The dune fields of the Adrar region begin on the plateau above Atar and extend eastward towards Chinguetti. These are classic Saharan ergs — seas of sculpted sand in orange and gold, shifting slowly with the wind. The dunes near Atar are accessible by vehicle, and walking to the crest of the nearest ridge takes about an hour from the plateau road.
Sunrise and sunset in the dunes are the times to be there. The colours shift through orange, red, and purple as the light changes, and the silence is complete. A local guide will know which dunes are most rewarding and how to avoid the soft sand that swallows vehicles without warning. An overnight camp in the dunes — sleeping under a vast sky with no light pollution — is one of the better experiences available in Mauritania.