Ecuador Trek & Optional Cotopaxi Climb
October 17 – 27, 2026

Join Wild Med Adventures for an immersive Mountain Medicine CME expedition through the heart of Ecuador — a journey that blends high-altitude trekking, real-world wilderness medicine education, and deep cultural exploration in one of South America’s most dramatic landscapes.

This expedition begins in the historic city of Quito, where colonial streets and vibrant culture set the stage for an adventure that steadily ascends into the Andes. Over the course of the trip, participants will climb several non-technical peaks — including Ilaló, Pasochoa, and Rumiñahui — gaining progressive altitude exposure while applying wilderness medicine concepts exactly where they matter most.

For those seeking an added challenge, an optional technical expedition climb of Cotopaxi offers the opportunity to summit one of the world’s highest active volcanoes at 19,347 feet. Participants who choose not to climb will enjoy a well-earned rest day filled with exploration and recovery. The journey concludes with two nights in the Mindo Cloud Forest, providing space to reflect, recover, and reconnect before returning home.

This is not a packaged holiday.

It is a physically demanding, educationally rich, and deeply rewarding expedition designed for those who want to grow as clinicians, teammates, and adventurers — while forming friendships that last long after the mountains fade from view.

If you’ve been searching for a CME experience that feels like a true expedition — one that challenges your body, sharpens your medical judgment, and reconnects you with why you love adventure in the first place — this is it.

This expedition is designed for individuals who want to combine high-altitude trekking, real-world wilderness medicine education, and cultural immersion, while learning and practicing skills in challenging, remote mountain environments.

This is a small-group, tight-knit expedition built on shared effort, mutual support, and curiosity. Participants come from diverse backgrounds but quickly bond through challenge, learning, and time spent together in the mountains.

If you value camaraderie, inclusion, and learning by doing, you’ll feel right at home on this trip.

This is not just a trek — it’s a high-altitude Mountain Medicine expedition through one of the most diverse and dramatic landscapes in South America.

Over eleven days in Ecuador, you’ll move deliberately from vibrant city streets to remote Andean peaks, applying wilderness medicine education in the very environments that demand it most. Days are spent trekking at altitude, exploring national parks, and progressively building comfort in mountainous terrain, while evenings bring shared meals, reflection, and hands-on medical learning with a group that quickly feels like family.

This experience is equal parts physical challenge, professional growth, and deep connection — to place, to purpose, and to the people beside you on the trail.

One of the most unexpected parts of this trip is how seamlessly it blends culture, climbing, and recovery. You’ll explore the historic heart of Quito, trek multiple volcanic peaks in the Andes, and then slow the pace completely with two restorative nights in the Mindo Cloud Forest.

For those who opt in, the experience expands into a true mountaineering objective with an overnight expedition and summit attempt on Cotopaxi, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes.

Education on this expedition doesn’t happen in a classroom — it happens on the trail, at altitude, and in real time. Wild Med Adventures faculty deliver Mountain Medicine CME alongside experienced local guides, integrating lectures, discussions, and skills practice directly into the rhythm of the journey.

You’ll learn to assess, manage, and make decisions in remote, resource-limited environments, reinforcing concepts through lived experience rather than theory alone.

This intentional balance keeps the experience challenging but sustainable, allowing space for both physical effort and meaningful learning throughout the expedition.

Yes, you’ll earn 20 AMA PRA Category 1 CME™ credits — but you’ll also leave with:

Most participants return home saying the same thing:

“I can’t believe this counted as CME — and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.”

11 Days / 10 Nights
Quito Andes Mountains Cotopaxi National Park Mindo Cloud Forest

This expedition blends high-altitude trekking, Mountain Medicine CME, and cultural exploration, with a progressive itinerary designed to support acclimatization, learning, and recovery.

Quito

Participants arrive in Ecuador and settle into the historic capital city. These first days focus on orientation, cultural exploration, and easing into the rhythm of the expedition.

Quito Ilaló

The expedition begins in earnest with a non-technical ascent that introduces altitude exposure and movement in volcanic terrain.

Quito Pasochoa Mortiños Mountain Lodge

A longer summit day through classic Andean landscapes, continuing acclimatization and endurance building.

Cotopaxi National Park Rumiñahui

Elevation increases as the group tackles one of the highest non-technical objectives of the trip.

Cotopaxi National Park

A strategic recovery day allowing participants to rest, explore, or prepare for the optional Cotopaxi climb.

Cotopaxi National Park

Participants may choose between a technical mountaineering objective or continued rest and exploration.

Cotopaxi Region Mindo Cloud Forest

The expedition shifts from high alpine terrain to lush cloud forest.

Mindo

A full day dedicated to rest, nature, and optional adventure activities.

Mindo Quito Airport

The expedition concludes with group farewells and return travel.

Participants are responsible for booking their own international flights. Airport transfers are provided on scheduled arrival and departure days.

Participants should be vaccinated appropriately for travel to Ecuador.
Please refer to CDC recommendations and consult your healthcare provider or a travel clinic prior to departure.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ecuador#vaccines-and-medicines

Trip preparation resources:

After completing this course, participants will be able to apply wilderness medicine principles in real-world, austere mountain environments while developing sound clinical judgment, risk assessment skills, and expedition decision-making capabilities.

    •    ACCME Statement: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the Wilderness Medical Society and Wild Med Adventures, LLC. The Wilderness Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    •    The Wilderness Medical Society designates this educational activity for a maximum of 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Each physician should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

    •    All educational content presented in this activity has been reviewed and validated as appropriate in keeping with sound scientific principles.

Ben Mattingly, MD, FAWM
Jennifer Mattingly, PA-C
Myung Bae, DO, FAWM

Educational instruction is provided by the Wild Med Adventures faculty, who are responsible solely for the medical education and CME components of this course.

All mountain logistics, guiding, and expedition leadership are provided by experienced international mountain guides based in Ecuador. Wild Med Adventures faculty are not responsible for guiding, route safety, or technical climbing instruction.

Participants are responsible for their own personal safety, decision-making, and appropriate use of equipment at all times. Instructor and faculty assignments may change based on availability.

Full payment is due 90 days prior to the course start date.
A $500 late fee will be added for payments received after this deadline, or your spot may be forfeited.

Rescue and evacuation insurance is mandatory for this expedition.

We recommend Global Rescue or an equivalent provider. Travel insurance is highly encouraged, as unforeseen illness or injury is one of the most common reasons participants must cancel.

Participation in this expedition involves high-altitude trekking, mountaineering activities, and travel in remote and austere environments within Ecuador. Activities may include prolonged hiking days, steep and uneven terrain, exposure to altitude, variable weather conditions, limited access to medical facilities, and travel through mountainous and wilderness regions. These activities inherently involve risk, including but not limited to personal injury, illness, altitude-related conditions, falls, equipment failure, evacuation delays, travel disruption, and, in rare cases, serious injury or death.

Participants are solely responsible for their own decisions, conduct, and actions during the expedition. Wild Med Adventures faculty provide medical education only and do not provide guiding services, technical climbing instruction, or safety supervision related to trekking or mountaineering activities. All mountain logistics, route planning, and on-trail leadership are provided by experienced local mountain guides. Wild Med Adventures and its faculty are not responsible for terrain conditions, weather, environmental hazards, participant behavior, or the use of personal or provided equipment.

This expedition is physically demanding and takes place at high altitude in remote environments. Participants are responsible for assessing their own physical fitness, medical readiness, and suitability for participation prior to enrollment. Participation is not advised for individuals unable to tolerate prolonged physical exertion, altitude exposure, or limited access to definitive medical care. Participants must disclose relevant medical conditions as required and should consult a healthcare professional prior to travel if there are any concerns regarding fitness or health.

Rescue and evacuation insurance covering remote and high-altitude environments is mandatory for participation in this expedition. Personal medical insurance valid for international travel is required. Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover trip cancellation, delays, missed connections, weather-related disruptions, illness, injury, or early departure. Participants are solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining appropriate insurance coverage for the duration of the trip.

Participants are responsible for securing all required travel documents, including passports, visas if required, and any additional entry documentation necessary for travel to Ecuador. Entry and exit requirements vary by nationality and are subject to change. Participants are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable travel, customs, and immigration regulations.

By enrolling in and participating in this expedition, participants acknowledge and accept the inherent risks associated with high-altitude trekking, mountaineering activities, wilderness travel, and remote-area environments. Participants voluntarily assume full responsibility for their participation and agree to release Wild Med Adventures, its faculty, staff, and partners from liability to the fullest extent permitted by law.