Major city · Mauritania
Tichit
Go for 1–2 nights if you have a 4x4 and a guide; otherwise skip. The drive from Tidjikja is 200 km (124 mi) on tracks with no fuel or public transport.Go for 1–2 nights if you have a 4x4 and a guide; otherwise skip. The drive from Tidjikja is 124 mi (200 km) on tracks with no fuel or public transport.
Tichit is a remote medieval trading town on the high plains of eastern Mauritania, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a blue-grey stone mosque, ancient archaeological settlements and a thousand-year salt-trade history. It rewards travellers who have the time and logistics for a serious desert detour.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MRU
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat)
- Airport
- THI
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Mauritania ↗Apply for the e-visa on the official ANRPTS portal and print the approval; visas on arrival ended in January 2025 and the fee is paid in cash at the airport.
- Mauritania ↗Travel advice differs by region: check your own government's advice for each area on your route, especially in the east and near the Mali border.
- Mauritania ↗Alcohol is prohibited; do not import or carry it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Tichit17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tichit, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU), redenominated in 2018 (1 new = 10 old; prices are sometimes still quoted in old ouguiya).Mauritania-wide
- SIM or eSIMMauritel, Mattel and Chinguitel sell SIMs in Nouakchott; passport needed.Mauritania-wide
- Tap waterBottled only.Mauritania-wide
- TippingDriver or guide day: €5–10 (≈ US$6–12).Mauritania-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mauritania-wide
- SafetyTichit is remote and safe in terms of petty crime, but the desert environment and lack of services are the real risks.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsBasic in auberges; the desert is the toilet on 4x4 days.Mauritania-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckWeekend is Saturday and Sunday (changed from Friday in 2014 — check); Friday prayers close shops midday.Mauritania-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTHI Tichitt Airport (Unpaved airstrip; no scheduled flights.
- Getting aroundWalk.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- THI Tichitt Airport (Unpaved airstrip; no scheduled flights. Check with tour operators.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
May
not flagged
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jun
Avoid
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Sep
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Oct
not flagged
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Nov
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Aug (4 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tichit: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
May
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
1 rd
Jun
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
2 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
3 rd
Aug
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
4 rd
Sep
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
2 rd
Oct
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The town is compact; a guide can show you the mosque, cemetery and stone architecture.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tidjikja
cautionDoor to door: 3–4 h each way
4x4 on desert tracks, about 200 km (124 mi)4x4 on desert tracks, about 124 mi (200 km)
No fuel in Tichit; plan the round trip carefully.
Ouadane
skipDoor to door: 6–7 h
4x4 via Atar, about 400 km (249 mi)4x4 via Atar, about 249 mi (400 km)
Too far for a day trip; combine with a longer Adrar itinerary.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Tichit town
Limited guesthouses; book through a guide or agency. No formal hotels.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- MRU 1,500–3,000 (check)
- Mid
- MRU 3,000–6,000 (check)
- High
- MRU 6,000+ (check)
Watch out
Safety
- No fuel, no public transport: bring a 4x4, enough fuel for the round trip from Tidjikja, and a guide/translator.
- Most locals speak only Hassaniya Arabic; French is not widely understood.
- The road is a desert track: well-marked but barren. Carry water and supplies.
- Check the security situation with your embassy before travelling to eastern Mauritania.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
Pocket card
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TichitTichit
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى تيشيت، من فضلكTo Tichit, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire18
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- 4x4 rental from Tidjikja (one way): MRU 10,000–20,000 (check)
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salamu alaykum)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- نعم / لا — Yes / No (na'am / la)
- بكم؟ — How much? (bikam?)
- ما فهمت — I don't understand (ma fhemt)
French may be understood in Tidjikja but not in Tichit itself.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tichit. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Tichit
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