From Madagascar to Everest: The Journey of a Malagasy Family to Conquer the World’s Highest Peak
Antananarivo – A groundbreaking chapter in the story of Malagasy mountaineering is unfolding in the Himalayas.
The Bouka family, spearheaded by Zouzar, the father, along with his sons, Raj-Alexandre and Raïs, are nearing the summit of Mount Everest (8,848 m) with aspirations to become the first Malagasy climbers to conquer the highest peak on the planet.
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Since arriving in Kathmandu on April 16, the Bouka family has been following a carefully structured acclimatization plan.
After an adjustment period in Pheriche (4,371 m) and at the Lobuche base camp (around 5,000 m), which they reached in 2023 (6,119 m)—their first “6,000” peak—they arrived at Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) on April 23.
On April 29, the family initiated their first major rotation toward the higher camps.
The family navigated the treacherous Khumbu Icefall to reach Camp I (6,100 m), where Zouzar Bouka took 11 hours and 45 minutes, while Raïs and Raj-Alexandre Bouka completed the trek in approximately 7 hours.
On May 2, 2025, they reached Camp II (6,500 m), where they spent a night without using supplemental oxygen before attempting the ascent to Camp III.
Zouzar and Raïs paused at the Bergschrund (6,800 m), while Raj-Alexandre pressed on to Camp III (7,000 m).
Currently, at base camp, the Boukas are in a crucial recovery phase from May 8 to 11, gearing up for their summit attempt during a promising weather window expected between mid-May and the end of the month.
This expedition isn’t merely about athletic accomplishment; it represents a visionary family journey that commenced in 2021 on Malagasy terrain, with their ascent of peaks like Pic Boby (2,658 m), Tsiafajavona (2,643 m), the Makay Massif, and the Vohitany volcano.
Their adventure has traversed international borders, featuring climbs of Kilimanjaro (5,895 m, 2023), Mount Baker, Island Peak (6,165 m), San Francisco (6,016 m), Ojos del Salado (6,890 m), Aconcagua (6,960 m), and several remarkable summits in Ecuador in 2025, including Cotopaxi (5,897 m) and Iliniza Norte (5,136 m).
Their various expeditions across Madagascar signify a deep-rooted connection to their homeland, tackling summits like Crête Rabobalahy, Langana, Ambatomanaoina, Mangabe, Iharanandrina, Angavo Be, and the Vavavato Massif, among others.
Embodying humility, responsibility, and exemplary conduct, the Bouka family is also notable for their environmental efforts, employing strict waste management practices—including those for biological waste—to preserve the pristine beauty of Everest.
As they near the final stretch of their journey, the Bouka family moves forward, driven by a collective dream: to raise the Malagasy flag atop the world’s highest peak.
Regardless of whether they stand at 8,848 meters, their expedition already symbolizes a triumph of the human spirit, a national milestone, and a significant achievement.
Madagascar, once rarely linked to mountaineering, is now claiming its rightful place in the domain of extraordinary expeditions.