Chinguetti and the oases of the Adrar

Chinguetti and the oases of the Adrar (9-day camel trek, including 6 days of walking)

The Adrar region of Mauritania is a true “Saharan postcard”—a vast plateau crisscrossed by wadis, where populated oases lie hidden and water brings life to the land. In the oases of the Adrar and during our hikes, we invite you to experience the lives of nomads and settled communities over the course of a week, sharing as a family the emotions and simplicity of Saharan life.

Highlights: Chinguitti – the White Valley – the pace of the camel caravan – camping.

YOUR TRIP

J 1 NOUAKCHOTT - CHINGUETTI

Arrive by flight (Casablanca, approx. 1 hour 45 minutes); transfer to the hotel (30 minutes); overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, depart from Nouakchott for the city of Chinguetti; stop at noon in Atar, the capital of the Adrar region; have lunch in Atar and continue on to Chinguetti, arriving around 4:00 p.m.

Proceed directly to the historic city of Chinguetti. Visit one of the oldest libraries (ancient manuscripts) and the ruins of the ancient city of Chinguetti, considered the seventh holy city of Islam.

“Chinguetti has about ten libraries, four of which are open to the public. Some items in these collections date back to the 11th century, including some written on gazelle skins. Most of these works deal with religion and the Quran, but many cover science, geometry, or literature. The city has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.”

Overnight at a guesthouse & Transfer: Minibus and 4x4, approximately 7 to 8 hours (510 km)

J 2 CHINGUITTI - M’HAIRETH PALM GROVE

After finishing our tour of the town of Chinguetti, we’ll set off for the M’haireth palm grove, which we’ll reach after a 2-hour drive on a dirt road. We’ll have lunch in the shade of the palm grove, and in the early afternoon, we’ll continue our journey toward the Timidité Valley via the paved road connecting Adrar to Taguant. Camp at the foot of the magnificent Ziret Mint Eleboudi dune. Overnight at the campsite & Transfer: 4x4 approx. 3-hour drive, 120 km.

J 3 TIMINIT – FAAROUN – DKHALI YESSAR

On the first day of hiking, we’ll hike up a small tributary of the Timinit wadi to reach the Faraoun plateau, with a lunch break near Wakchoda.

In the afternoon, we return to the sand-filled Timinit Wadi and set up camp in the beautiful Dkhali Yessar area.

About 3.5 hours of walking in the morning and 2 hours in the evening, covering approximately 14 km, followed by an overnight stay at the campsite.

J 4 DKHALI  YESSAR – MAADEN – TIREBAN

From Dkhali Yessar, we head to Maaden, a very young oasis compared to most of those in the Adrar region, as it was founded in the 1970s!! Thanks to the work of the late Sheikh Ould Sidina. Lunch in the Agmemine oasis before heading back up the plateau to set up camp not far from the village of Jouali Tireban.

Between 3 and 2 hours of walking, approximately 12 km, and overnight at the campsite.

J 5 TIREBANE - GUELB EL MARAD - CHATOU ES SAGHIR (the headwaters of the Oued el Abiod, the White Valley)

We leave the Tirebane area, passing through Guelb el Marad to descend into Oued el Abiod, the White Valley. In the late afternoon, we climb Chatou to see the “rock giraffes” and watch the sunset before heading back down to the campsite set up at the foot of the Guelb.

Approximately 3 to 4 hours of walking (about 15 km), 2 to 3 hours of walking (about 10 km), and an overnight stay in a campsite.

J 6 CHATOU ES SAGHIR - TOUNGAD - CHATOU EL KEBIR

The hike continues northwest toward the village of Toungad. We head for the Toungad guelta, where it’s not uncommon to spot migratory birds, before crossing the beautiful Toungad palm grove. We’ll have a picnic at the foot of Grand Chatou, then follow the wadi through the Chemmat Gorge and set up camp.

Approximately 2 to 3 hours of walking (about 10 km) & overnight in a camp.

J 7 CHEMMAT – TIN TEMDEJ – N’TENZZENT

We continue our hike through the Vallée Blanche before stopping for lunch at the headwaters of the Oued el Tenzzent. In the afternoon, we continue walking along the wadi to Legreyre, our campsite.

2.5 to 3 hours of hiking & Overnight camping.

J 8 OUED EL TENZZENT – TERJIT – NOUAKCHOTT

Last day of hiking toward the Terjit oasis. Picnic lunch under the caves where water seeps out endlessly. Warm spring. Opportunity to swim. Early in the afternoon, transfer by vehicle to Nouakchott. Dinner at the inn, then transfer to the airport. Very early picnic in Terjit, departure for Nouakchott, and transfer to the airport at midnight.

2-hour hike, 4 to 5-hour drive (approximately 400 km).

J 9 NOUAKCHOTT – CASABLANCA  on the return flight at 2:45 a.m.

  Fiche Technique de Chinguetti et les Oasis de Adrar

                         Departure dates and prices (Flights - Paris, Nouakchott, Paris)