Clothing Checklist
The fundamental clothing requirement for an Agafay quad tour is long trousers and a long-sleeved top. Both serve as dust protection and sun barriers, and both make the ride genuinely more comfortable than exposed skin on a quad. For practical footwear, trainers or sports shoes are the go-to — closed-toe, with a reasonable sole. The guide will check footwear before the tour begins.
Pack a small backpack or daypack if you can — it's the most practical way to carry items you don't want to leave in a vehicle. A single lightweight bag that fits comfortably over both shoulders is ideal; something small enough not to be cumbersome while riding. Most tour camps have secure storage for larger items if you're bringing more than you'll carry on the quad.
A cap or wide-brimmed hat for before and after the ride is a useful addition — you're not wearing the helmet the entire time, and the Agafay sun is direct and strong. For a full checklist of clothing recommendations, see our dedicated what to bring page.
Sun and Dust Protection
Sunscreen is the single most important item to remember and apply before you leave your accommodation. Apply it to your face, neck, the backs of your hands and any other exposed skin before departure. A travel-size bottle to reapply mid-tour is worth carrying if you're spending more than two hours outside. SPF 30 as a minimum; SPF 50 in summer or for fair skin.
A scarf or buff is one of the most consistently useful items you can bring. Worn loosely around the lower face during dusty sections, it keeps grit out of your nose and mouth and protects against sun at the same time. It takes up no space, weighs nothing and makes a noticeable difference on windy days. Wrap-around or close-fitting sunglasses are the other key item — they protect your eyes from dust and glare far more effectively than standard fashion frames.
Lip balm with an SPF is a minor but worthwhile addition for full-day tours. Lips are often forgotten in sun-protection routines and the wind from riding accelerates dehydration of exposed skin.
Hydration
Water is usually available at the departure camp and during stops on longer tours, but bringing your own water is always sensible. A 500ml to 1 litre bottle per person is a reasonable amount for a half-day tour; a litre per person is better for a full day or any summer tour. Reusable water bottles are preferred over single-use plastic — practical and better for the environment.
It's worth drinking a glass of water before you leave your hotel — hydration before you start is as important as hydration during. In summer especially, even a well-shaded 90-minute tour involves significant fluid loss through activity and heat. Mint tea is usually served at camps and at the end of tours, which covers the social aspect of refreshment, but doesn't replace plain water during the active portion.
If anyone in your group has specific health considerations around hydration — young children, elderly travellers, those with certain medical conditions — bring more than you think you'll need and err on the side of overpacking for liquids.
Camera and Personal Items
Your phone is your most versatile camera in the field, and Agafay offers genuinely photogenic scenery — rocky terrain, Atlas views on clear days, camel silhouettes at golden hour. Charge your phone fully before departure. A phone mount or phone holder for handlebars is available to ask about, but tucking the phone in a zippered pocket and stopping at scenic points works just as well for most people.
Small amounts of cash are useful for tips and for purchasing any extras at the camp — mint tea, soft drinks, additional food items. Many Agafay camps and tour operators work on cash, so having a small amount in dirhams or euros is practical. You don't need much — the main tour costs are settled at booking.
A basic medical kit is worth having in your day bag for any outdoor activity: antihistamine cream, plasters, pain relief. Realistically, you won't need them for a smooth tour, but they take up minimal space. Your regular prescription medication should travel with you rather than be left at the hotel if you'll be away from Marrakech for most of the day. Our safety page covers what the guide team carries and what emergency procedures are in place.
What to Leave at the Hotel
Large luggage and full-size suitcases are completely unnecessary and have no practical use on a quad tour. Travel light — everything you actually need fits in a small day bag. Expensive electronics beyond your phone (laptops, full-frame cameras without protective cases, tablets) are better left at the hotel or secured at the camp rather than carried while riding. The combination of dust, vibration and the occasional jolt on rocky terrain is not kind to delicate electronics.
Very light or delicate clothing — silk, linen, anything that you'd be upset about damaging — is best replaced with something more practical for the tour. Agafay's characteristic dust is thorough, and while a good wash usually recovers most clothing, the occasional reddish tint can linger. Wear something you don't mind getting dusty.
Passports, important documents and the bulk of your cash are safer at the hotel than in a dusty day bag. Carry only what you need: your phone, a card, a small amount of cash, and your personal items. The experience is better when you travel light enough to forget about your bag entirely and focus on the ride.
