Kavita Chand reached Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru Peak in 12 hours 46 minutes and completed the round trip in 22 hours 36 minutes
New Delhi: Indian mountaineer Kavita Chand has added another achievement to her Seven Summits journey after completing Mount Kilimanjaro’s round trip in 22 hours and 36 minutes.
Chand reached Uhuru Peak, the mountain’s highest point at 5,895 metres, in 12 hours and 46 minutes. She then completed the descent to Mweka Gate, finishing the full Mweka Gate–Uhuru Peak–Mweka Gate challenge in less than 24 hours.
The climb marks Chand’s fifth mountain in her Seven Summits project, which involves reaching the highest peak on each of the seven continents. Her previous climbs include Elbrus, Denali, Vinson and Aconcagua.
Chand said Kilimanjaro had already featured on her climbing plans. She decided to attempt a speed climb after receiving suggestions from people familiar with her endurance background.
Her preparation included three months of training for the Chicago Marathon. She ran around 70 to 90 kilometres each week and completed strength sessions three times a week. After the marathon on October 11, she travelled to Nepal for an expedition to Himlung Himal.
Although Chand did not reach Himlung Himal’s summit, she climbed to approximately 6,600 metres. This experience added to her high-altitude preparation ahead of Kilimanjaro.
The expedition team from Boots & Crampons coordinated the climb with local support staff in Tanzania. Bharath and Romil handled planning and logistics, while guides and a summit porter supported Chand during the ascent and descent.
Beyond mountaineering, Chand has also built an endurance-running record. She has completed five of the six World Marathon Majors and participated in several other marathons. At the Chicago Marathon, she finished as the third-fastest Indian woman, according to the release.
Chand thanked the expedition team for its support and described the Kilimanjaro achievement as an important moment in her climbing journey.
Her latest climb adds another milestone to her effort to complete the Seven Summits challenge.
