Tour Description

Anzac Day Commemorations at Gallipoli

Departs 23 April 2025

Shared Transportation / Small Group Sightseeing Tours

6 Days ex Istanbul

Departs April 23, 2025

Itinerary
Accommodation
Important Information

Day 1 – Wed 23rd April: Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul. On arrival, please clear customs and immigration and meet with our local representative who will transfer you to your Old City Hotel where accommodation is reserved for one night. Relax and absorb the atmosphere that is Istanbul.

Day 2 – Thu 24th April: Istanbul – Eceabat (B)

This morning is at leisure. Meet your travelling group at Haghia Sophia Museum where you will be allocated to your transfer vehicle. Depart from Istanbul at 12.15pm. There will be a refreshment stop en-route before arriving in Eceabat. Free time for dinner (own expense) prior to an 8.00pm departure to the Commemorative site.

Note: there is no accommodation included this evening.

Day 3 – Fri 25th April: Dawn Service (Lunch Box)

The schedule for Anzac Day Commemorations may vary. Below is the proposed programme:

5.30am Dawn Service at Anzac Cove

10.30am Australian Service at Lone Pine

11.45am New Zealand Service at Chunuk Bair

Return to Ecabat and check in at your hotel for overnight accommodation.

Day 4 – Sat 26th April: Canakkale – Troy – Gallipoli – Istanbul (BL)

This morning, depart for a tour of Troy. Discover the Trojan Horse, Sacrificial Altars, the 3700-year-old city walls, Houses of Troy I 3000 BC-2500 BC, the Bouleuterion (Senate Building), the Odeon (Concert Hall) as well as the remains of the various cities from Troy I through to Troy IX. Return to Canakkale for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you will be met by the local guide and depart for a guided tour of Gallipoli visiting: Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, Anzac Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, Anzac Commemorative Site, Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels), Turkish 57. Infantry Regiment Cemetery, The Nek Cemetery and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. This evening at 6.00pm take the tourist bus back to Istanbul, arriving late evening. Overnight Istanbul.

Day 5 – Sun 27th April: Istanbul (BL)

Today is a chance to be introduced to Istanbul’s most incredible attractions. Your driver will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the tour’s starting point between 7.45am – 8.20am according to your hotel’s location. In this tour you will see some of the most important attractions in Istanbul. The morning starts with a visit to the Topkapi Palace and ends with a walk through the Spice Bazaar. At lunch time, stop in a cosy local restaurant so you can sample some delicious Turkish food. In the afternoon, visit the Hippodrome, which was once the social center of Istanbul, the Blue Mosque, with its beautiful hand painted tiles and Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest masterpieces ever built. Overnight Istanbul.

Day 6 – Mon 28th April: Istanbul (B)

This morning you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your onward flight.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

4 nights’ hotel accommodation with private facilities (no accommodation on night of Thursday 24th April)
Airport transfers by private van from/to Istanbul (IST) Airport (surcharge applies for transfers from/to Sabiha (SAW) Airport
Transportation Istanbul/Gallipoli/Istanbul air-conditioned non-smoking vehicles (15-seater Mercedes Sprinter Passenger Van)
Fully guided small group touring Troy and Gallipoli with English-speaking guide
Fully guided small group Istanbul sightseeing tour with English speaking guide
4 x breakfast, 2 x restaurant lunch + 1 x lunch box for the dawn service
Dawn Service, Australian and New Zealand Ceremonies
Turkey Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

International airfares
Optional tours and excursions
Porterage
Tipping/Gratuities (plese refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
Personal Expenses
Departure taxes
Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
Visas (unless specified)
Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Accommodation based on the below or similar

The hotel selection may change – please use this as a guideline only.

Istanbul (Old City)

Value Class: Arena

Canakkale

Value Class: Anzac Hotel / Kale 17 Hotel

ANZAC Commemorations – Important Notes

You will pass through various security measures before attending the official ANZAC commemorations. Please bring, water bottle, snacks, sun hat and sunscreen. Please prepare to be patient during the security procedures.

There is at least a 7km walk to Chunuk Bair from the Main Dawn Service to the New Zealand Commemorations

Please ensure you take a hat, gloves, warm socks, scarf, warm coat etc, as it will be cold on the Peninsula. It is also advisable to take a torch, rug, notebook and energy snacks for the day. Take a lightweight day pack to take food boxes, water bottle, snacks etc – so don’t forget these! Due to security measures there will be a long walk to the dawn service so please ensure you have good walking shoes. Toilet facilities on the Peninsula will be basic (port-a-loo style).

It is essential when registering for this tour that you are able to walk up to 7- 8 km unaided – it is a steep uphill walk between Anzac Cove and Chunuk Bair.

Double Beds

Please note a double bedded room can be requested but cannot be guaranteed. In Turkey double rooms are very limited. Please ask on check-in with the hotel to see what is available.

Dress Codes
Modest dress is required for entrance to holy sites – Men: Long pants, Women – skirt or long pants and shoulders covered.

Hotels
On coach tours, hotels in regional areas (i.e Pamukkale) can be of a slightly lower standard than the other hotels on the tour.

Sightseeing
All sightseeing tours require a moderate amount of walking around historical / cultural sites. This is particularly true in Cappadocia where walks can be up to 1 or 2 km long and where a good level of fitness will ensure you get a maximum enjoyment from your visit. On some tours you may visit a carpet or handicraft shop where the locals will show how their crafts are made. There is no obligation to buy any products at any of these places.

Transfers Istanbul / Gallipoli / Istanbul
Transfers are operated by air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter Passenger Van (max 15-passengers).
Please note that no commentary will be provided – this is a transfer only. Some drivers may only have a basic command of English.

Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. All featured tour itineraries and offers may be subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are available in some destinations for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.

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Priced From:

$ 2070pp ^*