Packing for this route means preparing for several different conditions in the same few days — mountain roads, a hot kasbah stop, and a cold desert night. Here's a genuinely useful list, organized by what each item is actually for, rather than a generic travel checklist.
Clothing
- Loose, breathable layers (cotton or linen) for daytime heat
- One warm mid-layer (fleece or sweater) for cold desert nights — non-negotiable regardless of season
- A light scarf or shesh — sun, wind, and sand protection in one item
- Closed, comfortable shoes for kasbahs and gorges
- Sandals or something you don't mind filling with sand, for the dunes themselves
See our full clothing guide for more detail on what actually works here and why.
Sun and weather protection
- Wide-brim hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- High-SPF sunscreen, reapplied through the day
- Lip balm with SPF
Documents and money
- Passport, with entry requirements confirmed for your nationality before you travel
- A screenshot or printed copy of your tour booking confirmation
- Some cash in Moroccan dirhams for small purchases along the route
What to actually put it all in
One mid-size soft-sided bag per person, plus a small day bag you keep with you in the vehicle, covers this trip well. If you're continuing on to other parts of Morocco afterward, it's worth packing the desert-specific items (scarf, sandals, warm layer) somewhere easy to access rather than buried at the bottom of a larger suitcase, since you'll want them within the first hour of the tour, not after unpacking everything at the first stop.
Small things people forget
- A portable phone charger — outlets are limited at desert camps
- A small day bag for the overnight portion, separate from your main luggage
- Basic toiletries — some camps supply them, some don't, and it's easier not to assume
- Any regular medication — pharmacies are sparse between towns on this route
- A reusable water bottle, though bottled water is generally provided
What you probably don't need
A few common over-packing habits worth skipping: a full formal outfit (nowhere on this route calls for one), multiple pairs of jeans (heavy and hot — one pair is plenty), or an elaborate camera setup if a recent smartphone already covers what you need for both daytime shots and the night sky. The lighter your bag, the easier the whole trip is, especially on days with multiple stops and re-packing.
Packing differently by season
The core list above holds year-round, but the balance shifts with the season — see our month-by-month guide for specifics. Summer packing leans harder into sun protection and lighter fabrics; winter packing means prioritizing that warm layer, since desert nights get genuinely cold even when the days stay mild.
Quick answers
A few follow-up questions travelers ask about this.
Do I need a specific type of luggage for this trip?
A soft-sided bag or duffel packs more easily into a 4x4 than a rigid hard-shell suitcase, though either works for the shorter routes.
Should I bring my own towel to the desert camp?
Most camps provide one, but a small quick-dry travel towel is a reasonable backup, especially for luxury-tier stays with private bathrooms.
Is it worth packing a headlamp or flashlight?
Yes — camps have limited lighting outside the dining tent, and a small headlamp is genuinely useful for a late-night walk to your tent or a stargazing session.
Still figuring out what to bring?
Tell us your travel dates and camp tier when you book, and we'll flag anything specific to add to this list.
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