Methane can be mostly converted to cyclohexane and its derivatives upon feeding a silica supported Ni and Ni-Cu catalysts with CH4 and H-2 successively at temperatures around 275-300 degrees C and under pressures equal to or higher than atmospheric pressure. Increasing the H-2 pressure very strongly enhances the formation of heavier products. Increasing the CH4 pressure allows the first step of the sequence to be shortened but excessive shortening of the exposure prevents the adspecies from undergoing H-2 loss to the extent required for the formation of heavier products.