Munni Kaisare, a 58-year-old retired teacher and breast cancer survivor from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, is a testament to how personal recovery can be a powerful public statement of resilience by successfully trekking to Everest Base Camp.

Her journey to an altitude of 17,598 feet in October 2025 stands is a great example of human endurance and the refusal to be defined by illness.

The arduous trek to the base of the world’s highest peak is a challenge that tests even the fittest individuals, involving rugged terrain, steep ascents, and extreme Himalayan weather.

For Kaisare, it was the culmination of a years-long battle that began in 2017 with a devastating breast cancer diagnosis.

“The word ‘cancer’ threw me into depression,” she recalled, reflecting on the initial shock and the grueling treatments that followed (ETV Bharat English Team, 2025).

She endured surgery, radiation that blackened the right side of her body, and chemotherapy which she recalls were very difficult times for her. Throughout the ordeal, she remained a pillar of strength for her family, telling them to stay strong even as she grappled with her own fear.

Her path to the mountains began during her recovery. An active child who loved sports, Kaisare had built a life around family and a 16-year teaching career at Timpany School, where she was known for her discipline and ability to inspire young minds (The Hans India, 2025).

Her husband, Umesh, a retired Navy captain, and her son, Ashish, who works in the Merchant Navy, are her core support system.

It was after leaving her job to help her pregnant daughter-in-law that she noticed a long-dormant lump in her breast begin to grow, leading to the diagnosis. Finding solace post-treatment in cooking, gardening, and painting, she slowly rebuilt her strength.

While watching a documentary on the Discovery Channel, Kaisare was when first thought about trekking to Mount Everest. “It fascinated me. I thought, why not try it myself?” she said (Peri, 2025).

Her family was initially startled by her ambition, questioning why she would risk her health at her age, but her determination remained unwavering.

With a goal in mind, Kaisare began a disciplined preparation. Doctors advised a two-year timeline, and she dedicated herself to rigorous training.

Her resolve was tested and proven during a successful preparatory climb to Dayara Bugyal in Uttarakhand, India, situated at 12,000 feet. This gave her the confidence to set her sights on the ultimate objective: Everest Base Camp.

The expedition itself was not without significant challenges. Shortly after starting the trek, Kaisare developed a severe cough, which doctors attributed to exposure to animal droppings on the mountain trails.

After taking necessary precautions, she persevered, resuming her journey. During the final push, she trekked for nearly nine hours each day.

Along the way, she met many trekkers in their 80s and 90s. Seeing them pursue this arduous goal was a proof of her belief that “age is truly just a number” and this motivated her even further (ETV Bharat English Team, 2025).

On October 20, she finally stood at Everest Base Camp. For Kaisare, a woman who had bravely embraced her bald head after chemotherapy and even placed second in a Grandmother Contest with her shaved look, the moment was less about celebration and more about gratitude for a body that had carried her through cancer and up the mountain.

She hopes her achievement sends a strong message to others facing health or emotional setbacks.

“Many people fear cancer. They think life ends with it, but it doesn’t,” she stated firmly (ETV Bharat English Team, 2025). She urges everyone, especially women over 40, to get regular check-ups and emphasizes that healing is a combination of proper medical care, nutrition, exercise, and emotional acceptance.

Munni Kaisare’s story is a powerful reminder that the human spirit can endure and overcome life’s greatest challenges.

“We cannot control everything life gives us, but we can choose how to face it,” she added (Peri, 2025). Her journey to the foot of the world’s highest peak is a beacon of hope, proving that with courage and determination, no mountain is too high to climb.

At Trek Me Nepal, we understand that such a journey requires not just physical preparation, but absolute trust in your team.

That's why we are commitment to provide the utmost care for your health and safety, with experienced guides, careful acclimatization protocols, and a supportive environment every step of the way.

References

ETV Bharat English Team. (2025, November 10). From pain to peak: How a cancer survivor from Visakhapatnam reached Mount Everest. ETV Bharat. https://www.etvbharat.com/en/offbeat/from-pain-to-peak-how-a-cancer-survivor-from-visakhapatnam-reached-mount-everest-enn25111001993

Peri, U. (2025, November 16). At 58, cancer survivor from Vizag treks to Everest Base Camp, turning recovery into resilience. The New Indian Express. https://www.thehansindia.com/news/cities/visakhapatnam/meet-munni-kaisare-a-cancer-survivor-who-scaled-everest-base-camp-1021570

The Hans India. (2025, November 8). Meet Munni Kaisare, a cancer survivor who scaled Everest Base Camp. The Hans India. https://www.newindianexpress.com/good-news/2025/Nov/16/at-58-cancer-survivor-from-vizag-treks-to-everest-base-camp-turning-recovery-into-resilience

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