At 17,560 feet above sea level, where the air thins and silence settles over jagged Himalayan ridges, 28-year-old Divya Singh stood beside her bicycle, the Indian tricolour held firmly in her hands. For a moment, she let it all sink in — the exhaustion, the fear, the disbelief.
For Divya, a schoolteacher from Gorakhpur, this wasn’t just another trek to Everest Base Camp. It was history in motion. In March 2026, she became the first Indian woman — and only the second woman in the world — to reach Everest Base Camp on a bicycle.
“I was completely overwhelmed,” she says while recounting her experience to The Better India. “I stayed there for about an hour, just taking it in. I made videos for my family because I wanted them to feel that moment with me.”
But this journey didn’t begin in 2026. It began years earlier, in a classroom.
“I first read about the world’s highest mountain and Indian mountaineer Bachendri Pal when I was in Class 7,” Divya recalls. “That’s when the dream started. I didn’t know how or when, but I knew I wanted to reach there one day.”
And she did. Not once, but three times.
Her first two visits to base camp in 2023 and 2024 were on foot, like most trekkers. But during her 2024 trip, she stumbled upon a detail that would change everything: no woman had cycled to Everest Base Camp.
Carrying a 9-kg bicycle across the Himalayas
On 16 March 2026, after securing the required permits, Divya began her expedition from Kathmandu. Over the next 14 days, she would cover roughly 600 to 700 kilometres through some of the most unforgiving terrain in the world.
But unlike what the word “cycling” might suggest, this was not a ride. “In reality, only about 10% of the route was rideable,” Divya explains. “For nearly 90% of the journey, I had to carry my nine-kg cycle on my shoulders.”
After the first couple of days, only about 10% of the route remained cyclable, forcing Divya to carry her 9kg cycle on her shoulder for most of the climb. Photograph: (Divya Singh)
Her route took her through remote Himalayan settlements, including Surke, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Lobuche, and finally Gorakshep. Each stretch came with its own set of challenges: steep ascents, rocky trails, and narrow paths flanked by deep chasms.
Above the tree line, the conditions grew harsher. “The oxygen drops to almost 50–60% of normal levels,” she says. “My heart rate would go up to 120–125. I had to keep drinking water every five minutes, around four to five litres a day.”
There were days when snow replaced expected rain, when winds grew violent, and when even walking felt impossible. “At that altitude, it’s not just physical,” she adds. “Altitude sickness affects your emotions too. There were moments when I felt like I might break down.”
Yet, she kept going.
Training hard before taking on the world’s highest trail
Behind this feat was nearly one and a half years of focused preparation. Divya trained across diverse terrains — from Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh to Nepal — often in 15–20-day stretches, focusing on off-road mountain cycling and endurance.
Guiding her through this journey was her trainer, Uma Singh, who supported all three of her Everest Base Camp expeditions through his company, Rust Adventures.
Her journey was guided by trainer Uma Singh, who identified her zest for adventure. Photograph: (Uma Singh)
.“She had already done two reconnaissance trips on foot,” Uma, a mountaineer himself, explains. “That gave her a deep understanding of the terrain and altitude. Cycling there is a completely different challenge. It requires technical skill, stamina, and mental strength.”
Even with preparation, the mountain had the final say.
Uma recalls that above 12,000 feet, the weather became unpredictable. Rain had been expected, but heavy snowfall was encountered instead. There were long stretches where the cycle had to be carried, as no other option was possible.
Still, the duo pushed forward, choosing to continue despite the conditions.
From a Gorakhpur classroom to a record that travelled far
Back in Gorakhpur, Divya’s achievement has sparked immense pride. Her journey, flagged off by district officials at Vikas Bhavan, has since resonated far beyond her hometown, inspiring young women across the country.
For someone who teaches Classes 6 to 8 at a private school, Divya’s life is otherwise grounded in simplicity. A double postgraduate in Political Science and Home Science, with a Diploma in Elementary Education, she is currently preparing for a government teaching position.
“My school was very supportive,” she says. “They gave me leave for this expedition. Without that, it would have been difficult.”
Even as accolades pour in, Divya is already looking ahead. “I want to cycle to other high-altitude base camps in India,” she says. “And one day, I want to summit Everest.”
Divya also credits the school where she studied and now teaches for supporting her endeavours. Photograph: (Divya Singh)
It’s an ambitious goal, one that comes with its own challenges. According to Uma, a summit attempt without oxygen cylinders could take two to three years of preparation and cost upwards of Rs 40 lakh per person. “We are looking for sponsors,” he says. “Right now, these expeditions are largely self-funded.”
More than a record
What makes Divya’s journey remarkable isn’t just the record she set, but the path she chose to take.
In a space often dominated by access, funding, and infrastructure, her story is rooted in persistence. There were no shortcuts and only long days, harsh conditions, and the constant decision to keep going.
“When the path disappeared, I didn’t see it as a setback,” Divya says. “I simply picked up my cycle and kept moving.”
It’s a simple thought, but one that captures the essence of her journey — not just reaching the top, but carrying herself there, step by step.
