18-Day Trans-Saharan Expedition: Marrakech to Dakar via Laayoune & Mauritania

About this tour

Private-4x4 overland journey from Marrakech to Dakar. After the Draa Valley and Erg Chigaga dunes it follows the Atlantic coast through Tan-Tan, Tarfaya and Akhfennir to Laayoune, then on to Dakhla, across Mauritania's Adrar and Chinguetti, and into Senegal via Saint-Louis and the pink Lac Rose.

Highlights

• Erg Chigaga desert camp
• Atlantic desert coast via Tarfaya
• Laayoune's Spanish-era quarter and markets
• Dakhla lagoon free day
• Chinguetti manuscript libraries
• Cap Blanc monk seals
• Lac Rose, Senegal

Itinerary

1. Day 1 - Marrakech to Zagora

   Cross the High Atlas by private 4x4, stop in Ouarzazate and overnight near Zagora.

2. Day 2 - Zagora to Erg Chigaga

   Drive to the edge of the open desert and sleep in a camp among the big dunes.

3. Day 3 - Erg Chigaga to Icht

   Cross a pre-Saharan plateau past villages and old irrigation channels to a guesthouse in Icht.

4. Day 4 - Icht to Tan-Tan

   Over the Anti-Atlas to the coast at Tan-Tan.

5. Day 5 - Tan-Tan to Akhfennir

   Follow the Atlantic via Tarfaya to the fishing village of Akhfennir by its lagoon.

6. Day 6 - Akhfennir to Laayoune

   Drive the coast to Laayoune; visit the seasonal river, the Spanish colonial district, markets and crafts.

7. Day 7 - Laayoune to Dakhla

   Long coastal desert drive to the Dakhla peninsula.

8. Day 8 - Dakhla

   Free day: lagoon water sports, the White Dune, seafood.

9. Day 9 - Dakhla to Nouadhibou

   Assisted border crossing at Guerguerat, Cap Blanc seals, the iron-ore train.

10. Day 10 - Nouadhibou to Akjoujt

    Open desert near the Dhar Adrar escarpment, oases and nomad camps.

11. Day 11 - Akjoujt to Chinguetti

    Climb onto the Adrar plateau to Chinguetti's UNESCO old town.

12. Day 12 - Chinguetti

    Free day: camel outing, family manuscript collections, dune sunset.

13. Day 13 - Chinguetti to Atar

    Amogjar Pass and the Atar market.

14. Day 14 - Atar to Nouakchott

    Down from the plateau to the Atlantic and the capital.

15. Day 15 - Nouakchott

    Free day: fishing port, markets, city and mosque.

16. Day 16 - Nouakchott to Saint-Louis

    Cross the Senegal River with assistance to Saint-Louis island.

17. Day 17 - Saint-Louis to Lac Rose

    Coastal route to the pink Lake Retba and its salt harvesters.

18. Day 18 - Lac Rose to Dakar

    Transfer to Dakar; optional Gorée Island extension.