In April 2026, Andhra Pradesh created history when 21 children with special needs from government schools successfully completed the Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal. Organised under the state’s Samagra Shiksha programme, the expedition became a landmark moment in inclusive adventure education and drew national attention to Andhra Pradesh’s growing commitment to adventure sports training.
A major pillar behind this achievement was the Adventure Sports Academy at Gandikota in YSR Kadapa district. Known as the “Grand Canyon of India,” Gandikota has evolved into a leading hub for mountaineering preparation, trekking, rock climbing, kayaking, rappelling, and endurance-based outdoor training. The Andhra Pradesh government has increasingly used the academy to build leadership, resilience, and survival skills among students.
Before travelling to Nepal, the 21 students underwent 45 days of intensive preparation at the Gandikota Adventure Sports Academy. Training covered physical fitness, trekking techniques, mental endurance, teamwork, and confidence-building activities. For many students, including children with hearing, visual, locomotor, and intellectual disabilities, this was their first time living and training in demanding outdoor terrain.
Officials noted that Gandikota’s rocky landscape, steep cliffs, and harsh summer climate made it ideal for building endurance and mental toughness. The academy has previously hosted youth trekking and climbing camps focused on character development and leadership for students from across Andhra Pradesh.
Key Highlights
- Historic milestone: 21 special-needs students completed Everest Base Camp (5,364m).
- Structured preparation: 45 days training at Gandikota + 15 days acclimatisation in Ladakh.
- Inclusive model: Students with diverse disabilities trained in a common high-performance framework.
- Expert mentorship: Guided by mountaineers Malavath Poorna and Sheikh Himanshu.
- Policy impact: Strengthened Andhra Pradesh’s vision for inclusive adventure education.
After Gandikota, the team completed a 15-day high-altitude acclimatisation phase in Ladakh, where students learned to adapt to low oxygen levels, freezing temperatures, and mountain trekking stress before entering the Nepal Himalayas.
“This mission proved that with the right training, support, and opportunity, children with disabilities can excel in physically demanding adventure sports and lead from the front.”
The expedition’s success has amplified the state’s larger push to integrate adventure sports into education and youth development. Officials increasingly describe Gandikota Adventure Sports Academy not merely as a training centre, but as a platform for confidence, personality development, and social inclusion. Many now see Gandikota as a future national centre for adventure sports, especially for rural and underprivileged students.
Associated Focus Areas
- Andhra Pradesh adventure sports initiatives
- Gandikota Adventure Sports Academy
- Inclusive trekking and mountaineering
- Special-needs student empowerment
- Everest Base Camp achievement by Andhra Pradesh students