In a spectacular start to 2026, a determined group of eight Indian mountaineers from Pune etched their names in the annals of adventure by successfully planting the national flag on the roof of Africa. The team, affiliated with the Giripremi Adventure Foundation (GAF), reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on the morning of January 1, marking a triumphant New Year's celebration at 5,895 metres.
A Diverse Team's Gruelling Ascent
The expedition was a testament to inclusive adventure, featuring climbers aged between 25 and 63 years. The group's experience spectrum was broad, encompassing both novices on their first major climb and seasoned alpinists with formal high-altitude training. Led by experienced mountaineer Ashish Sanjay Nawandhar, the team comprised Charulata Pandit, Sanjeev Pandit, Shweta Kurade, Vilas Tarwadi, Nivedita Sharma, Neha Sikchi, and Nidhi Gautam.
Their final push for the summit was an arduous nine-hour endeavour, culminating at 8:45 am local time when they proudly unfurled the Indian tricolour against the African sky. This international climb also saw participation from adventurers representing the United States and the Netherlands, coordinated by the Pune-based foundation.
Battling the Elements on the Seven Summits Peak
The journey to the top was far from easy. For most of the expedition, the team contended with relentless rain and heavy snowfall. The weather cleared only for the critical summit day, allowing them to make their historic push. Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano in northeastern Tanzania near the Kenyan border, is renowned as the world's tallest free-standing mountain and is one of the coveted Seven Summits—the highest peaks on each continent.
Senior mountaineer Umesh Zirpe, a Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award recipient, highlighted the team's cohesion. "Though most of the members were previously unfamiliar with each other, they demonstrated remarkable unity and teamwork to achieve this feat," he stated. He credited local Tanzanian guide Joseph Majuta for his indispensable expertise, which was crucial for the team's safety and success.
Months of Preparation Pay Off
The victory was born from rigorous preparation. The climbers underwent months of intensive training under the guidance of Sameer Divekar, the head of GAF. Leader Ashish Nawandhar brought valuable prior experience from summits like Dzo Zongo, Reo Purgyil, Deo Tibba, and Friendship Peak to the team.
This achievement by the Pune-based group not only celebrates personal endurance but also shines a spotlight on India's growing mountaineering community. It underscores that with dedicated preparation, strong leadership, and collaborative spirit, even the most daunting of the world's peaks can be conquered, bringing honour to the nation on a global stage.
