Sikkim Mountaineer Scales Mount Kilimanjaro on India’s 79th Independence Day
Gangtok: Tshering Choden, a young mountaineer from Chongay, Gangtok, has brought pride to Sikkim and the nation by successfully summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak at 5,895 meters, on the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day.
Choden began her ascent on August 11, 2025, and reached the summit at 9:00 AM East Africa Time on August 15. The timing was deliberate, aligning her achievement with India’s national celebrations. “The date of the summit was very important to me, as I wanted it to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations back home. I dedicate this climb to my fellow Indians,” she said with pride after completing her expedition.
Although a beginner in mountaineering, Choden has completed her Basic Mountaineering Course at the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure & Eco-Tourism (IHCAE), Chemchey. Her successful climb of Kilimanjaro marks the beginning of what could be a promising career in adventure sports.
Mount Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, is one of the Seven Summits, a renowned mountaineering challenge that involves scaling the tallest mountain on each continent. Completing even one of these climbs is considered a prestigious achievement in the world of mountaineering. Choden’s success places her among a small but growing group of Indian adventurers who have taken on this global challenge.
Following her Kilimanjaro success, Choden expressed determination to attempt more peaks from the Seven Summits list in the future. “This has been a long-standing dream, and it finally feels fulfilled. But this is just the beginning—I want to keep climbing and representing my country on the world stage,” she said.
Choden’s achievement has been hailed as an inspiration for young people in Sikkim, particularly women, to take up adventure sports and pursue their dreams. Her symbolic climb on Independence Day adds national pride to her personal triumph, making her story a motivating milestone in the state’s growing adventure culture.
