Kilimanjaro Adventure CME trip

Like you need a better excuse to check Kilimanjaro off your bucket list?

Who: High-Altitude & Wilderness Medicine for Healthcare Professionals and Outdoor Enthusiasts

Date: January 26 – February 3, 2027

Location: Machame Route, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Course Director: Lara Phillips, MD

Overview

This adventure education trip is an exciting opportunity to explore the field of wilderness medicine.

Participants will climb Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, on a guided ascent that follows one of the most scenic routes on the mountain. Climbing this majestic peak to see the world from 19,340 ft will be the adventure of a lifetime. 

Through didactics and experiential learning, participants will gain exposure to the practice of medicine in resource-limited environments. Pre-trip virtual lectures will also be given to help prepare for the experience.

Physicians are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ but anyone interested in the topic are welcome to attend: Nurses, Physicians, Advanced Practice Providers, Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, Health Professions Students, and outdoor enthusiasts are welcome. This curriculum has been approved in the past 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.

This 9-day course will run from January 26-February 3, 2027. The 7-day trekking portion will be achieved with collaboration from the Tanzania-based guiding company Explore Trekking Adventures (ETA) along the Machame route. ETA is locally owned and operated by former porters who have risen to guides and company owners that ethically support the local economy.

Note: Participants who choose not to attempt the summit may remain at Barafu Camp (also known as "Base Camp"). Since the summit climb is an out-and-back route from Barafu, we will return through the camp on our way to Mweka Camp on Day 6. While Mount Kilimanjaro is generally considered a manageable trek, summit day is significantly more challenging than the rest of the journey. This arrangement allows participants to opt out of the summit while still experiencing the majority of the expedition.

Educational Design

This 16-credit live Continuing Medical Education (CME) activity combines pre-expedition virtual education with an immersive, expedition-based learning experience on Mount Kilimanjaro. Participants engage in evidence-based lectures, case-based discussions, field-based teaching, and daily reflective debriefings that reinforce wilderness medicine principles through real-world application in a high-altitude environment. The curriculum is designed for healthcare professionals with an interest in wilderness medicine, travel medicine, expedition medicine, or outdoor leadership. No prior wilderness medicine or mountaineering experience is required.

Pre-Expedition Educational Series (Fall 2026)

Beginning in Fall 2026, participants will complete a series of live virtual educational sessions presented via Zoom. Each session will include live discussion and question-and-answer interaction. All sessions will be recorded and made available to registered participants who are unable to attend live.

Curriculum

Pre-trip (virtual): Introduction to Wilderness Medicine, Altitude Physiology and Illness, Exercise Physiology, Gear and Clothing, Musculoskeletal & Soft Tissue Injuries and Prevention, Foot Care, Ultrasound, Expedition Preparation

On the mountain: GI Illness, Eye Injuries and Illness, Wilderness Dermatology, In-flight Medical Emergencies, Hypothermia and Cold Injuries, Trauma in Remote Environments.

Course Learning Objectives

1.) Recognize, prevent, and manage common high-altitude illnesses using current evidence-based guidelines.

2.) Apply wilderness medicine principles to assess and manage environmental injuries, medical emergencies, and trauma in austere settings.

3.) Develop appropriate field management, triage, stabilization, and evacuation plans for ill or injured patients in remote environments.

4.) Incorporate expedition planning, risk mitigation, and medical kit preparation into wilderness and travel medicine practice.

5.) Demonstrate effective leadership, teamwork, and communication during expedition-based medical scenarios.

6.) Integrate lessons learned in wilderness medicine into everyday clinical practice to improve decision-making in resource-limited and high-acuity situations.

Registration will open through our CME partner Healthcare Alliance for Medication Education (HAME) on Wednesday August 5th 2026 at noon EST through their website.

hamedu.org/kilimanjaro-adventure-cme

Space is limited to 15 people

Cost
$4,200 USD per person (double occupancy)

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot on the trip. Once your deposit is received, your registration is confirmed. A separate invoice for the remaining balance will be sent, which will reflect either the early bird rate or the regular rate, depending on your registration date. The remainder of the balance must be paid no later than December 1, 2026.

Please click here for additional trip details