8 DAYS
3-7 PEOPLE
4* HOTELS &
DESERT CAMPING
Imagine a country so remote that most people never heard about it - let alone can locate it on a map. A country with a unique and deeply traditional culture, where most men wear fabulous fairy-tale gowns.
Mauritania is large a chunk of Sahara, twice the size of France, that ends abruptly at the Atlantic coast. A harsh, rough country populated by hardened people. A desolate place that feels very far from 21st century, where you will not see another tourist for days.
It's more challenging for people photography, as most locals don’t like to be photographed. But I will teach you how to handle that.
This trip is a mix of travel portraits with a 2.5-day Sahara walk, where we will enjoy the silence and serenity of the desert, and take some stunning photos of the dunes.
The trip comes with full-time photographic coaching by Pawel Lipski, including location-specific briefings and daily photo reviews.
60% street portraits, 40% Sahara walk
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Full-time photographic coaching
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Daily photo reviews
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Small group
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No hidden costs
(drinks & tips included)
Level of Difficulty
This is fairly easygoing and relaxed trip - but you need to be reasonably fit for a 2.5-day desert walk on the Sahara.
You need to be prepared for:​
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Sahara walk (2-3h in the morning + 2-3h in the afternoon at a slow, relaxed pace), with no shower, toilet, or mobile connection
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2 nights sleeping in the desert (in individual tents), with night temperature dropping to 10-12 degrees
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6-hour drive to Chinguetti and back in a private 4x4, partly on dirt tracks
Locations
Nouakchott
We will start in the capital, exploring the city and its markets, and absorbing Mauritania's exotic ambience, culture, and gorgeous dresses. The highlight will be a visit to Port de Peche (fishing port) on the Atlantic coast, with its raw beauty and incredible faces, seasoned in the harsh climate. While most people are busy with the fish, some take an opportunity to have a dip in the ocean.
Chinguetti
One of the 7 holy cities of Islam in middle ages, today Chinguetti is a delapidated, forgotten place at the edge of the Sahara, with slow pace and detached feel. Not much is left of its former glory - except for several medieval libraries filled with thousands of old, hand-written books, and guarded by old-world librarians and wooden locks.
Sahara Walk
From Chinguetti, we will take a 2-day walk through the Sahara desert, accompanied with a couple of guides and camels that will carry our stuff. A true old-style caravan. We will soak in the vastness, desolation and silence of the Sahara, and the gorgeous patterns on the dunes in a late afternoon sunlight. We will sleep one night in an oasis - and another in an open desert, under the stars.
Itinerary
Sat 16 Jan - Nouakchott
Arrival in Nouakchott (1:45am with RAM)
Late start & stroll around town
Port de Peche
Sun 17 Jan
Drive to Chinguetti (7h)
Mon 18 Jan - Chinguetti
Street photography
Medieval libraries
Tue 19 Jan - Sahara
Sahara walk + oasis
Overnight in the desert
Wed 20 Jan - Sahara
Sahara walk
Overnight in the desert
Thu 21 Jan - Chinguetti
Sahara walk
Street photography
Fri 22 Jan
Drive to Nouakchott (7h)
Stopover in Terjit oasis
Sat 23 Jan - Nouakchott
Camel market
Port de Peche
Sun 24 Feb
Departure (3:45am)
Photographic Coaching
Full-time coaching by Pawel Lipski:
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3-step system for stunning travel portraits
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People photography in Mauritania
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Location-specific briefings, challenges and tips
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On-location guidance
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Daily photo reviews & feedback
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Written feedback on your 10 best shots after the trip
Included:
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Full-time travel portrait coaching
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Accommodation (single occupancy) in a 4-star hotel, and auberge and 2 nights camping in the desert
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All meals (with beverages)
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Ground transportation in private minivan/4WD
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Camels & guides for the Sahara walk
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Airport transfers
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Tips for guides
Not Included:
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International flight into Nouakchott
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Visa
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Travel insurance​
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Personal expenses (e.g. room service, porters, laundry)
Accommodation
NOUAKCHOTT
Hotel Semiramis (4*) - single occupancy
CHINGUETTI
Maison La Gueila
SAHARA
2 nights in open desert in tents
Equipment
MANDATORY:​
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Good camera
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Telephoto lens e.g. 70-200mm
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Wide angle lens e.g. 24-70mm
OPTIONAL:​​
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Laptop or tablet to select your best images for daily reviews
Important To Know
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No vaccinations required
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Information pack including a packing list and clothing recommendations will be sent after balance payment
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Visa: eVisa online (processing time 2-3 weeks)
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If you don't have travel insurance, you can get it here: www.worldnomads.com
Flights
Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca from Geneva, Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam (€ 600-700)
From Singapore: Turkish via Istanbul (S$ 2,200)
For current flight options, check:
skyscanner.ch
Cancellations
If YOU cancel participation:
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100% refund if canceled by 31 October​
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50% refund if canceled before 31 December
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0% refund if canceled less after 31 December
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If the TRIP is cancelled:
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If the trip is cancelled due to insufficient number of participants or force majeure, full refund will be given OR you can switch to the next trip.
Pawel Lipski
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International photography coach, specialising in people photography in natural light - from posed to travel portraits
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30+ years of photographic experience
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An avid independent traveller with a passion for remote, non-touristy places with authentic cultures
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Polish based in Zurich, Switzerland
