Nyiragongo Volcano Express – 3 Days
| Duration | 3 Days / 2 Nights |
|---|---|
| Country | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Price From | $1,450 USD per person |
| Tour Style | Volcano Adventure, Trekking, Private |
| Data Source | Congo gorilla tour operators 2026 — Virunga National Park permits |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Goma — Lake Kivu Welcome
Arrive at Goma International Airport on the shores of Lake Kivu. Transfer to your hotel with views of the lake and the distant volcanoes. Afternoon orientation walk through Goma: visit the vibrant markets, the lakeside promenade, and the lava-covered streets that testify to Nyiragongo’s 2002 eruption. Evening briefing with your guide about the volcano hike — what to pack, what to expect. Overnight at a comfortable lakeside hotel.
Day 2: Nyiragongo Volcano Hike — To the Lava Lake
Early departure to Kibati village, the trailhead at 1,989m. After security briefing and permit verification at Virunga National Park headquarters, begin the ascent of Nyiragongo (3,470m). The 5-6 hour hike passes through five distinct vegetation zones: from farmland to lush rainforest, then old lava flows, alpine meadows, and finally the volcanic rock near the summit. Porters are available (and recommended) to carry your gear. Arrive at the crater rim by late afternoon. The reward: the world’s largest lava lake — a bubbling, glowing cauldron of molten rock filling the 1.2km-wide crater. Settle into the basic summit cabins. Spend the evening mesmerized by the ever-changing patterns of the lava lake, with the night sky exploding with stars above one of Earth’s most dramatic natural phenomena.
Day 3: Sunrise Over the Lava Lake & Descent
Wake before dawn to watch the sunrise illuminate the lava lake and the steam rising from the crater — a photographer’s dream. After breakfast at the summit shelters, begin the descent back to Kibati (3-4 hours). Return to Goma for lunch and a well-deserved rest. Afternoon at leisure to explore Lake Kivu’s shores or visit the Goma Volcano Observatory. Transfer to Goma Airport for departure. Take home the unforgettable memory of standing at the edge of the world’s largest lava lake.
What’s Included
• 2 nights accommodation (1 hotel + 1 summit cabin)
• All meals
• English-speaking guide
• Nyiragongo volcano permit ($300)
• Virunga National Park entrance
• Round-trip transfers Goma-Kibati
• Porters (recommended, included)
• Sleeping bag & warm gear for summit
• Airport transfers
What’s Excluded
• International flights
• DR Congo visa ($50-100 depending on nationality)
• Travel insurance (required, must cover high-altitude trekking)
• Tips for guide & porters
• Personal trekking gear
