Hot days, cold nights, lots of dust
The desert near Marrakech is not always hot. Days can be warm while nights drop close to freezing, and quad bikes and camels mean dust and sand everywhere. Here is what to wear and pack, season by season.
An Agafay evening and a three-day Sahara tour, the two most-booked desert trips from Marrakech.
The most-booked desert evening from Marrakech by a wide margin. You are collected from your riad, ride a quad across the stone plateau, switch to a camel as the light softens and finish with a Moroccan dinner and live music in a lantern-lit camp. Back in the city before midnight.
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The highest-rated way to reach real sand dunes from Marrakech. Day one crosses the High Atlas and stops at Ait Ben Haddou, day two reaches the Erg Chebbi dunes for a sunset camel ride and a night in a desert camp, day three returns to Marrakech.
Check availability| Season | Day | Night | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| December to February | 15–20 °C | Around 0 °C in the Sahara | Down jacket, hat, gloves, thermal layer |
| March to May | 22–30 °C | 8–15 °C | Fleece or light jacket |
| June to August | 35–45 °C | 20–28 °C | Loose cotton or linen, lots of water |
| September to November | 25–32 °C | 10–18 °C | Light jacket for the evening |
Pack a small backpack for the camel ride: your main luggage stays in the vehicle. Inside: a warm layer, toothbrush, wet wipes, a head torch, a power bank (camps may have limited charging) and a change of clothes. A small bag for your phone protects it from sand.
Desert camps are relaxed, but on the way you pass through villages where covering shoulders and knees is appreciated. Swimwear is fine at camp pools, not in villages.
At Agafay camps, yes. For camel rides, long trousers are more comfortable, and in villages shoulders and knees should be covered.
It is very useful against dust and sun. You can buy one in Marrakech or at the camps.
In winter it can drop to around freezing. Camps provide heavy blankets, but bring warm layers.
For walking around camp, yes. For camel rides and quad bikes, wear closed shoes.
