On paper, spending a day getting to the edge of the Moroccan Sahara for just one night can look like poor value. Then the temperature drops, the colour drains from the dunes and the first stars come out. Nobody asks about value after that.
Silence is the attraction
Most of us rarely experience real silence. In the desert, you can hear your own footsteps on the sand long after everyone has settled down for the evening. It tends to stay with people long after they get home.
Where to do it
The dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga are the classic choice, reached by a route through the High Atlas and the kasbah valleys. For something more remote, Erg Chigaga beyond M'Hamid takes more effort to reach and feels emptier for it. Both have camps ranging from simple to comfortable.
A little practical advice
Pack a warm layer, even in a warm month, as deserts cool quickly after dark. Bring a headlamp, tie down your hat and keep your camera covered from the sand. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures for both days and nights.
And when your alarm goes off for the sunrise, get up. You're not going to regret it.
