Anzac Day 2023 - 3 Day Tour - 24-26 April
From AUD 595/pp
Early bird special now available, lock in your place with a $200 deposit!
Our 3 day tour is for anyone getting into Istanbul on 23 or 24 April. After meeting in Istanbul we head to Gallipoli for the 25 April Anzac Day services before returning to Istanbul for the traditional game of two-up. A great option for those with limited time in Turkey, we concentrate most of our time at the incredible Gallipoli & Anzac Cove area.
3 Day Tour Overview
After meeting in Istanbul on 24 April we take a guided walking tour of the historic Sultanahmet area and sit down for a late lunch. The tour then departs Istanbul and heads to Gallipoli where we set up at Anzac Cove in preparation for the dawn service. Following the dawn service we embark on a guided tour of the Gallipoli battlefields and memorials including Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Johnston's Jolly, Shell Green, the Nek, Shrapnel Valley, Quinn's Post, Beach Cemetery, the Turkish Memorial & more.The Australian Government hosts a service at Lone Pine later in the morning while the Kiwis will attend the New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair after which we return to Istanbul.
An extra night of accommodation on 23 April is available to add when making your booking.
Register Your Attendance
All attendees (Aussies & Kiwis) must register their attendance at the Gallipoli commemorative services on the Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs website HERE..Tourist Visas
People travelling on Australian passports (among others) must purchase a tourist visa online before arriving in Turkey - see the TURKISH VISA WEBSITE for details. New Zealand and UK passport holders do not require a visa.Check out our tour video HERE!
When to Arrive
We have airport pick-ups available at the following times on 24 April:- 7am from Sabiha Gökçen Airport meeting the Pegasus Airlines flight from London Stansted;
- 2pm from Istanbul Ataturk Airports meeting the Turkish Airlines and British Airways lunchtime arrivals.
Any Questions?
Email us at tours@thefanatics.com if you have any questions about the tour.Inclusions
- Optional airport pick-ups
- Guided Istanbul walking tour & welcome lunch
- Return coach transfers between Istanbul and Gallipoli
- Anzac Day memorial services at Gallipoli
- One night Istanbul hostel or hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Local English speaking Turkish professional tour guide
- Experienced Fanatics Anzac Day tour leader
- Fanatics Anzac Day hoodie - Aussie gold or Kiwi black
Entry Fees & Meals
The tour price does not include entrance fees to museums. No entry fee is required at the Gallipoli battlefields or Anzac services.Turkey's currency is the Lira and exchange rates are approximately 10TL = AUD 0.81 / NZD 0.90 / GBP 0.47 / EUR 0.56 (as at mid-2022).
Some examples of entry fees to visit the main sites the tour takes in are:
- Blue Mosque - FREE
- Hagia Sophia - FREE
- Topkapi Palace - 320 TL
- Underground Cisterns - 100 TL
Itinerary
An optional extra night of accommodation in Istanbul on Sunday 23 April is available to add during the booking process.Monday 24 April - Istanbul to Gallipoli
Welcome to Istanbul! Our 3 Day Tour begins in Istanbul's main tourist district of Sultanahmet - full details will be emailed to you two weeks before the tour. We meet at 3pm when our local guide will lead an orientation walk of central Istanbul visiting the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Hippodrome.We then sit down for a late lunch before boarding our coach for the drive south from Istanbul towards the World War I battlefields of Gallipoli. Depending on traffic the drive to Gallipoli will take approximately four hours.
Upon arrival at Gallipoli late tonight we make our way to the Dawn Service site at North Beach, where the crowds will already be gathering in anticipation of tomorrow morning's Anzac Dawn Service.
It will be cold overnight at Gallipoli so please bring plenty of warm layers plus gloves and a beanie. A sleeping bag is useful for wrapping around you. You'll have the choice of finding a spot on the grass or a seat in the temporary grand stand seating ahead of the dawn service.
Food and drink services operate throughout the night selling water, soft drinks, tea & coffee, kebabs and hot dogs.
Overnight: under the stars at Anzac Cove
Tuesday 25 April - Anzac Day at Gallipoli
As the night draws to an end the Anzac dawn service commences and we commemorate our fallen forefathers on this special day.Following the dawn service we embark on a guided tour of the Gallipoli battlefields and memorials including Anzac Cove, Beach Cemetery, Shell Green, Lone Pine, Johnston's Jolly, Shrapnel Valley, Quinn's Post, the Turkish Memorial, the Nek & more.
The Australian Lone Pine ceremony takes place later in the morning while Kiwis will attend the New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair.
We then board our coach at Chunuk Bair ready for our return drive back to Istanbul and a chance to reflect on the whole Gallipoli experience. You’ll be leaving a different person, no two ways about it.
Back in Istanbul we check into our accommodation before heading out for a night out with your fellow travellers including a few games of two-up!
Overnight: Istanbul
Wednesday 26 April - Depart Istanbul
This morning breakfast is included in your package before we check-out from our accommodation.Note: Tour does not include entrance fees to museums & historical sites as required at some venues. No entry fee is required at the Gallipoli battlefields or Anzac services.
Gallery
Packages
AUD 595
/per person