Anzac Day Tour-12 Days

Welcome to Turkey! At the Istanbul airport terminal keep your eyes peeled for the Travel Talk sign for your transfer to the hotel. Meet in the hotel reception between 7pm to 8pm (please check the board in reception) for an informal meeting with your group and guide. After the meeting, join in an optional group dinner at a local restaurant to get to know your new travel mates.

After breakfast, we will take a ferry from Istanbul to Büyükada and explore the largest of the Princes Islands. See lavish mansions and summer villas, and beautiful natural scenery, as you sit back and relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

It’s time to experience the magnificence of Istanbul. We will stroll through the historical heart of the old city, making stops along the way to the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, majestic Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia. In the afternoon take an optional cruise down the Bosphorus river and see the epic skyline.

Today we sit back and relax in the coach. Watch the amazing Turkish scenery unfold before us and see small towns and villages as we pass on by. We will drive through the capital city of Ankara before we reach Cappadocia. In the afternoon, we will visit Derinkuyu Underground City, a city complete with a church, wells, food stores, and even stables which is all located 60m under the ground. End the day with an optional traditional Hamman (Turkish bath). We will sleep overnight in Cappadocia.

Rise and shine, it will be an early start for our optional sunrise hot air balloon ride over the stunning landscapes and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Or if preferred enjoy a leisurely start to the morning before we all fill up on breakfast. We will explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Göreme, and tick off bucket list sights along the way including Göreme Musuem, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar and Cavusin.

It’s time to hit the road to Pamukkale. Along the way we will stop at Ihlara Valley, a unique honeycombed canyon with rock-cut underground dwellings and churches from the Byzantine period. Time to rest up at our overnight stay in Pamukkale.

Get your cameras ready, as it is time to visit Pamukkale, or ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish. Pamukkale is a natural site that contains hot springs and travertine, giving the appearance of terraces made by carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white castle and people have bathed in its pools for thousands of years. Our next stop is Ephesus which is a spectacular, well-preserved ancient city. Ephesus was cited in the book of Revelations, and historians believe the Gospel of John was written here. Famed for the Temple of Artemis which was completed around 550 BC and is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We will sleep overnight in the seaside town of Kusadasi.

After breakfast, we continue to Pergamum, and the ruins of the Asklepion, an ancient healing centre. We will then drive to Ayvalik where you will have the afternoon to relax and discover the seaside town.

Today we will depart for the ancient city of Troy. You may have heard of Troy from Greek mythology or maybe just watched the Brad Pitt film, but now you will visit the ruins and archaeological site of the city of Troy, and of course the famous wooden horse. In the evening we head to the shores of Gallipoli. Tonight, we will sleep under the stars at the ceremony space to ensure we have the best position for the Dawn Service.

We will wake before the break of dawn and watch as the sun rise over the battlefield, we will remember the soldiers who lost their lives on this exact day all those years ago. We will also attend the national ceremonies and services at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair later in the day. This afternoon we will depart for Canakkale.

Today we will explore the Gallipoli peninsula without the crowds. It is in silence and quiet contemplation we can truly capture the ANZAC spirit. Today provides a more in-depth and emotional experience to reflect and explore the history and heartbeat of this region. We will visit Kabatepe War Museum, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Jonston’s Jolly, North Beach, Ari Burnu, Hell Spit, Brighton Beach, Shrapnel Valley, Artillery Road, and the Turkish Memorial. In the afternoon, we will drive back to where our adventure began, Istanbul.

Our trip will end in Istanbul after we say goodbye to our new friends over breakfast and check-out of the hotel by 11:00am.