ASIA PACIFIC. Sunil Tuli, Group CEO of King Power Group (Hong Kong) and President of the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) has visited the Baidya & Banskota (B&B) Hospital in Kathmandu, following the completion of his epic trek to Mount Everest Base Camp to raise funds for international cleft charity Smile Train. Starting 1 September, the industry veteran climbed to 5,400m, with The Moodie Davitt Report providing regular updates on his progress (see below).
As reported, Sunil raced past his original US$35,000 fund-raising target announced at The Moodie Davitt Report’s Smile Raising charity dinner in Singapore on 6 May.
Buoyed by overwhelming travel retail industry support, Sunil then doubled the target to US$70,000, a figure he has also surpassed. As of today (11 September), donations had reached US$76,855. You can still donate by clicking here.
A life-changing Smile Train-supported cleft surgery can cost as little as US$250-350. Every cent raised will go directly to the Smile Train clinic at B&B Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, which Sunil and his wife Shikha visited earlier this year. No costs of any kind will come off the total amount raised.
Here we bring you Sunil’s day-by-day progress in his own words. 
B&B Hospital, Kathmandu
Sunil has arrived at the Baidya & Banskota (B&B) Hospital in Katmandu to help celebrate a 15-year partnership between the hospital and Smile Train.
As he points out via Facebook, his wife Shikha had joined him on a visit earlier this year. “They were expecting her too, but unfortunately she couldn’t make it. They honoured us by putting both our names [on welcoming signs and a gift describing them as ‘Smile Makers’] and making me the chief guest at the function.
“Very powerful and moving speeches and performances by some of the patients. Look at the difference made to their lives by Smile Train.”
Smile Train’s Area Director South Asia Renu Mehta had flown in from Delhi, India, and helped organise the event.
Sunil continues: “I had the opportunity to meet patients, doctors, the hospital owners and all the staff who care so much for these kids…see for yourself, the difference a simple surgery can make.
“We’ve raised US$77,000 and all of it goes towards these surgeries.
“I loved my walk in the park (Sagarmatha National), and the smiles that we’ll bring, makes it all worthwhile.” He finished the post with a quick line that he would be “heading home to Singapore soon”.
Day 9: September 9
“Started very early in the morning. Weather wasn’t great all day very low visibility so could not get a view of the mountains.
“Made it to Everest Base Camp. Temperature dropped to zero…. Winds were very strong. I did get my jacket off for a photograph with two flags. One of India, the country of my birth where I spent 33 years. And one of Singapore the country of my citizenship, where I have spent the last 33 years.
“Conditions were very tough. Probably the hardest day ever for me, mentally and physically. There were times I asked myself ‘why?’ At times I wanted to turn back but that wasn’t an option. Anyway, after a long and tiring day, back at the lodge, with a huge sense of accomplishment.
“So many people to thank. My family, Shikha, Karan, Karuna, Jes, Tahj, Iyla. Couldn’t have done it without your support and encouragement.
“The Moodie Davitt Report for giving my campaign so much exposure and helping me raise funds for Smile Train. Malla Treks (highly recommended) for their brilliant organisation of the whole journey. My fantastic guide Shan KC and my porter Bipin.
“And last, but definitely not least, all those who supported me and very kindly and generously donated to Smile Train. I took a walk but it is you guys who made a difference to the lives of so many kids and I am extremely grateful for that.
“I am visiting B&B hospital in Kathmandu on the 11th, so there will be another post to look out for. Every dollar donated will go directly to the hospital for the cleft lip/palate surgeries. And of course to all who kept sending encouraging messages. Thanks guys. It has been a hell of an experience.”
Day 8: September 8
“We have got to Lobuche at about 5000 metres. That’s higher than Mont Blanc. At the start of the trek, we had to cancel our flight to Lukla and instead took a helicopter to Namche Bazaar from where the trek started, missing out on Lukla to Namche.
“We also skipped a day of acclimatisation in Dingboche and pushed forward to Thukla on day 7. As a result, we are in Lobuche now, ahead of schedule. We have gained 300 metres today, through rough terrain and a strenuous hike.”
Day 7: September 7
“So instead of an acclimatisation day in Dingboche, we decided to move forward and arrived at Thukla at 4,620 metres.
“Conditions got rougher, the terrain changed, air got thinner. Stronger winds and the temperature now at 4 degrees. In one of the pictures in the background you’ll see the frozen Cholache lake.
Day 6: September 6
Sunil is staying in contact with his many supporters and followers via his Facebook page. In his latest update, he details a five-hour climb from Pangboche to Dingboche, to reach 4,410m, noting succinctly, “Same shirt, different day.”
“The winds have picked up,” he says. “Trees and forests disappear as we climb higher, but the landscapes are stunning. And the mountain views, majestic.”
Sunil also notes that the temperature has dropped significantly since he started his climb towards the targeted Mount Everest Base Camp.
His epic climb and philanthropy effort continues and we will keep you up to date with every step.
Talk to Tuli: Let’s engage with Sunil to keep his spirits up during the tough days ahead. As many know, Sunil is easily the worst (though the most frequent) joke-teller in travel retail. Got a joke for him to help him practise his craft on the mountain? Or a question? What should be his theme song? Want to simply pass a message on? We will publish the best interaction.
Day 5: September 5
If you thought the suspension bridge Sunil crossed yesterday (see Day 4, below) was scary, take a look at this one. Or maybe don’t if you have vertigo.
Was he frightened? “Of course, can’t you tell?” he told The Moodie Davitt Report. “A bridge not too far but too flipping high! But got to do it now, whatever comes.
“Today we stopped for masala chai and fake Oreo cookies [note to Jaya Singh at Mondelez regarding Himalayan distribution -Ed] along the way.”
{Click on the YouTube icon to watch Sunil auditioning for a part in the remake of A Bridge Too Far, while singing his signature song That’s the sway (I like it).}
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, Sunil is in regular touch with his family and The Moodie Davitt Report readers through Everest Link wifi. “It’s not too stable when you’re outside but generally OK in places where we stop,” he explained, seconds before dropping off {the signal that is, not Sunil off the bridge -Ed}.
“Woke up to see Ama Dablam {pictured below centre, a mountain in the eastern Himalayan range of Koshi Province, Nepal, which towers 6,812 metres high -Ed}.
“Much easier walk today compared to the gruelling trek yesterday. Reached the village of Pangboche at 4,000 metres. Had to go down to the river and cross another suspension bridge {see video above}. That was fun…
“Pretty steep climb after that but short, and we made it well in time. From Pangboche went up a few 100 metres to acclimatise for the next day.
“The weather is changing now… winds getting stronger and the temperatures will drop as we get closer to the big peaks. The landscape also changes.”
Talk to Tuli: Let’s engage with Sunil to keep his spirits up during the tough days ahead. As many know, Sunil is easily the worst (though the most frequent) joke-teller in travel retail. Got a joke for him to help him practise his craft on the mountain? Or a question? What should be his theme song? Want to simply pass a message on? We will publish the best interaction.
Day 4: September 4
Another day in paradise. Tough day but absolutely worth it… 18km walked. Started at 3,400 metres, went down to 3,300 to cross the river on a suspension bridge, and then climbed up to nearly 4,000 metres. Took us eight hours. Passed by Tengboche Monastery*, the highest one (3,867 metres) in Nepal.
*Tengboche Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu valley of eastern Nepal. It is perched on a hill at the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Imja Khola rivers with Mount Ama Dablam forming a stunning backdrop. The site can be reached by a mountainous trail from Namche Bazaar via Lukla Airport connecting to Kathmandu. Or simply by following Sunil Tuli. [Source: HimalayanGlacier.com]
Sunil keeps us (and fortunately himself) in suspense as he proves nothing is a bridge too far for a man on a mission for Smile Train.
Day 3: September 3
Day 2: September 2
Day 1: September 1
A frustrating start. The plan was to fly to Lukla Airport and trek from there to Monjo. Bad weather in the mountains. All flights cancelled. So back in the hotel and hope to get an early flight tomorrow.
The build-up
