Hari Budha Magar, a Gurkha hailing from Nepal, dedicated 15 years of service with the British Army until an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2010 resulted in the loss of both his legs.
Rather than focusing on his own adversities, Hari’s primary goal has been to motivate others by demonstrating that overcoming challenges is possible regardless of the obstacles faced in life.
Setting an example, Hari, aged 46, accomplished the remarkable feat of being the first above-the-knee amputee to conquer Everest. He is now only two mountains away from achieving the distinction of scaling the highest peaks on all seven continents, a personal challenge he aims to complete by January 2026.
Receiving a Special Recognition Award at the prestigious Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, Hari expressed his immense joy, stating, “I was absolutely delighted. It was such an honor. I just wanted to climb mountains and raise awareness about disability.”
Although Hari has journeyed across the globe scaling mountains, he had never experienced a cruise ship voyage until P&O Cruises, the new headline partner for the awards, surprised all winners with a cruise holiday.
Expressing his surprise and gratitude, Hari, a married father of three children aged 12 to 29, shared, “It was just amazing, and not something I was expecting at all. The holiday wasn’t just for me; it was a trip for the whole family. We had never been on a cruise holiday before. I’m very busy traveling everywhere, so it was perfect for us to spend time together and engage in new experiences.”
Embarking on a journey to the Norwegian Fjords in spring aboard the Iona, the family relished a week exploring the shores and indulging in the offerings of the cruise ship.
Hari reminisced, “We expected that on a cruise holiday you might not spend much time on land, but we had so much time ashore, taking cable cars up mountains and exploring the fjords.”
Among their adventures, riding the Loen Skylift to the summit of Mount Hoven near Olden port stood out, providing breathtaking views across Nordfjord. Hari described the Skylift experience, including playing in the snow and visiting a lookout with a glass floor.
Additionally, the family cherished visiting the fjord village of Olden by train, renowned for its scenic beauty. Hari emphasized the convenience for those with mobility concerns, praising the accessibility of the locations visited.
Reflecting on their onboard experiences, Hari mentioned enjoying the cinema, swimming pools, whirlpool spa, and dressing up for Celebration Night. He also highlighted a special family dinner arranged by P&O Cruises at Epicurean to celebrate his daughter’s birthday.
Hari took the opportunity to inspire fellow passengers by sharing his motivational journey during a talk onboard Iona, a gesture of giving back for the kindness they received. Encouraging others with disabilities to consider cruise holidays, Hari emphasized the wheelchair accessibility of the ship and the welcoming nature of the crew and guests.
Looking forward to future cruise adventures, Hari concluded, “The ship is all wheelchair accessible, and there wasn’t anywhere I couldn’t go on board. I would say be nice, ask for help, and you’ll be fine.”
