The unfathomable heights of the Himalayas, bone-chilling cold, and life-threatening trails; when someone says: “I cycled to Annapurna,” it sounds like a tale straight out of fiction.
Yet, a student of Jahangirnagar University (JnU), Tozammel Hossain Milon, has turned this very tale into a reality.
On April 2, at 6:15am local time, Milon reached the iconic Annapurna Base Camp in the Himalayas. This was the final destination of his extraordinary 15-day expedition.
But his feat doesn’t end there—in the same expedition, he conquered Tilicho Lake, Thorong La Pass, the Annapurna Circuit, and Annapurna Base Camp, all on a bicycle—a total of four major destinations.
Milon has made history by becoming the second person in the world and the first from Bangladesh to complete this rare feat.
It wasn’t just the treacherous paths that challenged him; he had to endure harsh weather, food shortages, physical hardships, and carry a heavy bicycle.
At one point, he suffered a serious injury to his left knee and remained ill for three days. But he didn’t stop.
Describing the harsh conditions, Milon said: “A slight mistake could have cost my life. But life itself is the name of a challenge. I kept pushing forward to overcome those limits.”
Battle won against cancer
One morning in 2016, darkness suddenly fell upon Milon’s life. While treating a lymph node tumor, he was diagnosed with cancer.
After treatment, doctors advised him to regularly exercise and sweat. Milon chose cycling as his path to recovery. And that’s where a different kind of life journey began.
In 2018, he reached his first major milestone—conquering the Khardung La Pass. Over a 70-day journey, he cycled from Teknaf to Ladakh and reached a height of 18,380 feet above sea level.
Seven years later, following that remarkable achievement, he once again etched his name in the record books with each stroke of the pedal.
Milon is a 42nd batch student of Jahangirnagar University. He completed his bachelor's degree in mathematics and is currently teaching at Rajuk Uttara Model College.
However, his heart beats for adventure, the road, and the mountains.
Sharing his feelings about the journey, Milon said: “This journey is not just mine; it’s a new chapter in Bangladesh’s history. I dedicate this achievement to my daughter, Manha. She may not understand now, but someday she’ll know that her father’s journey might inspire her as well.”
Milon’s triumph at Annapurna has given new wings to his confidence. He doesn't want to stop there; he aspires to reach even greater heights, with a dream of writing a book someday.
When asked about his future plans, Milon’s eyes gleamed with determination as he said, “I want to conquer the world’s most iconic highways, mountain passes, and plateaus. I also plan to compile all these experiences into a book.”
The story of Tozammel Hossain Milon is not just of an adventurer. It is a symbol of the courage to dream and turn that dream into reality. Overcoming a deadly disease like cancer, and riding a humble bicycle, he has conquered the invincible paths of the Himalayas.
And so, from the life of a teacher, the heart of a JU student, and the dream of a father, emerged an unforgettable story. At the summit of Annapurna, that story now proudly flies the flag of Bangladesh.
