Kathmandu . Nepali mountaineer and international IFMGA Mountain Guide Abiral Rai has added another historic achievement to his international mountaineering journey by successfully climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters), the highest peak of the African continent. After successfully climbing Kilimanjaro on Tuesday at 9:00 AM together with famous singer Raju Lama, Rai has achieved success on the highest peaks of six continents as part of the prestigious “Seven Summits” campaign, which involves climbing the highest peaks of all seven continents of the world. Abiral Rai is the first IFMGA Mountain Guide and first Everest summiteer from the Thulung Rai community. Rai’s achievement is not only personal. It is a proud and inspiring chapter in the mountaineering history of Nepal and especially of the Thulung Rai community. Young Nepali mountaineers are now formally educated, have highly technical knowledge, have years of experience, passion as well as skillset, who are taking Nepali mountaineering to new heights. Rai is one representative figure among these promising Nepali mountaineers. Besides mountaineering, he is also a seasoned photographer and videographer. He currently serves as the Treasurer of the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA). Ra has more than a decade and a half long experience in climbing, mountaineering leadership, rescue, training, and international mountaineering expeditions. He has continuously represented the capability and identity of Nepali mountaineering on the world stage. With the successful ascent of Kilimanjaro, Rai has so far set foot on the highest peaks of six of the seven continents of the world:

• Asia — Mount Everest, 8,848.86 meters: Successfully climbed three times, in 2022, 2024, and 2026.
• South America — Aconcagua, 6,961 meters: February 22, 2025.
• Oceania — Carstensz Pyramid / Puncak Jaya, 4,884 meters: October 10, 2025.
• Antarctica — Mount Vinson, 4,892 meters: January 6, 2026.
• Europe — Mount Elbrus, 5,642 meters: July 5, 2026.
• Africa — Mount Kilimanjaro, 5,895 meters: August 11, 2026.

He has contributed as videographer and photographer for world renowned publications like National Geographic and outside and for dozens more national and international media as well as for various expeditions and personalities. Rai has said that collaboration with former Gurkha soldier and world-famous mountaineer Hari Budha Magar has been instrumental in his Seven Summits mission. According to Rai, from Everest to Aconcagua, Carstensz Pyramid, and Mount Vinson, he had the opportunity to travel together with Hari Budha Magar on expeditions to the highest peaks of four continents. In these expeditions, Rai also played an important role as a photographer, videographer, and mountain guide. Rai has expressed special gratitude to Hari Budha Magar for the collaboration, trust, and opportunities he received.

Rai made a joint ascent of Kilimanjaro with Lead Singer Raju Lama, From The Renown Nepalese Band ‘Mongolian Heart’  who is on a mission to raise awareness about climate change through music in all seven continents of the world. This is the second joint international mountaineering expedition of Abiral Rai and Raju Lama. Earlier, they had successfully climbed Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, together. Singer Raju Lama, who is also on a Seven Summits mission, has now successfully climbed the highest peaks of four continents. So far, he has climbed Mount Everest in Asia, Carstensz Pyramid in Oceania, Mount Elbrus in Europe, and Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. Rai and Lama plan to continue their collaboration in international mountaineering expeditions in the coming days as much as possible. Rai has said that they also plan to move forward together on an expedition to Denali, the highest peak in North America. With the successful ascent of Kilimanjaro, only Denali, the highest peak in North America, remains in Abiral Rai’s Seven Summits portfolio. Now his goal is clear: to reach the summit of Denali and fulfil his Seven Summits dream of successfully climbing the highest peaks of all seven continents. This expedition is not merely a journey of personal achievement for Rai. It is an inspiring journey connected with Nepal’s Himalayan identity, the capability, courage, and leadership of Nepali mountaineers, and the pride of the Thulung Rai community. From Everest to Aconcagua, Carstensz Pyramid, Vinson, Elbrus, and now Kilimanjaro, his journey is a story of determination, dedication, and continuity, as he flies the Nepali flag on the highest peaks of different continents around the world. He believes that this achievement will not only take Nepali mountaineering to a further height on the international stage but will also inspire a new generation of Nepali mountaineers to dream big, accept challenges, and pursue seemingly impossible goals with determination.