After more than twenty years of equestrian tourism in Morocco, we have learned that a lightweight suitcase is almost always a better suitcase: it lets you travel with less stress, avoid unnecessary purchases, and focus on the experience.
In this article, you will find the advice we have most often given our guests over the years, along with some practical explanations.
How to organize your luggage
The first rule is simple: put all your riding-specific equipment in your carry-on luggage.
Riding shoes, half chaps, breeches, gloves, and everything you will need for riding should always travel with you. If your checked baggage is delayed or lost, in Morocco it is not automatically sent to your accommodation, and the owner must be present at the airport to collect it. If you have already set off on the trek by then, recovering it becomes very complicated.
Although Marrakech has sports shops, the equestrian section is rather limited, and you may not be able to find everything you are missing. It is better to bring the important items with you.
For the rest, try to make the best possible use of the space. Compression bags help reduce the bulk of your sleeping bag and keep your luggage organized. A little trick we often use is to fill your riding helmet with socks or underwear: it takes up the same space but lets you make use of every available centimeter.
Only the essentials in the saddle
During the trek, your luggage is divided into two parts. The main suitcase is transported by our logistics truck, which travels from one stop to the next and awaits you at the bivouac every evening. In the saddlebags attached to the saddle, however, you will carry only what you need during the day.
The saddle bags should be as light as possible, with the weight distributed evenly between the right and left sides. Usually, one water bottle (or two smaller bottles), a windproof and waterproof jacket, sunscreen to reapply during the day, a packet of tissues, and, for those who use their phone frequently, a power bank are sufficient. Everything else can wait at the bivouac.
What you need at the bivouac
After a day on horseback, you arrive at the bivouac, settle the horses, have dinner together, and get ready to spend the night surrounded by nature. Here, you will have everything that remained in the logistics truck during the day: clothes, a sleeping bag, and everything you need for personal hygiene. For the evening, a pair of slippers is enough, preferably with a closed heel, so you can move around the camp without discomfort to your feet.
One important thing to know is that there is no electricity at the bivouac. This is one of the reasons why the night sky offers an abundance of stars that is difficult to see elsewhere, but it also means that phones, cameras, and other devices will need to be recharged with a power bank. For this reason, we recommend setting out with fully charged power banks and choosing one or two based on the duration of the trek and the number of devices you will use. Also check that the type is permitted by your airline..
If you will also use your phone as a GPS or to record the route, bear in mind that it will consume much more battery, and it may be useful to bring some extra power.
What to wear during the trek
You do not need many changes of clothing; instead, choose technical garments suitable for the climate and the temperature changes that characterize a day on horseback. During the warmer months, we still recommend long-sleeved shirts and lightweight fabrics to protect yourself from the sun, which is very intense in Morocco. During the colder months, the material changes, not the principle: it is better to have a few suitable layers than lots of clothes because “you never know.”
If you have Merino wool clothing, it is an excellent choice: it is breathable, dries quickly and can be worn for several days without retaining odors. This means fewer changes of clothes, less weight and a more compact suitcase.
What is worth buying and what is worth renting
Not all the equipment you will use during a trek is worth buying. If this is your first experience or you think you will use some items only on this occasion, consider alternatives such as renting, borrowing or buying second-hand equipment.
You can rent a riding helmet and a sleeping bag from us, in both summer and winter versions. These are extras that you can add directly when booking the trek.
The same principle applies to a riding waterproof jacket. During the months when rain is possible, we recommend a long model that also protects your legs when you are in the saddle. To give you an idea, I bought my first riding waterproof jacket after twenty years of trekking in Morocco. Until then, I had never really needed one.
The final check before setting off
Before setting off, make sure you have:
- all your riding equipment in your carry-on
- a few technical garments suitable for the season
- something comfortable for the evening (a long change of clothes is also useful during the warm season)
- at least one fully charged power bank
- a flashlight
- a sleeping bag suitable for the season (or the rental already booked)
- a rain jacket
- a long scarf for sun and wind
- a towel and a swimsuit
- everything you need for personal hygiene
- your personal medications
A list designed for low-cost airlines
After many years of trekking, we have learned that the most common mistake is not forgetting something, but bringing too much. That is why, after booking, we always send our guests a detailed list that varies according to the season and the length of the trek.
The surprising thing is that, if you follow it carefully, even for a six-day winter trek you can travel with a 10 kg carry-on and a small backpack under the seat. Seeing is believing.