Desert Express - The Longest ride

 Have you ever dreamt of riding a train 3km long across the desert?
No? We have.
Now It’s time you did.
Imagine sitting on top of one of the huge piles of black Iron Ore the train carries. You’re wearing skiing goggles with a head scarf wrapped around your head to keep the dust out of your eyes.
Above you as the sun sets the immense sky fills with stars that litter a desert scene.
Below you - the train.
Are you there yet? 

 This is a 7 night adventure into West Africa that takes you from a beautiful surfers paradise, to a tranquil desert oasis and onto the longest ride of your life. 10 places only available on this unique experience. Are you brave enough to get on board?! 

Day 1 - Dakhla- on the Atlantic coast of Western Sahara sheltered by a huge sand spit, this lagoon has become a Mecca for kite surfers and water sports enthusiasts. We begin our trip soaking up the atmosphere or chilling out on the beach or rent a board and hit the waves. Whatever gets you ready for the adventure ahead.
Accomodation- hotel

Day 2 - Mauritania - Nouadhibou. A small fishing town in the north of the country. After crossing the border and negotiating the small minefield between the two countries (don’t worry there’s a road!) we’ll spend a night in a hotel here before heading into the heart of the desert tomorrow. This is our end point for the train later on. It departs from here out into the desert - but it’ll be empty then. That’s no fun. We want it piled high with Iron Ore.
Accomodation- hotel

Day 3 & 4
Terjit Oasis - a real Oasis in the true sense of the word with lush green vegetation and a natural spring running through. We spend 2 nights sleeping under the stars and exploring the desert landscape before heading north to hitch a ride on a very big train.
Accomodation- Desert camp

Day 5 & 6 - Zouerat & The train.
In Africa when someone is asked what time does the train leave - the answer is simple - when it is full.
In this case full of Iron Ore.
It then begins its journey of over 500km back to the coast. This is when we get on.
Laying our blankets on top of the piles of Iron Ore we get ready for the longest ride.
This is an epic adventure through the night, sleeping high above the desert as the train trundles to the Atlantic coast. Expect dust, lots of dust (bring goggles)
Expect noise, lots of noise (bring a soundtrack)
Expect an adventure, a real adventure (bring yourself)
Accomodation - The Train

Day 7 & 8- Arriving on the beach looking and feeling quite different to when we left, it’s time to shake off the dust and get in the water.
Spend a final day on the beach before heading onward to another adventure or home to tell everyone you just rode the longest train in the world.
Accomodation- hotel

Onward travel - you can either take a flight from Dakhla back to UK via Morocco.
Or another possible option for those wanting to continue the holiday is to take a bus to Laayoune up the coast and from here take a cheap/quick flight across to the Canary Islands.

Cost - £795 inc all accommodation and meals in Mauritania

 Not included- flights. Food in Western Sahara.