September 21 - October 2, 2020
12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS from $4,895
Our staff at 1-800-246-7238 is ready to help
Trip Highlights
Visit remote, spectacular, and rarely visited valleys of Bhutan and stay in comfortable mountain lodges
Immerse yourself in Bhutan's rich Buddhist culture, festivals, local crafts, and traditions
Active day hikes and rafting in the spectacular Himalayas
Visit the unique and remote weaving villages at Lhunentse
Accredited for up to 15 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM
This Wilderness Medicine CME course takes place in the remote Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan. It is a country of mountains, untouched forests, and fortified monasteries that lies nestled in the high Himalaya. A country the size of Switzerland with a population of less than one million, it vigilantly protects its ancient traditions, religion, and culture. Traveling to Bhutan is like visiting Nepal or Tibet forty years ago. National Geographic has called it the last great paradise on earth, or "Shangri-La."
Our CME adventure will take us on a journey that will travel through the heart of Bhutan visiting the famous monasteries and villages at Paro, Thimphu, Bumthang, Trongsa, and Punakha. We will cross the 10,200 foot Dochu La Pass with its spectacular views of Bhutan's Himalaya as we travel from Thimphu to the famous Punakha monastery.
The culmination of our journey will come at the end of our trip when we hike for 3 hours to visit the "Tigers Nest" of Taktsang, the most famous and sacred of Bhutan's monasteries, perched on side of a sheer cliff 3,000 ft above the Paro valley. No other monastery can match the grandeur of Takstang's natural setting. This wilderness medicine course is designed for the active traveler. Bhutan's spectacular mountain scenery provides the perfect setting for day hikers to explore its remote villages and mountain paths.

Itinerary Snapshot
Explore Bhutan
Wilderness Medicine CME

In the afternoon we explore Thimphu's and free time in the town. Overnight at the Hotel ...LD
DAY 2 THIMPHU / TANGO MONASTERY A 40-minute hike through a beautiful forest of oaks brings us up to Tango Monastery, a monastic school and retreat built in 1688. We will visit the main temple and also linger in Tango's inner courtyard, beautifully painted in bright colors, with lovely views stretching across the Thimphu Valley. We drive back to Thimphu and have lunch in the local restaurant. Later we head to Sangay Gang, where there is a sanctuary for the cattle-sized animal called the takin, the national animal of Bhutan. These rare Himalayan creatures resemble miniature American bison, standing about five feet high with large heads and front quarters. We also visit Changgangkha Lhakhang, an ancient monastic retreat set on a ridge above Thimphu. Overnight at the Hotel...BLD
Approximate Hiking Time: About 3 hours
DAY 3 THIMPHU / COUNTRYSIDE HIKE / PUNAKHA A scenic drive through a lushly forested landscape and we climb the Dochula pass, where we hike through a mixed forest of spruce, rhododendron, hemlock, oak, pine and juniper and reach up to Lungchuzekha Monastery, surrounded by prayer flags. On a clear day, we enjoy good views of the mountains of the Bhutan Himalaya. We hike down the same way to Dochula pass (10,200) whose summit is festooned with fluttering prayer flags and more than 100 chortens (stupas) dedicated to Bhutan's continued peace and happiness. We will have late lunch at the restaurant in the pass. After lunch, we board our vehicles and descend to Lobesa village for a half-hour walk through the cultivated fields to Chimi Lhakhang, a monastery and fertility temple. The temple, flanked by nearly 100 tall prayer flags, sits atop a picturesque hill and has long been a pilgrimage site for childless couples. After visiting the temple, we drive to the hotel...BLD
Approximate Hiking Time: About 3-4 hours
DAY 4 PUNAKHA VALLEY From the village of Nezigang, we hike up through cultivated fields and small hamlets to visit the Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten, a shrine built recently by the royal family. The shrine is an elaborate structure with a rainbow of Guru Rimpoche images and superb views of the Punakha Valley. After lunch, we visit the 17th century Punakha Dzong (fortress), Bhutan's former winter capital, built in 1637 at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Po Chu (the "Mother" and "Father" rivers). The winter capital was established in this location in part because Punakha is a warm valley with a relatively low altitude of 4,100 feet, allowing for the production of two rice crops each year, along with oranges, mangos, and bananas. The Punakha Dzong is an architectural wonder and seat of the head abbot of Bhutan. It has survived six fires, two glacial lake bursts, and an earthquake. This labyrinthine dzong has played a pivotal role in Bhutan's history and has the official name of Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, which translates as "the palace of great happiness." Overnight at the hotel ...BLD
Approximate Hiking Time: About 3 hours
DAY 5 PUNAKHA / TRONGSA We drive to the Trongsa crossing over Pele La Pass (11,000′). We will have lunch somewhere after crossing pass. We continue our journey to Trongsa, the ancestral home of Bhutan's royal family. We visit the important historical Trongsa Dzong where the Penlop (governor) in the early 1900s consolidated political control over Bhutan to become the country's king. Overnight at Hotel...BLD
DAY 6 TRONGSA / BUMTHANG In the morning, we visit the Ta-Dzong Museum, which focuses on the history of the monarchs of Bhutan, with many rare artifacts on display and then drive to Bumthang, crossing Yotongla pass (11,140′) and entering Chumey valley. A 10kms feeder road goes up to the Tharpaling Monastery (2800m) from Gyetsa village in Chumey valley , but it may be impracticable in summer due to rain and so walk is often necessary. The Tharpaling Monastery was found by Lonchen Ramjam (1308-1363) during his exile from Tibetan. He was the abbot of the Samye , one of Tibet's most important monastery and first Buddhist monastery built in the Himalaya. This place was used as place of meditation. After visiting this important monastery, we continue to hike to Kiki La and . Overnight at hotel....BLD
Approximate Hiking Time 4 hours.
DAY 7 BUMTHANG Nowhere else in Bhutan are there as many temples and monasteries as in Bumthang, and it is also one of the most picturesque regions of the country, with sweeping agricultural valleys dotted with small villages, and forested mountainsides sheltering centuries-old monastic complexes and religious retreats. Today's hike brings us along the Chamkhar River and through meadows and pine forests to the village of Thangbi, where we visit its gompa (if the caretaker is present). Thangbi was founded in the late 1500s by the 4th Shamar Rimpoche, a patriarch of Tibet's Karma Kargyüpa sect. After crossing a suspension bridge, we reach Nga Lhakhang (Swan Land), and after visiting the village we drive back to Jakar. In the afternoon we visit two important monasteries: Jambay and Kurje. Jambay was originally built by Tibet's King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century as one of the 108 temples used to subdue the demoness lying across the Tibetan Plateau; this temple is said to pin down her left knee. Kurje is a complex of three temples and one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Bhutan. Overnight at Lodge...BLD
Approximate Hiking Time: About 3 hours / Driving Time: 45 minutes
DAY 8 BUMTHANG In the morning we drive to Tang to visit the Tang Ogyencholing palace and it has a beautiful museum. Visit the Gamling village and lunch in the Palace Guest house. In the afternoon, drive back to Jakar and in the evening visit the farm house to sample araa, the local wine, as well as butter tea, and watch a demonstration of how the local buckwheat noodles (puta) are made at a traditional farmhouse. Overnight at Lodge...BLD
DAY 9 BUMTHANG / PARO (Domestic flight) A morning flight brings us to Paro. In the afternoon we visit the fascinating National Museum of Bhutan, housed in the Ta Dzong, with its collection of ancient artifacts, weapons, and silver teaware. Overnight at the Hotel... BLD
DAY 10 PARO / KILA NUNNERY Spend the whole morning at the Paro festival where masked dances are performed in front of the temple courtyard. In the afternoon, we will visit the Kyichu temple, one of the oldest temple in Bhutan and in the evening dinner at typical farm house at Namjay village.
DAY 11 TAKTSANG MONASTERY At dawn, the giant Thongdrel (religious scroll) will be unfurled to the people. People from Paro as well as from Thimphu come to get the blessing of the Thongdrel. After breakfast at the hotel, we drive for 20 minute and we hike up through pine forests festooned with Spanish moss to reach the striking monastic retreat of Taktsang, the "Tiger's Nest," built into a sheer cliff face about 2,700 feet above the Paro Valley. This is the most famous temple in Bhutan and one of the venerated pilgrim sites of the Himalayan world. We enjoy our lunch en route at a teahouse midway with fantastic views of the monastery. Overnight at Hotel...BLD
Approximate Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
DAY 12 DEPART After breakfast, transfer to Paro Airport for homeward-bound flights via Bangkok. Flights typically arrive in Bangkok between 1:00 pm and 5:30 pm...
Please Note: Actual festival dates and activities are always subject to change (even once the trip has begun). The itinerary and/or dates may be altered to adjust to the final festival schedule. Sometimes, viewing a festival may not be possible if dates are changed at the last-minute and beyond the control of agents.

Explore Bhutan
Trip Cost: $4,895*
(Does not include airfare from Bangkok to Bhutan or internal Bhutan flight)
Optional CME Cost: $695 (Approved for 15 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits)
Single supplement: $500
*per person, based on double occupancy.
Questions? Ready to reserve your spot?
Speak to an expert at Bio Bio Expeditions - the award winning outfitter of this trip
1-800-246-7238
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Testimonials From Your Colleagues
"This was one of the best and most organized trips I have ever been on. Kinley and Pema were two of the best guides I have ever had on one of these trips. This was the trip of a lifetime - BioBio does a fantastic job with attention to detail. Our hotel accommodations were way above expectations - I was really impressed with the ability to fit as many things in as we did. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in travel/wilderness medicine! There isn't enough room in this section to put all the positives of this trip. "
Benjamin Bring, DO
"What a collection of expertise…where else could you learn so much, so well – in such a short period of time…I don’t know how you could improve…Thanks for a great week… 5 star!"
Donald Turner, MD (Fam. Practice), Dayton, OH
"Our time in Bhutan was fabulous! Our time and energies were so well managed. Thank you so much for such wonderful organization and care with your clients. We had a beautiful blend of culture and exercise amidst the invigorating scenery of Bhutan. This was a trip to treasure."
Gill Tillmann , MD
COURSE CONTENT INCLUDES
- Altitude Illness
- Hypothermia
- Frostbite and Other Cold Injuries
- Environmental Heat Illness
- Traveler's Diarrhea, Giardia & Other Waterborne Wilderness Infections
- Surviving the Unexpected Night Out
- Lightning Injuries
- Improvised Medical and Trauma Care
- Management of Fractures and Dislocations
- Preparing for Foreign Travel
- Backcountry Medical Kits
- Wilderness Wound Management
- Patient Assessment in Wilderness Settings
- Wilderness Dermatology
- Marine Hazards & Envenomations
- Snake Envenomation
CME ACCREDITATION INFORMATION
"This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the Center for Emergency Medical Education and Wilderness and Travel Medicine. The Center for Emergency Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians."
The Center for Emergency Medical Education designates this live activity for a maximum of
15 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This trip is planned, outfitted and conducted by Bio Bio Expeditions, or subcontractors arranged by Bio Bio Expeditions. Please note that Wilderness and Travel Medicine, LLC is responsible for the CME Educational content only. Wilderness and Travel Medicine reserves the right to change or substitute the faculty for any CME course without advance or prior notice to participants.
UPCOMING CME DESTINATIONS BY DATE
Jan 18 - 27, 2020
Jan 18 - 29, 2020
Patagonia Rafting & Multi-Sport
Jan 27 - Feb 4, 2020
Jan 30 - Feb 8, 2020
Feb 22 - 26, 2020
April 3 - 13, 2020
April 5 - 22, 2020
April 23 - May 10, 2020
May 27 - 31, 2020
Cuba Marine & Havana Experience
June 3 - 13, 2020
Intensive Skills Course & Mt. Shasta
June 13 - 19, 2020
Big Sky Resort, MT
July 25 - 29, 2020
Aug 24 - 27, 2020
Sept 2 - 12, 2020
Sept 21 - Oct 2, 2020
Hiking Tour of Provence and the French Riviera
Sept 17 - 25, 2020
Africa Wildlife Safari & Kilimanjaro
Oct 4 - 18, 2020
Oct 4 - 9, 2020
Oct 11 - 21, 2020
Oct 25 - Nov 4, 2020
Jan 16 - 25, 2021
Jan 25 - Feb 5, 2021
Jan 26 - Feb 3, 2021
Big Sky Ski Resort, MT
Feb 20 - 24, 2021
Feb 27 - Mar 6, 2021
April 2 - 12, 2021
April 25 - May 12, 2021
Oct 23 - Nov 2, 2021
Intensive Skills Course & Mt. Shasta
June 5 - 13, 2021
Aug 30 - Sep 9, 2021
UPCOMING CME DESTINATIONS BY DATE
Jan 18 - 27, 2020
Jan 18 - 29, 2020
Patagonia Rafting & Multi-Sport
Jan 27 - Feb 4, 2020
Jan 30 - Feb 8, 2020
Feb 22 - 26, 2020
April 3 - 13, 2020
April 5 - 22, 2020
April 23 - May 10, 2020
May 27 - 31, 2020
Cuba Marine & Havana Experience
June 3 - 13, 2020
Intensive Skills Course & Mt. Shasta
June 13 - 19, 2020
Big Sky Resort, MT
July 25 - 29, 2020
Aug 24 - 27, 2020
Sept 2 - 12, 2020
Sept 21 - Oct 2, 2020
Hiking Tour of Provence and the French Riviera
Sept 17 - 25, 2020
Africa Wildlife Safari & Kilimanjaro
Oct 4 - 18, 2020
Oct 4 - 9, 2020
Oct 11 - 21, 2020
Oct 25 - Nov 4, 2020
Jan 16 - 25, 2021
Jan 25 - Feb 5, 2021
Jan 26 - Feb 3, 2021
Big Sky Ski Resort, MT
Feb 20 - 24, 2021
Feb 27 - Mar 6, 2021
April 2 - 12, 2021
April 25 - May 12, 2021
Oct 23 - Nov 2, 2021
Intensive Skills Course & Mt. Shasta
June 5 - 13, 2021
Aug 30 - Sep 9, 2021