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DAY 1 A welcome meal with the entire group begins our week, having made our own way to Atar. Then it's straight onto the quads and we depart in the direction of the Jraif oasis, for our first night under the stars about half way to the oasis, usually around the village of Amder. DAY 2 Our road alternates between sand and sharp stones until we reach Jraif, and it's worth taking care not to puncture your tires or to fall whilst crossing one of the cracks in the earth. We will stop for a refreshing tea in the house of the Marabout and from here on in the dream begins. To the left appear long chains of dunes and it's time to start surfing! We will pass the Aderg mountain, situated in the middle of a sea of dunes in incredible tones of rose, orange and white, and then will finish our day at the foot of the Tazazmout mountain and our idyllic encampment. “This is how one immagines a dune to be” past particiapants have exclaimed upon seeing the dunes rising to a height of 100 meters. This camp will be one that remains in the mind. |
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DAY 3 Our tour proceeds in the direction of El Beyyed, where you will be able to visit the school or buy prehistoric arrow heads and other objects in cut stone from the women and children. A visit to the museum of prehistory, with the chief of the village, Islem, as your guide is a pleasant experience. Islem founded the museum on the advice of the much celebrated Theodore Monod, with whom he surveyed the region in the 1980's. After El Beyyed, we head up onto a plateau for a trail that is rather difficult for our assistance vehicles! We cross a small erg down to our right, in the direction of a rocky ridge and then it's off again over the dunes which gradually become more and more majestic, a paradise for amateur quad bikers; “a huge and unforgettable foot” tend s to be the most commonly used phrase! Our camp for today is generally situated a little beyond the fortress of El Gallaouyia, so that both novice and experienced bikers can head off piste and explore the sea of dunes. |
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DAY 4 The first point of call today is El Gallaouyia where there is a fortress, held by the military, the likes of which you will not have seen before. After an obbligitory stop to control passports we will fill up with water. After this we depart on a “pass” of about 10 km with very soft sand and many rocks which threaten to burst the tyres. This mythical place in the summer hosts the many runs of the “Paris Dakar” rally. It is worth noting that around the middle of the pass one can stop to admire cave paintings. After the pass we continue for about 40km on flatter land, heading north east on a 70° course and then off to the right to break into the dune chains which run north-east/south-west for some more surfing. We next set a 220° course to get back into the flat land, so much so that it is reminiscent of the Tenere desert. Our camp tonight will be right in the middle of the desert and seems like the end of the world. Around the campfire tonight we will get back in touch with the universe and put the world to rights! DAY 5 As we proceed today the terrain becomes more and more “wavy”, camel grass threatens the arms of the drivers and we will need to avoid the stones and crevices by circumventing them and passing through great drifts that require some mastery of driving. Guelb Er Richat is waiting for us, which in reality a is depression about 80 meters deep. The colours of this spot are marvellous from the white of salt to the blue of iron oxides. One passes Guleb over inclining dunes that give the 4x4s and our 6x6 lorry some difficulty to get up and down. We pick up speed again towards the ancient portuguese trading palce of Agouedir and then onto the town of Ouadane, one of the sacred towns of Islam and an UNESCO world heritage site. The old town is constructed on the cliff and is lit up by the sunset. Overnight in hotel, for a much needed shower! DAY 6 We start the day with a guided visit to the old fortified town of Ouadane, a town of knowledge that boasted many ancient libraries. Around mid-morning we head off for a 120km stretch of pure dunes in the direction of Chinguetti. We will pass by the beautiful oasis of Tanouchert with it's sand covered palm trees. Having collected some wood for this evening's camp fire we head off on the route to Chinguetti which is a gift for the eyes, dunes in the most incredible colours – perhaps the most beautiful of Mauritania. There are two things that must not be missed on arrival in Chinguetti: the sun setting over the dunes and a visit to the thousand year old library. We camp in the dunes, about 3 km from the town so as not to be disturbed by the itinerant traders, for this one last night under the stars. DAY 7 After a visit to Chinguetti, it's library and the chance to make some interesting purchases in the new town, we retake to the “road” with a 60km stretch toward the majestic site of Fort Saganne. Depending on the energy levels in the group we have two options: either to descend into the famous pass of Amojjiar, an impressive canyon of 20km, or to take the hill of Nouatil, a Chinese “work of art” which allows us, on concrete and asphalt, to descend 250 meters in just a few kilometers. Overnight in a hotel at Atar, where the farewell party begins! Option to visit the town by night. |
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DAY 8 Time to take the plane back home. Baggage: Bring the absolute minimum as only 13kg of checked in luggage and a small hand luggage will be allowed on the return flight. You will need to bring: a good sleeping bag as the nights are very cold, hiking boots, sunglasses, camera, cap, biking helmet, biking visor, gloves, back protectionPlease remember that this is a muslim country and you should avoid any behaviour or dress that may shock and be prepared to adapt to the local culture. |
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