Karthala Forest, Karthala Mountain, & Dragon Dig from Moroni

A barren volcanic landscape with scattered green and yellow bushes under a cloudy sky.

Two hikers navigate a lush, misty jungle path on Mount Karthala, surrounded by dense foliage and tall trees.

A striking bird with a white chest, dark wings, and bright red eyes perches on a moss-covered branch amidst lush green foliage.

A panoramic view from the rim of Mount Karthala's volcanic crater, showing its vast, layered caldera and rocky foreground.

A stark landscape of dead trees and hardy vegetation thrives on a volcanic terrain under a misty sky.

A dense, lush rainforest with tall trees, hanging moss, and a variety of ferns and foliage, suggesting a natural, tropical environment.

A massive volcanic eruption spews ash and smoke into the sky above Mount Karthala.

Duration: 1 Day (approx.)
Location: Moroni
Product code: GCKarth

Mount Karthala Day Tour from Moroni

Comoros Island Tour | Grand Comore

Mount Karthala Volcano Trek Experience
Experience an unforgettable ascent of Mount Karthala, the highest peak in the Comoros archipelago and home to one of the world’s largest active volcanic craters. Travel by 4x4 through diverse landscapes before trekking on foot to the summit at 2,361 meters, where you will explore the vast caldeira, observe volcanic fumaroles, and enjoy panoramic views. Along the way, discover endemic flora and fauna, including rare bird species and medicinal plants. A picnic lunch is included, with options for a return to Moroni the same day or an overnight camping experience under the stars.

Two trekking options are available:
• A day hike with return to Moroni in the afternoon
• A two-day trek with overnight camping on the mountain

DAY HIKE ITINERARY:

At 8:00, begin the ascent of the Karthala volcano by 4x4 vehicle, driving up to 1,600 meters while crossing very varied landscapes. From Convalescence at 1,600 meters, begin the trek on foot, which takes approximately two hours to reach the summit.

The summit is the highest point in the archipelago and one of the largest active craters in the world, with a circumference of 8 kilometers. There is an altitude gain of 1,600 meters from the base driving camp. During the trek, there are opportunities to discover endemic fauna and flora, including local birds and medicinal plants.

The driving duration is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, followed by a 2-hour hike to the summit and a 1 hour and 30 minute return to the driving point. The 4x4 drive reaches 1,600 meters, and the hike continues to the summit at 2,361 meters.

At 13:00, visit the caldeira, one of the largest in the world, with a diameter of 3 kilometers and visible fumaroles around the craters. At 14:30, enjoy a picnic lunch and trek down to the camping spot. At 16:00, arrive at the spot and drive back to Moroni. Lunch is included.

OVERNIGHT TOUR ITINERARY:

Day 1: Trekking
At 8:00, begin the ascent of the Karthala volcano, crossing very varied landscapes. At an altitude of 2,361 meters, this is the highest point of the archipelago and one of the largest active craters in the world, with a circumference of 8 kilometers. The trek includes an altitude gain of 1,600 meters to the base camp, with opportunities to discover endemic fauna and flora, including local birds and medicinal plants.

The driving time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes in a 4x4 vehicle, followed by a hike of about 3 hours to the summit and 2 hours and 30 minutes back to the camp. The 4x4 drive reaches 1,600 meters, and the hike continues to the summit at 2,361 meters.

At 13:00, visit the caldeira, one of the largest in the world, with a diameter of 3 kilometers and visible fumaroles around the craters. At 14:30, enjoy a picnic lunch and trek back down to the camping spot. At 16:30, arrive at the camp and enjoy the surrounding landscapes. At 18:00, have dinner and spend the night in tents, with a grilled dinner around a campfire under the stars of the Southern Cross. Overnight accommodation is in camping tents, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Day 2: Descent back to Moroni
Wake up in the morning and have breakfast at 7:00. At 8:00, trek down through the primary forest and enjoy the fauna and flora of Mount Karthala National Park. Observe indigenous birds such as the Karthala white-eye, Comoro cuckoo roller, Comoro black parrot, Comoro blue pigeon, and Comoro olive pigeon, among others.

At 11:00, reach the village of Nvouni and transfer to Moroni.

*Please note a moderate to high level of physical fitness is required to summit Mount Karthala and Karthala Volcano. It is also perfectly acceptable as an alternative to do a beach and forest nature hike today rather than the summit, as an alternate.

Included: