Like you, I cant remember where I first saw it but Ive been wanting to do it for a while! The ride is incredibly bumpy and noisy. In one of the driest regions on the planet, Mauritania's coastal waters teem with fish, providing livelihood for many, and the 30 hour journey will earn him roughly $50 USD. . They all gracefully bent down touching their heads to the ground and stood back up repeatedly, eyes closed, without faltering, which I found to be very impressive considering the train was still jolting all over the place and I found it hard enough to just sit upright without losing my balance. CREDITS:: Director: Macgregor. Nouadhibou railway station. There is no light pollution out in the desert where the train is leading you because there is nothing out there at all. You see nothing besides the starry night and well, I am not going to lie, but from that moment it can get tough, but not as bad as you may think, and, by the end of the day, the whole experience makes up for it. The total U.S. exports to Mauritania in 2019 were USD 127 million, and imports from Mauritania were USD 61 million, resulting in a U.S. trade surplus with Mauritania of USD 66 million. Cheers, Daniel, thanks to you for reading it . The owner and guy in charge is a Frenchman named Sebastien. Have a question about travelling to North Korea? Mauritania is not famous for having solid internet connection, and heading further inland away from the coastline will put you at slimmer chance of finding a stable cellular network. We have a long and proud history of arranging cultural projects with the Korean people; be it through art, sport, or whatever medium brings people together. The light fragmentation was beautiful; however, it was the dust from the sand and the iron particles making it possible, which was everywhere. For some of the journey the sound of the train moving along the tracks was soothing and I almost thought it was helping me fall asleep. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Join our Mauritania EXPEDITION in Feb 8th to 15th (2023), Join our Mauritania EXPEDITION in Terminus. Hi Sam, just book your hotel in Nouakchott. Built to transport Mauritania's vast iron ore reserves, the Mauritania Railway is a 704-kilometer line that cuts through the Sahara Desert on its way from the mining center of Zouerat to the port city of Nouadhibou on Africa's Atlantic coast. All rights reserved. But bring more. It was getting close to 23:00 when we finished and our car-mates decided to turn in for the night. We also didnt have to wrap ourselves and our things in sheets or plastic, like people recommend you do in the other direction, because in empty cars there is less iron ore dust whipping around (although there is still A LOT). From here well return to Choum, and in the late afternoon well once again look out for the ore trains. No material may be reproduced in any form, in part or in whole, without the permission of the publishers. During the construction of the railway in the 1960s, the French did not want their railway to enter Western Sahara which at the time was Spanish territory located just west of the mountains. You get what you pay for. Well go to the airport and board our return flight. Ive always wanted to do this! We were taken aback but not completely surprised and tried to explain we thought he had offered to share a taxi with us. Whether your riding in the open freight car or the passenger wagon, you wont sleep much. (please expect about 15 US-Dollars per day per person). In any case, riding this train was enough motive for making a trip to Mauritania. If you are in Nouakchott, the first thing you must do is take a bus or shared local taxi to Atar, the capital of Adrar and the base for reaching places like Terjit, Chinguetti or Ouadane. The taxis all hurried off and it was just the three of us standing alone, in the pitch-black night, in some bum-fuck Mauritanian town, at 5 in the morning. The train is the bedrock of the Mauritanian economy and a lifeline to the outside . Apart from the arriving trains, there are only a few movements to be seen in Nouadhibou during daylight. My experience with the train began upon my arrival in Zourat, in a hotel I booked into named Tiris, whose owner spoke impeccable Spanish. Join Young Pioneer Tours for one of our signature Group Adventures to the Islamic Republic of Iran, or Iraqi Kurdistan and the Caucuses, or let us plan your independent Middle-Eastern adventure. Our unconventional 700km journey took us right through the Sahara to reach the coast . The SNIM company, which is responsible for the passenger traffic (the wagon at the end of train V3 and M4), is called TFM. We discourage packing or hauling large luggage around Africa so allow us to assist you with what are the essentials to pack to better prepare you for your Saharan train journey. If youre going to ride an empty wagon itll be wise to pack empty bottles to assist with going for number 1s during your train journey and best to hold in any number 2s until you reach your destination. We arrived in Nouadhibou at 7:30am, shortly after sunrise, so if you had taken the train in Choum on that day, you would have only gotten 10 minutes of sunlight. I felt way much safer during my 10 days in Mauritania than during the 1 day layover in Tunis. If you're serious about this experience, you should definitely pack goggles, warm blankets, scarves, some sort of breathing mask, plenty of water, food, and warm [] Just spending the night in the desert, far from any civilisation, and watching an ore train in the distance as the rays of a front headlight of a diesel loco fingers its way through the sand dunes is an incomparable experience. This train has no ticket, no conductor, no dining cart, or any sort of announcements. Director's bio-filmography: MacGregor (1981) loves speed and collects classic . The visa for Mauritania will be issued on arrival (55 Euros plus handling fee of 25 Euros). Share. Well carry sufficient food, tea and water with us. Always use common sense when crossing roads and railway tracks. And also how long does it take the train to speed up and slow down? The Mauritania Railway just got served Today we did a thing: We began in Nouadhibou where we picked up some supplies for the epic train journey ahead. From there well climb the Amoghar Pass and continue to the famous desert city Chinguetti. The Mauritania train is used to transport iron ore from the mines in the depths of the Sahara, all the way to the west coast of Africa. It all sounds like some adventure I would like to try. Furthermore, in the passenger carriage you are likely to meet curious Mauritanians with whom to interact, share stories, have some tea, etc., but keep in mind that its always packed, with barely any place to sit, so dont expect it to be the most comfortable journey ever. The daily runs of the track gang speeders have some influence on the timetable. Since there is no road connecting these parts of the country without a 400km detour through the capital, the train is used by passengers as well. www.Rail-Pass.com No 1 Pricing for Rail Pass & Rail Tickets + Train Tickets www.Rail-Pass.com is a travel portal selling all modes of travel at No 1 Pricing with no additional fees . For more information about the country, dont forget to check my travel guide to Mauritania, Insurance for traveling in MauritaniaI strongly recommend IATI Insurance: COVID-19 + full Mauritania coverageBUY IT HERE TO GET YOUR SPECIAL DISCOUNT. The aim of the train is to transport thousands of tonnes of iron ore, distributed in more than 200 wagons, making it become the longest and heaviest train in the world, at 2.5km long, although it can be up to 3km, depending on the loading. And how about it getting into your stuff, clothes and so? The iron ore train has been on my list for quite a long time. Notes From The Home: Quarantine And The Ascent IntoMadness, Crossing Into Mauritania From Western Sahara, Bring something to cover your face and eyes, Try and ride in a car with other people if you are riding to Choum (if youre going to Nouadhibou it will be daytime when you get there and will be very easy to tell you have arrived), Have warm clothes/blanket accessible for when you need it at night. Precipitation is almost zero. Carrying some toiletries in your photo bag is hence advisable. Hotel in Zourate. Today well follow a train from Zourate back to Nouabidou. Built to transport Mauritania's vast iron ore reserves, the Mauritania Railway is a 704-kilometer line that cuts through the Sahara Desert on its way from the mining center of Zouerat to the port city of Nouadhibou on Africa's Atlantic coast. in the ex-SNCF passenger coach of TFM with compartments and a non-subdivided passenger compartment in the centre, in the large brake van with sleeper compartments, non-subdivided compartments and a viewing platform. In the morning hours we expect an empty train passing Ben Amira. You could also wear old clothes you dont mind throwing away once the journey finishes. Travelling in it is no joy! Socit Nationale Industrielle et Minire, Hitchhiking and Backpacking in Saudi Arabia, Is it Ethical to Visit Saudi Arabia as a Tourist, Travel Guide to Afghan Village in Pakistan, The day I was accused of being an Islamic State Spy, Tips and how to travel to Mauritania in 2022, How to travel to Syria in 2022: Need to know. This is the tremors and loud noises caused when the freight cars slam into each other. The upkeep of the tunnel was adding further unnecessary expenses so in 1991 the tunnel was totally abandoned. I did this in August 2021, I was 19. Its one of the most off the beaten path destinations and COVID cases are relatively low. About 15 wagons away, I was able to make out a Mauritanian loading tens of goats and, a few wagons further along, another man seemed to be loading more than 30 suitcases, as if he decided to move out to his new place riding on the Iron Ore Train. The six daily trains (three empty and three loaded) are towed by four locomotives with 3,300 HP or two locomotives with 4,500 HP . Feb 8th to 15th (2023). Despite daily temperatures exceeding 40% C. and deaths from fall being common, Malick relies on the train for his survival. The office is where shared taxis to the station depart from. As if it wasnt obvious. The railway connects the deposits to the ore port along a 700km line. Apart from that, I think it doesnt matter but just dont go in the middle, since you wont be able to appreciate the trains real length. we journey through vast Saharan landscapes with the people who rely on the train for their survival. Refuelling of locomotives commonly occurs at over 50C (122F). Opened in 1963, Mauritania's Train du Desert operates a daily service from the port at Nouadhibou on the Atlantic coast to the iron ore mines in Zouerat in the country's north-west. Join Young Pioneer Tours on one of our signature African adventures in Eritrea, Somaliland, or Socotra (with new destinations being added all the time), or let us plan an independent trip for you. The-Mauritania-Railway-Backbone-of-the-Sahara. Your email address will not be published. This mini documentary film is real nice also. (LogOut/ It is not uncommon for travellers to bring and pitch a tent within the freight car for extra comfort. Have you got what it takes? Those six new, 3,310 kW strong EMD locos sometimes had problems with their turbochargers. Well stay overnight in small tents in the desert. The Mauritanian Iron Ore Train is one of the most unique and incredible train journeys one can take. The scenery is incredible, the adventure will get your blood pumping and a sure way to bond tighter friendships in your group. Thank you again for all the infos David! Read Time: 1 min. Vimeo Staff Picks From Africa. - 2021-02-07 . This was incredibly expensive and many locals died during the construction. Our car-mate returned from the darkness after a few minutes and proceeded to just sit down on the tracks and ask us what we were still doing there. Thats why it is incredibly important to have a local guide who will be able to arrange your trip and receive the latest updates on the departure to ensure you dont miss the train. We had exchanged cumulatively a handful of sentences and in retrospect, probably none of them had been communicated effectively. The train stops a few kilometers outside of Nouadhibou, in the middle of nowhere, where several taxis will be waiting for the passengers. It will include the development of 170 miles (273.5km) of new track between South Florida and Orlando. We had the provisions for the cold night but had not gotten them ready beforehand so I was scrambling to pull one of our sleeping bags out and wrap it around me along with every piece of clothing I could easily get my hands on. This content is for Premium Subscribers only. How do you go to the bathroom, especially women. I did it all by myself. Do you think it is difficult to do it for a person with 60 years old? YoungPioneerTours.com 2022. RECENT WINS. Choum A tiny settlement located between Atar y Zourat, and where the train does a quick 10-minute stop. Wrap your shit up in a plastic sheet/blanket if you dont want it to get caked in iron ore. Its at least a 12 hour train ride. People we had spoken to had said that the way to Choum was far less comfortable than the way to Nouadhibou, but we didnt find it to be any less comfortable than you would imagine riding in a barren iron train on rusted, ancient tracks with no cushioning through a developing country would be. This experience is the real Mauritanian experience. I went to Auberge Triskell, close to the US Embassy. INTERPIPE has signed a 3-year contract with the Mauritanian State Railways (Socit Nationale Industrielle et Minire) for the supply of 1076 mm diameter locomotive wheels according to the AAR standard, reports Railway Supply magazine, citing the manufacturer. It was a totally sleepless night, but Im young and still can handle those and the stars above made it all worth it. A friend of mine told me a story about a long train in Mauritania that you could hop on and take a ride through the Sahara. Unless he had some friends here who were going to help. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 87 Mauritania Railway Premium High Res Photos Browse 87 mauritania railway stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. The railwaymen call this place Point Central or, in short, PC. I wished I had gone full Mad Max and brought goggles and a face-mask. At that time it laid completely in Mauritania and had to cross a mountainous section. This is the sharp 90 degree corner where Western Sahara borders Mauritania.
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