Tour Description

ANZAC Day 2023 commemorations at Gallipoli

Coach Tour inclusive of dawn ANZAC Day commemorations
13 Days ex Istanbul
Departs on 21 April 2023

Itinerary
Accommodation
Important Information

Day 1: Istanbul

Welcome to Turkey. On arrival please clear customs and immigration. In arrivals area you will be met by a representative of our local agent and then transferred to your tour hotel. Remainder of day at leisure. Tonight meet your tour companions at a welcome briefing.

Day 2: Istanbul (B)

Start you discovery of Istanbul with a visit to Topkapi Palace (excluding harem), residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 1453 to 1852. Visit the Hippodrome which was once the centre of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Continue to the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616 and famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Next see St. Sophia, a church converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders and now also, a museum. Your last stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest and oldest covered market with over 60 streets.

Tonight optional dinner with belly dancing.

Day 3: Istanbul – Canakkale (B D)

Today depart Istanbul for the Gallipoli Peninsula. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, Chunuk, and Hellespont – the largest memorial on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Overnight in Canakkale.

Day 4: Gallipoli – Troy – ANZAC Cove (B D)

Today visit Troy with its famous wooden horse. Afterwards free time in the city centre before continuing to Ecebat for dinner in a local restaurant. Early evening departure to Gallipoli and the Anzac commemorations.

There is no hotel accommodation tonight

Note: Today’s itinerary is very much subject to the final timings at the Gallipoli Peninsula. You will be updated on Thursday 23 April as to your programme for today.
A reminder to ensure you have Turkish cash for any extras prior to your departure

Day 5: Gallipoli – Canakkale (B D)

Full evening and morning dedicated for attendance at the Dawn Ceremony and Anzac Day commemorations. Once all services are finished, cross the Dardanelles for dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Note: a simple boxed breakfast is included today

There is at least a 7km walk to Chunuk Bair.

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

Day 6: Canakkale– Pergamum – Kusadasi (B D)

After breakfast depart for Pergamum and visit the ancient Medical Centre in Asclepion. Overnight in Kusadasi a picturesque port town. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 7: Ephesus & St. Mary’s House – Kusadasi (B D)

Tour the legendary ruins of Ephesus including St. Mary’s cottage, 2000 year old marble streets, the ancient theatre, Library of Celsius, and Hadrian’s Temple. Later visit a regional carpet production centre.

This afternoon take an optional tour to see the Jewish heritage of Sardis or visit the Old Greek Village of Sirince.

Day 8: Kusadasi – Aphrodisias – Pamukkale (B D)

Visit Pamukkale with its ‘Cotton Castle’ of cascading limestone formations established by the hot mineral springs and see the vast ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis.

Day 9: Pamukkale – Cappadocia (B D)

Today drive to Cappadocia.

Day 9: Cappadocia (B D)

Optional hot air balloon ride at sunrise.
Today explore the fascinating lunar landscape of Cappadocia. Visit the frescoed Churches of Goreme and the underground city Saratli Avanos, as well as the Pasagi & Red Valleys.

Day 10: Cappadocia – Ankara (B D)

Morning departure to Ankara. On the way visit 13th century Agzikarahan caravanserai and in the afternoon visit the Ataturk Mausoleum and the Anatolian Civilizations Museum.

Day 11: Ankara – Istanbul (B D)

This morning depart on a scenic drive to Istanbul. A farewell dinner is included tonight.
Afternoon optional Bosphorus cruise.

Day 12: Istanbul (B)

Departure transfer to the airport.

Rooms on the tour are run-of-house and room sizes/styles may vary.
The hotel selection may change – please use this as a guideline only.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

Arrival/departure transfers (Only on arrival and departure days to/from IST airport)
A/C transportation
Accommodation in listed hotels (or similar)
Meals & sightseeing as per itinerary
Professional English-speaking guides
Local taxes and charges
Turkey Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

Departure & airport taxes
Visa fees
Personal insurance
Tips & personal expenses
Optional tours
Any service not clearly mentioned in the programme

Notes

Airport transfers are only included on days of the tour ex (IST) Airport – a surcharge will apply for transfers to/from Sabiha Gocken (SAW) airport.

If you are arriving or departing Istanbul on any days other than the arrival and departure days of the tour transfers will not be included in the price of the coach tour.

Porterage for one suitcase is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity the single bag should not exceed the dimensions of 30”x18”x10” and not weigh more than 50lbs (23kg). A charge of US $4 per travelling day is collected by the tour director for each additional piece of baggage or if the suitcase exceeds established weight and/or dimension limitations.

On the night prior to the Dawn Service the time for departure will be confirmed when you are in Istanbul. 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. It is advisable to 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).

Accommodation based on the below or similar

Istanbul

Movenpick Bosphorus

Canakkale

Kolin Hotel

Kusadasi

Charisma Hotel

Pamukkale

Colossae Thermal Hotel

Cappadocia

Crowne Plaza Hotel Neveshir

Ankara

Divan Ankara

Istanbul

Movenpick Bosphorus

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
Transfers are operated by drivers and are not guided. Some drivers may only have a basic command of English.

Optional Tours
Optional tours offered during coach tours may not be guaranteed (even if pre-booked ex New Zealand) as they are subject to a minimum number of participants.

Private Sightseeing tours (if booked)
If a private sightseeing tour is booked it is important that you discuss the days arrangements with the guide as the touring programmes have a degree of flexibility. It is important to discuss with the guide so that any specific requirements can be met or addressed at the time.

Istanbul airport transfers:
For coach tours: airport transfers are included on days of the tour ex Istanbul Airport, a surcharge will apply for transfers to or from Sabiha Gocken Airport. Transfers from the hotel to the Airport may be on scheduled shuttles. Late Evning or early morning flights may require private transfers at a supplement.

For independent / private tours: if included, airport transfers are applied ex Ataturk Airport, a surcharge will apply for transfers to or from Sabiha Gocken Airport.

Enquire About This Itinerary

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. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any, (eg. Early Bird Deals if applicable). All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe 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 valid 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.

Priced From:

$ 3370pp ^*