Babar Ali Becomes First Bangladeshi to Conquer Mount Makalu

Babar Ali has made history as the first Bangladeshi mountaineer to summit Mount Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest peak. He reached the 8,485-meter (27,838-foot) summit at 5:45 AM Bangladesh time on Saturday.

With this achievement, Babar has successfully climbed five of the world’s 14 "eight-thousanders" (peaks above 8,000 meters), a feat unmatched by any other Bangladeshi.

Farhan Zaman, president of the mountaineering club 'Vertical Dreamers' and expedition manager, confirmed the news via Mohan Lamsal, owner of Nepal’s 'Makalu Adventure'. Babar was accompanied to the top by guide Ang Kami Sherpa.

"We expect him to descend to Camp-2 by Saturday and return to Base Camp on Sunday," Farhan added.

Located in the Mahalangur Himalayas, Makalu is known as the "Great Pyramid" or "Maha-kalo" (The Great Black One). The peak’s pyramid shape and fierce winds often strip away snow, leaving the dark rock exposed. The mountain is notorious for its technical difficulty and unpredictable weather.

Babar’s mission, titled ‘Expedition Makalu: The Fifth Frontier,’ began on April 7. After weeks of acclimatization—including climbs reaching 7,000 meters—Babar waited for a favorable weather window at base camp.

The final push began on April 30. Babar reached Camp-3 (7,400 meters) on Friday and began the grueling 1,100-meter overnight ascent through dangerous terrain, finally reaching the summit on Saturday morning.

A physician by profession and General Secretary of Vertical Dreamers, Babar Ali’s mountaineering journey is defined by "firsts"

2022 First Bangladeshi to climb the technical peak Ama Dablam.

2024 First Bangladeshi to summit Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse in a single expedition.

2025 (April) First Bangladeshi to summit Annapurna-I.

2025 (September) First Bangladeshi to summit Mount Manaslu without supplemental oxygen.

Mount Makalu marks his fifth successful step toward his dream of conquering all 14 of the world’s highest peaks.

The expedition was organized by Vertical Dreamers and supported by Visual Knitwears Ltd, Samuda Spec-Chem Ltd, My Health, Chandrabindu Prakashan, and Rahman's Groceries.