Take your time and enjoy the magic of the place!
Places of interest : MONOLITHE DE BEN AMIRA MONOLITHE DE BEN AÏCHA
Vallée Blanche and Azoueiga
Steps: Erg D'Amatlich
On your return from Ben Amera, don't stop at Atar, continue due south towards the Vallée Blanche, and in particular the Chinguetti dune. After a good bivouac, you can make your way to Azoueïga via the Tifoujar pass. Here, the most incredible place of your stay awaits you, like a perfect conclusion. Dunes, wadis, oases, silence and starry skies.
Places of interest : AZOUEIGA VALLÉE BLANCHE
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"Combined North and Coast: between desert, ocean and traditions"
