anzac uncovered - 6 days

Tour Information
Starts in: Istanbul
Ends in: Istanbul
Start Date: Mon 21st April
End Date: Sun 26th April
Prices: Click here
Local Payment Required: No 
Breakfast: 4 Lunch: 1  Dinner: 1
Hotel rating: 3 - 4  hotel

Day 1: 21 April - Istanbul Monday 2009. Welcome to Turkey and your ANZAC experience! Choice of shuttle transfers to hotel. The remainder of the day at leisure in Istanbul - a city that straddles both Europe and Asia.  Overnight – Istanbul Day 2: Istanbul Istanbul - breakfast. Enjoy our guided city tour taking in the hippodrome area, exotic Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia - Emperor Justinian's grand basilica and more. This afternoon is free for you to spend at leisure, consider visiting the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice market! Overnight – Istanbul

Day 3: Gallipoli
IStanbul - Gallipoli - breakfast. An early morning departure to the WW1 battlefields on the Gallipoli Peninsular. The futile campaign, infamously known as Gallipoli, is poignantly etched in history. In the fierce struggle for Turkish territory, thousands perished as the odds were resolutely stacked against them. The Turks sustained terrible losses. Thousands of Australian, New Zealand, British, French and Indian Allied troops also died. Today, we tour the region with ease and without the crowd, as most ANZAC pilgrims will descend upon the peninsular tomorrow. Walk in the footsteps of the ANZAC’s with visits to ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly, the trenches and Kabatepe - the modest ANZAC museum. Early evening we cross the Dardanelles at the point known as the Narrows by ferry and drive onward to the small village of Kucuk Kuyu.
Dinner and overnight - Kucuk Kuyu.

Day 4: Gallipoli
Gallipoli - breakfast. Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsular, we attend the Turkish International Service and watch the Turkish Air Force display at Mehmetcik Abide. Afterward we tour the impressive Kilitbahir Fort. Kilitbahir - meaning lock of the sea, duly lives up to its name. The fort was built in 1453 by Mehmet II the Conqueror, as part of his successful siege on Constantinople. Many of the navel battle of the Dardanelles in the Gallipoli campaign took place here, from the strategically placed fort prior to the army landings. Continuing to the Dawn Service site (approx 3pm). Now is the ideal time to sort a vantage spot on the grass or tiered seating, then take in the loaded atmosphere as the legendary wait for first light commences.
BBQ lunch & overnight - Dawn Service site (ANZAC Cove).

Day 5: ANZAC Day - Gallipoli
Gallipoli - Istanbul. First light heralds a poignant bugle call and commencement of the Dawn Service. After the service and armed with our maps, we independently explore the trenches and memorial sites as we walk to the Australian Memorial Service at Lone Pine or New Zealand Memorial Service, Chunuk Bair. The service at Chunuk Bair usually starts about an hour after the Australian service at Lone Pine. If you’re a Kiwi, head straight to Chunuk Bair. Later this afternoon, we’ll journey back to Istanbul, arriving late in the evening and in need of a well- deserved rest after an emotion-filled day at Gallipoli. Overnight - Istanbul. (Timing on 25 April subject to coach traffic)

Day 6: Istanbul 
Sunday 2009. Istanbul - breakfast. After breakfast - approx 09:00, join us for a 2 hour cruise along the Bosphorus - the strait that divides European from Asian Istanbul. Returning to the hotel before 12noon and hotel check-out. This marks the end of a memorable ANZAC experience.

Note: Istanbul sites are closed on the following days, this in NO WAY affects your touring program: Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Market - closed Sunday, Hagia Sofia - closed Monday, Topkapi Palace closed on Tuesday.