7th Brigade - 9 days

FROM USD $2,589

Indepth touring & hotel accomm on ANZAC Eve. ANZAC Day Tour, Gallipoli 2015. Starts: 18th April. Pay your respects to the brave soldiers of the ANZAC landings by visiting ANZAC Cove in 2015 - 100 years on and the day is still as memorable and poignant as ever.

Please Note: The arrangements of our 7th Brigade tour whilst in the Gallipoli Region are subject to changes as dictated by the ANZAC 2015 Organising Committee. This could entail re-routing some journeys or changing some sites visited on this tour.

Day 1: Istanbul - Gateway to the East
Welcome to Turkey! After being met at the airport and transferred to the hotel for your first night where you will be free for the rest of the day. This is a great opportunity for you to explore the amazing city of Istanbul. Overnight - Istanbul
Hagia Sofia and the Bosphorus in Istanbul
Day 2: Istanbul City Tour
Today is a day to get to know the Istanbul, beginning with a relaxing morning cruise of the Bosphorus Strait. Next we will explore all of the city’s best landmarks. The iconic Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia and the Topkapi Palace are some of the most famous sites we visit. Later on we take a trip to the Roman underground cistern, covered with glistening spot lights this ancient building is full of intricately carved columns . Those in need of some retail therapy will be happy to visit the lively and colourful Egyptian Spice Market, here you will be able to put your haggling skills into practice. We will also pay a visit to the old sporting and social centre, the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Overnight - Istanbul (B)
7th Brigade - 9 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
The white calcium terraces of Pamukkale
Day 3: Pamukkale Thermal Springs
This morning we say goodbye to Istanbul and start to travel south towards Pammukale. On the way we stop for an informative visit to a Turkish carpet weaving and manufacturing house. Overnight - Pamukkale (B, D)
Day 4: Pamukkale Thermal Springs
Pamukkale is an unusual site famous for its cascading thermal pools and unique appearance. Take a walk through the pools and experience one of Turkey’s best natural wonders. We also visit the ruins of the Roman Hierapolis which sit above the pools. Next we head over to Ephesus, arguably one of the most well preserved classical cities in the Western Med. Later on we visit a high grade leather garment house and then stop the night in beautiful coastal Kusadasi. Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D)
Day 5: Roman Pergamum
Heading north, we take a guided tour of the ancient cultural and political capital of Pergamum. Pergamum is home to one of the steepest, most impressive amphitheatres form the classical world and was once one of the Middle East’s richest and most powerful little kingdoms. Next we carry on to the famous wooden horse of Troy for a bit of fun and photographs. Later on we arrive into the Gallipoli region for the night. Overnight - Canakkale (B, D)
Loan Pine memorial in Gallipoli
Day 6: Canakkale
Today we embark upon a guided tour of the historic Gallipoli region. Once the site of fierce fighting and today very hauntingly beautiful. It has a wooded landscape dotted with understated memorials to those fallen in the war. Our guided tour of the region will take in sights such as ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian War Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Blair New Zealand War Memorial and cemetery, the Nek, Johnston’s Jolly and the many fortified trenches still clearly visible amongst the scrub after all these years. Overnight - Canakkale (B, L)
Day 7: British & International Services
Today we return to Gallipoli National Park to attend both the British and International services to pay our respects. Afterwards we travel to the small fishing village of Kilitbahir and visit the impressive Kilitbahir Fort. Kilitbahir - meaning lock of the sea, duly living up to its name. Built in 1453 by Mehmet II the Conqueror, the fort was part of his successful siege on Constantinople. Many of the naval battles of the Dardanelles in the Gallipoli campaign took place here, from the strategically placed fort prior to the army landings. Afterwards we take a well earned break and sit down to enjoy our exclusive ANZAC Eve Turkish BBQ before again returning to our hotel for a leisurely evening. Overnight - Canakkale (B, D)
Crowds on ANZAC Day in Gallipoli
Day 8: Anzac Day 2015
Today is Anzac Day 2015. Exactly 100 years since that fateful morning. A very early start awaits us this morning as we need to be leaving around 02:00am. We head to the Dawn Service site to soak up some of the atmosphere of the morning. Just as the sun rises the service begins with a moving bugle call.

Once the service is over you are free to explore the surrounding trenches and memorial sites. Following the Dawn Service there is the Australian Memorial Service at Lone Pine and the New Zealand Memorial Service at Chunuk Bair. The service at Chunuk Bair usually starts about an hour after the Australian service at Lone Pine. So it is advisable for those wishing to attend the New Zealand one to head there straight away. Once all services have finished we will return to Istanbul for a well-deserved rest. (Timing on 25 April subject to coach traffic). Overnight - Istanbul (B)
Day 9: Istanbul
For those who have time there is an option to visit the Grand Bazar before being transferred back to the airport for onward flights. Everyone else will be transferred in the morning. (B)

7th Brigade - Australian Army

 

The 7th Brigade are a combined brigade of the Australian Army. First formed back in 1915, they are one of the only Australian units that fought at Gallipoli that still serves today. The 7th Brigade weren’t one of the first sets of troops to land at ANZAC Cove. They arrived in September not long after the disastrous August campaigns and were one of the first brigades to be evacuated from ANZAC Cove in December 1915.


The evacuation was very clever. Once the decision to go was made the troops formed a genius plan of escape that fooled the Turks. Whilst evacuating troops they made out all was normal on ANZAC Cove, by making noise and playing cricket whilst Turkish shells were passing overhead. Considered as the greatest success of the Gallipoli campaign, the evacuation was highlighted with the invention and use of William Scurry’s “self firing rifle” – a rifle set up to go off when water dropped into a pan that was attached to the trigger.



 



Tour Details
  • Starts in: Istanbul / Ends in: Istanbul
  • Departs: Saturday 18 April 2015
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:8, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 4
  • Hotel Rating: 4 Star & Special Class
  • Tour Guide: Yes
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