Greek mountaineer Asimina Inglezou successfully summited Mount Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest mountain, on Saturday morning as part of the 8K Makalu Expedition 2026. According to expedition organizer 8K Expeditions, Inglezou reached the 8,485-metre summit at 7:45 AM on May 9 alongside professional Nepali climbing guides Pemba Dorchee Sherpa, popularly known as “Maila Pemba,” and Pema Rinje Sherpa.
The successful ascent marks another major achievement for Inglezou, who previously earned a Guinness World Record for the fastest completion of the Great Himalayan Trail on foot by a woman in Nepal. She completed the demanding trail in 2024 in just 52 days, 6 hours, and 23 minutes.
Preparation Through Lobuche East Climb
As part of her acclimatization and preparation for Makalu, one of the Himalaya’s technically demanding 8,000-metre peaks, Inglezou had earlier successfully climbed Lobuche East at an elevation of 6,119 metres. The preparatory ascent helped her build the endurance, confidence, and high-altitude experience necessary for the Makalu expedition.
Mount Makalu, located in eastern Nepal near the Nepal-China border, is considered one of the most challenging mountains among the world’s 8,000-metre peaks because of its steep pitches, technical terrain, and unpredictable weather conditions.
Everest and Lhotse Next on the List
Despite the successful Makalu summit, Inglezou’s Himalayan campaign is far from over. According to 8K Expeditions, she is now preparing for her next mountaineering objectives, Mount Everest and Lhotse, the world’s highest and fourth-highest mountains, respectively.
The expedition company described her journey from completing the Great Himalayan Trail to summiting Makalu as a powerful reflection of courage, determination, and endurance in extreme mountain environments.
8K Expeditions also extended best wishes for her safe descent from Makalu and success in the upcoming Everest and Lhotse expeditions. Her achievement adds to the growing list of international climbers choosing Nepal’s Himalayas for ambitious mountaineering challenges while further highlighting the country’s reputation as a global hub for adventure tourism and high-altitude expeditions.
