The Journey Begins Here

This is how it all started…

Nearly 2,400 years ago, Plato documented the legendary tale of Atlantis based on his great-uncle Solon’s accounts, who learned it from Egyptian priests.

For centuries, this story was dismissed as mere mythology. Until now.

Discover one of Earth’s most enigmatic locations – the Richat Structure, also known as the “Eye of the Sahara“. This massive geological formation, spanning 40 kilometers in diameter, is so distinctive it serves as a landmark for astronauts in space.

Why This Could Be Atlantis:

Scientific Facts:

• Age: Approximately 600 million years old
• Location: Mauritania, West Africa
• Diameter: 40 kilometers (25 miles)
• Structure: Three concentric rings
• Elevation: 400 meters above sea level
• Visible from space
• Made of different types of igneous and sedimentary rocks

Join Our Expedition:

• Expert geological guides
• Archaeological site visits
• Scientific explanations and discussions
• Photography opportunities
• Local cultural experiences
• Full logistical support

What You’ll Experience:

• Walk through the actual rings of the structure
• Examine geological formations
• Study ancient water systems
• Collect geological samples
• Document potential archaeological evidence
• Learn about local theories and legends

Journey Program

Day 1 / Nouakchott

We meet at the international airport of Mauritania’s capital, Nouakchott, and take a group transfer to the hotel (those arriving on non-recommended flights at different times can reach the hotel by taxi or pre-book a private transfer).

After a short rest and meeting the group, we’ll walk around the capital and local markets to prepare equipment for our expedition.

Day 2 / Sands of Mauritania

After an early breakfast, we’ll check out from the hotel, load into expedition vehicles, and head deep into the country for adventure!

Our journey to the Eye of the Sahara will span several days but will be very educational and interesting. We’ll become some of the world’s first explorers of a mysterious object – a channel very similar to the one described by ancient Greek philosopher Plato in his works Timaeus and Critias, telling the legend of Atlantis.

We’ll see majestic dunes, endless rocky desert expanses, and rare huts amid the sands. We’ll encounter only one city en route where we’ll stop for refueling.

By sunset, we’ll arrive at Plato’s Channel and choose a convenient spot to set up our tent camp.

Day 3 / Plato’s Channel
We’ll dedicate this day to exploring the channel. After determining the starting and ending points of our hiking route, we’ll begin our trek. The main goal is searching for technological traces and artifacts, collecting interesting samples, and gathering impressive photos and videos.

In the evening, we’ll return to our tent camp, have dinner, and before sleep, admire the fantastic starry sky (if lucky, we might see meteors, and perhaps even UFOs..)

Day 4 / Desert Oasis on Route to the Eye
After breakfast, we’ll continue investigating the most interesting areas of the channel.

Around noon, we’ll pack up our tents and head toward the Eye of the Sahara. En route, we’ll visit the picturesque Terjit oasis, where a delicious traditional local cuisine lunch awaits us. Here you can purchase local souvenirs collected by vendors from the surrounding area. Beyond this point, the paved highway ends, and the remaining journey will be on dirt roads with beautiful views of mountain cliffs and scenic valleys.

By evening, we’ll arrive in Ouadane, the city nearest to the Richat Structure, and check into a colorful local hotel.

Day 5 / The Eye of the Sahara
Today we’ll finally meet the Richat Structure, the famous Eye of the Sahara, starting with its “pupil.” The road from Ouadane runs along an ancient riverbed of what was once a full-flowing river, whose banks gradually widen and virtually disappear beyond the horizon. Mentally removing the sand, you’ll see that this was once a delta that local tribes surely called a sea.

At some point, the sands suddenly end… this is the outer ring wall of the Richat Structure. Crossing over it, we enter the second depression and then, after overcoming the second ring, we get a view of the very center of the Eye of the Sahara.

Setting up our expedition camp, where we’ll have lunch and rest during the hottest hours in the shade of fairly large trees for the next few days, we’ll begin exploring the amazing geological features of the structure. We’ll see diverse rocky slopes and numerous dried mountain streams that once flowed here.

We’ll return to Ouadane for dinner. We’ll share impressions from our acquaintance with the Eye of the Sahara and watch “White Sun of the Desert.” Here, this excellent film takes on special meaning…

Day 6 / Exploring the Richat Structure
After breakfast, we’ll head back to the expedition camp. This time our goal is the huge dried lake located between the “pupil” and the middle ring wall. Here, the lake bottom is covered with a thick layer of dried silt. Typically, at the sight of such a landscape and with a shovel at hand, true archaeologists inevitably start digging, hoping to find artifacts…

After lunch and a short but well-deserved rest, we’ll conduct radiometric surveys of the area, searching for zones with relatively elevated radiation levels and continue mapping these zones.

We’ll have dinner as usual at the hotel in Ouadane. We’ll attend a lecture and share impressions from today’s experiences.

Day 7 / Conquering the Adrar Plateau
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive to the foothills of the Adrar Plateau, located north of the Richat Structure. Dismounting, we’ll make a quick march directly to the mountain slopes. Those willing and physically fit enough will have the opportunity to climb to the summit, which offers grand panoramas of the Eye of the Sahara. Those who tire or prefer not to climb will remain at the base in a mobile camp in the shade of trees.

After descending, we’ll return to the expedition camp where, after resting and refreshing ourselves, we’ll determine the most rational directions for continuing our research.

In the evening, dinner at the hotel and friendly gatherings await us. We’ll prepare to bid farewell to the amazing Eye of the Sahara, hoping to return here again.

Day 8 / Journey to the Atlantic Ocean
Today we face a long journey to the Atlantic Ocean. Departing from the Richat Structure, we’ll admire magnificent views of the Adrar Plateau mountain gorges, cut through sedimentary layers by former rivers. Along the way, we’ll make spontaneous stops to search for interesting objects and artifacts. We’ll visit Fort Saganne, built for filming the eponymous movie starring young Gérard Depardieu.

We’ll have lunch at a colorful restaurant in Atar city, refuel, and continue onwards. By evening, we’ll check into a hotel on the ocean shore, enjoy a delicious dinner, and begin to enjoy well-deserved rest. Those interested can watch “Fort Saganne” =)

In the evening, we’ll organize a farewell dinner at a colorful local restaurant, where those who wish can order hookah and relax on comfortable sofas.

Day 9 / Return Home
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Mauritania and head to the airport. Our transfer will be scheduled for the majority of expedition participants’ departure times, but if you’re flying home on a late flight or the next day, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy additional beach time or visit interesting places in Nouakchott.

Key Features:

• Expert geological guides
• Air-conditioned expedition vehicles
• Professional documentation of findings
• Local cuisine experiences
• Cultural interactions

Important Notes:

• Moderate fitness level required
• Weather-appropriate clothing needed
• Travel insurance recommended
• Limited spots available

What to Bring:

• Comfortable hiking shoes
• Sun protection
• Camera equipment
• Personal medications
• Light jacket for evenings

*Program presented on the website are informative in nature and do not include all points and locations of our trip. The route may be slightly adjusted depending on our travel speed, efficiency, fatigue, mood, weather, and other external factors.

Join us on a journey that could rewrite history!