At age 5, the Singaporean prodigy Abyan Imtiaz Irkiz made his name known in history as the first child to do Everest Base Camp on foot, without the help of a porter or horse. He is the first youngest person in the world to reach the Everest base camp within 8 days from Lukla airport on his own foot. Abyan, accompanied by his father, embarked on this daunting journey and reached the base of Everest on April 29th, surpassing their planned arrival by two days.
Abyan also broke the previous record held by Om Madan Garg when he was six years old in 2022. Meanwhile, a Scottish citizen, Carter Dallas, holds the world record as the youngest child to reach the base camp of Mount Everest in October 2023 by sitting at his father’s back.
In Berita Harian’s (BH) report on April 21, Mr. Zikri shared that he had been training for this trek for the last six months. He went on several hikes and treks in Singapore to strengthen his body before flying to Nepal. Reaching 5,364 meters (17,598 ft) above sea level is challenging for a five-year-old. Glorious Himalaya Trekking Pvt. Ltd. played a pivotal role in his journey, helping him accomplish his dream of reaching the camp against the backdrop of the majestic Everest. The President of Singapore Book of Records, Mr. Eng Huat Oat, confirmed the achievement to Abyan’s mother, Ms. War War Lwin Tun, around 10 p.m. on April 29th, adding a moment of official recognition to their extraordinary accomplishment.
Abyan’s mother expressed in her Facebook post,
"It’s surreal to see how much my ta ta gyi (eldest son) has grown—physically and mentally—in just a few months. Back in December, he boldly declared his goal to be the Youngest Singaporean to reach Everest Base Camp. Now, he’s not only shown the world but also himself that nothing is impossible when you have the courage to try! As parents, we supported, putting our faith in #Allah & papa Zikri took on the planning of a training regime, together with Abyan! Dreams do come true! Lastly, quoting what a good friend told me yesterday - This achievement is not a miracle. It is an honest testimony of hard work and faith." - War War Lwin Tun
While there have been kids who have reached the foot of Everest on their own, none have been as quick as Abyan, who achieved this remarkable feat in just 8 days. This showcases the remarkable speed at which his body acclimated to challenging weather conditions. Reaching Everest’s base at 5,364 meters with nearly freezing temperatures is a significant achievement for trekkers of any age. However, undertaking such a trek without difficulties is an exceptional feat for someone who isn’t accustomed to these conditions.
Abyan has truly inspired everyone who doubts their ability to go on an Everest Base Camp Trek Journey.
Trekking around 70 KM (one way) in the high-altitude mountain region at this age is extraordinary. Abyan’s parents did an exceptional job guiding him to this feat, where they were solely responsible for his upbringing. Abyan’s parents’ dedication contributed to his excellent physical condition, with habitual long-distance walks crucial to his unprecedented accomplishment. This remarkable feat set by Abyan has sparked a fire in countless individuals to chase their dreams, proving that determination knows no bounds.
About Glorious Himalaya
Glorious Himalaya offers trekkers the opportunity to explore various trekking destinations in Nepal. It has helped tourists from different countries explore Nepal’s various tourist spots. They’ve been trekking Nepal’s rugged Himalayan trails for over a decade, loving every moment. Glorious Himalaya is a renowned local trekking agency offering the best value-for-money trekking packages.