RAVIs: 2014

TURKEY May 2006

16 May

Arrive Istanbul. Transfer from Airport to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul at AND HOTEL.

17 May

Full day Istanbul city tour. Visit Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, St. Sophia, Topkapi Palas, Grand Bazaar.

ST. SOPHIA :
This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time.

Good Luck at St Sofia

SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE : Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.

Inside View

Obelisk of Theodosisus

HIPPODROME : Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; The Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.

GRAND COVER BAZAAR : In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then 4.000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, handhoned copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes.

Grand Bazaar

TOPKAPI PALACE : The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Overnight in Istanbut.

Topkapi Palace

Famous Dagger

18May 05

Full day Bosphorus tour on Boat. Also visit Rumeli fortress, Spice Bazaar.

SPICE BAZAAR : ( Egyptian Bazaar ) The air here is filled with the exciting aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other concievable herb and spice.

RUMELI FORTRESS : Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the Conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months to control and protect Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.

BOSPHORUS BRIDGE : Unique chance to step from one continent ( EUROPE ) to another ( ASIA ). Belly Dancing show with dinner. Overnight in Istanbul .

Belly Dancing Show

Bridge Asia to Europe

19 May05

Free day at leisure and overnight bus to Kusadasi. B.

20 May 05

Library of Romans

Virgin Mary House

Arrive to Kusadasi and transfer to the hotel. After the check in full day Ephesus tour. First visit of Temple of Artemis, after that drive to Ephesus ruins and visit( Theatre Celsius Library, Agora, Odeon, Domitianus Temple, Trojan Fountain, Roman Latrine and more) It can be said that Ephesus is one of the most beautiful ancient cities in the world. In ancient times its favourable location at the mount of the Cayster River made it the foremost commercial city of a coastal region that also included the cities of Miletus, Smyrna & Pergamon, but the silting up of its harbour gradually resulted in the loss this pre-eminence. The city has been excavated for more than 100 years; the extensive remains are predominantly from the later Roman Period. Ephesus formed a focal point in the ancient world because of its protected harbour and as a starting point for the royal road via Sardis to Susa. It was also a cult center attracting thousands of pilgrims for traditional worship of the female, first Cybele, then Artemis and finally the Virgin Mary in the Christian period. Ephesus was also home for the early philosopher Heraclitus. Break time for lunch. In the afternoon continue the tour by visiting House of Virgin Mary. Overnight in Kusadasi at OZCELIK HOTEL .

Ampli Theater

21 May 05

Calcium hot water spring Pammukkale

After the breakfast drive to Pamukkale in the morning. Visit Pamukkale with its famous white 'cotton fortress', ancient hot mineral springs said to have therapeutic qualities cascade over steep cliffs forming stalactites and pools. Also visit the archeological site Hierapolis and its ancient Roman Theatre. After the tour night bus to Cappadocia.

22May 05

Arrive to Cappadocia. free day. Went for famous Hamam bath.It is a steam bath followed by aggressive skin cleaning.

Turkish hamama

23 May05

Full day city tour including lunch visit of Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy-chimneys. Then visit Zelve Open Air Museum, where three canyons meet in one valley. Drive to Pasabag (Monk’s Valley) where there are unusual mushroom shaped pinnacles. Drive to the city of Avanos for lunch. In the afternoon visit another beautiful open air museum at Goreme where the remains of rock-cut churches and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years. Lastly, before returning to your hotel, visit the natural castles at Uchisar. Overnight in Urgup at KAPADOKYA PALAS HOTEL.

Devrent Valley

Stone Cave Resturant

24 May05

Depart from your hotel to visit Red valley,and explore the famous rock- cut churches and hike 5 km through the Güllüdere valley. Then visit Çavuşin village. This village is famous for the houses and churches of the christian clegymen. Istanbul.

Red Valley

Monk Valley

Pigeon Valley

Ulistar

Underground City

After lunch Drive to the pigeon valley . In the afternoon visit Kaymaklı underground city. Where early christians lived in fear and faith. On the way back visit the natural castles at Ortahisar. After the tour night bus to Istanbul.

25 May 05

Early in the morning arrive back to Istanbul. Free Day. Overnight in Istanbul at AND HOTEL.

26 May05

Transfer to the airport and tour end. .

Travel times:

Istanbul-Kusadasi: Overnight bus takes about 10-11 hours.

Kusadasi-Pamukkale: 2,5-3 hours

Pamukkale-Cappadocia: Overnight bus takes about 10-11 hours

Cappadocia-Istanbul: Overnight bus takes about 11-12 hours.

COST

Pkg 540$*2=1040$

Carpet 500$

Jwellery 150$

Shopping 123TL

Turkish Bath 23TL

Total Rs 80430
COST of Pkg 540$*2=1040$

BHUTAN & SHILLONG

2012

11 May Fri Day Delhi To Guwahati by Spice SG 893, Dep 15.20 arr 17.40.

Night Halt at AF Base Guwahati.

12 May Sat day To Paro by Druk KB 141 Dep 06.30 arr 07.30 on

16 May Wed To Guwahati by Druk KB 140 Dep 10.50 arr 11.15

21 May Mon Day Guwahati To Delhi by Jet 9W2277on Dep 16.55

arr 18.15

Distances

Paro to Thimpu 55 km 1.15 hours,

Thimpu To Dachula Pass 1 hour

12 May Sat Day, Arr in Paro 7.30 and drive to Thimpu 55 Km 1.15 hours At Thimpu

Thimpu Valley from air

Officers Mess Thimpu

Dahula Pass

Dahula pass

Went to Dahula Pass 1 hour. you need Permit to travel to Dahula Pass and beyound.

13 May Thimphu

Took Taxi to see Buddha Point. It is at a height but was still under construction. Will take another 3 years for completion.

Takin

Drive to Takin Reserve. Takin is National animal of Bhutan. Drukpa Kunley, who was also a proficient tantric, was requested by the people of Bhutan during one of his religious lectures to conjure a miracle before them. The saint agreed to do so. He first devoured the food of Goat and cow. He then took out the head of the goat and fixed it to the skeleton of the cow ,with a snap, he created this live animal, which had the head of the goat and the body of the cow

On return see national Assembly, Kings Palace from distance ONLY. Inside going is not allowed.

Evening after Lunch, saw Kings Memorial Chorten.

Chortan

City Center Thimpu

14 May Paro

Afternoon in Paro visited Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum.Gompa and Dist Head quaters

15 May : Paro: Taktsang Monastery, commonly known as Tigers Nest Monastry is approx 5 hrs walking excursion. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. The monastery is located 10 kilometres to the north of Paro and hangs on a precipitous cliff at 3,120 metres (10,240 ft), about 900 metres (3,000 ft) above the Paro Valley, Took 2 hours to Half Point and returned. Has 100 stairs to go down and 300 stairs to go up.

Tigers Nest

Mid way to Tigers Nest

Tigers Nest Monastery

16 May Flt to Guwahati

Dinner with Col D K Chakaborty and shopping.

17 May Morning visited Kamkhya Temple. VIP tkt Rs500,but talk to any Panda and tell him for Darshan by paying Rs500 after Darshan else min 4 hours reqd.

Guwahati Kamakhya Temple
Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati which is dedicated to the goddess Kamakshya or Sati, the consort of Lord Shiva.

This temple stands on the Nilachala Hill, 8 kms. away from Guwahati. This temple is believed to be an ancient Khasi sacrificial site and has been a well known centre for Tantric Hinduism. The deity was installed where the limb of Sati fell when, according to a legend, Vishnu cut asunder her body so that Shiva did not see her dead and start his dance of destruction. The temple, according to another legend was built by Narkasur, a king mentioned in the Mahabharata. This temple was rebuilt in 1665 after the original 10th century temple was destroyed by a Brahmin who had become a Muslim convert in the 16th century.

After Lunch by AC bus to Shillong.Reached guest house organised by Air Marshal S Varthaman.