Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) Successfully Summited on New Year’s Day
Pune, January 07, 2026: A seven-member Indian team led by renowned professional mountaineer and sports teacher from Vidya Valley School, Mr. Dinesh Kotkar, successfully summited Uhuru Peak (5,895 metres) — the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world — on 1st January 2026, marking the New Year with an exceptional achievement.
Located in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcanic mountain and one of the most popular trekking and climbing destinations globally. This unique expedition included three school students, a teacher-parent, a parent, and a woman trekker from Pune, making it a truly inspiring and inclusive mountaineering endeavour.
Team Details
Expedition Leader:
Mr. Dinesh Kotkar – Professional mountaineer from Pune and Sports Teacher at Vidya Valley School. He has previously attempted Mount Everest, successfully climbed Mount Elbrus (the highest peak in Europe), and led several expeditions across the Himalayas.
Student Members:
• Rugved Bhujbal – Grade 9
• Amla Patil – Grade 9
• Aarav Deshmukh – Grade 8
Teacher & Parent:
• Manisha Bhujbal – Pre-Primary Teacher, Vidya Valley School and parent of Rugved Bhujbal
Parent:
• Kamlesh Deshmukh – Parent of Aarav Deshmukh
Woman Trekker:
• Aparna Pingale – Pune
All team members underwent disciplined training, physical conditioning, and altitude-acclimatisation sessions in Pune under the guidance of Mr. Dinesh Kotkar prior to the expedition.
Expedition Route and Plan
The team began the expedition on 26th December, choosing the challenging and popular Machame Route, well known for its scenic beauty and effective acclimatisation profile. During the ascent, the team traversed multiple ecological zones including rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and glacial terrain.
Key technical sections such as the Lava Tower and the demanding Barranco Wall were successfully crossed under difficult weather conditions, making the climb both physically and mentally challenging.
Summit Push on New Year’s Day
The base camp for the summit attempt is located at approximately 4,600 metres, while Uhuru Peak stands at 5,895 metres. The team began their summit push at 11:30 pm on 31st December, aiming to reach the summit at dawn on New Year’s Day.
Despite heavy crowding on the route due to climbers from across the world attempting the New Year summit, the Indian team maintained discipline, pace, and composure. Battling extreme cold, strong winds, and fatigue, the team reached Stella Point (5,756 metres) at around 7:00 am.
At this stage, Aarav Deshmukh (Grade 8) made a mature and responsible decision to turn back due to exhaustion and drowsiness. He safely descended to base camp with a local guide.
The remaining members continued under the leadership of Mr. Dinesh Kotkar and successfully reached Uhuru Peak at approximately 8:10 am on 1st January 2026.
‘Dream Team from India’
With three young students as part of the expedition, international climbers affectionately referred to the group as the “Dream Team from India.” Throughout the journey, the team functioned like a close-knit family, supporting and motivating each other at every stage, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and resilience.
Significance of the Achievement
Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro is considered a major milestone for any trekker or mountaineer. This expedition stands out for bringing together students, parents, and a teacher on one of the world’s highest peaks, showcasing the values of discipline, courage, perseverance, leadership, and teamwork.
The success of this expedition sends a powerful message — with proper planning, trained leadership, and consistent preparation, even students and ordinary families can aspire to and achieve extraordinary global mountaineering goals.
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)
