Anzac Uncovered - 6 days

Starts: 21st April. A unique tour that takes an indepth look at the many battlefields, memorials and strategic military points of the Gallipoli Peninsular. Plus Istanbul sightseeing and a cruise on the Bosphorus.

Day 1: 21 April - Istanbul
Thursday 21st April 2011. 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 our guided city tour taking in the hippodrome area, exotic Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia - Emperor Justinian's grand basilica Topkapi Palace and more. This afternoon, if time allows, consider wandering around the huge Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice market! Overnight - Istanbul (B)
Anzac Uncovered - 6 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Girls in one of the WW1 trenches in Gallipoli
Day 3: Touring of Anzac Cove
Istanbul - Gallipoli. An early morning departure to the WW1 battlefields on the Gallipoli Peninsular. The futile campaign, infamously known as Gallipoli, is poignantly etched in history. In the fierce struggle for Turkish territory, thousands perished as the odds were resolutely stacked against them. The Turks sustained terrible losses. Thousands of Australian, New Zealand, British, French and Indian Allied troops also died. Today, we tour the region with ease and without the crowd, as most ANZAC pilgrims will descend upon the peninsular tomorrow. Walk in the footsteps of the ANZAC’s with visits to ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly, the trenches and Kabatepe - the modest ANZAC museum. Early evening we cross the Dardanelles at the point known as the Narrows by ferry and drive onward to the small village of Kucuk Kuyu (B, D)
Day 4: Turkish Airforce Display, Anzac Eve, overnight hotel
Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsular, we attend the Turkish International Service and watch the Turkish Air Force display at Mehmetcik Abide. Afterward we visit the small fishing village of Kilitbahir and tour the impressive Kilitbahir Fort. Kilitbahir - meaning lock of the sea, duly living up to its name. The fort was built in 1453 by Mehmet II the Conqueror, as part of his successful siege on Constantinople. Many of the navel battle of the Dardanelles in the Gallipoli campaign took place here, from the strategically placed fort prior to the army landings. After we sit down to relax at our exclusive ANZAC Eve Turkish BBQ before again crossing the Dardenelles for a leisurely evening in our hotel. Overnight - Kucuk Kuyu (B, L, D)
Crowds on ANZAC Day in Gallipoli
Day 5: ANZAC Day - Gallipoli
Hotel breakfast box. Returning to the battlefields (departing our hotel at approx 01:00am) allows us time to soak up the atmosphere at the Dawn Service site. First light heralds a poignant bugle call and commencement of the Dawn Service. After the service, you can take time to independently explore the trenches and memorial sites before walking to the Australian Memorial Service at Lone Pine or New Zealand Memorial Service, Chunuk Bair. The service at Chunuk Bair usually starts about an hour after the Australian service at Lone Pine. If you’re a Kiwi, head straight to Chunuk Bair. Later this afternoon, we’ll journey back to Istanbul, arriving late in the evening and in need of a well- deserved rest after an emotion-filled day at Gallipoli. (Timing on 25 April subject to coach traffic) Overnight - Istanbul (B)
Day 6: 26 April - Istanbul
Tuesday 26th April 2011. Istanbul. After breakfast - approx 09:00, join us for a 2 hour cruise along the Bosphorus - the strait that divides European from Asian Istanbul. Returning to the hotel before 12noon and hotel check-out. This marks the end of a memorable ANZAC experience. (B)

Heading to Egypt?
Combine ANZAC day in Turkey with the best of ancient Egypt - taking in the legendary Pyramids of Giza, treasures of King Tutankhamen and the Valley of the Kings.

Check out our 6 day Pharaohs Adventure or 10 day Egypt Unplugged tours, both perfectly timed to start Tue 26th April 2010, giving you a day to travel from Turkey to Egypt before your Egyptian Adventure begins.

Please 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.