With rolling sand dunes, unique wildlife, and plenty of opportunities for adventure, deserts are incredible travel destinations. Everyone should visit these other-worldly landscapes at least once. However, a trip to the desert requires some serious prep. Whether you’re heading to the Sahara, the Atacama, or the Mohave, your packing list should always include these desert essentials.
Long Sleeves & Pants
You might think that the intense heat of the desert warrants the least amount of clothing possible. However, loose, lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long pants in natural materials like linen will provide protection from the sun, strong winds, spiny plants, and sand storms. Choose light colors that will reflect the sun’s rays.
Sunscreen & Hat
The desert sun is super strong and good sun protection is the name of the game! Bring high SPF sunblock for your face and body and a wide-brimmed sunhat with a chin strap to stop it from blowing away. You could also bring a bandana to cover your neck.
Warm Clothes
The desert is a landscape of dramatic temperature changes. The extreme heat of the day quickly dissipates when the sun goes down and you could be faced with freezing temperatures! Bring cozy leggings, warm jumpers, a woolly hat, and a down jacket for evenings spent star-gazing and chilling around the fire.
Moisturizer, Lip Balm & Eye Drops
The desert is DRY and your body will notice! To avoid cracked skin, chapped lips and itchy dry eyes, load up on hydrating moisturizer, intensive lip balm and moisturizing eye drops and reapply throughout the day.