Bhutan CME Cultural & Hiking Tour
Boutique Lodge to Lodge Hiking Tour
Length of trip: 11 days | Group Size: 12-18 | Activity Level: 3
Price: from $7,495 | CME: 28 hrs of Category 1 (International Wilderness Life Support)
This Trip is For: Couples/Friends/Solos
Join us on this small-group MedTreks hiking and cultural journey into the land of snow-capped peaks, fortified monasteries, fast flowing rivers, untouched forests, ancient history and colorful festivals. Our customized itinerary will take us through scenic mountain trails and temples during the day and end with boutique mountain lodges at night. Often revered as the last Shangri-La with a pioneering philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), Bhutan is a place that vigilantly protects its culture, inviting us to experience a region where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly against a backdrop of stunning landscapes, warm people and architectural marvels. We invite you to join us on this hand-crafted Wilderness Medicine CME 11-day journey to this fascinating and richly beautiful Himalayan Kingdom.
September 16th-26th, 2026
October 12th-22nd, 2026
October 9th-19th, 2027
Boutique Lodging
Scenic Mountain Trails
Colorful Festivals
Rich Cultural Experiences
Our first trips to Bhutan began 30 years ago with Dr. Rasori. Our extensive experience in medicine and also the travel industry allows us to design trips that have a balance of active adventure and authentic cultural experiences. Bhutan is a perfect example of how we design our tours: small group sizes, top-tier faculty, carefully selected deluxe accommodations and culinary experiences. Our trusted, high-quality trips have built a close-knit community of guests who return year after year. We hope you can join us! To learn more about Why MedTreks, click the link below!
Itinerary at a Glance
Cliffside monasteries, snow-capped peaks, lush valleys and colorful festivals
Welcome to Bhutan! Arrive at Paro Airport and begin with a scenic drive to Thimphu, passing through Bhutan’s lush landscapes and historic sites, including Drukgyel Dzong and Tachog Lhakhang Bridge. Settle in at Thimphu and visit Buddha Dordenma at Kuensel Phodrang. The next day, immerse yourself in the vibrant Thimphu Festival, filled with masked dances and traditional music, followed by a hike to the serene Tango Monastery. Conclude with a visit to the local Arts & Crafts School. Day Three brings a journey to Trashigang Goemba, then a hike from Dochu La Pass to Lungchuzekha Goemba and Chimi Lhakhang Temple.
Explore Punakha Valley with a hike to Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten and a visit to the historic Punakha Dzong, Bhutan’s former capital. Journey eastward to Trongsa, where you’ll cross the Pele La Pass, hike the Trans Bhutan Trail, and visit Trongsa Dzong and Ta-Dzong Museum. Traverse the scenic Yutong La Pass into Chumi Valley, where you’ll visit the Yathra Weaving Center and sacred sites like Jambay and Kurje Monasteries in Bumthang. Experience village life with lunch in a local farmhouse and visit Bumthang temples and a local brewery for an authentic Bhutanese experience.
Head to Tang Valley to explore Ogyen Choling Palace and Pema Choling Nunnery. Fly back to Paro, where you’ll enjoy the peaceful town, the National Museum, and Bhutan’s cultural displays. On your final day, embark on a thrilling hike to Taktsang Monastery, or “Tiger’s Nest,” perched on a cliff high above Paro Valley. Spend the day exploring this sacred site before returning to Paro for a farewell evening. *** Our Wilderness Medicine CME lectures will take place on most evenings before dinner.
Detailed Itinerary
For a complete detailed itinerary of the trip, please download the free itinerary below.
Itinerary - Bhutan
The MedTreks Experience
People & Place
Harmonizing breathtaking landscapes with a rich cultural heritage and fostering a deep reverence for nature and spirituality, Bhutan is a jewel of untouched beauty.
Situated high on the eastern edge of the Himalayas, and sometimes called ‘The Forbidden Kingdom’ by outsiders, mystery shrouds Bhutan’s distant past, and the otherworldly kingdom boasts mountain scenery, centuries of history, and a culture unlike any other in the world.
Designed by Dr. Phil Rasori, lead faculty for MedTreks, who has over 40 years of travel and tour experience:
“Where else can you find a country under-populated for its size, which staunchly protects its environment, allows no private lodging in its forests, has almost no political corruption, almost no serious crime, free education and healthcare for its citizens, a governmental department dedicated to measuring Gross National Happiness, a society which actively honors its ancient traditions, controls its rate of modernization and steadfastly defends its unique cultural identity? In short, Bhutan offers an alternative view as to what is important in our current century” – Dr. Phil Rasori, MedTreks faculty has lead over 12 trips to Bhutan since the 1990s and has designed this tour specifically to allow our group to experience the authentic Bhutan in collaboration with the knowledge and expertise of our wonderful, local guides.
Highlighted Activities During This Itinerary
Experience Bhutan Through Its Festivals
One of the most meaningful ways to understand Bhutan is to be invited into its celebrations. Every MedTreks Bhutan journey is intentionally timed to coincide with a local tshechu (traditional festival), giving you the chance to witness living culture—not from the sidelines, but from within the community.
Picture vibrant courtyards filled with families in their finest traditional dress, monks performing centuries-old masked dances, the steady rhythm of drums and cymbals, and a feeling of joy that’s both reverent and wonderfully alive. These festivals are deeply spiritual, rooted in Buddhist teachings, yet they’re also social gatherings where neighbors reconnect, children play, and entire villages come together.
It’s not a staged performance for tourists—it’s a sacred, joyful part of everyday Bhutanese life. Being there offers a rare window into the heart of the culture and often becomes one of the most moving and memorable moments of the entire journey. Many guests tell us it’s the moment they truly feel Bhutan.
Another highlight of your Himalayan adventure is visiting the revered and iconic Taktsang Monastery. Perched delicately on the cliffside high above the Paro Valley, the monastery, often called the ‘Tiger’s Nest’, holds profound significance for Buddhists and travelers alike.
The Buddhist temple complex is a shimmering monument with golden pinnacles on its rooftops set over stark, whitewashed walls and surrounded by breathtaking views of emerald forested valleys and towering mountains. You’ll hike up to the sacred site through lush forests and past cascading waterfalls with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Once there, venture into temples, prayer rooms, and meditation caves and get a glimpse into Bhutan’s rich religious heritage.
The Hiking
What to Expect
During our Bhutan CME Cultural and Hiking Tour we will be accompanied by our expert, local guide on the scenic mountain trails. Winding through lush forests of rhododendron and towering pine, alpine meadows, crystal clear rivers dotted with ancient monasteries and fluttering prayer flags, these trails unveil the breathtaking beauty of Bhutan’s untouched wilderness. The diversity of the terrain challenges and invigorates hikers, from seasoned adventurers seeking the thrill of high-altitude treks to those preferring gentler walks through verdant valleys. Each day we will hike approximately 3-5 hrs.
During our Bhutan CME Cultural and Hiking Tour we will also spend two nights in Bumthang’s tranquil countryside dotted with farmhouses and small villages. This picturesque region, with its lush valleys and ancient forests, is home to some of the kingdom’s oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. We will enjoy breathtaking trails through unspoiled landscapes, and experience the warmth and hospitality of the local communities. We will cross over suspension bridges, hike through meadows and pine forests, and walk along the Chamkhar River. We will have lunch in a family-run farmhouse and visit a local brewery in the village. These 3 days are a special treat!
Course Information
International Wilderness Life Support
For medical professionals participating in CME, our Bhutan trip includes the option to complete International Wilderness Life Support (IWLS) Certification. This hybrid course combines self-paced online modules before the trip with practical, scenario-based learning during the expedition.
IWLS is designed for clinicians who want to feel more prepared to assess, treat, and make decisions in remote and resource-limited environments. This includes places where weather, distance, limited supplies, and delayed evacuation can shape patient care.
Course topics include:
• Patient assessment in austere environments
• C-spine stabilization and patient movement
• Hypothermia packaging and environmental illness
• Wound care with limited resources
• Splinting and orthopedic injury management
• Ocean and water medicine
• Travel medicine and global health principles
• Wilderness medical kits and evacuation decision-making
• Scenario-based simulations for certification
Participants may earn up to 28 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and/or 28 nursing contact hours through the IWLS course.
As with all MedTreks trips, the travel experience comes first. The CME component is available for those who want it and is designed to support the expedition experience without turning the trip into a traditional conference.
Included in Your Investment
Prices: $7,495
Optional CME Fee: $795
Includes:
- 10 nights in boutique, mountain lodges
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner every day
- Expert, English speaking local guide
- Private transportation within Bhutan
- Monuments and museum entrance fees
- Flight from Bumthang to Paro (within Bhutan)
Excludes:
- International Airfare (from home destination to Paro, Bhutan)
- Travel insurance
- Items of personal nature (souvenirs, beverages, laundry)
- Guide gratuities
Hiking times are general estimates and vary depending on the local weather, daily trail conditions, and festival schedule. Internal flights are also subject to change.
Yes! As long as the trip is booked before the final payment is due (120 days before trip start). A non-refundable deposit secures your spot on the trip.
Our CME trips are all accredited for physicians, NPs, PAs and also provide CEUs for Nurses. We provide course information for all the courses that you can submit to your employer. After the trip/course is complete, we provide you with a CME certificate within 2-4 weeks
We provide you with a comprehensive Welcome Package that includes a packing list, resources, course materials, and helpful travel tips for your upcoming adventure.
Yes! We welcome loved ones and non-medical guests. They are welcome to attend all of our workshops and lectures while on the trip at no further cost. Some of our trips are even kid-friendly, depending on the trip and age of your children. Please send us an email to inquire about this possibility.
The accomodation on this Bhutan itinerary are incredible. A perfect mix of luxury and unique style bout
Send us an email! We are happy to set up a call and answer any questions that you might have!
When you travel with MedTreks, you’re not just signing up for a trip—you’re joining a community of like-minded healthcare professionals who share your passion for adventure, learning, and personal growth. Every detail of your journey is thoughtfully crafted by our founder and owner, who is not only a medical professional herself, but brings decades of experience in the travel and adventure industry. Our passionate team of expert guides, faculty and travel designers are deeply involved in the execution of every trip, ensuring a high-quality, personalized experience where every detail is carefully arranged for you. At MedTreks, we believe in balancing work and play, so you can earn your CME credits while fully immersing yourself in the adventure of a lifetime. Let us take care of the details while you recharge, learn, have fun and create unforgettable memories. To learn more about our team, click the link below!
Testimonials
I had a really great time. It was well organized, well structured and a well gestion of unforseens. The food was great, the guide were well trained and the group was sooooo cool. I recommend that trip to anyone who like adventure, good friend, good time and wish to learn new things ~ M.P, Physician, Canada
An adventure of a lifetime! Great hikes, food, and accommodations! Every day was jam packed with learning and adventure ~ M.W., PA
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
– Saint Augustine