If you’ve ever packed for one of my tours in Lofoten or Lapland, forget everything you know. A Morocco photography tour is a different game entirely. You’re not fighting rain and cold, you’re managing heat, dust and some temperature swings.
Here’s what actually works.
First, understand what October in Morocco is actually like
October is genuinely one of the best times to be in Morocco. The worst of the summer heat has broken, the light is better, but the weather is not uniform. The country covers a huge range of terrain and the temperatures reflect that.
On the Atlantic coast (Essaouira), you’re looking at highs of around 20–25°C with a constant ocean breeze that keeps things comfortable. It can be chilly in the shade. Moving inland towards Marrakech and the Atlas foothills, it gets warmer and drier, up to 30°C in the day. Evenings cool off quickly, particularly at altitude, and can drop to 10–15°C once the sun goes down.
You need to be able to dress for all of that in one bag.
The Layering System Still Applies, Just Differently
I always talk about the layering system on my tours. In the north, it’s about keeping you warm and dry. In Morocco it’s more about managing heat during the day and staying warm at night, while having the flexibility to adapt as conditions change throughout the day.
The principles are the same. Base layer, mid layer, outer layer. But the specific items are very different.
Base Layer
This is where Morocco diverges most from colder tours. In wet, cold conditions I’ll tell you to avoid cotton and go straight for merino wool or synthetic. In Morocco, that advice softens. Lightweight cotton and linen actually work well in dry desert heat because they breathe. You’re not worrying about getting wet and cold; you’re worrying about staying cool.
That said, a lightweight merino base layer is still worth having for cooler evenings. It regulates temperature in both directions, keeps you cool when it’s warm, warm when it drops. If you already own merino t-shirts, bring them. If you’re buying something new, a thin breathable synthetic or merino is slightly more versatile than pure cotton over a 9-day range of conditions.
Mid Layer
A fleece or lightweight down jacket. You won’t need it much during the day, but you will absolutely need it once the sun goes down, especially at altitude in the Atlas foothills where evenings get genuinely cold.
I wear a down jacket on almost every tour I run, including warm ones. They compress into almost nothing, weigh very little, and the difference between having one and not having one when the temperature drops after sunset is significant.
If you only bring one mid layer, make it something you can stuff into a daypack all day and pull out at 9pm.
Outer Layer
Unlike my colder tours, you don’t need a full waterproof hardshell for Morocco in October. Rain is possible but unlikely. What you do want is a light, packable jacket, something windproof enough to cut a cool evening breeze and warm enough to be useful at night. A light softshell or packable synthetic jacket is ideal.
Leave the heavy waterproof at home. It’s unnecessary weight and will make you hot.
What to Actually Pack
Tops
Pack 3–4 tops that cover your shoulders. Long sleeves aren’t mandatory but they’re worth it. They protect you from a sun that’s stronger than it looks at this latitude.
Loose-fitting is the key. Tight-fitting synthetic workout tops are uncomfortable in the heat and stand out in more traditional settings. Go for relaxed, breathable fits in neutral or muted colours. Linen and merino both work well.
Bottoms
Long trousers protect your legs from the sun and reduce dust on your skin, but shorts are also acceptable if you’re comfortable wearing those. Lightweight hiking trousers or chinos in a quick-dry fabric are ideal.
Footwear
Three pairs, and they all earn their space:
1. Broken-in walking shoes or trail runners. This is your main shoe for the entire trip. The medinas have uneven cobblestones that will eat your ankles if you’re in unsupported footwear. The mountain routes involve rocky, uneven terrain. And you’ll be on your feet for long stretches every day. The one rule here: break them in before you come. Don’t bring new shoes.
2. Sturdy sandals. Birkenstock sandals with a proper footbed, not flip-flops. These are for evenings at the riad, relaxed coastal time in Essaouira, and any downtime when you’re not shooting. They need to handle cobblestones without collapsing. A standard beach flip-flop won’t do the job.
3. Flip-flops or lightweight shoes for indoors. For riads and hotel use. Minimal weight, total usefulness.
Avoid anything white or very light-coloured for footwear. The medinas are dusty and colourful, and light-coloured shoes will look wrecked by Day 2.
Socks
Merino wool socks if you have them. They breathe, they reduce smell after long days, and they’re comfortable in warm conditions. A week’s worth minimum, unless you’re planning to use laundry services regularly.
The Scarf, Don’t Skip This
A lightweight scarf or pashmina is worth more than it sounds. One piece of fabric does a lot of work in Morocco:
- Wraps around your neck or face during dusty conditions
- Provides warmth on cool evenings without needing another full layer
- Offers shade for your neck on long outdoor shoots
You don’t need anything heavy. A thin cotton or silk pashmina does all of the above and takes up zero space. This applies to everyone, not just women.
Sun Protection
The sun in Morocco in October is genuinely strong and a lot of people underestimate it. You’re at roughly the same latitude as the Canary Islands, the air is dry and clear, and when you’re out in open landscapes for hours on end it adds up fast.
High-SPF sunscreen, applied every day, even when it’s cloudy. A wide-brim hat. Not a cap, an actual wide-brim hat that covers your neck as well as your face. And sunglasses you’re actually willing to wear for six hours at a stretch.
Sunburn on Day 1 will make the rest of the trip miserable. Don’t assume the October sun is weak enough to ignore.
What to Leave at Home
- Heavy waterproof jacket (unless the forecast shows something unusual)
- Thermal base layers
- Winter boots or wellies
- Shorts (you’ll be grateful for the trousers in the medinas)
- Anything you’d be devastated to get dusty, stained, or worn
The Quick Checklist
TOPS
3–4 loose, breathable tops (long sleeve preferred)
1 lightweight down jacket or warm mid layer
BOTTOMS
2–3 pairs of lightweight trousers (quick-dry fabric)
Shorts if desirable
FOOTWEAR
Broken-in walking shoes or trail runners
Sturdy sandals (birkenstocks)
LAYERS
Fleece or lightweight down jacket
Packable windproof outer layer
Lightweight scarf or pashmina
ACCESSORIES
Wide-brim hat
Sunglasses
Buff or neck gaiter
OTHER
High-SPF sunscreen
Merino wool socks
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