How To Prepare & What To Pack Before Going On A Desert Tour In Qatar

One of the first things tourists will ask us when they book a desert tour is:

“How should I prepare for a trip to the desert? What should I pack?” 

We’re more than happy to provide these answers to anyone who’s visiting the Qatar deserts for the first time. However, we figured we should sum everything up in one place. Consider this your go-to checklist for useful items, preparation tips, and everything else you might need to know about how to prepare for a desert tour!

How To Prepare For A Trip To The Desert

We believe that the overall success of your trip begins well before you ever leave your hotel room. All tours involve a certain level of preparation, but a desert one requires a bit more effort on your part. Here’s how you can prepare for such an adventure:

• Get In The Right Mindset – Although generally fun and adrenaline-boosting, a trip to the desert can be challenging at times, too. Make sure that you’re mentally and physically prepared for the experience. Show up with a strong spirit, a sense of adventure, and a little bit of determination, and you’ll be ready to go!
• Put Together A Travel Checklist – These things always come in handy, but they can be life-saving when you’re setting off on a desert adventure. Try to think of everything you could need while you’re out there, go over it a few times to see if you missed something, and pack accordingly.
• Eat A Light Meal Beforehand – You know your body (and your stomach) better than anyone else, but we strongly recommend eating a light lunch at least an hour before you leave. So, nothing overly fatty or spicy. A desert ride, and dune-bashing, in particular, can be bumpy, and you don’t want to end up with an upset stomach.

What To Pack: A Checklist For Desert Trip Essentials

Your guide will most likely take care of all the necessities, but there are a few things you should bring with when you set out on a desert adventure. Feel free to add anything else you might need (we’ll drop a few suggestions below), but don’t even think about leaving your hotel without the following:

1. Water – Okay, this is an obvious one, but it’s also the first rule for any desert trip. You wouldn’t believe how easily you could become dehydrated by accident. Moreover, you’ll probably be drinking way more water than you typically would at home. Keep this in mind while you’re picking an appropriate water bottle size. A 64-ounce bottle is the recommended minimum.
2. Sunscreen – The desert sun can be pretty merciless to those who forget to bring any form of protection for their skin – and nothing ruins a fun trip as fast as sunburn. We’d say that sunscreen is almost as crucial for your well-being as water. Put on some serious SPF before you head out, and remember to reapply it every few hours.
3. Sunglasses – We don’t mean it as a fashion accessory; the sun ways bouncing off the desert sand can be pretty harsh on your eyes. A pair of polarized sunglasses could make a world of difference in your comfort and safety levels. Also, opt for a well-fitted pair with a strap, so that you don’t lose them while exploring.
4. Hat – Another thing you’d want to have on you when the desert sun hits is a hat. Heading out for a desert adventure without protective headgear is asking for trouble. We recommend something light and breathable with a wide enough brim to protect your face, ears, neck, and shoulders – the most exposed, and often most sensitive areas of the body.
5. A Scarf Or A Bandana – A bandana is one of those multi-purpose desert must-haves you’ll want to have in your backpack. That’s particularly true if you forget to bring a hat – you’ll need something to protect the top of your head. When things get too hot, you always have the option to soak it with water and wrap it around the neck for a quick cooling effect. Plus, it can be used as dust masks if it gets windy, and you find it hard to breathe due to all the sand getting in your face.
6. Hiking Sandals – A comfortable pair of hiking sandals are likely the only pair of shoes you’ll need during your trip to the desert. That’s particularly true if you plan on going on hikes, and spending a good portion of the tour on your feet. Make sure that the sandals you bring fit perfectly, and provide sufficient arch support, too.
7. Backpack – It should be spacious to fit all the essentials you’ll have on you, while still being comfortable enough to carry around during your trip. So, nothing too bulky – and no suitcases!

Other Items You Should Consider Bringing

• Wet wipes 
• Eye drops 
• Earplugs 
• Hand sanitizer 
• External and AAA batteries 
• Toilet paper 
• Adhesive bandages and Band-Aid
• Clearly labeled prescription meds 
• Bug spray
• Tweezers 
• Multi-tool 

What NOT To Bring

Some of these things might be no-brainers to you, but you’d be surprised how often we see people show up with one of the following:

• Nice clothing and jewelry – These items are pointless on a desert trip. Who are you trying to impress?
• Unnecessary electronics – That includes tablets, laptops, and the like.
• Jeans – Denim doesn’t mix well with hiking at all, so do yourself a favor, and skip jeans altogether.
• Valuables – It’s not that you need to be worried about thieves; it’s that you’re risking something getting damaged or lost in the desert.

Final Word Of Advice

The Qatar deserts can be lands of extreme conditions – harsh but beautiful. That’s a massive part of what makes Qatar’s deserts such a fascinating place to visit. And as long as you’re ready to do a bit of extra planning, you’ll be able to enjoy such an environment. A few vital precautions go a long way when it comes to having a magical desert adventure you’ll remember for years to come. We hope you found the tips on how to prepare for a desert tour helpful! If you have any additional questions, 365 Adventures is here to answer them for you!