A Unique, Unforgettable Adventure in Mauritania
I traveled to Mauritania with ChingiTours on the Adrar Tour (short) in October 2025, and overall I had a fantastic experience exploring one of the most remote countries I’ve ever visited. Mauritania isn’t a common tourist destination, and I came into this trip with plenty of questions and hesitation. Leo — especially in the planning phase — was absolutely outstanding. I sent him many many emails beforehand, and every single one was answered promptly. Their pre-trip communication alone gave me the confidence to book.
My flight arrived in Nouakchott at 3am (and it took an hour to get through passport control), but ChingiTours arranged for a driver to pick me up, putting me at ease. The drivers throughout the trip were great — reliable, punctual, and confident behind the wheel. While we didn’t interact much due to language barriers, I always felt safe and well taken care of. The accommodations in Nouakchott and Chinguetti were basic but clean, with working AC, decent Wi-Fi, and what I would consider perfectly acceptable conditions for Mauritania. Breakfast was simple, but overall I was comfortable. The itinerary itself brought me to some absolutely incredible places. The Terjit Oasis was a standout — lush, peaceful, almost surreal — and I wish I had more time there. The dunes of Chinguetti at sunset were stunning and exactly the kind of Sahara experience I had hoped for. I appreciated the small group dynamic. I bonded quickly with the other travelers, and their company made the long drives and remote stops much more enjoyable.
One important note for future travelers: riding the Iron Ore Train is an unofficial activity and not formally condoned by the Mauritanian government, which means there is always a possibility of police interference. In our case, the authorities chased our group away from the tracks in Choum, and only by taking the initiative myself — sprinting toward the moving train and climbing aboard alone — was I ultimately able to experience the journey. Despite riding the entire length of the desert solo, it remains one of the most exhilarating travel moments of my life and something I would absolutely do again. However, travelers should be aware of the unpredictable nature of the experience and ideally build in an extra day or two of buffer time in case they need to attempt it more than once. Through all of this, ChingiTours was extremely responsive and quickly rearranged plans in Nouadhibou to ensure I had a safe place to stay and a smooth return to Nouakchott in time for my flight.
Overall, ChingiTours delivered an adventure that exceeded my expectations. Mauritania is not an easy place to travel independently, and having a professional company handle the logistics made all the difference. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for a truly off-the-beaten-path adventure.
15. marraskuuta 2025
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