Iron Ore Express | Journey Across Mauritania feat. WESTERN SAHARA

Hop on board rail journey of a lifetime on longest train in the world for TREKKUP to Mauritania. Atop heaps of iron ore and below the stars we journey most daring way and surely you will earn star status as true adventure seeker!

Journey begins in Nouakchott along the Atlantic Ocean before our 4x4 caravan heads into the vast dunes of the Sahara. Most attractive Moorish oasis town of Chinguetti along the “coast” of the great Saharan sand ocean with labyrinthine lanes along stone mosques and libraries. We’ll trade wares and ride camels along ancient trade routes and watch sunsets on oceans of sand.

Highlight of our journey will be hopping on board train in Choum along the eastern corner of Western Sahara. We’ll pack our provisions and warm blankets for the night before climbing on board the longest train in the world at nearly 3 kilometres of rail cars packed with iron ore. As it lumbers through the desert sands we’ll sit atop heaps of ore for comfy night under stars and truly unforgettable experience!

With 7th Century oasis villages, endless golden sand dunes, and most unique rail journey in Western Africa, this trip will make you true traveller to places unknown.

This time we invite you to join us for an extended journey to check out on enigmatic Western Sahara, safe but disputed territory between Morocco and self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

Let's go!!

Day 00 // NOV 28 // Departure
Meeting at 1pm at DXB T1 for Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca at 15:15-20:55.

Alternatively, meeting at Casablanca airport at 21.45, for connecting flight to Nouakchott, 23.50-01.45.

Day 01 // NOV 29 // Noaukchott
Arrival and visa formalities before transfer to hotel in Nouakchott.
After breakfast and first look at city, obtain provisions and begin journey through sand swept vistas, caravan routes and sand dunes on the way to Chinguetti. Arrival late afternoon and catch the sunset atop the dunes overlooking Tenewchert Oasis before returning to hotel for dinner and rest.

Day 02 // NOV 30 // Tergit Oasis / Chinguetti
Our first stop will be the ancient library and ruins of Chinguetti. We’ll meet the local librarian for poetry and stories before continuing to Ouadane to wander the many hidden corners of this 7th century city on a hill. Along the way we’ll pop out to see the great and mysterious African Eye, visible from space and a true geological oddity! Dinner and night in hotel.

DAY 03 // DEC 01 // Africa Eye / Ouadane

Day 04 // DEC 02// Art Rock / Pass of Amogjar / Azoughi

Day 05 // DEC 03 // Night on the Wagons
After quick breakfast we head to the mud-hut town of Choum where our train journey begins. With our blankets and provisions ready we’ll hop aboard the longest train in the world, atop the iron ore and under the stars we sleep.

Day 06 // DEC 04 // Train Arrives in Nouadhibou
After hopping off the train, hop on 4x4s for quick ride around town and absorb the amazing journey before heading to hotel to wash off the dust. After lunch we’ll check out from Mauritania and cross the border to Western Sahara or, in case of any train delays (which are nothing new), we’ll spend a night in Nouadhibou.

Day 07 // DEC 05 // Nouadhibou (WESTERN SAHARA)
Drive across the plains of Sahara to Dakhla. Visit city and surrounding dunes: Lasarka peninsula, old lighthouse, ostrich park and few other curiosities.

Day 08 // DEC 06 // Dakhla (WESTERN SAHARA)
In the morning return flight to Casablanca, VIL-CMN DEC 06 11:45-13:45 and further back home.

Level of Difficulty:
Easy with limited facilities ahead. Open train ride is somewhat rough experience.

Activities:
Light trekking, off-roading, sightseeing, open-wagon riding.

Duration: 8 days.

Accommodation & Meals: Basic hotels and meals included, double sharing.

Cost: 7250 AED excluding flights, until NOV 23.

Flights on Royal Air Maroc at approx. 3500 AED are excluded from trip budget:

DXB-NKC NOV 28 15:15 - 01:45 (+1)
VIL-DXB DEC 06 11:45 - 01:40 (+1)

Visa:
Mauritania: e-visa
UAE residents get visa on arrival to Morocco.

See yah in Mauritania x

Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 050 4848238 / [info@trekkup.com](docs@trekkup.com)