Five-year-old is youngest S'porean to reach Everest Base Camp

Pre-schooler makes trek to camp situated at altitude of 5,364m in Nepal with his father

- Venessa Lee

Battling strong winds and minus 14 deg C temperatures, pre-schooler Abyan Imtiaz Irkiz became the youngest Singaporean to reach the base camp of Mount Everest.

Abyan, who is five years and five months old, was accompanied by his father, Mr Zikri Ali, 41. Father and son arrived at Everest Base Camp, situated at an altitude of 5,364m, in Nepal on April 29.

Their trek, which started from Lukla, a Nepalese town more than 2,800m above sea level, took eight days, two days faster than they anticipated.

The pair even trekked beyond their target to the Himalayan peak of Kala Patthar, which, at around 5,644m, is at a higher altitude than the base camp.

Kala Patthar, which has stunning views of Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain above sea level, is known as one of the highlights of an Everest Base Camp trek.

Speaking to The Straits Times from Lukla via text message after summiting, Mr Zikri said he was humbled and privileged to have achieved the record-breaking feat with his son.