A Midwifery Study Tour of Colombia & Peru
South AmericaColombia | Peru
4 August – 16 August 2025
Starting with Colombia, you’ll explore this home to vibrant culture and intriguing colonial history. Then travel to Peru, where you’ll discover the renowned treasures and ancient Inca sites. This will be an immersive CPD journey that takes you from the Caribbean coast, through the Amazon and up to Machu Picchu – one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Outline
We are delighted to present our exclusive Midwifery CPD study tour for an unforgettable adventure through two of the most breathtaking countries in Latin America!
Starting with Colombia, you’ll explore this home to vibrant culture and intriguing colonial history. Then travel to Peru, where you’ll discover the renowned treasures and ancient Inca sites. This will be an immersive CPD journey that takes you from the Caribbean coast, through the Amazon and up to Machu Picchu – one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
During this 12 night CPD professional study tour you will combine a rich cultural experience with visits to local hospitals, NGO’s and charities, examining Midwifery, women’s health and traditional medicine, in countries where modern and traditional health care are widely practiced.
Your conference days will explore current midwifery trends as they pertain to the Australian and South American contexts.
How does working with women differ and how is it the same? Are the challenges encountered similar or different?
What cultural considerations influence care?
What can you take home to consider in your practice?
We will explore the science and art of midwifery in South America. We will consider available data on service provision and outcomes as well as the beautiful traditions practiced around motherhood on the other side of the South Pacific. Immerse yourself in learning about the way Midwifery works in Peru and Columbia and networking with like-minded Midwives in your profession.
Presenter:
LORIN VELTKAMP
BNSc, Grad Dip Mid, Master of Public Health
Lorin is a Registered Midwife currently employed at the Townsville University Hospital in Queensland. As well as practising clinically, Lorin is employed in multidisciplinary healthcare education.
Over the past twenty years, Lorin has held various clinical roles including that of Caseload Midwife in a Birth Centre, Clinical Midwife at a tertiary referral centre and Midwifery Educator. Her work has spanned the globe from Thursday island in Australia ‘s far north, to the Arctic Circle in Canada. Lorin has lead quality improvement activities, written clinical curriculum for online education modules and presented Internationally at conferences such as CAPWHN.
Her public health work has included roles in disaster management. Lorin also spent a few years working in pre- hospital care.
Lorin has lived and worked in the Middle East, Sub Saharan Africa and South America including more than a year in Peru. She knows Latin America well and looks forward to sharing your journey.
JASON DAWSON
Jason Dawson is from the Gold Coast, Queensland. Whilst studying his Bachelor of Nursing at Southern Cross University he developed an interest in mental health and has worked in this field of nursing for many years since completing his studies in 2008.
In this time, Jason has undertaken varied roles including Acute Inpatient Nursing, Community Nursing, clinical facilitating and Nurse Unit Manager positions. In 2012, Jason combined his passion for nursing with his love of travel and founded CPD Cruise Pty Ltd with the view to providing Nurses the opportunity to update and improve their skills in diverse and unique locations.
Lorin and Jason look forward to sharing not only their many years of clinical experience but also to facilitating opportunities for attendees to share experiences and challenges with each other. There will be lots of fun to be had within the learning environment.
The Program: The program content is provided by expert Educators with extensive clinical and education experience. Education at Sea combines quality education with fabulous travel adventures. We have taken a holistic approach to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to ensure you get the most out of your education-travel experience.
Disclaimer: Sessions are correct at time of publication. Sessions are subject to change without notice due to circumstances beyond the control of the organisers and EAS reserves the right to alter charges, cancel, postpone, change or withdraw the product or service at any time.
Itinerary
| Day and Location | Events |
|---|---|
| Day 1: 4th August 2024 Cartagena, Colombia |
Unpack your bags and explore the Getsemani neighborhood, once voted one of the 12 coolest neighborhoods in the world! Evening: 5pm to 6pm Enjoy this opportunity to mingle with the other attendees at the complimentary drinks and registration function. |
| Day 2: 5th August 2024 Cartagena, Colombia |
Conference Day: Welcome to South America and our study tour. Today you will participate in several conference sessions. We will start the day with an exploration and celebration of the role of Midwives in culture and the intangibles that keep Midwives in the profession. We will look at recent qualitative research from Australia and South America to understand why and how Midwives do what they do at home and in our destination. Our second session today will focus on demographic data and current outcomes of care at home and in Colombia and Peru.
Our third session will look at current trends in care. We will take a look at recent changes and themes for women in Peru and Colombia especially in relation to reproductive freedom and women’s voices in society. |
| Day 3: 6th August 2024 Cartagena, Colombia |
Reflection Day: Take the day to explore and reflect on on the previous day’s content. Explore the historic Walled City of Cartagena. Wander through colonial architecture and sample the local food. Afternoon: Sunset Cruise including Drinks We will enjoy an evening watching the sunset over Cartagena. Cruise 1.5-hour through the peaceful waters of Cartagena’s Bay while enjoying the beautiful sunset, magnificent skyline and the colonial city views. Relax, and enjoy quality time together, sipping on beer, wine, or cocktails like rum punch as you watch the sun go down. |
| Day 4: 7th August 2024 Cusco, Peru |
Morning: Fly to Cusco and transfer to our hotel. Afternoon: We will meet a midwife and herbalist who is an expert in traditional midwifery and medicine. |
| Day 5: 8th August 2024 Cusco, Peru |
Cusco mountain Bike (Bus option available): After a 55 minute drive we will arrive in the Inca town of Chinchero, here we will visit the archaeological site and textile house. Next stop will be the Salt mines of Maras and then onto the Inca circular terraces of Moray. A bus ride will take us to the top of the mountain to start our Mountain Bike adventure to the nice native town of Huarocondo. Here the people still wear traditional clothing and the town is lined with historical buildings. Our final stop will be the biggest terraces of Zurite. After our downhill bike ride we will have an Andean picnic lunch with a bottle of wine to celebrate this fantastic journey, before heading back to our hotel. |
| Day 6: 9th August 2024 Cusco, Peru |
Conference Day: We are going to start our second conference day delving into the care practices unique to indigenous women in Peru and Colombia. We will find out about the traditions surrounding birth and learn about how pregnancy, birth and the postpartum are acknowledged and marked as life events. We will network to explore how we mark the significance of this life event in our own practice. We will discuss some of the strengths and weaknesses of the care that is provided both at home and abroad.
|
| Day 7: 10th August 2024, Sacred Valley |
Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Tour: We will be picked up around 7 a.m. and drive to Pisac to see the first Inca ruins of the tour. At Pisac you can see magnificent Inca remains. The ancient architecture and engineering of the Inca temples is breathtaking and will sweep you off your feet. Then we will head back to the valley to visit the most colorful and traditional local market in Cusco region and where you can buy traditional textiles at low prices. After our visit to the market our sightseeing continues as we drive along the beautiful Sacred Valley. Our next destination is Urubamba. We will arrive there at around 12pm. In this stunning town you will have the opportunity to choose one of the many delicious local restaurants to have lunch (not included). From Urubamba we will drive 30 minutes to get to the last Inca ruins on our tour, known as Ollantaytambo (Inca palace). This ruin was built with pink granite rocks and is another impressive example of Inca craftsmanship. Here you can see the second biggest rock from the Inca times (90 tons) which was used as part of the Temple of the Sun. we will have a guided tour of the site. After we will head to the train station, which is 15 minutes by foot. We will take the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. During this trip you will see many glaciers and snow-capped peaks, lush, green valleys and Incan farming terraces on both sides of the valley. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes you will check in to our hotel. The natural hot springs in town are an unbeatable way to spend a late afternoon/early evening if time is available before dinner. Dinner will be at a local restaurant. |
| Day 8: 11th August 2024 Machu Picchu |
Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Tour Continued: After breakfast, we will take a very early bus along the winding road to Machu Picchu, the Inca city that was lost to the jungle but rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983, Machu Picchu exceeds all expectations. Perched high on an inaccessible hilltop the citadel is protected by huge cliffs and the raging Urubamba River. Once there you will be given a 2-hour guided walking tour of the site. Our expert guide who will explain the history of this ancient Inca citadel will take you back in the time by showing you to the most interesting areas of the citadel. After your your Machu Picchu tour, you will have some time to be at Machu Picchu before you return to Cusco. |
| Day 9: 12th August 2024 Amazon Jungle |
Fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado: Amazon Rainforest
Up on arrival to our jungle lodge we will welcomed with a delicious refreshment made with fruits of their region, then you can access your bungalow to leave your belongings and get ready for an introductory walk around our lodge and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by their expert cooks.
ADVENTURE CIRCUIT After lunch we will have a short rest, then we will go to our suspension bridge to equip ourselves with our safety equipment to start our extreme adventure activities.
BOAT RIDE AND ALLIGATOR SEARCH In the afternoon after living the adrenaline to the maximum; we will go to embark on a rustic / handmade boat where we will make a ride through the waters of the Tambopata River, where we will have the opportunity to see birds, parrots, herons over the sky, we will go slowly in order to see some species that live around the rivers. We will wait for the sunset on the Tambopata River, which will allow us to see a great sunset; It can be said that it is one of the best sunsets in the world, since the combination of the sky with the shadow of the giant trees and the mirror of the river water make it really spectacular. When it is completely dark we will search for caimans on the banks of the Tambopata River, we will have the privilege to see the different types of caimans of this species that houses this river. We will be able to observe it very closely seeing the possibility of being able to catch one of them and have the opportunity to catch them with our hands and take some pictures with the specimens, and then return them to their natural habitat; having contact with this wild species will be the best thing that you have been able to live in the Amazon jungle. We will also have the opportunity, if we are lucky enough to find a family of Capybaras, the largest and heaviest living rodent in the world, this species usually moves in large groups, they are very passive and calm animals which will allow us to take incredible pictures. After an afternoon full of good adventures, we will taste a delicious dinner made with local ingredients, cultivated on their lands. CAMPFIRE (TALES AND LEGENDS) Afterwards we will have a bonfire, where we can share our anecdotes and mysterious stories lived in the jungle, we will also taste a small exotic drink made with roots of the most known and medicinal plants of their region. We will also listen to the sound of the insects and songs of the nocturnal birds of the Amazon jungle and we will have the opportunity to appreciate a great panorama of the starry sky. At the end of the tour we will go to rest. |
| Day 10: 13th August 2024 Amazon Jungle |
We will taste a good continental breakfast, then we will get our backpacks ready and go to one of the most beautiful places in the Tambopata Reserve (Lake Sandoval) a mirror of water with an extension of a little more than 3 kilometers, known for its great biodiversity that houses this majestic lake. TAMBOPATA RESERVE (SANDOVAL LAKE) We will board a traditional boat, where we will head to the Tambopata Reserve. We will navigate the Tambopata River for approximately 1 hour and we will be able to see birds during the whole trip. We will also be able to see the union of the two main rivers of this region (Tambopata River – Madre de Dios River). Arriving at our destination, at the entrance of the Tambopata Reserve, we will begin a walk of about 40 minutes, along the way we will see giant trees, medicinal plants, monkeys, birds, insects, rodents and reptiles. This reserve is one of the most important in Peru, as it has a record of more than 1000 species of birds. Arriving at the lake, we will embark on a rustic rowing boat where our guide will row around the lake where we will be able to observe macaws, herons, taricayas, black caimans, anacondas and the largest otter of the Amazon (river wolf) some specimens that are currently in danger of extinction. Then we will take a break and taste the Amazonian food. In the afternoon we will have a conference session about the ‘Traditional Amazonian Midwifery and Plant based Medicine’. We will also enjoy a delicious dinner after our adventures. |
| Day 11: 14th August 2024 Amazon Jungle |
We will wake up very early, we will prepare everything to appreciate a festival (show) of different types of parrots that inhabit this Amazon region. We will embark and leave by land or river in a trip of approximately 1 hour from your lodge. This experience will be unique and unforgettable, we will appreciate the sunrise and we will be able to hear the noise of the insects and the song of the birds of the Amazon. For bird lovers it is a great festival as these can only be seen in the Amazon. When we arrive we will be able to observe a large number of parrots gathered like every morning on the clay wall, ready to continue their diet, these minerals that the parrots eat contain useful substances for their diet and detoxification. It is recommended to keep a prudent distance so as not to frighten the parrots or make them feel threatened. We will enjoy an Amazonian breakfast that we are sure you will be delighted with the variety and flavor of these foods. KAYAK OR INFLATABLE BOATS We will navigate upstream on the Tambopata River, and then paddle down in the kayaks for about an hour, enjoying the natural environment accompanied by the sounds of insects and birdsong that fly over the Tambopata River. The guide and the staff on board will provide instructions on the use and handling of the kayak so you can enjoy the nature that will accompany us on this great tour. We will return to our lodge for lunch, where we will enjoy a tasty refreshment made from the fruits we grow ourselves in our conservation forest. After an exhausting day, we will have a break in the afternoon where we can recharge our batteries for the last activity of the day. NIGHT WALK At nightfall we will prepare the flashlights to start the tour in our forest, looking for animals, insects and birds, we can find night monkeys, frogs, large tarantulas, rodents, spiders, owls, owls, fireflies, snakes or vipers. We can also appreciate certain nocturnal plants that have a peculiar characteristic, you will be amazed with this nocturnal experience that is lived in the Amazon rainforest. We will enjoy our last dinner in the middle of the trees, after which we will be able to enjoy a drink at the bar on a voluntary basis. |
| Day 12: 15th August 2024 Cusco, Peru |
We will enjoy a good continental breakfast, then we will give the indications of the activities to be carried out during the rest of the morning. TREK We will hike for about 2 hours where we can see a variety of trees, medicinal plants, we can taste wild fruits throughout the hike, we will also observe wild animals in our forest, such as monkeys, birds, squirrels, sloths and snakes. We will have the opportunity to see a specimen of chestnut tree one of the main and best trees of this Amazon rainforest as this specimen can only be found in Peru in this area of Madre de Dios. The collection of this nut is one of the main activities and flag of this region, because with it you can make endless edible products and even beauty products. Approximately 10:30 am it will be time to pack your bags and sadly say goodbye to the biodiversity of Peru and then head to the city, where we will drop you off at the airport. Fly from Puerto Maldonado to Cartagena: Enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure. Evening: We will enjoy a farewell dinner together to reflect on what we have learnt and the incredible experiences we have had together. |
| Day 13: 16th August 2024 Cartagena, Colombia | We say our final goodbyes – Safe Travels |
For information relating to pricing, bookings, flights and travel insurance please complete the booking enquiry box or email enquiries@educationatsea.com.au
Itinerary Disclosure: Itinerary, topics and Education program are subject to change without notice.
Presenter Disclosure: Education at Sea makes every effort to ensure the advertised presenters deliver the program. However in the unlikely event a presenter is unavailable Education at Sea reserves the right to use a suitably qualified substitute presenter.
International Flights & Travel Insurance
We are happy to provide airfare and travel insurance quotes upon request for any travel needs. There is no obligation.
Booking your airfare and travel insurance with Travel Direct Australia/Education At Sea provides the convenience of having all your travel plans organized under one roof. This also comes with the advantage of having all your associated travel costs on a single statement of account.
Please email travel@traveldirectaustralia.com.au or note it on your booking form that you would like a quote.
DISCLAIMER: Any amendment, cancellation etc. fees are subject to carrier terms and conditions. Travel Direct Australia will not be held responsible for any financial loss due to cancellation from unforeseen circumstances. We strongly recommend you take out travel Insurance at the time of booking.
Bookings can be held for 24 hours, we issue the ticket the same day payment is received. Prices are subject to change if payment is not received within this time.
Pricing
| A Midwifery Study Tour of Colombia & Peru – Why not invite a friend or colleague to join you! | |
|---|---|
| Twin Share | $5990 per person |
| Single Supplement (Own room for one) | $1150 per person |
A non-refundable deposit of $600 per person is required to confirm your booking with the final payment date due on the 4th April 2025.
*Prices are subject to change, Education at Sea and Travel Direct Australia has reserved the right to re-cost pricing in the event of significant currency fluctuations.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL: 4
Significant amounts of walking on uneven surfaces is required to enjoy many of the sites and attractions we will visit. We recommend this tour only for those with good levels of fitness and mobility.
TOUR INCLUSIONS:
- 4 Nights accommodation, including breakfast in Cartagena
- Welcome drinks reception
- Cartagena Sunset Cruise including Drinks
- Flight from Cartagena to Cusco (via Bogata)
- 3 Nights accommodation, including breakfast in Cusco
- Cusco Bus Tour with Lunch or mountain bike option available
- Vistadome train ride to Aguas Calientes
- 1 Night accommodation and dinner in Aguas Calientes
- The Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Tour
- 3 Nights lodge accommodation in the Amazon Jungle
- Entrance fees to the National Reserve of Tambopata
- 2 kilometer guided hike through the jungle searching for monkeys, brown agoutis, and butterflies as you learn about the trees and plants which grow there
- Learn about caimans and capibaras during an exciting night river cruise
- Visit Lake Sandoval
- Kayaking adventure tour to the Monkey Island to feed and take beautiful pictures with the monkeys
- Visit a local indigenous family and learn about their culture and way of life
- All transport within tour
- Lunch or dinner as mentioned per itinerary
- Farewell Dinner
PROGRAM INCLUSIONS:
- An extensive program based on current best practice
- Dedicated Space for expert presentations and reflection
- Coffee breaks and lunches on presentation days
- Education content that meets the same exacting standards as anything offered in an Australian program
- Presenters that are excited to be able to share their skill, knowledge, and passion with Attendees
- An online library filled to the brim with educational content that allows you to create your own learning experience
- A Registration Reception including complimentary drinks where you can meet other Attendees and network with Convenors and Presenter/s
- A locally sourced handcrafted Cambodian Welcome pack and additional information to support a fantastic study tour experience
- A Transcript reflecting all education sessions, presentations and hospital/health centre site visits
- A Certificate of Completion identifying the CPD hours attached to the Program for you to include in your CPD Evidence Portfolio
EXCLUSIONS
- Flights to and from Australia
- Meals & Drinks not mentioned
- Transfers from and to international flights from Australia
- Travel insurance
BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS:
“You” and “Your” means all persons named in a booking (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date). “We”, “us”, “our” and “EAS” means CPD Cruises Pty Limited trading as Education at Sea.
BOOKINGS: A booking request is accepted when we issue a statement of account showing your deposit paid. It is at this point that a contract between us and you comes into existence subject to these Booking Conditions. We reserve the right to decline any booking at our discretion. No employee of ours other than a director has the authority to vary or omit any of these Booking Conditions or to promise any discount or refund.
SERVICES: We commence providing services to you as soon as your receive your statement of account. This includes significant work undertaken prior to travel to arrange and coordinate the delivery of your travel arrangements. The services we provide to you are limited to (a) the arrangement and coordination of your travel arrangements; and (b) the delivery of travel arrangements which we directly control.
PRICES & EXCLUSIONS: Prices stated are in Australian Dollars and are current at the time of publication. We reserve the right to vary the cost of your travel arrangements prior to commencement for circumstances beyond our control such as the imposition of fuel surcharges or new or amended Government charges. We also reserve the right to vary the cost of your travel arrangements due to currency fluctuations. However, we will not vary the cost for currency fluctuations once full payment has been received. The price includes your CPD education fee, accommodation, regional and domestic flights, transportation and other inclusions as per the published itinerary. International and airport/hotel transfers are not included unless specifically stated. Costs associated with passports, visas, vaccinations, insurance, meals (other than those stipulated), emergency evacuation costs, gratuities, and all items of a personal nature are not included.
DEPOSIT: A $600 deposit per person is required to confirm your booking. Please note that we may not hold any services for you until we receive payment of your deposit, meaning that services may become unavailable or prices may increase, in which case you will be responsible for paying the increased price, and we will not be responsible if services become unavailable.
FINAL PAYMENT: Payment in full must be received by the 4th April 2025. If you fail to make payment by the due date, we will remind you to make payment. In addition to the payment, you will also be responsible for any costs imposed on us by suppliers resulting from late payment. If we do not receive payment within 7 days after the reminder, you will be deemed to have cancelled your booking.
CANCELLATION TERMS: You may cancel your booking by giving written notice to us. All deposits are non-refundable due to services offered commencing at the time of booking confirmation. Should you cancel after the final payment date or no show 100% of the booking value is non-refundable.
CLIENT NAMES – EXACTLY AS PER PASSPORT: For security reasons, airlines and our overseas suppliers require names to be given exactly as stated in your passport. If you do not advise the correct information and we have to re-issue airline tickets or other documentation, then you will be responsible for any fees charged (such as airline cancellation charges or re-issue fees) in addition to our own reasonable administration fees.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: It is strongly encouraged that you are adequately insured for the duration of your trip. We recommend comprehensive travel insurance to cover cancellation, medical requirements, luggage and additional expenses. We strongly suggest you purchase insurance at the time you pay your deposit. For an non obligation quote please email travel@traveldirectaustralia.com.au.
PASSPORTS, VISAS & VACCINATIONS: It is a requirement that you hold a valid passport with sufficient validity and any required visas for your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the necessary documentation to comply with the laws and regulations of the countries to be visited. It is also your responsibility to obtain vaccinations that are required for the countries we are visiting, please enquiry with your local physician for advice regarding vaccinations.
ACCOMMODATION: Due to the dynamic nature of the travel industry, we may need to substitute hotels and transport options. We will endeavour to minimise substitutions. You acknowledge that these substitutions will not be considered a significant change.
IMAGE USE: When on tour, we may take photographs or make recordings of activities that identify you. We reserve the right to use any images and/or recordings for promotional and marketing purposes. You consent to this use and acknowledge you will not be entitled to any payment or other compensation. If you do not consent to the use of your image or likeness, please advise us before the CPD Study tour commences..
Booking Enquiry
Register your interest in this Study Tour today Please complete the form in this section to express your interest. We will revert within 48 hours with pricing and other details.