Continuing Medical Education in Peru:
Machu Picchu – Inca Trail – Sacred Valley – Amazon Rainforest
This Continuing Medical Education (CME) class in Wilderness and Travel Medicine while hiking Peru’s Inca Trail and visiting Machu Picchu is a true classic that should be on every adventurer’s “to-do” list. It is difficult to describe the magnificence of Machu Picchu, a stone fortress city nestled below stunning peaks. It is perhaps the greatest mystery of the Inca Empire. The four-day trek on the Inca Trail to reach this pre-Columbian site is a pilgrimage through time. Beautiful Andean scenery, as well as cultural history, unfolds as we hike up and down steep stone staircases past ancient Inca outposts.
Our guides and porters will carry all of your gear and prepare delicious meals on the trail. After hiking the Inca Trail and exploring Machu Picchu, you’ll fly from Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado. From there, you will take a boat ride to the fantastic, Refugio Amazonas, where you’ll stay 2 nights. Naturalists will take you on walks and boat trips to explore some of the natural wonders the Tambopata National Reserve, including Oxbow Lake, a canopy tour and farm visit with ethnobotanical tour. Wilderness Medicine Continuing Medical Education seminars will typically take place in the afternoons between 5 and 7pm, before dinner is served.
WILDERNESS & TRAVEL MEDICINE CLASSES: COURSE INFORMATION
Accreditation – 15 Hours AMA PRA Category I
WILDERNESS MEDICINE COURSE CONTENT INCLUDES:
- Altitude Illness
- Hypothermia
- Frostbite
- Heat Illness
- Snakebites
- Travelers Illnesses
- Marine Envenomations
- Trauma Management
- Wilderness Orthopedics
- Water Disinfection
- Swiftwater Safety and Rescue
- Basic Wilderness Survival
- Wilderness Medical Kits
- Wound Management
- Patient Assessment
- Wilderness Dermatology
- Wilderness Pediatrics
CME ACCREDITATION INFORMATION
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 Center for Emergency Medical Education and Wilderness and Travel Medicine. The Center for Emergency Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Center for Emergency Medical Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 15 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Itinerary Snapshot
Day 1
Arrive in Cusco. Overnight at Hotel Casa Andina in the heart of Cusco’s historic district. Stroll around the central square and choose from one of the many excellent restaurants. (No meals included)
Day 2
Morning excursion to Sacsayhuaman, Awanacancha, and the ruins and marketplace of Picas. Overnight in the Sacred Valley. (B)
Day 3
Visit the archaeological remains ruins of Moray then hike down to the town of Maras- famous for its salt mines. Afternoon visit to the quaint and ancient town of Ollantaytambo. Overnight in the Sacred Valley (B)
Day 4
Begin hiking the Inca Trail! Today’s hike is easy going through numerous ancient terraces. Enjoy spectacular views of the snow capped Wecheywilk (B + L + D)
Day 5
Pass through the incredible cloud forests of Yunkachimpa and Corralpunku. We slowly work our way up the first pass – 14,000 feet!. (B + L + D)
Day 6
Plant and bird life become more varied and amazing spectacle of the Urubamba Valley comes into view. Ascend the second pass – 13, 000 feet — and camp at Puyapatamarca with a panorama view of the Andes surrounding us. (B + L + D)
Day 7
Reach the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu and enjoy an initial visit of this magical place. Overnight at the 5-star InkaTerra, Pueblo Hotel in the small town of Aguas Callientas. (B + L + D)
Day 8
In the morning, we take a bus up the twisty road back to Machu Picchu where we spend most of the day exploring and learning the history of these iconic ruins. In the late afternoon, we climb aboard a first-class train for a ride back to Cusco through the Andes. (B)
Day 9
Morning flight to Puerto Maldonado. Boat ride up river to Refugio Amazonas, passing by Community of Infierno and into Tambopata National Reserve. Night walk after diner. (B + L + D)
Day 10
Morning paddle around Oxbow Lake followed by a canopy tour. Afternoon farm visit and ethnobotanical tour. Nightly lecture prepared by the staff. (B + L + D)
Day 11
Transfer back to Puerto Maldonado. Afternoon flight to Lima, then home. (B)
Optional Extensions
If you would like to come in early or stay late and spend more time in the Amazon or Cusco, we’re happy to help you organize and book lodging and activities.
Kathy Burns –
Hi Wendy – I just wanted to thank you for all you and the team did to make our trip so amazing. Our group collectively agreed that this was one of the most incredible travel experiences ever! Everything was perfect from start to finish; and I also appreciate all your assistance with our unexpected travel snafus.
A special thanks to Darwin and Elias for sharing their knowledge, expertise, humor, and culture. They are truly awesome guys and did such an unbelievable job with all the logistics and management of our motley crew : ) Plus, they were so much fun to be with!
The rest of the Inca Trail team: cooks, waiters, and porters were wonderful; and it was really nice to interact with them as encouraged by Darwin and Elias. Getting to the Sun Gate and “money shot” of Machu Picchu with no one else around was also an unexpected and huge treat.
We had high expectations given Catherine and Tom Silva’s rave reviews of their previous trip. However, those expectations were totally exceeded times 10 – we can’t say enough about what an amazing experience this was. We certainly hope to embark on another Bio Bio adventure in the future and have already told several friends about this one. I’ve also posted a trip advisor rating – thanks for suggesting it. Again, many thanks and all the best!
Kathy & John
Dawn Rubick –
We had an AMAZING time in Peru. We’ve done a lot of travel and can honestly say without hesitation that was the best trip ever!
Dawn Rubick
Peru 2017