human settlement in Mauritania
Chinguetti is a city in Saharan Mauritania. It contains a noted Islamic scholarly centre sometimes called the library in the desert and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Cars go from Atar to Chinguetti for 2,000 UM per person. Be at the place at around 08:00 as they depart at different times each day.
Chinguetti is easily covered by foot.
The Old town of Chinguetti is noted for its style of indigenous Saharan architecture, featuring reddish dry stone and mud-brick houses.
Chinguetti has some of the more postcard perfect sand dunes in the Sahara. You can hire a camel and guide to walk you and your things around the desert, but you won't be actually riding the camel. You can also hire a 4-wheel drive. A better option might be to hike on your own.
According to Michael Palin's book Sahara he was offered a drink called zrig which is a mixture of goat milk, water, millet and sugar.
There are plenty of auberges, with beds for as little as 1,500 ouguiya. Camping just outside the city is also a popular option. Unfortunately, with the collapse of tourism in the Sahel, many hotels have been forced to close. If you wander around the city (preferably in the evening) you'll be likely invited by the locals to sleep at their family house. They will probably refuse any payment.
To go to Atar be prepared to leave early in the morning as the locals need to catch a bus to Nouakchott and tend to leave at 05:00 or 06:00..