Machu Picchu & Salkantay Trek

October 10-18th, 2026

MOUNTAIN MEDICINE CME

OCT. 10-18th, 2026

• Join our Mountain Medicine CME course while trekking the beautiful Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.

• On arrival, you will be transferred to our hotel. Then, enjoy a Full City Tour of Cusco and many other excursions prior to departing for our Trek. We will begin our adventure in the majestic Plaza de Armas of Cusco, where we will visit the Cathedral Basilica of Cusco, which is one of the most important points of the city, and later the Qoricancha or Temple of the Sun, the most important site during the time of the Incas. Then we will continue the visit to the archaeological center of Sacsayhuamán, which is adjacent to the city. At the end of the tour we will return to the city of Cusco.

• We will also enjoy Curzpata village. To start our adventure, first we will visit Moray with its experimental circular terraces, which the Incas used to create different types of microclimates and adapt plantations of new products. After working up an appetite, we learn about the Pachamanca cooking process. Pachamanca, which translates as "earth oven" in Quechua, and is a traditional Inca food cooked over hot stones. Lunch at Finca\ Pachamanca includes a tour of the El Albergue farm as well as a visit to its Cañazo (sugar cane liquor) distillery and coffee roastery with tastings of these artisanal products.

• After acclimatizing in Cusco, we will set off on our Salkentay Trek passing over beautiful mountains, enjoying luxury camping and visiting hot springs along the way.

• All this leads to the grand finale - Machu Pichu. Visit this designated historic UNESCO World Heritage Site as a team and then we will finish back in Cusco before departing ways.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Explore the ancient city of Cusco

• Climb / Trek the world renowned “Salkantay Trek” (less crowded but just as beautiful as the famed Inca Trail)

• Explore Machu Picchu and the surrounding area

• Earn 20 AMA PRA Category 1 CME TM credits

• Meet Life-Long Friends

ITINERARY:

• Day 1: Sat, Oct. 10th, 2026, Depart from home airport and Arrive in Cusco, Peru. Pick-ups arranged at airport and transport to our Accommodation. Overnight Lodge: Tierra Viva Plaza (D)

  • Dinner @ Chicha Restaurant & Welcome Introductions

• Day 2: Sunday, Oct. 11th, 2026, Full City Tour of Cusco.

  • Overnight Lodge: Tierra Viva Plaza (B) (L) (D)

  • We will begin our adventure in the majestic Plaza de Armas of Cusco, where we will visit the Cathedral Basilica of Cusco, which is one of the most important points of the city, and later the Qoricancha or Temple of the Sun, the most important site during the time of the Incas. Then we will continue the visit to the archaeological center of Sacsayhuamán, which is adjacent to the city. At the end of the tour we will return to the city of Cusco.

• Day 3: Monday, Oct. 12th, 2026: Marays & Morey

  • Overnight Lodge: Tierra Viva Plaza (B) (L) (D)

  • We will start the tour after picking you up from the hotel, we will board our transportation and head to Curzpata village. Soon we will be ready to start our adventure, first we will visit Moray with its experimental circular terraces, which the Incas used to create different types of microclimates and adapt plantations of new products. After working up an appetite, learn about the Pachamanca cooking process. Pachamanca, which translates as "earth oven" in Quechua, is a traditional Inca food cooked over hot stones. Lunch at Finca Pachamanca includes a tour of the El Albergue farm as well as a visit to its Cañazo (sugar cane liquor) distillery and coffee roastery with tastings of these artisanal products.

    • Evening Lectures & Dinner @ ARTISANO REGOCIJO restaurant

• Day 4: Tues., Oct. 13th 2026: Start of Salkentay Trek / Accommodation: Glass-topped Sky Dome

  • Today, you will get an early start and be picked up from your hotel around 4:00 a.m. You will travel in our comfortable transportation with blankets if you wish to sleep a little longer during the trip. After two hours, we will briefly stop in Mollepata for an energizing breakfast. Then, we will continue to Challacancha, the starting point of the trek. Before starting our adventure, you will meet the cooks and muleteers and check your luggage one last time before we head out on the trail. You will begin with a moderate three- hour hike to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where we will spend the first night. The first part of the section is relatively flat, with a slight ascent through a deep glacier valley. You will notice that much of the trail follows a restored Inca water canal, which local farmers still use today. This trail is 7 km / 4.35 mi in total. Once in Soraypampa, you will settle into our exclusive Sky Camp for the night. You will have time to rest after enjoying your first lunch around the mountains. After recharging your energy, we will start hiking to the beautiful Humantay Lake (4,200 m /13,780 ft). This round trip takes three hours and covers 3 km / 1.86 miles. It is not far but take it easy at this altitude. Once you reach the lagoon, you will have time to enjoy the fantastic scenery. Not many places in the Andes are as impressive as the turquoise waters glistening against the Humantay glacier. You will truly feel like you are in a fairy tale. Upon returning to camp, you will enjoy a delicious and well- deserved dinner in the company of a beautiful sunset. There is no way to describe the energy here; you will feel tranquility once you arrive. Afterward, you can relax in your igloo at Sky Camp. From the glass roof, you will enjoy a night under the stars, constellations, and comets.

  • Evening Lectures / Work-shops

• Day 5: Weds. Oct. 14th, 2026:

• Accommodation: Mountain Sky Campsite

  • In the morning, you will wake up with the day's first rays and see the Apu Salkantay while enjoying an energizing coca tea. Afterward, you will have a nutritious breakfast before embarking on the 7 km trek for approximately three hours to the highest point of the route, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). It is a difficult ascent along the "path of the 7 snakes" because of its winding path. Once at the top, you will appreciate the most magnificent view over the surrounding valleys and the Salkantay mountain right in front of you (6,271 m / 20,574 ft). It boasts the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region, and it’s considered an Apu (Inca God). You will also be able to observe the mountains: Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo. After enjoying the views and rest, you will start descending (7 km / 4.35 mi) to our lunch point at Huayracmachay (3,850 m / 12,631 ft). This section is rocky and steep but has impressive views of the surrounding valley. After a revitalizing lunch, you will enter the edge of the rainforest, also known as the "cloud forest." This section has a distance of 9.5 km / 5.9 mi and lasts approximately three hours. Along the way, you will enjoy the verdant rainforest and witness how the scenery changes rapidly and drastically from the Andes to the Amazon. You will observe colorful landscapes, unique fauna, and native plants and feel the warmer climate. After a long day of hiking, you will be glad to arrive at Collpapampa for the night. Finally, we will serve you a hearty meal before resting at our exclusive Mountain Sky View Campsite.

  • Evening Lectures

• Day 6: Thursday, Oct. 15th, 2026

  • Accommodation: Jungle Dome (B) (L) (D)

  • Today we will start the day around 6:00 a.m. for hot tea and breakfast before leaving the camp. Then, we will walk through the Santa Teresa Valley until we reach our first destination, La Playa. During the tour, we will take a more leisurely walk, with more downhills than uphills, as we immerse ourselves in the lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and various plantations: banana, coffee, and avocado. In addition, you may be lucky to see Peru's national bird, the "Gallito de las Rocas." At La Playa, we will enjoy lunch before heading for an hour to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft), where our campsite is located. In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the tropical surroundings and visit an organic coffee farm, perfect for coffee lovers. Even if you are not a fan of a cup of coffee, the smell in the air is delicious. This is the primary agricultural industry in the jungle that exports products to the United States, Asia, and Europe. You will also visit avocado and orange plantations. After this authentic experience, you will go to the hot springs of Cocalmayo to take a comforting bath and relax after several days of hiking. You will take a break and feel the tranquility of the surroundings. Later, you will return to Lucmabamba to spend the night in our Jungle Domes. While resting, you can listen to the different sounds of nature and feel in harmony with mother earth.

  • Evening Lectures

• Day 7: Friday, Oct. 16th, 2026: LUCMABAMBA - LLACTAPATA - HIDROELECTRICA -AGUAS CALIENTES

  • Accommodation: Santuario Hotel (B) (L) (D)

  • After a good breakfast, you will hike some of the original and world-famous Inca Trail. After climbing for two hours and enjoying fascinating views over the Santa Teresa valley, you will arrive at Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), an Inca archaeological site in front of Machu Picchu. Llactapata is the first Inca complex you will see on the hike, and you will learn all about the mysteries of this ancient culture and the extraordinary site. Even from here, you will get the first sight of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Our guide will explain the history of the Incas while you take as many pictures as you want as a souvenir to share your fantastic experiences with your friends and family back home. Later, you will descend for an hour and a half and have the chance to glimpse the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu along the way, which will heighten your excitement for tomorrow. We will stop in Aobamba for lunch before continuing for another 30 minutes to Hidroeléctrica (1,800m/ 5,906 feet). One of the most impressive sights on this stretch is the 250-meter-high artificial waterfall that powers the entire city of Cusco. Once in Hidroeléctrica, you will board the train that will take you to Aguas Calientes, appreciating the best scenery along the way. Once in the small town, you will enjoy dinner at an exclusive restaurant and spend the night in a comfortable hotel. Note: During the rainy season, and for safety reasons, hiking the Llactapata trail is not 100% guaranteed. When there are frequent heavy rains, this trail can become very dangerous.

• Day 8: Sat., Oct. 17th, 2026: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - OLLANTAYTAMBO - CUSCO

  • Overnight Lodge: Tierra Viva Plaza (B) (L) (D) (Cusco)

  • Today’s the day you’ve been waiting for since you first set foot on the trail. You’re finally going to visit one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site – Machu Picchu! You’ll need to be up early today to make sure you beat the crowds and enjoy the serenity of the site in the early morning light. After going up to the Inca citadel by bus, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of approximately two hours to this incredible ancient site to see temples, houses, palaces, and cultivated fields, among others. You’ll be impressed by the intelligence of the Incas in terms of engineering work, which was far ahead of its time and remains a mystery in many respects. The Incas did not have the tools we use today, but they were still able to build and organize their community on the side of a mountain and even create a water system with aqueducts and canals. After your guided tour, you can choose to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) (OPTIONAL) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3,000 m / 9,843 ft) if you booked your tickets in advance. These treks will take you an hour and a half and three hours up and down, respectively. Be sure to return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo. Our private transportation will pick you up at the next station and take you back to your hotel in Cusco. Finally, you will take a well-deserved rest; however, your heart will continue to beat to the rhythm of the Andes for many weeks, months, and years to comer.

• Day 9: Sunday, Oct. 18th, 2026

  • Spend the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, our representative will meet you in time to transfer you to the airport to start your trip back home. We will have a farewell lunch at the TUNUPA restaurant in Cusco. According to our coordinated time the transportation will pick you up at the hotel to take you to the airport 2 hours before your scheduled flight. Here you say goodbye to the team and start the trip from Cusco to HOME.

  • CME Wrap-up, farewells & Airport Transfers

PLEASE NOTE: WE WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ARRANGE SKYDOMES AND HUTS ALONG THE TRAIL BUT WE NEED A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT AND THE EARLIER YOUR RESERVE AND SEND US THIS THE MORE LIKELY EVERYONE WILL BE RESERVED FOR THE UPGRADED TRAIL LODGING. AFTER OCTOBER 2025, THIS WILL BE HARDER TO GUARANTEE. THANK YOU.

THE TEAM / FACULTY:

• The trekking logistics and guide leadership will be provided by extremely experienced guides from Peru.

• The Wild Med Adventures Team are all mountaineers, well traveled and experienced, but are only responsible for the educational aspect of this trip. Instructors: Jim Schultz, MD - Please see BIO's for instructor information. Instructors may change due to unforeseen job changes, illnesses or injuries.

• Earn 20 AMA PRA Category 1 CME TM credits

  **Please do your own research in regards to safety and experience. Trekking can be dangerous and despite taking all necessary precautions, you may still be injured or killed due to unpredictable land slides, slips, falls, equipment failure and/or trauma.

HEALTH / VACCINATIONS:

• Delegates should be vaccinated appropriately - Please see CDC recommendations for visiting Peru.

• Delegates should be aware this is intended to be a wilderness course in every sense of the word. The team in some parts of Peru will have limited access to medical care. This is not a packaged holiday and neither Wild Med Adventures nor our local guides can control mother nature. Should our plans be affected by floods, landslides, snow storms, earthquakes or the like, we will continue with alternate plans in true expedition spirit, affecting self rescues and problem solving along the way. 

MEDICAL EVACUATION INSURANCE / TRAVEL INSURANCE:

• Delegates should have personal insurance / travel insurance to cover any in-country medical examinations, treatment or rescue/evacuation from a remote area. Rescue/Evacuation Insurance is Mandatory. We recommend Global Rescue and they offer trip specific and year long coverage.

• Travel Insurance is important to be reimbursed last minute for illnesses or injuries that may occur. We have had several clients who have unfortunately been unable to attend due to injuries and we cannot always reimburse. We HIGHLY recommend insurance.

COSTS

• Trip Cost with CME: $4999

• Non-Medical Spouse/Partner/Friend (No CME): $4750

• Deposit: $2500

• Deposit (Single Room); $2900

• *Single Supplement (Limited Number Available: Please NOTE - this is for Single Room for 4 hotel nights ONLY and you will have shared accommodation on the Trek as there is limited space in the Sky-Domes): $400

INCLUDED

• All accommodation in Peru as listed above / twin share (not extra days at beginning or end of trip)

• All Meals

• All pick up & drop-ff transportation from Cusco International Airport

• An experienced Mountain Guide who knows the area, local people, mountains and local culture very well.

• All Park Fees and Hot Springs Entrance fees

• Wilderness Medicine “Mountain Medicine CME” - 20 AMA PRA Category 1 CME TM credits

• Wild Med Gift

  EXCLUDED

• International airfares, transfers en route & excess baggage.

• Your personal insurances. Medical, Mountain rescue & repatriation cover is obligatory.

• Personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, WI-FI Internet.

• Tipping to the guide & local staff (allow up to $150 - $200 per guest) will be collected by guide

• Extra nights accommodation if you wish to arrive early or stay extra days

• Personal Trekking gear: Limited Rentals Available - Rental Sleeping Bag ($25) and Hiking Poles Available ($30)

• Add-on excursions at Machu Picchu: (YOU CAN ONLY PICK ONE OF THESE) 1. Climb Huayna Picchu Mountain ($85) (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) or 2. Machu Picchu Mountain ($85) or 3. Neither

  (3,000 m / 9,843 ft) (Let us know so we can book in advance).

• Any expenses due to lost luggage, trip cancellation, or other illnesses or injuries that may occur during the expedition.

• Single Room: $400 - only for hotels as we can’t guarantee single rooms on the trek / sky domes

PRE-REQUISITES: (Anyone can attend but hiking experience and previous altitude exposure is recommended)

• **NO TECHNICAL SKILLS NEEDED

• EMT, Paramedic, Nurse, PA, NP, RRT, PhD or Physician for the CME portion but . . .

  • Non-Medicals are welcome to attend and will likely enjoy learning about safety in the mountains.

• A keen interest in wilderness first aid / medicine

• An excellent level of physical fitness (**This is a very demanding hike at altitude and with steep terrain)

• Previous hiking / outdoor experience

• Those with less experience/confidence must understand the physical demands of the environment and the risks of hiking at altitude. Prior experience is recommended. Please ask if you are unsure if you are cut out for this type of climb.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

• This course is ideal for those interested in providing medical care in the wild or those travel enthusiasts, group leaders, climbers, walkers, EMT’s, nurses, NP's, PA's or doctors with a desire to learn medical treatment in austere environments. While completing the core curriculum of this CME course we will be hiking various mountains and completing the core lectures and skills at various camps or in the wilderness settings along the route.

ATTENDING THIS COURSE YOU WILL:

• Learn the latest wilderness medical skills for patient assessment, stabilization and evacuation.

• Work with our expert faculty and local mountain guides to develop your mountain skills and visit Everest Base Camp

• Earn 20 AMA PRA Category 1 CME TM credits

• Obtain Fellowship credits from the Wilderness Medicine Society (FAWM)

CERTIFICATION:

• Approved for 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM and WMS FAWM Credits on our Mountain Medicine Adventure

• “This course has been approved for Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) credits

through the Wilderness Medical Society. Actual credits awarded depend on personal credit needs and history.”

FACULTY DISCLOSURE / CME

• It is the policy of the Wild Med Adventures, LLC to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor. All faculty members are required to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the content of their presentations.

• Accordingly, the Wilderness Medical Society has determined there are no conflicts to report associated with this conference.

• 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 TM. 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. 

  CANCELLATION POLICY

  Your deposit for the travel portion of the course is nonrefundable unless the course does not reach its minimal number of participants. If we do not reach the requirement of 8 participants and we have to cancel then a full refund will be given. The entire balance of your trip fee will be due 90 days prior to departure. No refunds will be given 90 days prior to start of trip. If you cancel more than 90 days prior to course, you will be reimbursed everything but your deposit. However, we will do our best to “sell” your spot if possible and would roll your deposit to a future course.

  If you have not paid in full 90 days prior to start of course a $500 fee will be applied or we have the right to cancel your trip.

  We have a minimum registration requirement of 8 participants. If the course is cancelled due to insufficient registration you will receive a full refund INCLUDING DEPOSIT.

  Please contact us before purchasing plane tickets to confirm minimum number of registrants.

  • We recommend booking a refundable flight in case of natural disasters, pandemics, or other unforeseen cancellations.

    (We are unable to reimburse flight costs for any reason - please buy travel insurance)