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Bir Kumar Tanchangya, a cyclist from Wagga union of Kaptai upazila in Rangamati, has set a remarkable feat by cycling from Cox’s Bazar to Nepal and conquering three of the highest passes in the Everest region.
Under his expedition titled “Sea to Himalayas – Expedition for Awareness,” Bir Kumar became the first Bangladeshi cyclist, as well as the first cyclist from an indigenous ethnic community in Bangladesh, to reach the summits of Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La passes by bicycle, he told media.
In the final stage of the expedition, Bir Kumar conquered Renjo La Pass, located at an altitude of 5,360 metres, at 4.26 pm local time in Nepal on Monday.
Earlier, he conquered Cho La Pass, at an altitude of 5,420 metres, at 12.33 pm on October 1. He had previously reached the summit of Kongma La Pass, standing at 5,535 metres, at 1.53 pm on September 21.
For the expedition to conquer the three remote and high-altitude passes of the Everest region by bicycle, Bir Kumar began his overland journey from Zero Point in Cox’s Bazar on August 14, cycling all the way to Nepal’s Himalayan region.
Facing long distances, rugged mountain trails, difficult terrain and the challenges of extreme altitude, he gradually made his way to the summits of all three passes with his bicycle.
Coming from a remote hill community in Kaptai, Bir Kumar has long participated in cycling expeditions with a dream of carrying the Bangladesh flag at home and abroad. His latest achievement marks another major milestone in that journey.
After completing the expedition, Bir Kumar told BSS through social media on Tuesday morning that the achievement belonged not only to him but also to everyone who stood by him.
“This achievement is not mine alone — it belongs to every person who stood beside me. Your love, support, encouragement and inspiration have been the strength behind my journey,” he said.
Describing the expedition as a source of immense pride and joy, he said, “Cycling from sea level in Cox’s Bazar to the heights of the Himalayas and conquering the three highest passes in the Everest region is a matter of great pride and happiness for me.”
“The journey was not easy. But the Bangladesh flag and the love of the people of my own area gave me courage at every difficult moment,” he added.
He said his primary objective was not simply to create a record, but also to promote cycling, environmental awareness and positive messages among people.
“This journey is an effort to pursue that goal,” he said.
Bir Kumar’s achievement has generated joy and pride among people in Kaptai. Locals expressed hope that his success will inspire young people across the country to become more interested in cycling and adventure-based activities.