KATHMANDU: Harpreet Singh “Harry” Cheema and Navneet Kaur “Nav” Cheema, a husband-and-wife mountaineering duo now based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, have etched their names in history as the first Indian-born married couple, and the first Sikh couple globally, to successfully complete the Seven Summits, the tallest mountains on each continent.

Originally from India, Harry from Sangrur, Punjab, and Nav from New Delhi, the couple’s accomplishment is being celebrated as a moment of immense pride for India, the United States, and the global Sikh community. Their achievement also places them among an elite group, as fewer than five couples worldwide have ever scaled all Seven Summits together, the expedition organiser 14 Peaks Expedition said.

According to the 14 Peaks, their journey of endurance, faith, and love gained international attention on May 23, 2024, when they reached the summit of Mount Everest (8,849m), raising the Nishan Sahib, the sacred Sikh flag,  and reciting Gagan Main Thaal in prayer for world peace, equality, and harmony. It was a deeply symbolic moment that embodied the Sikh tenets of Nirbhau, Nirvair — “Without Fear, Without Hate.”

Their final ascent came on October 29, 2025, when they summited Carstensz Pyramid (4,884m) in Papua, Indonesia — one of the most technically demanding and remote peaks in the world. With this, they completed their Seven Summits quest, marking the culmination of years of preparation, teamwork, and spiritual commitment.

The Cheemas’ Seven Summits Journey:

1. Kilimanjaro (Africa) – 5,895m | Tanzania | Oct 13, 2019
2. Mount Elbrus (Europe) – 5,642m | Russia | Jun 28, 2022
3. Aconcagua (South America) – 6,961m | Argentina | Jan 14, 2023
4. Denali (North America) – 6,194m | USA (Alaska) | Jun 12, 2023
5. Mount Everest (Asia) – 8,849m | Nepal/China | May 23, 2024
6. Mount Vinson (Antarctica) – 4,892m | Antarctica | Jan 7, 2025
7. Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania) – 4,884m | Indonesia (Papua) | Oct 29, 2025

"The Cheemas’ achievement is more than a mountaineering milestone — it is a testament to what love, faith, and determination can accomplish," 14 Peaks said. "Their journey has become an inspiration for couples, dreamers, and adventurers across the globe, proving that extraordinary goals can be reached through unity and perseverance."

14 Peaks Expedition, which supported their climbs, extended its congratulations, calling the couple’s accomplishment “a proud moment in mountaineering history.”