Tour Overview
| Duration | 8 Days / 7 Nights |
|---|---|
| Country | Comoros — The Perfume Islands of the Indian Ocean |
| Price From | $2,432 per person (twin share) |
| Tour Style | All-Inclusive Island Adventure |
| Data Source | Across Africa Tours / TourRadar — 2026 |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive Moroni — Grande Comore
Arrive at Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport on Grande Comore (Ngazidja), the largest island. Your guide welcomes you with a traditional Comorian greeting and a fragrant ylang-ylang flower lei — the Comoros is the world’s largest producer of ylang-ylang essential oil. Transfer to your eco-hotel on the volcanic coast. Afternoon orientation of Moroni, one of Africa’s smallest and most charming capitals: the narrow medina streets, the iconic Friday Mosque (Ancienne Mosquée du Vendredi, 1427), and the bustling Volo Volo market where Comorian women in colorful shiromani wraps sell vanilla, cloves, and perfume oils. Overnight at Moroni hotel.
Day 2: Moroni — Sultans, Spices & Volcanic Landscapes
Morning exploration of Iconi, a historic town south of Moroni. Visit the ruins of an 18th-century Sultan’s palace perched on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean with a dramatic blowhole sending seawater geysers into the air. Explore the Iconi Friday Mosque and the ancient royal tombs with their carved coral stone decorations. Afternoon: visit a traditional ylang-ylang distillery to learn about the extraction of the “Queen of Essential Oils” — the Comoros supplies 80% of the world’s ylang-ylang, a key ingredient in Chanel No. 5. Drive to Kafouni spice plantation to see vanilla orchids, clove trees, and cinnamon bark being harvested. Evening sunset at the Maloudja Beach, a volcanic black sand beach. Overnight at Moroni hotel.
Day 3: Mount Karthala — Volcano Trek
Early morning start for the trek up Mount Karthala (2,361m), one of the world’s largest active volcanoes. The 6-hour round trip through dense tropical forest transitions to giant heather and eventually a moonscape at the summit crater — the world’s largest active crater at 3km × 4km. On clear days, the views extend across Grande Comore and south to Mohéli and Anjouan islands. The volcano last erupted in 2007 and the caldera floor is still warm in places. Picnic lunch at the crater rim. Afternoon descent with stops at viewpoints. Return to Moroni for a well-deserved dinner. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Fly to Anjouan — The Pearl of Comoros
Morning flight to Anjouan (Nzwani), the most scenically dramatic of the Comoros islands. Nicknamed “the Pearl of Comoros,” Anjouan features impossibly steep mountains plunging into the Indian Ocean, terraced hillsides cultivated for centuries, and a distinct Swahili-Arabic culture. Visit Mutsamudu, the island’s main town, with its 15th-century citadel (one of Swahili Africa’s best-preserved fortresses) and the Sultan’s Palace. Walk through the medina’s labyrinth of narrow stone alleys where craftsmen still build traditional dhow boats by hand. Afternoon: Sambahjo Waterfall, cascading through lush tropical vegetation. Evening swim at Niumachuwa Beach. Overnight at Mutsamudu hotel.
Day 5: Anjouan Deep Exploration
Full-day exploration of Anjouan’s interior. Drive the spectacular mountain roads with hair-raising switchbacks to Domoni, a historic Swahili town. Visit ancient mosques with Persian-influenced architecture dating from the Shirazi period (15th-16th centuries). Explore the Tratringa Waterfall and the perfume distilleries in the Bambao region — Anjouan produces the finest ylang-ylang oil in the archipelago. Afternoon visit to a village cooperative producing vanilla — Comorian Bourbon vanilla is among the world’s most prized. Sunset at the dramatic Pomoni cliffs. Overnight at Mutsamudu hotel.
Day 6: Mohéli — Marine Paradise
Speedboat transfer to Mohéli (Mwali), the smallest and wildest main island. Mohéli has been designated as the Mwali Biosphere Reserve for its extraordinary marine biodiversity. Morning boat excursion to Ouenefou Island for snorkeling on pristine coral reefs teeming with colorful reef fish, sea turtles, and manta rays. Between July-October, humpback whales migrate through the Mohéli channel to calve — one of the Indian Ocean’s best whale-watching destinations. Afternoon visit to Itsamia Beach, where between February-July over 20,000 green sea turtles come ashore to nest — one of the highest nesting densities anywhere in the Indian Ocean. Evening turtle watch (seasonal). Overnight at Mohéli eco-lodge.
Day 7: Mohéli Rainforest & Return to Grande Comore
Morning guided walk through Mohéli’s pristine rainforest to the Livingstone Bats viewpoint — one of the world’s largest fruit bat colonies with thousands of flying foxes taking to the air at dusk and dawn. Visit a local community conservation project supporting alternative livelihoods for former turtle poachers. Afternoon speedboat/flight back to Grande Comore. Farewell dinner at Moroni’s finest restaurant. Overnight at Moroni hotel.
Day 8: Departure
Morning at leisure — visit the Moroni medina for last-minute perfume and vanilla shopping. Transfer to airport.
Inclusions
- 7 nights accommodation (eco-hotels & lodges)
- All meals (full board)
- Inter-island flights Anjouan + speedboat Mohéli
- Mount Karthala guided volcano trek
- Snorkeling equipment & Ouenefou Island excursion
- Turtle nesting night watch (seasonal)
- Ylang-ylang distillery & spice plantation tours
- All park and reserve fees
- Airport transfers
Why Comoros
- The “Perfume Islands” — world’s largest producer of ylang-ylang, supplying Chanel and Dior
- Mount Karthala — trek to the world’s largest active volcanic crater (3km × 4km)
- Mohéli — over 20,000 green turtles nest on Itsamia Beach annually
- Anjouan’s 15th-century Swahili citadel — one of the Indian Ocean’s most underrated heritage sites
- Almost completely undiscovered — fewer than 30,000 tourists visit annually, guaranteeing an authentic experience
