Nouakchott
Start your Mauritania trip in the capital, cheap flight from Morocco, Europe or Tunisia. The Port de Peche is an incredible place to get a glimpse of the fishing culture. Several pirogues arriving and leaving the sea coast, a bustling fish market and friendly people.
In the capital don’t miss the Capital Marche, or what they call BMD, is the city center of Nouakchott. Watch out for pickpockets, they opened my backpack 3 times but didn’t found nothing special.
Another highlight is the camel market 15 km away of the center, after the city of Toujounine.
Atar Region
From Nouakchott grab a van to Atar, it cost 500 ougyva and will take you around 7 hours to arrive there. Atar is the base to explore the region. The most famous spots are Terjit, Chinguetti and Ouadane.
Is possible to do a day trip to Terjit Oasis if you have your own driver, or a car, If you do independently is more difficult due to the few amount of transport available. I chose to sleep one night in Terjit in the famous guest house Chez Jamal. The tent is 200 per person, dinner 250 and breakfast 100. If you stay overnight is good for hiking, after the oasis there are plenty of routes. The shared car Atar Terjit costs 100 and takes only one hour.
Chinguetti is also great if you stay overnight the most famous place is abode auberge. The tent is 200 per person, dinner 250 and breakfast 100. Chinguetti is a historical city full of old libraries. There is a great spot to see the city from the top, using a latter in an abandoned house from the photo. From Atar to Chinghuetti is 300 one way, or 200 if you go in the trunk.
Both Terjit and Chinguetti can be accessed by trips from Atar. If you have more budget I strongly recommend to get a car or book a tour because is way more convenient.
I haven’t been to Ouadane, because is more far and I had a budget constrain, but I have heard is bigger than Chinguetti but this are more disperse, so a car is really recommended.
Iron ore Train
From Atar I went to Zouerat to catch the Iron Ore train, this transport cost 500 and dropped us in a random place where we ended up needing a taxi to get to the right station for 100 ugya.
We arrive at 2pm in the station and the train left only after 6pm! In the winter is really cold, we traveled in January. You have to bring thick socks, gloves, a few pair of pants and thick jacket. Also snowboard googles, turban and a sleeping back or think blanket for the night.
The trip takes about 20 hours, Zouerat Choum is 8 hours and Choum Noadhinbou 12 hours.
If you don’t want to o make the entire journey you can start from Choum
Noadinbhou
The train arrives in the north of Noadhinbou and plenty of cars will be waiting the passengers to go to town.
Noadhinbout the highlight is the port with old boats, and the beach on the north side.