Ultimate 1 Week in Mauritania Itinerary
Mauritania is one of the most unique countries I’ve ever visited. Truly nowhere else feels anything like it (and I’ve been to enough places now)! Most people that have heard of the country are only aware of the Iron Ore Train – it’s epic, but there’s so much more to Mauritania than that!
It’s a fascinating mix of Arab and African cultures, almost entirely covered by the Sahara, and deeply shaped by Islamic traditions. It doesn’t have many major exports, nor is it particularly developed. In fact, its capital (Nouakchott) is often described as one of the least inspiring capital cities in the world… And yet, Mauritania offers something that’s becoming harder and harder to find in modern travel: genuine adventure.
From ancient desert towns like Chinguetti to the unforgettable experience of riding the Mauritania Iron Ore Train through the Sahara, this 1 week Mauritania itinerary shows you how to experience the best of this lesser-travelled and fascinating country. So here’s exactly how I would spend 1 week in Mauritania as a first-timer.
1 Week Mauritania Itinerary in Short
- Day 1: Arrive in Nouakchott
- Day 2: Nouakchott (+ travel)
- Day 3: Chinguetti
- Day 4: Terjit Oasis
- Day 5: Choum (via Atar)
- Day 6: Iron Ore Train
- Day 7: Nouadhibou (+ travel to Nouakchott)
How to use this 1 week Mauritania Itinerary: This itinerary compiles what I think is the best 7 days in Mauritania for first-timers. It begins in Nouakchott as this is where the main international airport is based, but this also works if you’re crossing overland from Morocco or Senegal.
1 Week Mauritania Itinerary in Full
How long to spend in Mauritania
Even though Mauritania is massive, it isn’t somewhere you’ll find loads of must-see attractions. Particularly since it’s mostly desert!
However, what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for with unique experiences and raw landscapes.
For most travellers, one week in Mauritania is ideal. It’s long enough to explore the capital, visit one of the historic Sahara towns, relax in an oasis, and experience the Iron Ore Train! There’s a few long travel days, but it is possible to see everything.
Of course, you can spend longer here if you want to travel slower or explore deeper into the desert.
8 or 9 days in Mauritania would perhaps be easier – more recovery time; extra leeway for the Iron Ore Train; and perhaps an extra activity. But since travel distances are large, infrastructure is limited, and many visitors are primarily drawn by the Sahara and the Iron Ore Train, I’ve chosen to focus on this 1 week Mauritania itinerary covering the country’s most memorable highlights.
I completed this exact route with 1 week in Mauritania and it worked perfectly!
When to visit Mauritania
The best time to visit Mauritania is between November and February.
During these months, temperatures are much cooler and far more pleasant for travelling around the desert. Daytime temperatures are usually warm but manageable, while nights can be surprisingly cold – particularly on the Iron Ore Train.
The hottest period is May to September, when temperatures in the desert can climb above 40°C (104°F). Try to avoid this period!
Also, given Mauritania is 99% Muslim country, it’s worth checking the dates of Ramadan before you visit. Travel is still possible, but many restaurants close during the day and generally there’s less atmosphere in the cities. Unless you’re seeking out Ramadan, I’d avoid it as it can make logistics slightly trickier.
1 Week Mauritania Itinerary Map
How to get to Mauritania
Despite its remote reputation, getting to Mauritania is pretty straightforward. Most travellers arrive either by flying into the capital or crossing a land border from a neighbouring country.
- By air (easiest option): Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport is the main airport in Mauritania, and has connections with cities such as Casablanca, Istanbul and Dakar. Flights from Europe can be expensive, but are usually around £500. This is how most international visitors enter the country.
- By land (from Morocco): You can cross the land border from Morocco in Mauritania – most overland travellers use the border near Guerguerat. It’s a slow border crossing with a huge no-mans-land (which happens to be full of mines), but it makes things much cheaper. Cheap flights from Ryanair run between Madrid and Dakhla each week. From here, you can take a ~5 hour bus to the border with Mauritania. Then head south to Nouakchott or stay in Nouadhibou if you don’t have time.
- By land (from Senegal): Similarly, you can cross the land border between Senegal into the south of Mauritania. Rosso or Diama are the two most popular options. From here continue north towards Nouakchott.
Whichever option you choose, make sure to check the VISA requirements before you go. As a British citizen, I required an online e-VISA (paid in person at the border in Euros only).
Day 1: Arrive in Nouakchott
Most trips to Mauritania begin in the capital, Nouakchott. It’s not the most beautiful or exciting city in the world, but it’s an interesting introduction to the country and a good place to organise the rest of your trip. I enjoyed spending some time here in this sandy capital city, but I was glad to leave once I’d seen the sights.
After arriving at Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport, check into your accommodation and spend the afternoon exploring a little of the city. If you’re travelling overland, your day will involve a bus from either the northern or southern border.
Use the day to get a SIM card, withdraw cash and recover from your journey. Likely you’ve had a long flight from overseas, or travelled long distances overland (either crossing the border from Morocco).
What to do
One of the best places to start is the lively Port de Pêche, where hundreds of colourful fishing boats head out into the Atlantic and return with the day’s catch. It’s chaotic, busy, and one of the most photogenic places in the city. I recommend walking along the beach to see all of the colourful boats. It’s especially good as the sun sets and the fishermen return to shore (16:00-18:00).
Alongside Port de Pêche, is the Plage de Nouakchott. Take a slow stroll along the beach – it’s a nice way to watch the Atlantic waves and see locals fishing or relaxing.
Exploring the beach, port and fish market shouldn’t take you much more than an hour, so it’s easy to squeeze in at the end of a day.
Since the coming days involve some long travel through the Sahara, keep today fairly relaxed. Get a good night’s sleep, because tomorrow you’ll start heading deeper into the desert toward Chinguetti.
If you want, check online for any international football games at the local stadium.
Where to stay
Accommodation: I stayed in Transit Nouakchott which I highly recommend as the owner (Samba) is incredibly helpful for helping you find your feet in Mauritania.
Day 2: Nouakchott
What to do
Day 2 begins with more time in Nouakchott to soak up local life before heading into the desert. A morning visit to the National Museum of Mauritania gives a quick crash course in the country’s history, culture, and nomadic heritage – it’s small, but fascinating.
If you have time, you can wander through Nouakchott Central Market to get a glimpse of daily life in Mauritania – stalls selling fabric, spices, electronics, and pretty much everything else. Or you could visit Nouakchott’s famous camel market!
Whichever morning activity you decide, you can then grab a quick lunch in town before preparing for the desert journey ahead.
In the afternoon, begin the drive north toward Chinguetti. The journey takes roughly 8-10 hours depending on your transport (4×4 is recommended). Roads are long and dusty, but the scenery gives a first real taste of the Sahara with desert plains, small villages, and scattered acacias.
NOTE: If you want to arrive earlier in Chinguetti to see sunset you can either skip the morning activities in Nouakchott and leave early. Or having your own private vehicle will save a few hours of waiting around.
Where to stay
Arrive in Chinguetti in the evening, check into your guesthouse, and enjoy a simple dinner. This is one of the more remote stops in this Mauritania itinerary, so make the most of some incredible stars!
Accommodation: I stayed in Auberge Nasser which was great. They provide food and they are incredibly friendly! Rooms are basic but fine for a night.
Day 3: Chinguetti
Day 3 is all about exploring Chinguetti, one of Mauritania’s most iconic desert towns. Often called the “city of libraries,” Chinguetti is famous for its ancient manuscripts and unique Saharan architecture.
What to do
Start the day wandering the narrow sandy streets, visiting the Chinguetti Mosque – one of the oldest in the country — and the town’s tiny museums and libraries that house centuries-old Islamic texts. Don’t miss the chance to chat with local shopkeepers; it’s a quiet, authentic glimpse into desert life.
In the afternoon, you can visit the surrounding dunes. I decided to walk through the town all the way out to the dunes, but you can also do it by 4×4. I’ve heard there are also camel tours here, but I saw no sign at all.
Watching the sunset over the golden sands is a highlight – the desert’s vastness and silence here are unforgettable.
Return to town for dinner and a relaxed evening under the stars. Chinguetti is small, so it’s easy to explore on foot, giving you a peaceful night before the next desert adventure to Terjit Oasis.
Day 4: Terjit Oasis
Day 4 is all about slowing down and soaking in one of Mauritania’s most peaceful desert spots – Terjit Oasis. The pictures speak for themselves, but it’s probably my favourite part of Mauritania (aside from the train).
Nestled in a narrow canyon, Terjit offers a welcome break from long desert drives with its natural spring pools and palm groves. It takes around 2-3 hours by car to reach Terjit from Chinguetti.
What to do
Spend the late morning and early afternoon exploring the oasis, dipping your feet (or even swimming) in the clear water, and enjoying the shade of the palms. It’s also a great spot to relax with a mint tea and take in the surrounding desert cliffs.
In the afternoon, take a hike up the canyon edges for panoramic views of the oasis and desert beyond. There’s no official trail, but you can make it up as you go along. Walk up to the end of the oasis until you see a large dune ahead of you. I hiked up to the top of the dune, turned right and went back on myself to a viewpoint at the top – perfect for photos or just appreciating the calm of the Sahara.
Where to stay
Accommodation: I stayed in Terjit Oasis which is by far the best place in the area since it’s deep inside the oasis! It’s basic sleeping arrangements inside tents, but it’s absolutely worth it in my opinion.
There are other guesthouses near the oasis as well which you can choose for a cheaper price.
Wherever you go, make sure to rest properly and recharge before heading towards Choum and the Iron Ore Train on Day 5.
Day 5: Choum
After a relaxed morning in Terjit, including another morning dip, it’s time to make your way to Choum – your hop-on point for the Iron Ore Train.
It’s another 2-3 hours by car from Terjit to Choum, once again via Atar. It takes a bit longer if you use public transport.
TIP: I recommend stopping in Atar (the last big town) for supplies for the train. Buy wet wipes, masks, snacks, water, blankets or warm clothes if you don’t have them.
What to do
Here you can explore the small village at what seems like the edge of the map! Re-pack your bags so they’re ready for the train, practice tying your headscarf and fuel up with dinner before a big evening.
Then you can rest and wait until the train arrives! My train was due to arrive at 9pm in Choum, but was delayed and ended up arriving at 3am!
Where to stay
Accommodation: I stayed in Auberge de Choum Guesthouse until the train arrived! It’s comfortable, offers good food and the train wizard helps you out a lot here.
Even if you’re not planning to sleep, I recommend having somewhere to drop your bags and unwind before the train.
Day 6: Iron Ore Train
The highlight of your Mauritania itinerary! Today you’ll ride the legendary Iron Ore Train from Choum to Nouadhibou. This train is over 2.5km long and carries massive iron ore wagons across the Sahara.
Boarding is an adventure in itself: wait near the tracks, and climb into a wagon with enough space to sit or lie down. The journey takes 12-16 hours from Choum, often overnight.
Expect dust, cold nights, and a very rough ride, but also sunrise over the desert, endless sand dunes, and a truly unique adventure few travellers will ever experience. Stay alert at towns or military checkpoints and enjoy the surreal landscape as you roll across the Sahara.
I’ve written a full guide on how to ride the Iron Ore Train here. Plus I’ve made a guide on what to pack for the Iron Ore Train! In short, it’s ski goggles, mask, warm clothing, water and snacks are the essentials!
If you prefer a slightly less extreme experience, there’s a passenger carriage at the back of the train instead. However, you will need to alter this itinerary and board in Zouerat (rather than Choum).
After getting off the train in Nouadhibou, head straight to your accommodation to clean up and rest. You could even wash yourself off in the sea beforehand.
Where to stay
Accommodation: There are a few basic hotels and guesthouses, and it’s a good place to clean up, rest, and reflect on an intense but unforgettable week in Mauritania. I stayed in Hotel Nakhil which was clean and quiet – the ideal place to rest up after the train.
Day 7: Nouadhibou to Nouakchott
After 1 week in Mauritania, your final day ends back in the capital: Nouakchott (via Nouadhibou).
First, you’ll wake up in Nouadhibou, the coastal port city. After your previous night on the train, enjoy a relaxing morning and explore the city’s few highlights: the fishing port, nearby beaches, and perhaps the famous ship graveyard on the outskirts.
If your flight or onward transport is from Nouakchott, return via road today. The drive is 6-7 hours, so start as early as you need and take breaks along the way. We had a quick food stop at Restaurant el Karam in the small town of Chami (Shami).
1 Week in Mauritania Budget
I spent a total of £211.77 in 1 week in Mauritania (based on conversation rates at the time).
This doesn’t include my travel into Mauritania (flight to Morocco) but it does include the bus from the border where I began. Nor does it include my travel insurance or VISA (55 euros) since I track these elsewhere.
This is an average spend of £30.25 per day in Mauritania, which almost perfectly hit my budget!
Here are my main Mauritania budget takeaways:
- The biggest contributor to this budget was accommodation, which averaged around £10/night.
- Food and transport were the next biggest depending on how much I ate or how far we travelled each day.
- Activities were largely free. Hiking, camping and the train can all be done without spending much at all.
There are a few caveats to this spend:
- Ramadan distorts food expenses: During Ramadan I relied more on snacks and (paid) food from hosts rather than local vendors or restaurants. This probably made a difference to my food spend.
- Travelling in a group is cheaper: I travelled in a group of 3 people which meant we could split certain costs such as taxis or shared rooms. Shared vehicles were still the same costs as it would’ve been solo as we paid per seat.
- Choum accommodation: Despite not sleeping a full night here, I still paid for the accommodation. It was helpful to simply get the food, have somewhere to stay and have someone to assist with the train (even if it added an additional cost).
- Post-train luxuries: I was happy to splash out more on a nice hotel to recover and clean up!
- Taxi prices are all negotiation: You should take this into consideration depending on whether you’re good or bad at bartering.
- Other costs add up: Whether it’s train supplies, SIM cards, headscarves or plain rip-off taxis, you should always be prepared for a few unexpected costs.
Of course, this depends on your budgeting style. I was budget travelling, using public transport wherever possible.
How to get around Mauritania
Seemingly, all roads lead to Nouakchott… Well at least in Mauritania!
This Mauritania itinerary covers some long distances. Of course, these distances are most easily covered in a private vehicle. However, we managed simply using public transport in the form of bush taxis and buses.
- Nouadhibou to Nouakchott: Linking the two main cities in Mauritania, you can get a shared minibus from Nouadhibou to Nouakchott. This is largely the same route as the border to Nouakchott.
- Nouakchott to Atar: If you’re heading to Choum, Chinguetti or beyond, most vehicles will have to pass through Atar. It’s not my favourite place in the world, but it’s somewhat of a transit hub in the middle of the desert.
- Terjit to Atar: Only an hour away from each other you can hitchhike, get a private taxi or head out to the main road (where there’s a police checkpoint). There’s not so many official methods here, so
- Atar to Chinguetti: Chinguetti is a bit out of the way, so minibuses are rarer going in this direction. We joined a shared
- Atar to Choum: We paid 300 MRU each to hop on a shared minibus from Atar to Choum which usually leaves around 14:30 each day. It’s often delayed, so don’t rely on this too much unless you’re catching a late train in Choum.
Travel Tips for Mauritania
- Cash & ATMs: Cash is king in Mauritania, you won’t be able to use card anywhere. Try to get out as much cash for your week in Mauritania when you arrive in Nouakchott.
- Dress code: Being a 99% muslim country, it’s important to be respectful and cover up. Whilst you probably could wear shorts on some occasions, I thought it best to wear long trousers.
- Language: French is widely spoken, while Hassaniya Arabic is the local language. Basic French goes a long way.
- SIM cards: Particularly if you’re doing the train, it’s important to stay connected in Mauritania. Therefore, get a SIM card. We got some ‘black market’ SIM cards which came with a random amount of data. We could then ask a local person with the app to top it up if we gave them cash.
- Ramadan: Remember to check dates for Ramadan before you book your flights. This festival will make it more difficult to find food.
- Prepare to get dirty: Whether it’s sand from the Sahara or dust from the iron ore, prepare for you and all your belongings to get thoroughly dirty!
More than 1 week in Mauritania
If 1 week in Mauritania isn’t enough, here are a few more options:
- Ben Amera: Africa’s largest monolith rises 633 m above the desert, making it the second-largest monolith in the world after Uluru.
- Ouadane: An ancient desert town located on the edge of the Sahara.
Of course, it’s also helpful to build in a contingency day if you’re riding the Iron Ore Train, since you never know exactly when it will arrive in Choum.
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