The Bulgarian mountaineers Boyan Petrov and Atanas Skatov ascended the fifth highest peak in the world – Makalu on Monday.

Located in the Himalayas and rising at an altitude of 8485 metres, Makalu is one of the fourteen peaks with a height of above 8000 metres.

Petrov and Skatov remained for fifteen minutes on Makalu, waiting for the arrival of other mountaineers before beginning their descent to the base camp.

The two Bulgarians are independently attempting to climb all fourteen eight-thousanders.

With the ascent of Makalu, Petrov has conquered half of the eight-thousanders, previously having climbed K2, Kangchenjunga, Manaslu, Annapurna, Gasherbrum I and Broad Peak.

Makalu became Skatov's fourth eight-thousander, the mountaineer previously having ascended Everest, Manaslu and Annapurna.

This was the second eight-thousander climbed by the two Bulgarian mountaineers in less than a month.

On April 30, Petrov climbed the world's tenth highest peak – Annapurna, with Skatov following suit on May 1.

Petrov is diabetic, who climbs without oxygen and the help of guides, while Skatov is a vegan.

Their latest success comes 35 years after the first Bulgarian ascent of eight-thousander, which was achieved by Hristo Prodanov who climbed Lhotse in 1981.