Divide the 4 days into 1 day in the capital and 3 days in Adrar to minimize long backtracking. From Nouakchott, you can take a small domestic flight or hire a 4x4 vehicle to Atar; the latter offers more flexibility but takes longer.
Spend the morning exploring the Central Market and the handicraft street, visit the National Museum in the afternoon to learn about Saharan trade and Moorish culture, watch the Atlantic sunset along the seaside promenade in the evening, and enjoy your first meal of fish couscous and grilled lamb at a local restaurant.
Arrive in Atar by flight or 4x4 drive. In the afternoon, explore the plateau’s oases, palm groves, and canyons. Watch the desert sunset from a high vantage point in the evening, stay at a local guesthouse, and experience the Moorish tradition of serving three rounds of tea.
Spend the full day in Chinguetti: visit the stone old town, ancient mosques, and family-run libraries, observe how sand dunes encroach on urban areas, go camel riding or tour craft workshops in the afternoon, and stargaze at a desert campsite at night.
Return to Atar in the morning and then head back to the capital. If time allows, visit a nearby beach or fish market to wrap up your trip, and depart by flight in the evening.
If you prefer coastal experiences, adjust the 4-day itinerary to a coastal route: ‘Nouakchott + Nouadhibou + Banc d’Arguin’. Spend one day adapting in the capital, fly to Nouadhibou, spend two days visiting the fishing port, Cap Blanc, and migratory bird wetlands, and return on the fourth day. If you prefer ancient cities, stick with the main Adrar route, extend your stay in Chinguetti to a day and a half, and add a visit to the ancient city of Oualata. Whichever option you choose, avoid the border areas in the east and southeast that adjoin Mali, and plan your trip during the cooler season.