Tour Itinerary

Saturday 19 Apr (Day 1) - Travel 
Departure from USA airports for overnight flight to arrive mid-day at Istanbul, Turkey.

Sunday, 20  Apr (Day 2) - Arrive Istanbul
Welcome to this special tour! Please make your own way to our tour hotel, The Kent Hotel Istanbul. Check in time is from 3pm.  This evening, the group will come together for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant overlooking some of Istanbul’s most famous sites, a great way to get to know each other better. (Meal: D—Dinner)

Monday, 21 Apr (Day 3) - Istanbul to Gallipoli
This morning we depart Istanbul and drive to the Gallipoli peninsula. As we travel along the shores of the Sea of Marmara, we will discuss the history of the campaign and the vital importance of the waters of the Dardanelles to the aims and outcomes of the battle. On arrival in the seaside town of Çanakkale we will visit the old Turkish fort at Cimenlik, which played a key role in the naval attacks of March 1915. Check into the Buyuk Truva Hotel, Canakkale. (Meals: B, L

Tuesday, 22 Apr (Day 4) - Anzac Sector
Today we will explore the scene of famous actions during the Gallipoli Campaign, such as ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine, Quinn’s Post, The Nek, Chunuk Bair and many more. As the story of the campaign unfolds, we will learn the stories of the men who were there, on the ground where they fought and died including the legendary John Simpson, the “man with the donkey.” We end this memorable day with a free evening in Çanakkale, (Meals: B, L)

Wednesday, 23 Apr (Day 5) - Cape Helles & Suvla Bay 
Today we will head to Cape Helles, located on the southern toe of the peninsula. We will explore the British and French battlefields, the scene of more than 30,000 deaths in just 10 months of fighting. While here we will explore V Beach, W Beach the Cape Helles Memorial, Achi Baba, and many more famous battlefields. We will also explore the forgotten ANZAC attack at Krithia, as well as seeing several hidden sites not normally accessible by tourists. Whilst in the area we will enjoy lunch at a wonderful local restaurant in Eceabat. In the afternoon, we will head north and explore the battlefield of Suvla, the scene of a new landing but familiar disappointment in August 1915. The key sites we will visit today include the battlefields at Hill 60, Lala Baba, Scimitar Hill, Green/Chocolate Hill and more. (Meals: B, L)

Thursday, 24 Apr (Day 6) - Troy Excursion
The pace will be relaxed today to prepare for our busy day tomorrow. In the morning we will travel south to tour the ancient city of Troy, immortalised in the tales of the Trojan War and the story of the famous Trojan Horse. Lunch will be at a local restaurant and this afternoon we will have time at leisure, a chance to rest before a long night and day ahead. In the evening we will depart for the Anzac Day Dawn Service. (B, L)
Friday, 25 Apr (Day 7) - Anzac Day & Official Dawn Service
An Anzac Day you will never forget! We will continue our transfer to the Anzac Commemorative Site by coach. As the dawn breaks over the Gallipoli peninsula, we will join thousands of fellow Australians and New Zealanders in a once-in-a-lifetime event, the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove. As the sun rises behind us, the strains of the Last Post will echo across the valleys and ridges of Gallipoli, silent now but once the scene of so much sacrifice and tragedy.
Following the Dawn service it’s time to strap up our walking boots on as we follow the well-trodden paths of Gallipoli and see the battlefield as the Aussies & Kiwis did. Our walk will take us up Shrapnel Valley, onto Braund’s Hill and along the ridgelines towards the front line at Lone Pine. During this walk we will be following in the footsteps of the ANZACs and gaining a fascinating new perspective on the battlefield. We reach Second Ridge to Lone Pine where the Australians in our group will attend the Australian service, while the New Zealanders in our group will continue to Chunuk Bair for the New Zealand service. After the service we leave the peninsula and return to our hotel. (Snack box)

Saturday, 26 Apr (Day 8) - Gallipoli to Istanbul
We depart Gallipoli this morning for Istanbul. At the end of the day we take a cruise along the Bosphorus River, the waterway that separates Asia and Europe. It  provides a perfect opportunity to see the wonderful sights of Istanbul from the water. This evening we will enjoy a Farewell Dinner on the cruise a perfect way to end this amazing tour. (Meals: B, D)

Sunday, 27 Apr (Day 9) - Depart Istanbul
Unfortunately this morning after breakfast our tour comes to an end. The day is at leisure to meet departure travel arrangements. (Meal: B)