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Mauritania🇲🇷 | festivalsFestival of Ancient CitiesRotating ksour, manuscript libraries, camel racing, Hassaniya poetry, tidinit nights | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in of Ancient Cities
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Festival of Ancient Cities does not sit in one town: it rotates between the four UNESCO-listed ksour of Chinguetti, Ouadane, Tichitt and Oualata, so the venue changes from one edition to the next. All four are old caravan and manuscript towns in the Saharan interior of Mauritania, built of dry stone and mud, with Chinguetti and Ouadane in the Adrar plateau region east of Atar. Expect Hassaniya poetry, tidinit and ardin music, camel racing, craft stalls and manuscript displays. Days are hot and bright, nights drop cold, and wind blows fine sand into your tea glass and your sleeping bag. Crowds are mostly Mauritanians, nomadic families and a thin layer of overlanders and small groups, so the mood is local rather than polished. It runs about four days. Facilities are basic, and you sleep in tents or simple guesthouses. Compared with Morocco’s Festival of Nomads at M’Hamid, which draws far more tourists and runs on better infrastructure, this one feels like a gathering held for the towns themselves.

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The current risk level for Mauritania is high. Check the advice before going.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 festival in MauritaniaThe unique appeal for travelers

Festival of Ancient Cities gives you a reason to reach ksour that most routes through Mauritania never touch. Tichitt and Oualata sit far from the main tarmac, and seeing them during a festival means there is food, transport and company that a normal week would not offer. The four towns hold centuries-old manuscript libraries, and during the event families open collections and explain what the handwritten pages contain.

The social side is the real draw. Nomadic families pitch tents on the edge of town, and an invitation to sit on a rug, wait through three rounds of Moorish tea and listen to a poet recite is common. Nobody here is selling you a show. You are a guest at something that exists for local pride, which makes conversations easy even with little French or Arabic.

For a longer route … read more 👉
Festival of Ancient Cities gives you a reason to reach ksour that most routes through Mauritania never touch. Tichitt and Oualata sit far from the main tarmac, and seeing them during a festival means there is food, transport and company that a normal week would not offer. The four towns hold centuries-old manuscript libraries, and during the event families open collections and explain what the handwritten pages contain.

The social side is the real draw. Nomadic families pitch tents on the edge of town, and an invitation to sit on a rug, wait through three rounds of Moorish tea and listen to a poet recite is common. Nobody here is selling you a show. You are a guest at something that exists for local pride, which makes conversations easy even with little French or Arabic.

For a longer route it works as an anchor. Build a desert loop around the host town, add the Adrar oases and the dunes, and the festival turns a pure transit stretch into a trip with a clear destination and a few days of real company.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while celebrating the of Ancient Cities

  1. The host ksar’s old quarter: whichever of the four towns hosts, its stone lanes are the main stage. Chinguetti, Ouadane, Tichitt and Oualata are all UNESCO-listed, and the festival fills their narrow alleys with drums, tea fires and visitors, which makes the ruined walls and flat-roofed houses easier to read.
  2. Chinguetti’s mosque and manuscript libraries: the square-minaret mosque of dry stone is one of the country’s best-known sights, and family libraries here keep handwritten Quranic, legal and astronomical texts on shelves and in chests. During the festival, owners are more willing to show them.
  3. Oualata’s painted house facades: when the festival is held here, you see the geometric patterns in red, ochre and white that women paint around doors and niches. They are the clearest craft tradition
… read more 👉
  1. The host ksar’s old quarter: whichever of the four towns hosts, its stone lanes are the main stage. Chinguetti, Ouadane, Tichitt and Oualata are all UNESCO-listed, and the festival fills their narrow alleys with drums, tea fires and visitors, which makes the ruined walls and flat-roofed houses easier to read.
  2. Chinguetti’s mosque and manuscript libraries: the square-minaret mosque of dry stone is one of the country’s best-known sights, and family libraries here keep handwritten Quranic, legal and astronomical texts on shelves and in chests. During the festival, owners are more willing to show them.
  3. Oualata’s painted house facades: when the festival is held here, you see the geometric patterns in red, ochre and white that women paint around doors and niches. They are the clearest craft tradition among the four towns and worth photographing in morning light.
  4. Camel racing: riders and spectators gather on open sand at the edge of town. The animals are lean, fast and unimpressed. Stand near the finish line and expect dust, shouting and plenty of side bets.
  5. Hassaniya poetry and music evenings: after dark, griots play the tidinit lute and the ardin harp while poets recite in Hassaniya Arabic. You will not follow the words without a translator, but the rhythm, the circle of listeners and the cold air make it the heart of the event.
Festival of Ancient Cities is best taken in over three to four days, enough to see the ksar by day and attend at least two evenings of music.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Festival of Ancient Cities?

Festival of Ancient Cities is held over several days in the dry season, usually between November and January, and it moves between the historic ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata, so the host town and exact dates change by edition.
  • Best day: The opening day has the official ceremonies, camel parades and the biggest crowd of visitors. Later days are calmer, with music, poetry and craft stalls you can browse at your own pace.
  • Weather: Days run about 25 to 32°C (77 to 90°F) with almost no rain, and desert nights fall to roughly 8 to 14°C (46 to 57°F). Bring a scarf for sand and sun, sunglasses, and a warm layer for the evenings.
  • Booking: Guesthouses in these small ksour are few, so reserve as soon as dates are announced. Rooms and 4x4 seats can cost 20 to 50 percent more during the
… read more 👉
Festival of Ancient Cities is held over several days in the dry season, usually between November and January, and it moves between the historic ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata, so the host town and exact dates change by edition.
  • Best day: The opening day has the official ceremonies, camel parades and the biggest crowd of visitors. Later days are calmer, with music, poetry and craft stalls you can browse at your own pace.
  • Weather: Days run about 25 to 32°C (77 to 90°F) with almost no rain, and desert nights fall to roughly 8 to 14°C (46 to 57°F). Bring a scarf for sand and sun, sunglasses, and a warm layer for the evenings.
  • Booking: Guesthouses in these small ksour are few, so reserve as soon as dates are announced. Rooms and 4x4 seats can cost 20 to 50 percent more during the festival.
  • Arrival: Roads from Atar fill with 4x4s on the first and last days. Arrive the day before the opening and leave a day after the closing.
Confirm the host town with a tour operator in Atar before you travel.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

The best base is the host ksar itself, with Atar as the fallback if beds run out. Sleeping inside the old town puts you within a short walk of every event, and the festival crowd is the social scene. Look for family-run guesthouses in the old stone quarter. Many have a shared courtyard where travelers, guides and local families end up around the same tea tray, and rooftop mattresses are a common cheap option at US$8 to 15 a night.
When the guesthouses fill, the next best choice is a desert camp just outside the ksar. Camps usually offer shared tents or mats, a fire, and dinner with other budget … read more 👉
The best base is the host ksar itself, with Atar as the fallback if beds run out. Sleeping inside the old town puts you within a short walk of every event, and the festival crowd is the social scene. Look for family-run guesthouses in the old stone quarter. Many have a shared courtyard where travelers, guides and local families end up around the same tea tray, and rooftop mattresses are a common cheap option at US$8 to 15 a night.
When the guesthouses fill, the next best choice is a desert camp just outside the ksar. Camps usually offer shared tents or mats, a fire, and dinner with other budget travelers, for roughly US$15 to 30 including meals. They are quiet and safe, though you will need a lift or a short walk back for the evening events.
Atar is the practical gateway for Adrar-region festivals. It has more guesthouse beds, shops, an ATM and plenty of shared 4x4 departures, so it suits you if you arrive without a booking or want to cover two ksour. Expect to pay US$12 to 25 for a simple room there. If the festival is held in Tichitt or Oualata, accommodation is much more limited, so arrange your bed through a local guide in advance. Solo travelers do best choosing a guesthouse that serves communal meals, since that is where traveling companions and festival tips turn up.
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👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Festival of Ancient Cities costs roughly US$33 to 75 a day for an independent traveler, with most of the money going to getting to the host ksar and finding a bed.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0Public events in the ksar are generally open without a ticket. Official guided programs can carry a small fee.
AccommodationUS$10 to 25Rooftop mattresses and basic guesthouse rooms in the old town, or shared desert camp tents. Prices rise during the festival and rooms go quickly.
Local transportUS$10 to 20A shared 4x4 seat from Atar to Chinguetti or Ouadane. A private 4x4 with driver costs about US$100 to 150 a day, which is cheaper split among four people.
Food & drinksUS$8 to 15Meals at stalls and guesthouse dinners, plus endless mint tea. Bottled water is a few dollars a day and
… read more 👉
Festival of Ancient Cities costs roughly US$33 to 75 a day for an independent traveler, with most of the money going to getting to the host ksar and finding a bed.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0Public events in the ksar are generally open without a ticket. Official guided programs can carry a small fee.
AccommodationUS$10 to 25Rooftop mattresses and basic guesthouse rooms in the old town, or shared desert camp tents. Prices rise during the festival and rooms go quickly.
Local transportUS$10 to 20A shared 4x4 seat from Atar to Chinguetti or Ouadane. A private 4x4 with driver costs about US$100 to 150 a day, which is cheaper split among four people.
Food & drinksUS$8 to 15Meals at stalls and guesthouse dinners, plus endless mint tea. Bottled water is a few dollars a day and cash is the only payment method.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 15Handmade leather and silver crafts, camel rides, tips for guides and photos of performers.
Total Daily BudgetUS$33 to 75The lower end assumes shared transport and a rooftop mattress. A private driver adds a lot to the total.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in of Ancient Cities

Festival food is desert food, built around méchoui (whole roast lamb or goat), served on a big shared platter that vendors and host families carve up for the crowd. Expect couscous with vegetables and mutton, rice with fish, and fat dates sold by the handful. Bread is baked in the sand and pulled out warm.
The drink that defines the festival is mint tea. It arrives in three rounds, the first strong, the second sweeter, the third mild, and refusing the whole sequence feels rude, so settle in for 30 minutes or more. Look for zrig, fermented camel milk, usually sold in a plastic jug or wooden bowl. It is tangy and slightly sour, and worth a cautious sip to see what the nomads drink. Alcohol is not sold, so the evenings revolve around tea, juice and music.
Eat with your right hand from the common … read more 👉
Festival food is desert food, built around méchoui (whole roast lamb or goat), served on a big shared platter that vendors and host families carve up for the crowd. Expect couscous with vegetables and mutton, rice with fish, and fat dates sold by the handful. Bread is baked in the sand and pulled out warm.
The drink that defines the festival is mint tea. It arrives in three rounds, the first strong, the second sweeter, the third mild, and refusing the whole sequence feels rude, so settle in for 30 minutes or more. Look for zrig, fermented camel milk, usually sold in a plastic jug or wooden bowl. It is tangy and slightly sour, and worth a cautious sip to see what the nomads drink. Alcohol is not sold, so the evenings revolve around tea, juice and music.
Eat with your right hand from the common dish, take what sits in front of you, and wait for the host to offer the best cuts of meat. Portions are huge and made for groups, so share with other travelers or a guide. Stalls run on cash, paid in the local currency (ouguiya), and there are no card readers. Bring small notes, since a meal usually costs US$3 to 8 and change is often short. Carry bottled water and a few snacks, because stalls thin out when the main events end.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Festival of Ancient Cities is held over several days in the dry season, usually between November and January. It rotates between the old ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata, so the dates and host town change with each edition. Chinguetti and Ouadane are reached from Atar in roughly 2 to 4 hours by 4x4, and Tichitt and Oualata take much longer.
Festival of Ancient Cities costs about US$33 to 75 a day for an independent traveler, and most events themselves are free to watch. A bed runs US$10 to 25 a night, a shared 4x4 seat from Atar about US$10 to 20, and meals US$8 to 15 a day. Hiring a private 4x4 with a driver costs around US$100 to 150 a day if you split it with others.
Festival of Ancient Cities does not usually require tickets for the main public events, such as parades, music and poetry in the ksar, which can be watched without a pass. What you do need in advance is a bed and a ride, because guesthouses in Chinguetti or Ouadane are few and fill up. Reserve a room and a 4x4 seat from Atar two to four weeks ahead once the host town is announced.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Mauritanian festivals near of Ancient Cities

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on celebrating the of Ancient Cities

Festival of Ancient Cities deserves four days on the ground, not a one-night stop. The first day goes to setting up and finding the tents, the middle two reveal the libraries, races and music, and the last gives you time for a slow walk through the old quarter once the crowds thin. I would bring a scarf for the wind and warm layers for the nights.

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The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Mauritania. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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