Machu Picchu & Salkantay Trek – Mountain Medicine CME
October 10–18, 2026

Join Wild Med Adventures on an immersive Mountain Medicine CME expedition through the heart of the Peruvian Andes, culminating at the legendary Machu Picchu. This experience blends high-altitude trekking, hands-on wilderness medical education, and deep cultural immersion across one of the most iconic routes in the world — the Salkantay Trek.

After arriving in Cusco, you’ll spend several days acclimatizing, exploring ancient Incan sites, and engaging with local culture before setting off into the mountains. Along the trek, you’ll travel through glacial valleys, alpine passes, cloud forests, and jungle terrain, staying in upgraded Sky Domes and campsites, soaking in natural hot springs, and learning medicine where it truly matters — in the field.

This is not a sightseeing vacation.
This is a physically demanding, expedition-style course designed for those who want to push their limits, build meaningful connections, and earn CME credits while trekking through one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on Earth.

If you’ve been searching for a CME experience that feels less like a classroom — and more like a true mountain expedition — this may be exactly what you didn’t know was possible.

This expedition-style Mountain Medicine CME course is designed for individuals who want to learn wilderness medicine in real environments while trekking through challenging terrain at high altitude in the Peruvian Andes.

This is a small, tight-knit group experience built around shared challenge, teamwork, and mutual support. Participants often arrive as strangers and leave as close friends, bonded through long days on the trail, collaborative learning, and unforgettable moments in the mountains. If you value camaraderie, inclusivity, and learning alongside motivated, like-minded people, you’ll feel right at home.

This is not a sightseeing trek — it’s a full-spectrum mountain expedition with purpose.
Over nine unforgettable days, you’ll move through ancient Incan cities, high-alpine passes, glacial valleys, cloud forests, and jungle terrain, earning Mountain Medicine CME while trekking one of the most iconic routes on Earth. Days are demanding, the landscapes are dramatic, and the experience is equal parts challenge, education, and awe.

You’ll acclimatize in Cusco, explore sacred archaeological sites, and then step fully into the Andes on the Salkantay Trek, traveling by foot through terrain that changes daily. Nights are spent in upgraded Sky Domes and camps, evenings filled with education, shared meals, and laughter, and the journey culminates at the legendary Machu Picchu — experienced not as a tourist, but as a team that earned the approach together.

This trek combines remote wilderness travel with thoughtfully arranged comforts that elevate the experience without softening the adventure. Along the route, you’ll stay in glass-topped Sky Domes, soak in natural hot springs, and enjoy freshly prepared meals in places few travelers ever reach. It’s an expedition that feels wild — but never careless.

Mountain Medicine CME is delivered in real terrain, at real altitude, and in real conditions. Education is woven into the rhythm of the journey, with lectures and workshops held at campsites and along the route. You’ll practice patient assessment, decision-making, and expedition medicine in the same environments where these skills are most relevant and immediately applicable.

This flow allows the group to stay immersed, adapt to altitude gradually, and balance physical effort with learning, recovery, and connection.

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 still can’t believe this counted as CME.”

9 Days / 8 Nights
Cusco Salkantay Trek Machu Picchu Cusco

This expedition blends cultural immersion, high-altitude trekking, and Mountain Medicine CME as you move from historic Cusco into the heart of the Andes and finish at the legendary Machu Picchu.

Cusco

Cusco Moray Curzpata

Cusco Mollepata Challacancha Soraypampa

Soraypampa Salkantay Pass Collpapampa

Collpapampa La Playa Lucmabamba

Lucmabamba Llactapata Hidroelectrica Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo Cusco

Cusco

Participants are responsible for booking their own international flights. Airport transfers in Cusco are included on the scheduled arrival and departure days.

Delegates should be vaccinated appropriately. Please refer to CDC recommendations for travel to Peru when preparing for this trip.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/peru?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-leftnav-traveler

Everything you need to prepare for the trip can be downloaded here:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

    •    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.

Jim Schultz, MD

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 trekking logistics, route planning, and on-trail leadership are provided by experienced local Peruvian guides. Wild Med Adventures faculty are not trekking guides and are not responsible for route conditions, terrain hazards, or expedition safety decisions.

Participants are responsible for their own trekking decisions, personal safety, and appropriate use of gear at all times. Instructors and faculty 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 course.

Participants should also carry personal medical insurance valid for international travel and are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance to cover illness, injury, or last-minute trip cancellation.

Rescue insurance is required. We recommend Global Rescue or an equivalent provider.

Participation in this expedition involves high-altitude trekking and travel in remote and austere environments within Peru. Activities include prolonged hiking days, steep and uneven terrain, exposure to altitude, variable weather conditions, limited access to medical facilities, and changing environmental factors. These activities inherently involve risk, including but not limited to personal injury, illness, falls, altitude-related illness, 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 act as trekking guides or expedition leaders. Trekking logistics, route planning, camp operations, and on-trail leadership are provided by experienced local Peruvian guides. Wild Med Adventures and its faculty are not responsible for trail conditions, terrain hazards, weather, or participant behavior.

This expedition is physically demanding and takes place at significant altitude. Participants are responsible for assessing their own physical fitness, medical readiness, and ability to tolerate sustained physical exertion in remote environments. Participation is not advised for individuals with medical conditions or physical limitations that may be exacerbated by altitude, prolonged hiking, or limited access to advanced medical care.

Rescue and evacuation insurance covering remote and austere environments is mandatory for participation. Participants are also responsible for carrying personal medical insurance valid for international travel. Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover trip cancellation, delays, illness, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances. 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 for entry into Peru, including a valid passport. Entry requirements vary by nationality and are subject to change. Participants are responsible for confirming current entry and transit requirements prior to departure.

By enrolling in and participating in this expedition, participants acknowledge and accept the inherent risks associated with high-altitude trekking, wilderness travel, and remote-area activities. Participants voluntarily assume responsibility for their participation and agree to accept the risks involved.