A Man in His 50s Chases an Everest Dream in ‘Road to Everest’
The official trailer for Road to Everest, an Nepali documentary tracing a real journey from sea level to the summit of Mount Everest, has been released ahead of its Nepal premiere in Kathmandu.
Blending adventure, human determination and environmental concerns, the trailer offers a glimpse into a journey shaped by extreme altitude, physical struggle, the contribution of the Sherpa community and the changing Himalayan landscape.
Directed by Nirmal Shrestha, the 50-minute documentary has been developed after more than two years of research, filming and production. Journalist Santosh Acharya and Shrestha have written the story, while renowned broadcaster Bhusan Dahal provides the narration. The documentary has been produced in both Nepali and English.
Raj Gurung’s Everest Dream at the Heart of the Story
At the centre of Road to Everest is the journey of Raj Gurung, a man in his fifties who sets out to challenge age, time and his own physical limitations in pursuit of his dream of climbing Mount Everest.
His expedition gives the documentary its emotional core, turning the climb into more than a story about reaching a summit. According to the production team, the journey explores ambition, struggle, self-belief and the determination required to pursue something that can appear impossible.
The documentary also looks beyond Everest’s spectacular landscapes to examine the realities of high-altitude mountaineering, including risk, endurance and the vital contribution of Sherpas.
Climate change is another major theme, with the film drawing attention to environmental changes affecting the Himalayan region. Recent material about the documentary similarly highlights mountaineering, Sherpa contribution and climate concerns as central elements of the film.
Veteran Everest Climbers Feature in the Documentary
Road to Everest features experienced mountaineers Phurba Tenzing Sherpa and Nima Gyalzen Sherpa.
Phurba Tenzing Sherpa has summited Mount Everest 18 times, while Nima Gyalzen Sherpa has reached the Everest summit 10 times and completed all 14 of the world’s mountains above 8,000 metres.
Vinod Gurung, Suraj Gurung and Nirmal Shrestha also appear during the journey, adding their experiences and perspectives to the documentary.
Production Team Highlights Authentic Footage
According to the production team, Road to Everest was made with an entirely Nepali technical team and does not use artificial or computer-generated visuals.
The filmmakers describe it as the first Everest documentary of its kind to capture a complete real-life journey from sea level to the summit using authentic footage throughout.
The “first” distinction is a claim from the production team rather than an independently established record, so retaining attribution is important. Other published reports have carried the same claim from the filmmakers.
By relying on footage captured during the actual journey, the documentary aims to place viewers closer to the uncertainty, hardship and emotional experience of an Everest expedition.
Kathmandu and Hong Kong Premieres Announced
Road to Everest is scheduled to have its Nepal premiere in Kathmandu on August 22, 2026, followed by its international premiere in Hong Kong on September 13, 2026.
Following the premieres, the documentary is expected to be screened in different locations across Nepal as well as through international platforms, film festivals and cinemas.
Produced by the social organization We Will Rise Foundation, the project also seeks to promote Nepal internationally as a tourism destination while drawing greater attention to climate change and its impact on the Himalayan environment.
A runtime of 50 minutes, Road to Everest brings together mountaineering, personal ambition, Sherpa experiences and environmental concerns in a story built around one of the world’s most challenging journeys.
Watch the Official Trailer
