Mountain Medicine Course
Nepal
Course Dates
- 19 April 2026 13:00 - 06 May 2026 10:00
- 25 October 2026 13:00 - 11 November 2026 10:00
Set yourself a new challenge – altitude, endurance, expedition medicine.
Altitude places unique and unpredictable stress on the human body. Even experienced clinicians can find familiar conditions behaving very differently once oxygen, temperature, terrain, and fatigue come into play.
This 17-day Mountain Medicine course follows the Everest Base Camp trail through the Khumbu Valley, placing you directly into a high-altitude environment where clinical decision-making is shaped by physiology, weather, terrain, and team dynamics.
Through a blend of focused teaching, practical workshops, and prolonged field exposure, you’ll develop the confidence, judgement, and situational awareness needed to care for individuals and teams operating above 5,000 metres.
Your Teaching Faculty
Course Content
James
It was easily the best course I’ve ever done and I think will change how I approach medicine.
Tabitha
Nat and Jim were an amazing dynamic to have as leaders/teachers. I am deeply grateful for them and hope they continue with WEM.
Stephen
Thank you for a great course.
Roland
It was a dream come true experience. Seldomly enjoyed a trip so much. And I’ve made some really nice trips….
What's Included?
Tutoring, Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation in Nepalese tea houses throughout the trek, with meals included during the expedition phase.
Internal Flights
Return flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is included in your course fee.
Safety & Expedition Support
Professional local support team, logistics coordination, and safety oversight throughout the expedition.
CPD & Certification
This course has been awarded 24 CPD hours by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. You’ll receive a certificate of attendance on completion.
Book Now
Price range: GBP £3,275.00 through GBP £3,395.00
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course right for me?
This course is designed for healthcare professionals and students who want to apply their clinical skills in high-altitude and expedition environments. It’s particularly suited to those interested in expedition, wilderness, or mountain medicine.
Do I need previous expedition or wilderness medicine training?
It’s recommended that participants have attended an Expedition & Wilderness Medicine course, as this course builds on those principles and applies them in a prolonged high-altitude setting. If you’re unsure whether this is the right next step, we encourage using the Course Fit Checker or booking a discovery call.
What level of fitness is required?
You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but a good level of fitness is essential. You should be comfortable trekking for multiple days at altitude while carrying a day pack. Fitness allows you to focus on learning rather than fatigue.
What course content is covered?
The Mountain Medicine course covers the medical, environmental, logistical, and human factors considerations of working at altitude, including:
- Role and Responsibilities of an Expedition Doctor
- Personal Trekking and Medical Kit
- Pre-Expedition Planning and Casevac
- Acute Mountain Sickness, HACE & HAPE part 1
- Personal and Public Health
- Wilderness Wound Management
- Cold Injury
- Wilderness Water Treatment
- Wilderness Gastrointestinal Disorders
- HACE part 2
- HAPE part 2
- Ophthalmology
- Wilderness Fracture Management
- Improvised Splints Practical
- HRA Lecture & Gamow Bag Practical
- Medical Kit Theory
- Medical Kit Practical
- Hypothermia
- Women’s Wilderness Health
- Mental Health on Altitude Expedition
- Debrief and Review of Medical Cases Encountered
Teaching is delivered through lectures, practical workshops, and continuous field-based learning.
What kit do I need to bring?
Please follow the kit list and bring adequate kit. Altitude environments involve cold, wind, sun exposure, and rapidly changing conditions, so preparation is essential.
You need to be prepared for cold mornings, warm afternoons, dust, wind, and overnight sub-zero temperatures. If you have any questions about equipment, please contact the team.
As a minimum we recommend you bring:
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Trekking bag (holdall type, waterproof)
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Day sack (30L minimum)
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4-season sleeping bag
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Broken-in trekking boots
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Down jacket and warm layers
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Waterproof jacket and trousers
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Thermal base layers
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Gloves, mittens, warm hat, sun hat
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Sunglasses (Category 3 or 4)
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Water bottles (2 x 1L recommended)
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Head torch
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Personal medical kit and medications
A detailed kit list will be provided once booked.
Do I need specialist equipment?
Yes. Certain expedition-specific items are required. Full guidance on what to bring, what is provided, and what can be sourced locally is included in your joining instructions.
What are the conditions like?
Expect cold mornings, strong sun, thin air, and rapidly changing weather. Altitude affects everyone differently, which is a core part of the learning experience.
Travel to the Himalayas is not always straightforward. We recommend giving yourself at least one full day in Kathmandu either side of the course start and finish dates to allow for delays and baggage issues.
Dengue fever can provide a real risk in Kathmandu and participants must let faculty know if they experience symptoms.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation is mandatory. Insurance details must be provided before departure.
Travel insurance is absolutely essential and therefore, for your safety and security, we reserve the right to refuse access to an expedition until we have details of adequate insurance cover provided to us.
What support is available before the course starts?
You’ll be added to a course WhatsApp group ahead of departure to ask questions, share travel plans, and connect with faculty and fellow participants.
I have another question
If you wish to learn more or have any additional questions, we invite you to book a 30-minute discovery call with our team.
→ Click here to book a discovery call.
The call will be with the team who organise our courses and work closely with our medical teaching faculty. They’re best placed to explain what our attendees really get out of attending a course with us.
You can choose between a video or voice call — whatever suits you best.
Register for a time that works for you, and we look forward to speaking with you soon.
Prefer email? Then feel free to contact us.
Your Safety
The comprehensive curriculum and field scenarios are carefully designed to push your limits while mitigating risks.
We take every precaution to keep participants safe by:
- Rigorous gear checks before all expedition days
- Mandatory evacuation insurance policies
- Close coordination with local emergency responders
