Overview
Itinerary
Alternatively, those arriving early may wish to join our optional Backstreets Of Istanbul Tour taking place today. The tour commences at 9am. For further details of the excursion, please see our tour Trip Notes.
We spend the morning cruising the amazing Bosphorus strait, the geographical divide between Europe and Asia. After the cruise we take in the highlights of the old city on a guided sightseeing tour, including the stunning Iznik tiled Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome area, the 6th century Hagia Sofia (exterior only), the ancient Underground Cistern and more.
This afternoon there's time for you to explore the mammoth Grand Bazaar and exotic Egyptian Spice Market.
Afterwards, you can opt to stay and experience the old city by night or return to the hotel. (B)
This morning we depart Istanbul and drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula where we explore the WW1 battlefields and memorials. Our guided tour takes in sights including ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Bair Memorial and cemetery, the Nek, Johnston's Jolly and the many fortified trenches which are still clearly visible among the scrub after all these years. (B)
After a morning at leisure we enjoy a short-guided tour of Troy, with its giant replica of the Trojan Horse. The legend of the lost city of Troy and Homer's poetry was brought to life by its rediscovery in 1863. We then continue to the village of Kilitbahir, situated on the eastern shore of the Gallipoli peninsula and dominated by the fortress of the same name.
After exploring Kilitbahir we stop in the town of Eceabat for dinner (at your own expense) before entering the Cove. Once we enter Anzac Cove you are free to visit the memorials and trenches in the area before taking our places among the many at the Dawn Service site for the atmosphere-charged ANZAC Eve vigil. (B)
The service lasts for an hour and public wreath laying at the ANZAC Memorial site is possible afterwards. Later this morning Australians have the opportunity to pay their respects at the Lone Pine Memorial Service, while New Zealanders can attend the service at Chunuk Bair. After the Chunuk Bair service we anticipate an early afternoon departure time from Gallipoli, for our return journey to Istanbul. Please note: the 2024 national memorial services at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair are subject to confirmation.
After breakfast and hotel check out at 12 noon our tour concludes. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- ANZAC Service Site - Attend the ANZAC eve vigil on the Gallipoli Peninsula and pay your respects at the Dawn Service
- Gallipoli Peninsula - Learn about the Gallipoli Campaign, explore the WW1 battlefields, memorial sites and ANZAC Cove
- Istanbul - Take in the highlights of Istanbul including the iconic Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sofia mosque and the Underground Cistern
- Troy - Enjoy a short tour of the famous city of Homeric legend and see the giant replica Trojan Horse
- Kilitbahir - Admire the imposing fortress on the west side of the Dardanelles built to control the strait at its narrowest point
- The Bosphorus Strait - Cruise the Bosphorus, taking in views of the city skyline, Ottoman architecture and waterside palaces
- 4 breakfasts
- Guided sightseeing of Istanbul including Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Underground Cistern, Hippodrome and Hagia Sofia
- Guided sightseeing at Gallipoli, war cemeteries and battlefields (subject to site opening times set by the Anzac Day Organising Committee)
- Morning cruise along the Bosphorus in Istanbul
- Visits to the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Market
- Escorted by an English speaking, degree qualified Turkish tour guide
- Airport arrival transfer on day 1 from Istanbul International Airport at any time, or from Sabiha Gokcen Airport at 11am and 3pm only
- All relevant transfers and transportation in modern air-conditioned vehicles
- Maximum Group Size: 32 persons
- 4 nights 4 star hotels
- 1 night at the Anzac Dawn Service site
- Grand Hotel Halic (Istanbul)
- Golden Tulip Istanbul Bayrampasa (Istanbul)
- Eden Garden (Assos)
- Excludes International flights and visa
- Excludes Attendance Pass for ANZAC. Please contact your tour consultant for information on how to obtain your attendance pass - these are free of charge but need to be registered for in advance.
- Excludes Tip for your tour guide and driver: as a guideline we recommend you budget USD $5 - 7 per day, per traveller for your guide and USD $2 per day, per traveller for your driver. Tipping your tour guide and driver is an entirely personal gesture
- Excludes Entrance Fees: USD$30-40pp, paid in local currency
Brochure
On The Go Worldwide (2023-24)
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by On The Go Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from On The Go Tours. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
