Medical
Baseline assessment, treating-physician coordination, regular monitoring and final medical clearance.
World Diabetes Day Expedition 2026
Presents
60 days of preparation · one six-day Himalayan expedition · World Diabetes Day 2026
A note from our founder
A message from our founder.
A personal introduction to the purpose, responsibility and hope behind the journey.
Founder’s NoteVideo coming soon
The purpose
Why we are doing this.
We are bringing people living with Type 2 diabetes together to prepare carefully, act visibly and learn responsibly.
Purpose 01Why illness should not limit life’s possibilities+
A diagnosis can become more than a medical condition. It can become a psychological boundary, making people believe that certain experiences, ambitions and adventures are no longer meant for them. We want to challenge that belief.
Diabetes requires awareness, preparation and responsibility, but it should not automatically require a smaller life. With appropriate medical guidance, thoughtful planning and preparation, regular monitoring and the right support, people living with Type 2 diabetes can continue to pursue adventures, ambitions and challenging goals that are meaningful to them.
Take your health seriously, but do not allow your diagnosis to define the boundaries of your life.
Purpose 02What we hope to learn about altitude and glucose+
The expedition also offers an opportunity to observe how sustained physical activity at altitude may affect glucose regulation in appropriately selected people living with Type 2 diabetes.
Existing research is limited and not fully consistent. Some studies suggest that hypoxia may be associated with lower glucose levels or improved glucose utilisation. However, the available evidence is still limited and does not establish altitude as a treatment for diabetes. We will therefore study and document the experience responsibly, without claiming that climbing a mountain can reverse diabetes.
The initiative is hypothesis-generating, not a clinical trial or treatment claim. Even if the summit is not reached, every participant returning safely and well is the priority.
Purpose 03To Inspire Action Around the World+
This expedition is not only about the people who participate in this Expedition. It is also about inspiring millions of people living with Type 2 diabetes to believe that change is possible and to begin taking meaningful action to realize that possibility.
For someone with diabetes, climbing a mountain represents every difficult first step: changing a habit, improving sleep, becoming more active, eating differently, managing stress. By showing what people can achieve through preparation, discipline and support, we hope to encourage others across the world to begin their own journey toward better metabolic health and a life of greater possibility.
Each one’s “mountain” may look different. What matters is taking that first step towards conquering the mountain.
The journey begins now— days to World Diabetes Day
The expedition at a glance
The expedition
at a glance.
Daily commitment75 mineach morning in September and October
Preparation60structured days
Expedition6supported days
Altitude7–12Kfeet, route dependent
Goal date14 NovWorld Diabetes Day 2026
ExperienceNot requiredreadiness is built progressively
RouteBeing finaliseddetails will be announced
Programme Fee₹ XX,XXXplaceholder, to be confirmed
The participant journey
How the participant
journey works.
From the first application to continuing the practices at home. Each stage has a clear purpose and a safety decision.
Completed thresholdNext thresholdFive thresholds · then return
-
Stage 01 · Apply
Tell us about yourself.
Share your diabetes journey and why this expedition matters to you.
Initial application · 8–10 minutes -
Stage 02 · Medical review
Assess individual risk.
Complete the required health investigations and physician review.
Medical decision · not first-come-first-served -
Stage 03 · Prepare for 60 days
Build readiness at home.
Follow the daily programme, attend reviews and progress gradually.
About one focused hour each morning -
Stage 04 · Final clearance
Receive approval to travel.
Participation remains conditional on medical and fitness clearance.
Safety decision · before departure -
Stage 05 · Join the expedition
Take the work onto the trail.
Complete the supported six-day route with the selected group.
World Diabetes Day goal · 14 Nov 2026 -
Stage 06 · Return and continue
Recover. Review. Continue.
Bring the learning home and continue the practices beyond the mountain.
Responsible return · long-term continuity
60 days before departure
How participants
will prepare.
Sixty days of practical, progressive preparation across five connected pillars.
Lifestyle
Nutrition, sleep, recovery and sustainable routines that support metabolic health.
Fitness
Progressive walking, strength, mobility, stamina and practical readiness for the trail.
Mind
Stress management, breathwork, meditation and mental preparation for demanding days.
Community
Group accountability, shared learning, regular check-ins and support throughout the journey.
The six-day expedition
What the expedition
will involve.
The expedition will involve daily walking on Himalayan terrain, changing weather, early starts, simple mountain accommodation and shared group routines. Participants will be expected to follow the agreed pace, safety instructions and daily schedule throughout the journey.
Route statusRoute and itinerary being finalised
The final region, altitude profile, daily distances, terrain, accommodation, equipment requirements and acclimatisation approach will be shared before travel. For a general understanding of Himalayan trekking and route conditions, explore the Indiahikes trek library ↗.
What participants should expect +
Daily walkingVariable terrainSimple mountain staysEarly startsChanging weatherShared group routinesRequired trek equipment
“Diabetes should not make life smaller.”
Safety and screening
Safety
comes first.
Final participation depends on medical review. Medical and mountain-safety decisions take priority over personal goals at every stage.
- 01
Screen before selection
Health history, baseline investigations and physician approval.
- 02
Prepare progressively
Physical and mental fitness before the expedition.
- 03
Clear before travel
Fitness Certificate from the treating physician and medical approval from the Nirog Bhumi designated consultant.
- 04
Monitor in the field
Daily checks, trained expedition professionals and emergency response protocols.
Before you apply
Who can apply
and what you need.
Eligibility
- Adult living with Type 2 diabetes
- Does not have any diabetes related complications
- Able to commit about an hour and 15 minutes each morning during September and October
- Available from November 12–19, 2026 for the expedition
Have these details ready
- Personal and contact details
- Year of Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, current treatment and latest HbA1c if known
- Current activity level and relevant diagnosed conditions
- Morning-time commitment during September and October, and availability from November 12–19
- Your motivation and emergency contact details
Every application remains subject to individual medical screening and final medical clearance from a Nirog Bhumi designated consultant. Application does not guarantee selection.
Ready for the first step?Apply Now ↗
Updates and learning
Follow the expedition
journey.
Preparation updates, participant voices and responsible group-level observations will appear here as the journey progresses.
Preparation journey tracker
Public milestones, never private health data.
View progress +
Preparation journey tracker
Public milestones, never private health data.
Opening soonApplication status
Not startedParticipant selection
SeptemberPreparation begins
0 / 60Preparation days completed
Not startedMorning sessions
Not startedCommunity check-ins
Being finalisedRoute details
— daysTo World Diabetes Day
Participant voices · Before selection
Why people want to begin.
“I want to stop seeing diabetes as a limitation.”
“I have never imagined myself in the Himalayas.”
“I want my family to see what consistent effort can make possible.”
After selection: meet the team +
Photograph and city
Brief diabetes journey
Why they applied
What they fear
What they hope to achieve
Preparation updates
What will be documented +
Preparation methodology and adherence
Aggregate, anonymised health observations
Time in Range and glucose variability, where appropriate
Fitness and walking progression
Participant reflections and daily journal
Photography and short films
Safety and operational learning
Final report and future recommendations
First journal entry
Applications opening soon
Dated preparation, selection, partner and trail updates will appear here as each milestone is reached.
Ways to come on board
Choose how you want
to join.
Participate, nominate, support the work or follow the journey.
0103
04
Join as a participant
Apply to join the expedition and the 60-day preparation journey.
Apply Now ↗ 02Nominate someone
Recommend a person living with Type 2 diabetes.
Nominate ↗Become a partner
Medical knowledge, equipment, travel, logistics or responsible storytelling.
Health · Support · MediaFollow the expedition
Receive preparation stories and key updates.
Follow ↗
Applications nationwide
Ready to
apply?
The application takes about 8–10 minutes. Applying does not guarantee selection, and clinical documents will only be requested later through an approved secure process.
Apply Now ↗
Before you apply
Questions before
you apply.
Do I need previous trekking experience?+
No. The planned route is simple to moderate, and the 60-day phase builds readiness. Final participation still depends on medical and fitness clearance.
Does applying guarantee a place?+
No. Participants will be selected through multiple stages based on medical safety, readiness, commitment and group fit.
Can I stop my diabetes medicine?+
No. Never stop or change diabetes medication or insulin without your treating doctor's direction. NirogBhumi does not replace your doctor.
What happens during the 60 days?+
Participants follow an approximately one-hour-and-15-minute morning routine supported by medical guidance, lifestyle practices, fitness, mental preparation and community accountability.
What is the Programme Fee?+
The final Programme Fee is still being confirmed. The current placeholder is ₹ XX,XXX and will be replaced before applications formally open.
Will my health information be published?+
Not as individual medical data. Public findings will be anonymised and aggregated. Personal stories or identifiable media require separate explicit consent.
Our partners
Working with the best
to keep every step safe.
Tracking partner
Helping us keep gear and participants findable throughout the expedition.