Prepare your trek in the Moroccan desert (tips & tricks)

Morocco amazes with its diversity of landscape, land of contrasts, and colors. Going to Morocco is above all to approach a new culture and new horizons.

Equipment for the trek - tips & tricks in desert Morocco

Each trekker carries his backpack (light) with his necessary things for the day (water bottle, camera...). The rest of the personal belongings are transported by camels.

All businesses must fit in a backpack and a travel bag. In addition to basic clothing and accessories, we advise you to bring the following equipment, to be adapted according to the season. (non-exhaustive list).

Individual equipment for a trek in the desert:

• Lightweight shirts or long-sleeved non-synthetic t-shirts for walking

• Lightweight, hiking, walking pants

• Fleece jacket and a waterproof jacket (December to February)

• Hat and gloves, tights, jacket (January)

• Clothing for the return (to be isolated from other clothing, and ideally left at the fixed bivouac)

• Several pairs of socks (A barefoot step or a sock step is quite possible in case of foot pain)

• The essential scarf: cotton scarf protecting the head, neck, and part of the face from heat, cold, wind, and sand (possible to buy it directly in M'hamid for a few dirhams, 50 to 75 MAD depending on the chosen length)

• Headlamp

• A large water bottle (1.5 L). We provide mineral water from Morocco (5L container). In order to reduce our environmental impact as much as possible during the treks, we invite trekkers to bring a filtering gourd. These gourds are compulsory for long treks (or micropur) longer than 7 days on foot.

• A pair of shoes for walking in the desert, open sports sandal type (with a pair of socks). High and rigid (mountain) walking shoes are not the most suitable for "sand" treks.

• A sleeping bag (comfort 10° to 15° for October, March, and April, 5° to 10° for November and February, 0° to 5° for December and January)

• Toilet paper and a lighter (to burn the paper). Do not bury the paper in the sand or under a stone.

• Sunglasses and cap or hat

• Walking sticks (recommended for long treks)

• A pair of binoculars (optional)

• Swimming goggles or ski/motorcycle goggles (optional) for fragile eyes in the event of a sandstorm

• A waterproof pocket for important documents

• For stays with children, do not hesitate to bring pocket games, reading material...

The travel medical kit for a trek in the desert:

• Small care equipment (anti-blister dressings, tweezers, antiseptic, etc.)

• Hygiene products, necessary for a waterless toilet: wipes, lotion without rinsing (without alcohol), sunscreen, rinsing product for the eyes and nose, horsehair glove (possibility of carrying out a Hammam in the village at the end of trekking)

• Medicines: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, anti-diarrheal, antispasmodic, rehydrating solution.

• (or) The natural kit: HE Oregano compact (antibacterial+++), HE peppermint (headaches, motion sickness), HE Italian helichrysum, HE ginger (mild laxative), propolis capsule (antibacterial), propolis solution (injury, wound, blister), senna-based complex (laxative), blond psyllium (transit regulator), activated charcoal (intestinal dressing if diarrhea)

Travel tips and tricks for a desert trek in Morocco

During the treks in the desert, comfort is basic. Water is the resource to save with the greatest care (even if the wells have water) - except for drinking water.

Some tips and tricks to reduce your need for water during desert treks:

• Clothing: Opt for loose, non-synthetic clothing to avoid sweat odors and the need to shower.

• Hair: In the absence of "classic" shampoo requiring water, a dry wash with bicarbonate can restore a feeling of clean hair.

• Sunscreen: prefer long clothes that cover the body and protect from the sun, when applying sunscreen (little possibility of rinsing)

• Horsehair glove: in the absence of a shower, rubbing "dry" with a horsehair glove also allows deep cleaning.

• Hot water bottle: to accompany the cool to cold nights of December and January, a hot water bottle can be welcome (keep the water for the following evening or night).

• Siwak (chewing stick): replacing the toothbrush and toothpaste which requires water, the Siwak stick perfectly cleans the teeth (can be easily purchased in Morocco for a few Dirhams).

Other travel tips for a desert trek in Morocco: