Comoros: 9-Day Three Islands Tour — Grande Comore, Mohéli & Anjouan

Comoros: 9-Day Three Islands Tour — Grande Comore, Mohéli & Anjouan

Price: $2,390 USD per person (twin share) | Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights | Data Source: africatouroperators.org

Tour Overview

Embark on an extraordinary 9-day journey across the three main islands of the Comoros archipelago — Grande Comore (Ngazidja), Mohéli (Mwali), and Anjouan (Nzwani). This immersive tour is designed for adventurous travelers seeking to experience the untouched beauty, rich cultural tapestry, and remarkable biodiversity of one of Africa’s least-visited destinations. From hiking the slopes of an active volcano to snorkeling among sea turtles in a protected marine park, and exploring ancient Swahili medinas perfumed with ylang-ylang, this tour delivers an authentic Indian Ocean experience far from the beaten path.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Moroni — Welcome to Grande Comore

Upon arrival at Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport in Moroni, you will be warmly greeted by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. After check-in and a welcome briefing, take a leisurely afternoon stroll through Moroni’s atmospheric medina — a labyrinth of narrow alleyways lined with whitewashed Swahili buildings, carved wooden doors, and bustling markets. Visit the iconic Old Friday Mosque (Vendredi Mosque), one of the oldest mosques in the Indian Ocean, with its distinctive white arcades overlooking the harbor. As the sun sets, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring traditional Comorian cuisine — think grilled fish with coconut rice, mataba (cassava leaves in coconut milk), and fresh tropical fruits. Overnight in Moroni.

Day 2: Moroni City Tour & Northern Coast Exploration

After breakfast, continue exploring Moroni with visits to the National Museum of Comoros, housing fascinating exhibits on the archipelago’s seafaring history, Sultanate era, and volcanic geology. Drive north along the scenic coastal road to Trou du Prophète (Prophet’s Hole), a natural rock formation where, according to local legend, a prophet once emerged from the sea. Continue to the dramatic Dragon Rocks (Roches du Dragon) — jagged volcanic formations rising from turquoise waters. Enjoy a seafood lunch at the fishing village of Itsandra, once the seat of the Comorian Sultans, and visit the historic Itsandra Beach where the Sultans’ palace ruins still stand. Return to Moroni for overnight.

Day 3: Mount Karthala Volcano Trek — The World’s Largest Active Crater

Rise early for the highlight of your Grande Comore adventure — the Mount Karthala trek. Departing at dawn (approximately 5:00 AM) in a 4×4 vehicle to the trailhead at Boboni (1,800m), you begin the challenging but rewarding 5–6 hour ascent through dense tropical forest. Karthala, standing at 2,361 meters, is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, with a caldera measuring 3km × 4km — among the largest active craters on Earth. As you climb, the vegetation transitions from rainforest to giant heather and alpine moorland. Upon reaching the crater rim, witness the breathtaking panorama of the vast caldera, often filled with drifting mists and sulfurous steam vents — a truly primordial landscape. After a picnic lunch on the rim, descend in the afternoon and return to Moroni for a well-deserved rest. Overnight in Moroni.

Day 4: Fly to Mohéli — Marine Park Paradise

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a short scenic flight to Mohéli (approximately 30 minutes). Mohéli is the smallest and wildest of the three islands, home to the Mohéli Marine Park — a protected area that serves as one of the Indian Ocean’s most important nesting sites for green and hawksbill turtles. Upon arrival, transfer to your eco-lodge in Nioumachoua, a charming village on the southern coast overlooking a string of pristine islets. The afternoon is free to explore the village, interact with friendly locals, and swim in crystal-clear waters. As evening falls, enjoy fresh seafood dinner with your feet in the sand. Overnight in Nioumachoua.

Day 5: Mohéli Marine Park — Snorkeling with Turtles & Dolphins

After an early breakfast, board a traditional wooden dhow for a full-day marine park excursion. The Mohéli Marine Park encompasses a spectacular barrier reef, mangrove forests, and several uninhabited islets including Mchaco, Ouénéfou, and Mbo Mbili. Jump into the warm waters and snorkel among vibrant coral gardens teeming with parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, and the occasional reef shark. The park protects a significant population of green turtles, and with luck you may spot them grazing on seagrass beds or surfacing for air. Spinner dolphins frequently accompany boats through the channel, providing magical encounters. A barbecue lunch is served on a deserted islet. In the afternoon, visit a nesting beach where (seasonally) giant turtles come ashore to lay eggs. Return to the lodge as the sun sets. Overnight in Nioumachoua.

Day 6: Fly to Anjouan — The Perfume Island

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Mohéli with time for a final swim or beach walk. After lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Anjouan (with a brief connection through Moroni). Anjouan (Nzwani) is known as “The Perfume Island” for its abundant plantations of ylang-ylang, jasmine, vanilla, and clove that scent the island air. Upon arrival in Mutsamudu, Anjouan’s historic capital, transfer to your hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean. The evening is at leisure to soak in the serene atmosphere of this dramatically mountainous island. Overnight in Mutsamudu.

Day 7: Mutsamudu Medina & Anjouan’s Hidden Waterfalls

After breakfast, explore the enchanting 18th-century Mutsamudu medina, a UNESCO tentative site and one of the best-preserved Swahili old towns in the region. Walk through narrow alleys flanked by coral-stone buildings with intricately carved Zanzibari-style doors, visit the imposing Mutsamudu Citadel built by Sultan Abdallah I in 1786, and climb to its ramparts for panoramic views of the harbor. The bustling central market overflows with exotic spices, fresh vanilla pods, and the island’s famous perfume oils. After a traditional lunch, drive into the mountainous interior to discover Anjouan’s hidden waterfalls — cascading ribbons of water plunging into emerald pools surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Take a refreshing dip before returning to Mutsamudu. Overnight in Mutsamudu.

Day 8: Spice Plantations, Black Sand Beaches & Traditional Villages

Today’s journey takes you deeper into Anjouan’s lush countryside. Visit a working ylang-ylang plantation where farmers harvest the delicate yellow flowers at dawn for distillation into one of the world’s most prized perfume essences — Comoros is one of the world’s largest producers of ylang-ylang oil. Continue to a vanilla plantation to learn about the labor-intensive cultivation and hand-pollination process. Stop at spice farms growing cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper. Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch featuring produce from the plantation. In the afternoon, visit a black sand beach on Anjouan’s volcanic coastline, then drive through traditional Comorian villages where life follows rhythms unchanged for centuries. Return to Mutsamudu for a farewell dinner featuring Anjouan specialties. Overnight in Mutsamudu.

Day 9: Departure from Anjouan

After breakfast, enjoy free time for last-minute exploration of Mutsamudu or souvenir shopping. Visit a local perfume distillery to purchase pure ylang-ylang essence directly from the source. Transfer to Ouani Airport for your departure flight, either connecting through Moroni to international destinations or heading to your next adventure. Depart with unforgettable memories of the Comoros — three dramatically different islands united by warmth, beauty, and an authenticity rarely found in today’s world of mass tourism.

Inclusions

• 8 nights accommodation (3★ hotels & eco-lodges, twin share)
• Daily breakfast, 7 lunches, 5 dinners
• All domestic flights: Moroni → Mohéli → Anjouan
• All airport transfers and ground transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking local guide throughout
• Mount Karthala guided trek with picnic lunch (Day 3)
• Mohéli Marine Park dhow excursion with snorkeling equipment (Day 5)
• All entrance fees: National Museum, Mutsamudu Citadel, plantation visits
• Mineral water provided daily
• 24/7 local emergency support

Exclusions

• International flights to/from Comoros
• Comoros tourist visa (available on arrival, approx. $30 USD)
• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Personal expenses, drinks, tips
• Optional activities not listed
• Single supplement: $390 USD

Quick Facts

Pricing Table (2026)

Departure Dates 2026

Accommodation

Note: Accommodation subject to availability; comparable alternatives will be provided if necessary.