Riding the Iron Ore Train in Mauritania (craziest thing I've ever done)

Episode 3 of my journey through Mauritania! Over the next week, I am participating in a group trip whereby we will be traversing the depths of the Sahara Desert in a convoy of 4x4s. In this episode, it is time to catch the infamous iron ore train! All the way from Choum to Nouadhibou. I show you what's in my backpack for the train and all the action that happened along the way. Things didn't exactly go to plan but I always say the best backpacking trips are the ones that don't run smoothly 😉
EPISODE 1 - • My First Impressions o...
EPISODE 2 - • BACKPACKING MAURITANIA...
This video was filmed in January 2024.
Are you interested in joining an adventure like this in Mauritania? I am in talks about hosting my very own group trip here at the end of 2024. Make sure you are signed up to the newsletter on www.backpackingbananas.com to be the first to know about this trip and secure your space when it becomes available!
SHOP MY FAVE TRAVEL + VLOG PRODUCTS 🛍
My vlogging camera setup - amzn.to/48OQO8m
My powerbank - amzn.to/48NPZwF
My SSD (what I edit directly off of) - amzn.to/3vBoN5S
My electronics backpack - amzn.to/3vnGIwQ
My fave travel beach towel - amzn.to/48pBDTt
My fave travel sandals - amzn.to/3ScZm3w
My karaoke microphone - amzn.to/3vnHry4
DEALS 🤑
🇦🇺 Get $50 off welcometo.travel Melbourne/Sydney tours using code BB50. Get $100 off the East Coast tours using code BB100 and get $150 off any package using code BB150
🌏 Get $10 off Worldpackers memberships using my code BACKPACKINGBANANAS shorturl.at/esDGU
📲 Get $3 off an Airalo eSim using my code CHRIST3723 ref.airalo.com/hhpw
🔒 Get latest Surfshark VPN deal using code BACKPACKING
JOIN ONE OF MY GROUP TRIPS🌎
🇹🇭 Thailand Dive & Adventure Retreat www.backpackingbananas.com/th...
🇲🇽 Mexico Highlights www.backpackingbananas.com/me...
🇵🇰 Pakistan Hiking Expedition www.backpackingbananas.com/pa...
SUPPORT 🥰
☕️ Buy me a coffee - buymeacoff.ee/christianne
👍🏽 Or simply Like, Comment, Share my videos and Subscribe
(it's your support that allows me to continue creating quality content for this channel, thank you so much in advance ❤️)
📷 Instagram: / christiannerisman
⏰ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@christianneri...
ABOUT ME🙋🏻‍♀️
I'm Christianne, a solo traveller, vlogger and entrepeneur from Surrey, UK. I spend half my time exploring new places around the globe with my backpack, and the other half creating videos about my experiences, what I'm packing, solo travel advice, money budgeting tips and anything else in relation to my backpacking lifestyle.
Get to know me more here - www.backpackingbananas.com/about
CONTACT 📧
If you have a question about travel, join the backpackers forum! backpackingbananas.com/forum
EMAIL: Business enquiries only please - [e-mail]
Disclaimer: Some of the links in the description are affiliate links that I get a small kickback from.

[@emilydoesnails1736]

You know it’s good when you completely stop everything you were doing and just watch….amazing! Mind blowing! It’s giving me the urge to pack my bags, sell my sofa and travel

[@BackpackingBananas]

That’s awesome 😍

[@MuhmmadElissaoui]

Honestly, I really enjoyed your series on Mauritania. As a Mauritanian myself, I've never had the chance to experience such an amazing and remarkable journey like this. However, I was disappointed by the part where they misled you about the train not going to Nouadhibou. It felt like they ruined your adventure with their dishonesty. All the trains full of iron ore actually do go to Nouadhibou to unload. That's why I'm not a fan of these tourism agencies that give a negative impression of Mauritanians. Nevertheless, I'm grateful for you showcasing my country on your KZbin channel and highlighting its beauty.

[@JadePujari]

I don't think i could ever have the balls for this! So thank you for letting me live vicariously through your adventures ❤

[@BackpackingBananas]

You are so welcome! 🥰

[@MackPacking]

So weird to relive this experience but your journey seemed a lot more planned and thought out than mine did 😂❤

[@selinaleitnerrealtor]

Wow wow wow! This has got to be one of the wildest adventures I've watched you take. I had to hild my breath while you were standing on the train! Thank you for bringing us along.

[@BackpackingBananas]

My pleasure! So glad you enjoyed it 🥰

[@shancock28]

Wooow this video had me in tears. What an amazing experience and so beautifuly reported! Thanks Christianne for all your incredibly useful videos!

[@trippyerinsd]

The way I’m on my comfy couch yelling at my phone to be careful when you’re standing on the train is embarrassing 😅 Kudos to your wonderful sense of adventure! 🎉

[@BackpackingBananas]

😂😂

[@jengibbard5744]

I've watched and enjoyed your videos for a while now but I'm a but of a 'lurker' and never comment... until now. Your Mauritania series has been so fab I had to leave this note to tell you! Congratulations on a wonderful series 🏆

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thanks so much! ❤️❤️

[@bekkkabby]

yay, I've been excited to see the train portion of this trip! it looked like so much fun!

[@BackpackingBananas]

So glad you enjoyed it! What a wild ride!

[@rohitchoudhary6366]

This adventure was beyond expectations. Kudos!😊

[@ervinslens]

Such a great cinematography, your channel is hidden gem! Shots and storytelling are flawless, brilliant and flawless!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thank you 🥰

[@gulqureshi5681]

Absolutely loved this brutal train adventure. I am your follower from Pakistan!! ✅️

[@liapenny]

Amazing series! The landscapes were insane!

[@seandesmond5560]

Love this series, wonderful Christie!!! 💖 Mauritania looks amazing!!!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thanks Sean!!

[@lindamarietravel]

Wow! absolutely wow! Loved this! thank you 😊❤️

[@BackpackingBananas]

My pleasure ❤️❤️

[@bethmeredith]

Wow! What an adventure!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Indeed it was!!

[@donstravelsandrants.]

A super cool adventure. 😲👍😊

[@RockRebelfull]

Absolutely love thia series, what tour did you go with or did you just turn up and take it from there?

[@ronjaroms]

what an experience -love it!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Such a crazy one!!

[@alessandrariva8722]

Woooww what a great adventure, will definitely be interested in participating to your tour 🤩

[@BackpackingBananas]

That’s awesome! 🤩🤩 I’ll keep ya posted!

[@brooklynthornhill1306]

hahaha this vlog sent me through so many emotions, I was anxious, I was laughing, I was emotional. Great episode !

[@BackpackingBananas]

Hahaha I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊❤️ it was a wild one!

[@user-qz1vj1hg3g]

You are so inspiring!

[@callana9852]

Wild!

[@meganchownvlogs]

Don’t know if you’ve seen Divergent, but you getting on the train definitely give vibes of Tris trying to get on the Dauntless train!

[@BackpackingBananas]

😅😎

[@kostas7499]

Very good episode.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thank you 🥰

[@Journey_with_Jack]

What a fantastic fun intro 😂😁👏

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thanks 🥰 glad you like it 🙌🏼

[@melisabataller8484]

This is wild !! Loved the adventure! Did you ever got back on another train ? Or just keep your way to the capital ? Where was the train going if not where you thought it was ? Too many questions lol

[@BackpackingBananas]

When we got off, we just switched back to our jeeps who were thankfully following alongside us the whole way when they realised it was not the right train. The train we were on wouldn’t have stopped in Nouadhibou where we wanted to go, it would’ve travelled straight to the company where they dump the iron ore 😳

[@lilyfrost3098]

Omg train fangirling rn. How long were you on for?

[@lolosrainydays]

I don't really get the point of the train, but I seem to be the only one! It's like doing a themepark ride in real life.

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

You should go on Zero To Travel podcast later this year or next year as a guest.

[@traceylovestravel]

YES! Love that podcast!

[@gulqureshi5681]

Wow Will Meara is there as well. Absolute legend in Pakistan ✅️

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yep! He’s my bestie! This was his first time running a trip in Mauritania 😊

[@thekenneth3486]

Too many of your trips, Christianne, have become a bit "glamping" for my taste, but this one turned all that around. What an off-the-wall adventure this was! I am sorry the train trip got interrupted (though I'm impressed that the tour company caught and fixed that). Just for the record, you would make a devastatingly good-looking iron miner!

[@BackpackingBananas]

All about balance 🧘🏻‍♀️

[@teganmclean7521]

love this vid!!! curious about what you mean by 'undiscovered lands' in the intro - what about the indigenous people who've been there for hundreds of years?

[@BackpackingBananas]

Undiscovered by most tourists, sorry for not clarifying

[@wherestheparty_]

I was wondering why on Earth would anyone want to do this, but you answered my question - it`s not for everyone but I can see how this can be intriguing for the adventurous kind.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Totally! Defo not for everyone!

[@HistoryRim-dm5gy]

Your visit is an honor for us 🇲🇷🥰

[@jadet5293]

Looks Insane! I’d defo be interested in this adventure!!! Sign me up!!!!

[@BackpackingBananas]

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@awsnapped]

I did this last month!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Amazing!

[@ChalermchaiWattanawongpi-lt9uw]

Hi! 😊😊😊❤❤❤

[@freelancekate8919]

Is it safe and legal to climb the train?

[@BackpackingBananas]

Legal? yes. Safe? If you are physically agile to climb ladders and manoeuvre yourself in such ways, then yes.

[@michandy1954]

As an Australian are you part Aussie? You’re British accent is so relaxed

[@BackpackingBananas]

I’m not but I have spent a good chunk of time in oz and nz! I also don’t spend a whole lot of time in the UK so my accent has deffo relaxed over the years😅

[@michandy1954]

@@BackpackingBananas that’s so interesting. I’m going to the uk in august, any places you’d recommend as a must

[@anze.r]

travel insurance people watching this 😳

[@wonderingwanderer4836]

Do you maybe question the fact that for you that's such a cool-out of the ordinary adventure while for the locals that's the only way to move from villages? I'm also not really sure it is legal. Not everyone can afford a fancy jeep and move around as they want. I don't think it is very ethical to promote this kind of turist attractions.

[@BackpackingBananas]

It’s totally legal, the locals really enjoy using it to get around. And it’s bringing in a lot of tourism to the country, therefore boosting the local economy.

[@Gretagre92]

@@BackpackingBananas "the locals really enjoy using it to get around".. did you really just write that the locals enjoy riding on a pile of toxic iron?

[@hollydavid69]

No toilets on board i take it.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Absolutely none, you just have to do your business on top of the iron ore

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

Homegirl in the red top is sexy AF. 🗣️🗣️🗣️

[@Rahul83487]

It's funny to see so much prepration mask n all And then there are few whites and brown people who did all these without all these preparations

[@JonBesos]

Thats not really an adventure, you got SUVs all the way with you, and all confort, u are just a cheater who pretends to live an adventure. Ramilladeaventura did the same trip but proper and without all that BS

[@BackpackingBananas]

You literally can’t get to all the places that we went without SUVs lol. If doing so with a group of friends and support from local crew means I’m not adventurous to you, I’m okay with that 😂

[@BANGTEEZ_IN_YOUR_AREA]

What comforts!!?? I didn’t see any 😂😂😩😩