Cordillera Huayhuash Medical Dental OPTOMETRIC MISSION EXPEDITION, Peru

JUNE 14 - JUNE 27, 2025

Native people in this area suffer from the effects of ethnic/racial discrimination and poverty, battling a system with poor educational and vocational opportunities and sustaining poor access to health care. Your participation will enable us to run medical-dental-optometric clinics, contribute medicines and supplies, and continue to build a relationship with these remote mountain communities.

This is our original, and perhaps our most demanding project, involving a supported trek circling the entire Huayhuash range (approximately 90 km). After acclimatizing in a nearby town, we will spend most of our time hiking at elevations over 13,000 feet, and spending our nights in scenic camps and remote villages. You must be qualified for this trip physically, being prepared for varying mountain weather conditions, strenuous passes, and full time camping. It is recommended that you have experience over 14,000 feet and required that you have proper immunizations for the Peruvian Andes taken care of in advance. 

We are seeking physicians, dentists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, PAs, NPs, nurses, PTs, translators and other medical and professionals to help run free clinics and public health campaigns for all. Although diagnoses and treatments will only be provided by qualified professionals, a medical background is not required to participate. Non-medical and/or student support is greatly needed and encouraged.

To participate on this trip, it is important to apply early (up to a year in advance), and you will be required to raise, or pay on your own, a minimum donation.  As a convenience to you, we will provide you with materials for raising these funds on a crowd-funding website.  The donation covers most land travel costs and shared lodging once you arrive in Huaraz, Peru. It also covers all meals, transport, horse and burro support, camping costs and community fees associated with the Huayhuash circuit. It does not cover overseas flights to Peru, some meals in town, tips for your guides, or other miscellaneous expenses. 

Due to the demands of the trip, all applicants must first schedule a conversation with the team leader before applying.  You may schedule a call by clicking request info below. 

MINIMUM DONATION

$3095 for deposits received by November 14, 2024

$3295 for deposits received after November 14, 2024