11-Year-Old Pune Girl Iva Rathod Scales Mount Kilimanjaro, Creates History with Africa’s Highest Peak Summit
Eleven-year-old Iva Darshan Rathod from Pune has successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, on July 27, 2026. Trekking alongside her father under the leadership of veteran mountaineer Chetan Ketkar, Iva became one of the youngest children from Pune to achieve the milestone, showcasing the city's growing culture of youth mountaineering.
Pune: In an inspiring achievement, 11-year-old Iva Darshan Rathod from Pune has successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 metres / 19,341 feet), Africa’s highest mountain and the world’s tallest free-standing peak. She reached Uhuru Peak on July 27, 2026, becoming one of the youngest climbers from Pune to accomplish the feat.
According to the expedition team, fewer than five children under the age of 12 from the Pune region are known to have successfully completed the challenging high-altitude trek.
Iva, who has been trekking since the age of four, undertook the expedition alongside her father, Darshan Rathod, an experienced trekker. Her early trekking experience on the forts and trails of the Sahyadri mountain range helped prepare her for Kilimanjaro’s demanding conditions, including extreme cold, high altitude, and the strenuous summit climb.
The expedition was led by Everester and veteran mountaineer Chetan Ketkar, who was accompanied by his 11-year-old son, Arjun Ketkar. Arjun also successfully completed the climb, showcasing the growing enthusiasm and capability of Pune’s young trekking community.
Speaking after the successful summit, Iva said reaching Uhuru Peak was a dream come true. She admitted that the freezing temperatures and high altitude made the climb challenging but credited her father’s support for helping her stay motivated throughout the journey.
Her father, Darshan Rathod, described the experience as unforgettable, saying that watching his daughter stand atop Africa’s highest peak after years of trekking together in the Sahyadris was a proud and emotional moment.
The achievement highlights Pune’s strong trekking culture, where children are introduced to outdoor adventures at an early age through the historic forts of Sinhagad, Rajgad, Torna, and other Sahyadri trails. Such experiences are increasingly helping young adventurers prepare for challenging international mountaineering expeditions.