A 59-year-old tailor from Kerala has achieved something truly remarkable by reaching the Everest Base Camp without any professional training. Vasanthi Cheruveettil, from Thalipparamba in Kannur, completed this challenging trek on February 23, 2025. She started her journey from Surke, Nepal, on February 15, 2025, and her only guide was YouTube videos.
Vasanthi’s story is a testament to the power of determination. Despite having no formal training, she prepared herself for four months with a strict routine. She walked for three hours every day, practised wearing trekking boots, and went on evening walks of five to six kilometres with friends. Many people doubted her when she shared her plans, but she didn’t let that stop her.
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The trek wasn’t easy. Bad weather forced her to cancel her flight to Lukla, but Vasanthi didn’t give up. With the help of a German couple she met, she found an alternate route. Along the way, she connected with trekkers from different parts of the world, including a father-son duo from Kerala and Assam. Her achievement left the international trekking community in awe.
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This wasn’t Vasanthi’s first solo adventure. The previous year, she travelled alone to Thailand after her friends backed out, questioning whether a woman could manage such a trip alone. Her sons, Vineeth and Vivek, have always encouraged her adventurous spirit.
Vasanthi strongly believes that independent travel is empowering. She says, “With perseverance and the right attitude, women can travel anywhere in the world freely and safely.”
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As a widow, Vasanthi supports her travels through her tailoring business, with occasional help from her sons. Her next goal? To visit the Great Wall of China. Her story is a powerful reminder that age and background don’t define what you can achieve. With passion, preparation, and determination, anything is possible.
Vasanthi didn’t just prepare physically but also learned Hindi to make communication easier during her trek. Her thorough approach—combining physical training, YouTube tutorials, and language skills—shows just how dedicated she was to achieving her dream.
Vasanthi’s journey is an inspiration to us all. It proves that no dream is too big, no matter your age or circumstances. Her story encourages everyone to chase their dreams with courage and determination.
Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.
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