Production of aromatics from methane

A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons including aromatic hydrocarbons, the process comprising contacting a feed comprising methane and hydrogen gas and less than 5 wt. % C3+ hydrocarbons with a dehydrocyclization catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, wherein said dehydrocyclization catalyst enters said reaction zone at a temperature of about 900-1100° C., said dehydrocyclization catalyst comprising particles of a porous refractory material, crystals of a zeolite material grown within the pores of the refractory material, and a catalytically active metal or metal compound of molybdenum associated with the zeolite crystals, said process further comprising a step of catalyst regeneration followed by a step of catalyst recarburization in a catalyst treatment zone separate from said reaction zone.