Follow one of the world’s least-travelled frontiers into the vast desert heart of Mauritania. This journey traces ancient caravan routes across shifting dunes and isolated oasis towns that once linked the Mediterranean to sub-Saharan Africa. Along the way, dramatic coastal escarpments, tidal deserts, and off-road Saharan crossings reveal landscapes shaped by wind, trade, and time.
In Mauritania’s Adrar region, medieval stone settlements such as Chinguetti and Ouadane rise from the sand, preserving manuscript libraries and the legacy of trans-Saharan scholarship. Hidden palm oases, prehistoric rock art, high dune basins, and mountain passes contrast with the immensity of the Sahara. The journey concludes on the Atlantic coast in Nouakchott, where colourful fishing pirogues and West African influences reflect the cultural crossroads of desert and ocean.
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Private Departures 
Welcome to Mauritania! On arrival at Nouadhibou International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure until it is time to meet for a welcome dinner this evening. (D)
Overnight – Hotel El Medina – Standard Room or similar
Depart Nouadhibou and travel inland toward the mining town of Akjoujt, where the paved road gradually gives way to desert tracks. Beyond Akjoujt, leave established routes behind and enter an off-road landscape of high dunes and open horizons.
To navigate the deep sand, tyre pressure will be reduced and traditional land navigation techniques employed, supported by GPS, maps, and compass. The terrain shifts between vast dune corridors and untouched geological formations.
Cross the Erg Amatlich dune basin, considered one of the most striking in Mauritania. The immensity of the Sahara here creates a profound sense of isolation. Along the way, discover traces of ancient human presence, including stone tools and pottery fragments scattered across the desert floor.
Occasional patches of grazing land reveal nomadic encampments, offering brief but meaningful encounters after the silence of the dunes.
By late afternoon, enter the Adrar massif, where valleys, escarpments, yellow sand seas, and dark volcanic rock peaks create a varied and dramatic landscape. Continue toward Chinguetti, arriving in the evening. (B,L,D)
Overnight – Sahara Hotel – Air-Conditioned Room or similar
Explore Chinguetti, one of the historic caravan towns of the Sahara and an important centre of Islamic scholarship. Walk through narrow sandy streets lined with stone and adobe structures that have endured for centuries.
Visit one of the traditional manuscript libraries that preserve ancient religious and scientific texts, reflecting the town’s intellectual legacy. The surrounding desert gradually presses against the old quarter, reinforcing the fragile balance between settlement and shifting sand.
Venture into the surrounding Adrar region, where remote oases and small adobe villages are set between cliffs and dunes. Date palms cluster around natural springs, sustaining life in an otherwise arid environment.
Return to Chinguetti in the afternoon. (B,L,D)
Overnight – La Gueila – Standard Room or similar
Spend the day exploring Chinguetti, long regarded as the jewel of Mauritania’s oases. Founded in the 13th century, this stone-built citadel once stood at the crossroads of major trans-Saharan caravan routes linking the Mediterranean world with sub-Saharan Africa.
Walk through the old quarter, where dry-stone houses, narrow sandy lanes, and fortified façades reflect centuries of adaptation to desert life. Visit one of the historic manuscript libraries, including the renowned Ould Habott collection, the largest private collection in Mauritania. These preserved medieval texts testify to Chinguetti’s role as a centre of scholarship and religious learning.
Continue through the palm groves of the oasis, where irrigated gardens form vivid green enclaves against chains of yellow dunes. The advancing sands press constantly against the western edge of town, a visible reminder of the ongoing struggle between settlement and desert.
Visit the main mosque and its iconic stone minaret, believed to be the second oldest continuously operating minaret in the Muslim world. Its simple square tower remains one of Mauritania’s most recognisable architectural symbols.
Return to your guesthouse in the late afternoon.(B,L,D)
Overnight – La Gueila – Standard Room or similar
Depart Chinguetti and follow a remote off-road route tracing the course of a dry ouadi. The journey leads across high dunes and through isolated pockets of vegetation where small hidden oases sustain life in the desert.
Arrive in Ouadane, one of the most remote settlements in Mauritania. Founded in 1147, the town once flourished as a key trans-Saharan caravan centre. Its stone houses, built along a rocky hillside, overlook vast desert plains. Although much of the old town now lies in ruins, parts remain inhabited, preserving a living link to its trading past.
In 1487, during the height of caravan commerce, the Portuguese established a fortified trading post in the region, marking the town’s strategic importance in Saharan trade networks.
Explore the atmospheric remains of the old ksar before returning to Chinguetti in the late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at your guesthouse. (B,L,D)
Overnight – La Gueila – Standard Room or similar
Leave the main track and travel into a landscape of dramatic mountains, gorges, and canyons. Vast open spaces unfold beneath an expansive blue sky, the terrain shifting between ochre rock and pale sand.
At the horizon stand the ruins of Fort Saganne, constructed as a film set for the movie of the same name starring Gérard Depardieu and Catherine Deneuve.
Continue to the Agrour site at the top of the Amogjar Pass, where prehistoric rock art is hidden among the cliffs.
After a brief visit to the Atar market, proceed to Terjit, one of Mauritania’s most verdant oases. Walk through dense palm groves sheltered within a gorge, following a small stream that leads to a natural rock shelter where fresh spring water flows. The cool shade and greenery contrast sharply with the surrounding desert.
Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Overnight – Hotel Sahara – Air-Conditioned Room or similar
Travel from the desert toward the Atlantic coast, crossing the transitional landscapes that link the Sahara with sub-Saharan Africa.
In Nouakchott, visit the National Museum, which presents Mauritania’s history and culture through archaeological artefacts, traditional costumes, textiles, and exhibits spanning from prehistory to modern times. Displays include photographs from excavations at Aoudaghost, a major trading centre of the ancient Ghana Empire. From the 6th century onward, gold caravans departed Aoudaghost for North Africa, passing through towns such as Ouadane and Assa encountered during your Saharan journey.
Lunch will be served at a restaurant managed by women from Ivory Coast, offering an introduction to West African cuisine.
Continue to the Nouakchott fishing harbour, where hundreds of brightly painted pirogues line the beach. Fishermen, many from Senegal, bring in the daily catch amid wind and waves. Mauritania’s fishing industry processes more than 1.8 million tonnes of fish annually.
A day-use room will be available until 18:00.
Transfer to the airport for departure. (B,L)
Overnight – Day Use Room – Nouakchott Hotel or similar
Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start your planning offline!
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**Please note that this tour can be organised on request for private departures.
* Pricing is subject to change at anytime until full payment has been received.
* A minimum of 4 adults is required to guarantee this departure.
A non-refundable deposit of $500 AUD per person is required to secure your place. Final payment is due no later than 60 days prior to departure. Travel insurance is mandatory for travelling with Crooked Compass. For full terms and conditions, please click here.
Small group tours providing intimate connections to gain a deeper understanding and emotional connection to the community, tribes, cultures and lands explored.
Exploring the world’s most remote reaches and challenging destinations requires a high level of expertise which can only be learned from first-hand experience. We know because we go.
In an ever-changing global landscape of rules, regulations and restrictions, rest-assured you are being looked after by those in the know. Given the remote regions that we explore, our passengers safety is our top priority.
Stay up to date with the latest travel trends and new destinations opening up. To be the first to go, you need to be the first to know.
Travel professionals are welcome. For partnerships or agent enquiries, we recommend contacting us directly.
This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
Our Signature Tours are the cornerstone of the Crooked Compass journey: meticulously designed small-group itineraries that balance authenticity, comfort, and ease. These are destinations where travel can be complex—from navigating evolving logistics to reaching places far from the usual tourist path—yet our expertise ensures your experience feels smooth, effortless, and deeply rewarding.
From the moment you arrive, every detail is handled with care. You’re welcomed personally on arrival and met for a private transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll join the rest of your group. Your guide will walk you through an orientation, helping you understand the rhythm of the journey ahead and settling you in with clear, practical insights from the very start.
Accommodation is selected for both comfort and character, reflecting the richness of its locality through thoughtful design, creative ingenuity, and a genuine sense of place. Whether it’s a boutique property, a sustainable lodge or a homestay, each choice is made to connect you meaningfully with the destination.
Cultural integration sits at the heart of our approach. Every itinerary is crafted with respect for local communities, aligning sensitively with their values and protecting the authenticity of their culture. Through this, travellers experience a deeper connection —stories shared firsthand, traditions encountered in their true context, and moments that shift perspectives long after returning home.
With a maximum of 12 travellers and our most trusted local partners, you explore with confidence, guided by teams who combine deep regional knowledge with an intuitive understanding of Western traveller expectations. Through the powerful medium of storytelling, our journeys inspire personal reflection and spark genuine emotion, turning travel into something transformative.
For travellers seeking even more flexibility or personalisation, our Tours By Design journeys are crafted with the same care — mindfully designed around your interests for a more tailored experience.
Why travellers love our Signature Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
Our Founders Tours are rare, one-of-a-kind journeys personally hosted by Crooked Compass founder, Lisa Pagotto. Designed for the traveller who seeks more than just adventure, these exclusive small-group expeditions uncover places few have ever seen – experiences not featured in our regular collection, chosen for their depth, beauty, and story.
Each itinerary is hand-crafted by Lisa to offer meaningful connection and unique access built through years of trust and collaboration with local communities. Travelling alongside her gives you an unparalleled perspective into the world of ethical exploration – from the behind-the-scenes partnerships that shape our journeys, to the human stories that inspire them.
With an intimate group size and seamless support from our expert team, a Founders Tour is less a trip, and more a masterclass in discovery.
Why travellers love Founders Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
Set sail on a rare journey across remote islands, wild coastlines, and untouched ecosystems aboard a small, luxury expedition vessel. Travelling by sea unlocks access to places few travellers ever reach – from isolated villages and pristine reefs to dramatic landscapes that can’t be accessed by land – while each evening, you return to the comfort of your beautifully appointed cabin.
These voyages blend adventure with refinement. Expert-led excursions bring you face-to-face with raw nature and vibrant cultures, while exceptional onboard dining, service, and comfort allow time to unwind and reflect.
To complete your experience, Crooked Compass can seamlessly craft pre- or post-cruise land extensions, ensuring your journey flows effortlessly from sea to shore.
Why travellers love our Expedition Cruises:
More about out Tour Styles.
Our Tours by Design experiences are private journeys curated exclusively for you by the Crooked Compass team. Whether you’re drawn to one of our existing itineraries, wish to adapt a small-group tour for private travel, or want to design something entirely new, we’ll craft a journey that reflects your pace, passions, and sense of discovery.
Why pay for inclusions that don’t fit? With Tours by Design, every detail is intentional – from the destinations and experiences to your style of travel and choice of accommodation. Each itinerary is hand-built through our deep local partnerships and expertise, ensuring authenticity, comfort, and connection in every moment.
Why travellers love Tours by Design:
More about our Tour Styles.
Our Partner Tours are carefully chosen group journeys operated by our long-standing, in-country partners — experts who share our values of authenticity, cultural respect, and meaningful connection. These departures, averaging between 17 and 22 travellers, are designed and delivered by our partners, while Crooked Compass manages your booking and provides full support from start to finish.
Enjoy the reassurance of booking through an Australian-based company, delivering our same personalised service and attention to detail you expect from Crooked Compass. We take care of the logistics, so you can focus on what matters most – the journey itself.
Why travellers love our Partner Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
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