The hardest part of packing for this route isn't finding the "right" desert outfit — it's that the trip swings between very different conditions in the same day: a cool morning in the Atlas, a hot afternoon at a kasbah, and a genuinely cold desert night. Layering, not a single perfect outfit, is what actually works.
The layering system
- A breathable base layer. Loose, lightweight cotton or linen handles the heat of the day far better than tight synthetic fabrics.
- A warm mid layer for the evening. Desert nights drop sharply once the sun goes down, even after a hot day — a fleece or warm sweater is essential, not optional, at camp.
- A windproof outer layer. Evenings at the dunes can be breezy; a light jacket blocks both wind and blown sand.
Respectful, practical dress
Morocco's south is largely rural and traditional, and the stops along this route — small towns, kasbahs, local villages — are lived-in places, not tourist sets. Loose, modest clothing (covering shoulders and knees) works well here both culturally and practically: it's cooler in direct sun than tight or minimal clothing, and it's simply more comfortable in the local context. This applies to everyone, not only women — the same loose, breathable layers work for men throughout the trip.
Footwear
Closed, comfortable shoes for the drive days and kasbah stops (uneven stone stairs at Aït Ben Haddou and rocky paths at Todra Gorge aren't sandal-friendly). At the dunes themselves, sandals or bare feet are genuinely the most comfortable option — sand gets everywhere regardless, and closed shoes just trap it. Pack both.
Sun and sand protection
- A wide-brim hat or cap — shade matters more than sunscreen alone in direct desert sun
- Sunglasses, ideally ones you don't mind getting a little sandy
- High-SPF sunscreen, reapplied through the day, not just once in the morning
- Lip balm with SPF — an easy one to forget, and desert air is dry enough to notice
For the cold desert night
This is the detail travelers underestimate most: even after a 35°C afternoon, nights at Erg Chebbi in cooler months can drop close to freezing. Camps provide extra blankets, but your own warm layer for dinner and stargazing makes the evening far more comfortable — pack it even if the forecast for the day looks hot.
Packing is one of several things worth sorting out before you go — see our note on dietary needs and meals if that applies to you, and our solo travel guide for a few more practical habits worth adopting on this route.
Quick answers
A few follow-up questions travelers ask about this.
Do I need to cover my head as a woman?
Not required, but many women bring a light scarf anyway — it's genuinely useful for sun, wind and sand on top of any cultural comfort it adds in rural stops.
What shoes work best for both kasbahs and dunes?
Closed, comfortable shoes for the kasbahs and gorges, and separate sandals or bare feet for the dunes themselves — pack both rather than trying to make one pair do everything.
Should I pack differently for winter versus summer?
Mainly in layers: winter needs a warmer mid-layer for genuinely cold desert nights, while summer packing stays similar but leans lighter and prioritizes sun protection during the day.
Traveling in a specific season?
Tell us your travel dates when you request a quote, and we'll give you a more specific sense of daytime and nighttime temperatures for your trip.
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