Anzac Digger - 5 days
Starts: 22nd April. A short and sweet deal that incorporates Gallipoli and Istanbul, combined with sightseeing and awesome inclusions such as our traditional turkish ANZAC Eve barbecue.
Day 1: 22 April - Istanbul
Sunday 22nd April 2012. Welcome to Turkey and the start of your awesome ANZAC experience! Choice of shuttle transfers to hotel. Rest of the day free in Istanbul – a city that straddles both Europe and Asia!
Overnight - Istanbul Day 2: Istanbul old city
Enjoy a guided tour of the old city, taking in the stunning Iznik tiled Blue Mosque, Hippodrome area, Topkapi Palace, the 6th century Hagia Sofia (exterior only) and more. This afternoon, we spend a relaxing afternoon on a Bosphorus cruise. When the sun sets, why not enjoy our optional
Istanbul by night bolt on! With dinner, belly dancers and entertainment at a great Istanbul venue. An entertaining evening and a great way to break the ice and meet fellow travellers (transport shuttle included).
Overnight - Istanbul (B)
Anzac Digger - 5 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Day 3: Gallipoli
Istanbul - Gallipoli. A very early departure to the WW1 battlefields on Gallipoli Peninsular. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour (subject to ANZAC Cove opening hours and traffic conditions) of the evocative war memorials that dot the region, for example; Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Johnston’s Jolly, the trenches and Kabatepe - the modest ANZAC museum. Early this evening, we’ll relax at our exclusive ANZAC Eve Turkish BBQ before later taking our places amongst the many at the Dawn Service site for the atmosphere charged ANZAC Eve vigil. Overnight - Dawn Service site (ANZAC Cove) (B, L)
Day 4: ANZAC Day - Gallipoli
First light heralds a poignant bugle call and commencement of the Dawn Service. After the service and armed with your maps, you’ve a chance to independently explore many of the trenches and memorial sites as you head up to Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair for the Australian or New Zealand National services. Later this afternoon, we return to Istanbul, where upon our late evening arrival, we check into our hotel for a well-earned rest after such an emotion-filled day. (Timing on 25th April subject to coach traffic).
Overnight - Istanbul 
Day 5: 26 April - Istanbul
Thursday 26th April 2012. Our tour concludes after breakfast and hotel check out at 12noon. This morning or later today after hotel check out, opt to head over to the colossal Grand Bazaar and exotic Egyptian Spice market for some last minute souviner shopping. We hope you had a wonderful tour and memorable ANZAC experience.
Istanbul (B)
Combine ANZAC & Egypt!
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Thinking of heading to Egypt? Take a look at our exciting ANZAC Tours with Egypt which combine this 5 day Digger itinerary with our most popular tours of ancient Egypt. See the legendary Pyramids of Giza, explore the Valley of the Kings and the Tomb of Tutankhamen, sail the Nile on a felucca and soak up the sun by the Red Sea!
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Note: Istanbul sites are closed on the following days, this in NO WAY affects your touring program: Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Market - closed Sunday, Hagia Sofia - closed Monday, Topkapi Palace closed on Tuesday.
Prices & Departure Dates
Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. Due to capacity restraints we do not offer single rooms on our ANZAC tours and therefore there is no single supplement to pay. We will match up all single travelers with another fellow passenger of the same sex.
Please note that if booking pre or post tour accommodation, single travellers will need to pay the single supplement for nights booked.
Anzac Digger - 5 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Bolt-ons
Make the most of your time away! Listed below are the optional activities that are available on this trip. Please note that you will need to book these prior to travel as we cannot always guarantee availability of these activities once you are on holiday.
| When you've explored Istanbul by day, its time experience the city at night! As well as being a great way to get to know your fellow travellers, this evening out at a traditional Turkish venue includes a tasty 3 course meal and live entertainment including belly dancers. A top night out! |
Experiences
If you are interesting in trips with similar experiences to this one, then check out some of the ones we've listed below.
| Want to see how the other half live? Then take a look at our selection of tours that visit all the best palaces and forts around the world. Many of the wonderfully ornate edifices that we visit are now historical museums and sites of interest allowing you to have a good old look around. And when you've had your fill of sightseeing, it's time to live like a king and stay in one of the many hotels that have been converted from a palace or fort! |
What You See and What You Get
Below is a list of key highlights and what is included on this tour. Further, where appropriate, we have listed the items that are not included in the tour price.
Trip Highlights
- Istanbul - the old city, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sofia (exterior only) and the underground cistern
- Gallipoli Peninsular - ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine & Chunuk Bair memorials, Johnson’s Jolly, National services of Australia or New Zealand
- ANZAC Dawn service
| - Bosphorus Strait - the strategic waterway dividing Europe and Asia
- Battlefields and trenches
- National services of Australia or New Zealand
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What's Included
- 3 breakfasts PLUS our ANZAC afternoon Turkish BBQ
- Airport arrival transfer on day 1 from Ataturk International Airport at any time of day or from Sabiha Gokcen Airport at 2.30pm and 8pm.
- Afternoon Bosphorus cruise – Istanbul
- English speaking, degree qualified Turkish tour guide
- All relevant transfers and transportation
| - 3 nights 4 star and Special Class hotels
- Guided sightseeing of Istanbul including the Blue Mosque, Underground Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome and Hagia Sofia (exterior only).
- Guided sightseeing of Gallipoli, war cemetaries and battlefields (subject to site opening times set by the Anzac Day Organising Committee).
- Modern air-conditioned touring coach
- Commemorative ANZAC hoodie/ jumper
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What's Not Included
- International flights & visa
- Entrance Fees: $20-30 USD
| - Tip for your tour guide and driver. We recommend you allow $3 - 5 USD per day, per traveller to cover tips for these mentioned above. Tipping your tour guide and driver is an entirely personal gesture
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Hotels
We have listed below the accommodation most likely to be used on this tour. Please note that while we cannot guarantee that these will be the exact properties that you will stay at, any alternatives we use will be of a similar standard with similar facilities. 'Our Rating' indicates how we feel each property rates according to normal Western hotel standards. 'Local Rating' indicates how the property is categorised/rated locally.
Ibis Hotel Istanbul - Istanbul
Guest rooms are inviting, modern & cosy. Large comfy beds are a treat as is the modern well fitted bathroom. Enjoy a top all you can eat buffet every morning.
| Our Rating: Superior —
Local Rating: 4 Star Hotel
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Postcards
Here's what some of our past travellers have written in to us and said about their experiences on this trip.
Enjoyed Erol's sense of humour and knowledge which made the whole experience worth while. Thanks Erol for all your effort - Allan.
Allan Foster, May 2010
Erol's knowledge, help an preperation was first class and greatly added to our trip.
Trevor Melham, May 2010
I thought Erol's knowledge of history and info was excellent - very informative without being too "over the top". I thought he was very friendly and professional at all times. Great job!
Ruth James, May 2010
Erol was a fantastic guide. Kept me educated on local cultures and area, great love of information. Erol made this trip a fantastic journey - thanks Erol.
Jessica McFadden, May 2010
Dear on the go.
I had a great trip to Anzac Day. You guys were so well organised and our tour guide Naci was an absolute legend. I will happily recommend on the go to all my friends. I have just booked a tour to Egypt with on the go and can't wait to get there. My friends just came back from Egypt and were raving about it as I am sure I will be too. Thanks again.
John K, May 2010
Big thanks to all on the go staff. You guys rock, I have never experienced such a well organised and fun tour as the Gallipoli tour I am just back from. I have been on quite a few tours but you guys are by far the most organised I have ever experienced. Keep up the good work. I will be recommending you to all my mates. Cheers.
Ben Symons, May 2010
Dear Mark,
I would like to say a huge thank you to you and the rest of your colleagues in the London and Istanbul branch of on the go tours. We have been back from our holiday about a week now and we had a wonderful time on the ANZAC digger tour. You and all the staff I spoke to during booking and in fact on the day I arrived were very helpful. We also really liked our tour guide Errol.
Thanks for all your help and advice, we'll definately consider on the go if we decide to do another tour somewhere else in the future.
Kind regards
Pauline McInnes and Trevor Melham
Pauline McInnes and Trevor Melham, May 2010
Just wanted to let you know ANZAC & Turkey was amazing, thank you for organising everything for us. On the Go were great fun! I'm really looking forward to Croatia Sailing now.
Emily McMeekin, Apr 2010
