Adventure

What to Pack for Morocco: The Final Information

June 14, 2025

Morocco wasn’t on my radar – in any respect – till a fellow traveller, a lady who had way more journey expertise than me, informed me that the most effective journey that she’d ever finished was Intrepid’s Better of Morocco tour.

She mentioned this as we glided over the Indian countryside, close to Jaipur, in a scorching air balloon early one morning, which we each agreed was unbelievable. She clearly had some credibility, and in that prompt, I knew precisely the place I might be going subsequent.

Morocco.

I went in February 2019, and over the subsequent 15 days, on that very same journey, I used to be awe-struck by the nation’s magnificence and the richness of its tradition.

With my Intrepid group at Todra Gorge

However there have been a couple of surprises alongside the best way. I had imagined Morocco as majority desert, however it’s a lot extra. It’s one of many few locations on this planet the place you may go from snow-capped mountains to glowing seas in a matter of hours, and the local weather modifications as rapidly because the surroundings.

And whereas you’ll do what each traveller to Morocco goals of doing – discover its historical medinas – you may additionally end up exploring some sudden pure wonders. So, to take advantage of your journey, it would be best to pack a couple of key objects. Right here’s some recommendations:

Convey out of doors exercise necessities

Morocco’s rural areas are extremely various and the most effective issues about this journey is seeing what lies past its most well-known cities. In case you are in search of slightly journey in your travels, Morocco is the place you will see it, whether or not it’s driving camels via the dunes or mules up a mountain path, mountaineering to a Berber camp on the high of the Todra Gorge, or trekking to a Muslim shrine some 2300m above sea degree.

Camel driving was a spotlight!

This journey won’t disappoint! Come ready – pack:

Runners with good grip – Light-weight hikers will even work, however runners (sneakers) are throughout extra handy for the entire journey. Keep away from slip-ons.
Moisture-wicking t-shirts – Likelihood is, you’ll break a sweat.
Day pack – You have to this for day hikes, and to pack necessities for in a single day stays on the Sahara camp and on the visitor home in Aroumd. Convey one that may be a respectable measurement and that has comfy straps.
Band-Aids – I by no means go away dwelling with out them. Blisters at all times appear to occur on the most inconvenient occasions. I additionally hold a bottle of Tylenol readily available wherever I am going.
Transportable cellphone charger – This manner, you’ll by no means miss pic.
You personal water bottle – To minimise single-use plastics.

BROWSE INTREPID’S RANGE OF SMALL GROUP TOURS IN MOROCCO

Layer up!

On day 11, our group woke as much as snow. That’s proper. SNOW. Granted, they have been simply little flakes and we have been close to the bottom of Mount Toubkal, the best peak within the Excessive Atlas Mountains. However, nonetheless!

Snowy Toubkal!

As a Canadian very a lot used to lengthy and frigid winters, cooler temperatures are usually not a giant deal however even I used to be shocked at how chilly a couple of of the nights have been in Morocco – clearly within the mountains, but additionally round Midelt and on the Sahara camp. You don’t wish to be chilly in your journey, so particularly if you’ll be travelling within the winter months (November to March), deliver these:

Gloves – Nobody desires chilly fingers (and these shall be very useful when driving these mules!).
Tuque – A surprisingly well-liked merchandise in Morocco, this kind of hat will come in useful within the mountains.
Wind and waterproof jacket – Convey one which has a detachable fleece or wool liner (or deliver two separate items). Having the choice to layer – or de-layer – all through the day is vital.
Lengthy sleeve t-shirt(s) – Once more, layer, layer, layer.
Thermal underwear – Girls, leggings will even work. On the coldest nights I layered two pairs together with my legwarmers, which when you’ve got some, you may wish to pack as nicely.
Thermal socks – Convey a minimum of one pair in your night time on the Sahara camp. You won’t be able to withstand feeling that sand in your toes, however when the solar goes down, it will get chilly quick and you want one thing cozy in your toes.
Neck hotter – Avoid wasting area in your pack by bringing this as a substitute of a typical knit scarf. Or, reap the benefits of the numerous textile retailers alongside your route. I picked a shawl up from a roadside vendor on the Tizi n Tichka, the best mountain go in North Africa, to keep at bay the chilliness whereas having fun with the spectacular view on a really windy morning. It’s a real memento.

Worst case, should you do neglect one thing necessary, Morocco has a series of reasonably priced sports activities and outerwear shops referred to as Triathlon. Your information will comprehend it and can possible don’t have any drawback stopping there should you ask.

Carrying a djellaba, a standard gown

Count on some critical solar

It’s mentioned that Morocco is ‘the chilly nation with the recent solar’ and it’s true. Daytime is gorgeous. Simply days earlier than the snow, we had been lounging poolside on the kasbah within the oasis on the Todra Gorge. And the next day, we might be seaside in Essaouira, absorbing the solar as we explored the previous metropolis. We have been getting all of it. Once more, layers are key to managing temperature modifications however right here’s a couple of particular objects it would be best to slip into your pack:

Sunscreen – Don’t be fooled by the occasional chilly night time. A lot of Morocco enjoys a Mediterranean local weather, and the solar is robust all over the place, so that you wish to shield your pores and skin. In case your pores and skin is especially delicate, you may wish to deliver a hat.
Lip balm – The jap a part of the nation is arid. It’s the Sahara!
Sun shades – For apparent causes.
Sandals – Don’t go away dwelling with out a backup pair of footwear! However do deliver one thing with good assist as a result of there’s a variety of strolling on this journey.

Watching the solar set in Chefchaouen

Pack with modesty in thoughts

Morocco is a conservative Muslim nation, and you’ll discover that the clothes individuals put on is neither revealing nor meant to draw consideration. Dressing appropriately is an excellent approach to present respect for the nation you’re visiting, and it would be best to comply with swimsuit.

Gents, the system for you is sort of easy: pants and a shirt.

Girls, you want to be slightly extra aware, however truthfully, it would prevent some undesirable consideration.

Girls in Fes

Right here’s some key objects to deliver:

Cardigan or wrap sweater – Take a cue from the native ladies and convey one which covers your rear. It appears to be a wardrobe staple.
Pants – You want these for public locations. Skip the shorts and hold the leggings (and anything that bares an excessive amount of pores and skin) for personal group actions and journey time.
Mid-length or maxi gown with a fitted lengthy sleeve t-shirt – Put on your fitted t-shirt beneath your gown and also you’ve bought the proper combo for exploring any medina.

And for these moments whenever you simply really feel like being slightly extra incognito, slip in your sunnies.

Sun shades are at all times a good suggestion

A number of remaining suggestions

Laundry service is on the market on the motels in Fes and Essaouira, the place you’ll keep for 2 nights. Charges vary between 5 to 10 dirhams per piece of clothes, so you may pack realizing that having your laundry finished shall be an possibility.

As nicely, for many of the journey, you can be travelling by non-public van. Don’t take this an invite to over-pack however do relaxation simple that with all that you must deliver, Intrepid has made it very simple so that you can deal with having fun with Morocco, and never fear an excessive amount of about your baggage.

And eventually, your journey ends in spectacular Marrakech, a metropolis with some critical buzz. In case you are the type of individual that likes slightly nightlife, that is the place, so toss stuff slightly dressier into your bag and plan on ending your journey in fashion.

Now, as they are saying in Morocco on a regular basis, yallah, let’s go!

Extra helpful pre-trip studying

Intrepid Journey has a wealth of assets obtainable for anybody planning a visit to Morocco. Test 7 useful guides out beneath:

Prepared for the journey of a lifetime? Take a look at Intrepid’s vary of small group adventures in Morocco.

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(Picture credit, from high to backside: Intrepid Journey, Lani Innes x4, Intrepid Journey x3.)