An 11-year-old girl from Bangladesh, Atanaaz Hayat Chowdhury, has successfully completed the trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal last month. The base camp is located at an altitude of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet).

The trekking group Chowdhury was a part of included members from three generations, with ages ranging from 11 to 51. Chowdhury was the youngest member of the team. Her mother, Johora Kulsum, was also part of the expedition.

The trek began during a period of rain, which is common in the region during autumn. The team trekked in the rain for the first four days. The weather improved on the fifth day, but this created new challenges.

Melting snow made the trails wet and slippery. The team also crossed the Thukla Pass, which is between 4,600 and 4,900 meters high, during heavy snowfall and whiteout conditions.

The team reached Everest Base Camp on October 9 at approximately 3:30 PM. The total trek covered nearly 70 kilometers of steep and rocky terrain.

The expedition was organized by ‘The Altitude Hunter,’ a mountain travel group. The trek leader was Masud Pervej Sujon. Planning for the trip took nearly three months. The focus was on preparing Chowdhury both physically and mentally for the high-altitude environment.

Chowdhury’s prepared with a strict regimen. She practiced breathing exercises and activities like walking and going up and down stairs, alongside her regular school sports. Her diet was carefully managed for three months to ensure proper nutrition, reports The Financial Express.

Before the trip, she was advised to drink plenty of fluids, including fruit juices and coconut water.

During the trek, the leader Masud Pervej Sujon’s strategy was to let Chowdhury move at her own pace. The priority was to ensure she maintained her energy, ate well, drank enough water, and rested properly, says Sujon. The team used microspikes on their footwear to walk safely on snow.

This was not Chowdhury’s first trekking experience. She began trekking at the age of seven in the hills of Rangamati, Bangladesh. She had previously visited places like Dhuppani, Muppochhora, Nokata waterfalls, Debotakhum, Bogalake, and Keokradong.

Her early interest in trekking was noticed by Sujon, which led to her inclusion in the Everest Base Camp expedition.

"Holding Chowdhury's hand, we walked through slippery, sun-melted snow towards the final goal. A few meters ahead, we saw her mother. They walked together to the dream destination. It was an unforgettable sight," says Sujon about the emotional moment they reached base camp (Ratna, 2025).

When asked about her experience, Chowdhury stated that the journey was different from her previous treks in Bangladesh. She listed the cold, rain, and snow as the biggest challenges. The strong team spirit among her fellow trekkers helped her overcome these difficulties.

The Everest Base Camp trek is considered a major achievement in the mountaineering world. It typically takes about 12 days to complete the round trip. Trekkers must acclimatize to the high altitude to avoid sickness.

The success of an 11-year-old on this route demonstrates that with proper preparation, younger individuals can undertake such challenges.

Sujon believes that if a child shows interest in trekking, parents should assess their own interest first. If positive, children can be trained through shorter hikes. He recommends guidance and mentorship, similar to the support Chowdhury received from her mother.

This accomplishment is seen as an inspiration for other children in Bangladesh, where involvement in outdoor adventure sports is not yet common. Chowdhury’s journey shows that age does not have to be a barrier to achieving significant mountaineering goals.

At Trek Me Nepal, we are inspired by stories like Chowdhury's, which show the transformative power of the Himalayas. We specialize in crafting safe, well-planned journeys to Everest Base Camp and other iconic destinations in Nepal.

Our experienced guides are dedicated to providing the same level of careful preparation and supportive leadership, ensuring every trekker, whether seasoned or first-time, can experience their own unforgettable adventure in the mountains.

Reference

Ratna, S. J. (2025, November 19). How an 11-year-old Bangladeshi girl made it to Everest Base Camp. The Financial Express. https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/lifestyle/how-an-11-year-old-bangladeshi-girl-made-it-to-everest-base-camp

Anweiti Upadhyay

Travel Content Writer

Upadhyay is a writer and journalist with a background in law, economics, and culture. Having worked with leading news portals in Nepal, she has an eye for detail and a curiosity about the world.As the... Read More