ANZAC Day Turkey 2027 / Option 6

 OPTION 6 : ANZAC DAY / TURKEY ITINERARY  

 Tour provided by TJs TOURS

AN EXPERIENCE YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!

Note: This travel package is flexible prior to 19th  April & post 11th of May, if you intend to arrive anywhere outside the below dates we can accommodate your travel needs be it hotels, transport, day tours, airport transfers or simply any assistance you might need during your stay.

The dates for this tour lend itself to those who would be happy to spend a respectful day at the services.

Day 1 : 19.04.2027.  Arrival to Istanbul

Arrive and transfer to Istanbul Hotel

19.30 Meet at the hotel reception

20.00 Welcome Dinner at a Traditional Restaurant in the old City.

Overnight in Istanbul (HB) (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 2 : 20.04.2027.   Istanbul City Tour

Full day guided tour of the city including:  Topkapi Palace (harem optional extra),

Saint Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Underground Cisterns and the Hippodrome.

You’ll be blown away by the grandeur of it all.

A sumptuous lunch is included in your tour today.

Overnight in Istanbul (HB) (Breakfast, Lunch )

Day 3 : 21.04.2027.   Bosphorus Cruise

Spend the day cruising the Bosphorus with our guide to the Black Sea, enjoying Ottoman architecture and lunching in the charming fishing village of Anadolu Kavagi.

Return to Eminonu and visit the Spice Bazaar.

Overnight in Istanbul (BB) (Breakfast)

Day 4 : 22.04.2027.   Istanbul – Edirne –  Eceabat

08.00 Depart Hotel for full day guided of Edirne, a city in the northwest of Turkey. 

Visiting:

• the 16th-century Selimiye Mosque, built by architect Mimar Sinan. It is considered an Ottoman classic, with a large dome and 4 minarets.
• Complex of Sultan Bayezid II Health Museum, contains a Dar al-Shifa (Turkish darüşşifa, “hospital, medical center”), and it remained in operation for four centuries from 1488 until the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78). The hospital was especially notable for its treatment methods for mental disorders, which included the use of music, water, sound and scents.

Lunch in Edirne.

Continue to Eceabat and check into TJs Hotel.

Overnight in Eceabat / Canakkale (HB)  (Breakfast)

Day 5 : 23.04.2027.   Tour of Gallipoli

08.00  Breakfast at TJs Hotel

09.30   Depart TJs Hotel for a fully guided Gallipoli tour.

On tour you’ll visit:

• Gallipoli – Kabatepe War Museum & Simulation Centre
• Beach Cemetery (John Simpson’s Grave)
• ANZAC Cove
• Ari Burnu (First ANZAC landing place)
• Lone Pine Cemetery (Australian memorial)
• Johnston’s Jolly (Walk in the ANZAC trenches) – view Shrapnel Valley
• Turkish Memorial
• The Nek(Light Horse scene depicted in the Gallipoli movie) &Walker’s Ridge
• Chunuk Bair (Main New Zealand memorial)
• Return to accommodation for night viewing of the Gallipoli movie.

Overnight in Eceabat  /  Canakkale (BB)  (Breakfast, Lunch )

Day 6 : 24.04.2027,   Cross the Dardanelle Straits

8.00–10.00 Breakfast awaits.

Today gives you a chance to see the interantional service in Cape Helles.

The rest of the day is free for you to do as you please.

A good sleep in the late afternoon is recommended.

Take the opportunity to experience a traditional Turkish bath, check out the town of Eceabat, walk to the castle in the next village and stock up on munchies for the big day to come.

21:00 Join the convoy of TJs TOURS buses for departure to the Dawn Service site where we will grab a space in the large crowd and wait, listening to the pre dawn program.

Day 7 : 25th April 2027, ANZAC Day Services

01:30 am: Pre-Service program commences 

03:00 am: Last entry prior to temporary road closure. Entry to the Anzac Commemorative Site ceases

05:00 am: Spirit of Place commences

05:30 Dawn Service commences as the sun breaks the skyline behind the Turkish Sphinx.

07:30 While waiting for your walk to the next service you can eat breakfast on the grass with the group. 10:00 am: Lone Pine Australian Memorial Service

11:30 am: Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial Service

01:00 pm: Coach loading commences from Chunuk Bair (Hill 261)

Due to the timing of the Australian Service at Lone Pine Cemetery, and the New Zealand Service at Chunuk Bair, you will only be able to attend one service.

Late afternoon : End of services. Buses depart for Eceabat

Day 8 : 26.04.2027.   Cultural Tour

07.00  Breakfast at TJs Hotel

07.30   Depart for full day tour

08.00   Ferry crossing from Eceabat to Çanakkale over the famous Dardanelle waters.

08.30   Arrival in Çanakkale. Drive to the site of Troy, 36km to the south.

TROY : the historic home of the Trojan wars. View the remains of  9 city levels destroyed over time by both human and natural disasters. Hear the stories of  the myth and the history behind the ongoing excavations.

ALEXANDRIA TROAS, once considered by Constantine to be named the capital of the Roman empire, only a few structures exist today, including a ruined bath, gymnasium complex and a recently uncovered stadium. But these attest to its former importance as a significant port for traveling between Anatolia and Europe.

Roadside stop to view TUZLA DAGI, an active volcanic mountain with a surface of salt stretching out from its base which has been collected for years by locals to use in their cooking.

Late evening departure for your accommodation.

TEMPLE of APOLLO SMINTHEUS in the town of Gulpinar. Built by the people of the Troad as a testament to Apollo, king of Tenedos and patron god of Chryse (known now as Bozcaada and Gulpinar) for siding with the Anatolians in the Trojan war. The figured elements here depicting the Trojan War, as described by Homer, makes this place unique. 

BABAKALE, the most western point of Asian Turkey. Visit the last castle built during the Ottoman Empire in 1723.

BALABANLI  VILLAGE : TJ’s home village.

Wander the traditional village to see

the old wheat crushing wheel, the thatched-roof summer houses for the sheep and more.

ASSOS : A traditional, stone-house village, set upon a mountainside with a beautiful harbour down the bottom, overlooking the island of  Lesvos. Tour the Temple of Athena on the highest point of the mountain and have Turkish tea at a local Çay (tea) House which has an extraordinary set of coffee tables to sit at.

Overnight in Assos (FB) – (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 9 : Day 27.04.2027.       Pergamum – Kusadasi

08.00  Breakfast at your accommodatıon

09.00  Depart for full day guided tour

Drive to the site of Pergamum, 223,8 km to the south.

Continue to PERGAMUM ACROPOLIS.

Visit ATHENA and TROJAN TEMPLES, TEMPLE of ZEUS,TEMPLE of DIONYSOS, GYMNASIUM of YOUTH, ODEON, LIBRARY, AGORA, GREAT THEATRE and ROMAN BATH.

Currently, known for its cotton, gold, and fine carpets, the city was the ancient Greek and Roman cultural centre of Pergamon. Its wealth of ancient ruins continues to attract considerable tourist interest today, although its famous Temple has been moved to the Pergamon Museum, in Berlin, Germany.

Lunch ın Pergamum and Drive to Kusadasi.

Overnight in Kusadasi (FB) (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 10 : 28.04.2027. Ephesus Tour

07.00  Breakfast at your accommodation

07.30  Depart for full day guided Ephesus tour

• Drive to Selcuk and see the gigantic Temple of Artemis which was one of the Seven Wonders of the world.
• Then stroll in the world-famous Ancient City of Ephesus, including the Arcadian Way, the Roman Baths, Temple of Hadrian, the Celcus Library and the Antique Theater.
• Afternoon visit to the Shrine of Virgin Mary, where she lived her last years.

Overnight in Kusadasi (FB) (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 11 : 29.04.2027.  Kusadasi – Pamukkale

08.00  Breakfast at your accommodation

09.00  Depart for full day guided tour, travelling north to Pamukkale.

  Climb the limestone travertines. Visit the heirpopolis. Time for an optional extra to swim in the bubbling mineral pools among ancient ruins, believed to have healing properties. Enjoy the sunset over this calcified mountain.

Overnight in Pamukkale (FB)  (Breakfst, Lunch and Dinner )

Day 12 : 30.04.2027.    Pamukkale to Fethiye

08.00  Breakfast at your accommodation

09.00  Depart for Fethiye

Enjoy a walk around the fabulous Harbour in Fethiye, full of cruise boats and yachts and delight at the goodies in the beautiful shops. A magical harbour at night.

Check in your Hotel. (FB) (Breakfst, Lunch and Dinner )

Day 13 : 01.05.2027.   Oludeniz – Boat Cruise

08.30  Breakfast at your accommodation

09.30  Depart for Boat Cruise

The Boat Cruise will visit :

• Blue Cave
• Butterfly Valley
• Aquarium Bay
• The sunken city St.Nicholas Island
• Cold Water Spring Bay
• Camel Beach.

Return to Hotel. (HB)  (Breakfst, Lunch and Dinner )

Optional extra : Paragliding  – before the Boat Cruise You’re attached to an instructor.

Day 14 : 02.05.2027.  Kaya Koy – Dalyan – Mud Bath

08.30  Breakfast at your accommodation
09.30  Depart for full Day Trip

• Wander the abandoned Greek Village of Kayakoy
• Take the short drive to Dalyan.
• Take a boat trip through the reeded waterways out to the beach of Iztuzu famous as a breeding ground for the Loggerhead turtle.
• Have your feet exfoliated by fish before or after a dip in the natural mud pools and healing sulphur hot pool.
• Return to Hotel. (BB)  (Breakfst,  Dinner )

Day 15 : 03.05.2027,  Fethiye – Kas

08.30  Breakfast at your accommodation                                                                                         

09.30  Depart for full Day Trip with more stunning scenery as we drive past sparkling turquoise waters, stopping to venture through the cooling waters of  Saklikent Gorge then drive to Kas, a small bustling port with a relaxed atmosphere.                                                             

Check in your Hotel in Kas (BB)    (Breakfast)

Day 16 : 04.05.2027. Day crossing to the Greek Island of Kastellorizo

08.00  Breakfast at your accommodation

09.00  Depart for Greek Island (Kastellorizo)

• Catch a ferry to Greek Island (Kastellorizo)
• Spend time on the island.
• Experience a boat trip to the blue cave
• Lunch is not included today as there are many options, imcluding seafood.

Late afternoon return to your Hotel in Kas (BB) (Breakfast )

Day 17 : 05.05.2027.     Kas – Olympos

08.00  Breakfast at your accommodation

09.00  Depart for Ucagiz.

10.30  We will take a boat trip out onto the turquoise waters to explore the nearby islands including the sunken village of Kekova.

16.30 Drive down to Olympos.

Check into your treehouse/cabin accommodation in Olympos. (FB)  (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 18 : 06.05.2027.      Olympos – Cappadocia via Konya

07.30  Breakfast at your accommodation

09.30  Depart for Konya, where you’ll visit the Mevlana Museum;  centre of the Whirling Dervish Religion.

           Continue on to Goreme, in the heart of Cappadocia.

Check into your accommodation in Goreme. (BB) – (Breakfast)

Day 19 : 07.05.2027,  Guided Tour of Cappadocia

08.00  Breakfast at your accommodation

09.00  Depart for Full day guided tour of the wonderful fairyland of Cappadocia. 

• Visit the open air museum on our doorstep.
• Explore the network of an underground village, which housed 7000 people during the persecution period.
• Day one concludes in Avanos, a picturesque town on the river that supplies clay for the 4000 year-old Avanos tradition of pottery. A kick-wheel demonstration by a local potter and your chance at trying this ancient custom brings our day to an end.

Return to your accommodation in Goreme. (BB) (Breakfast, Lunch )

Day 20 : 08.05.2027,   Balloon Tour  – Ankara

• Early sunrise balloon flight. Fly over the spectacular surrealistic landscapes of Cappadocia. Gently drift over and between fairy chimneys, pigeon houses hewn into the unique rock formations, orchards and vineyards – through impressive valleys, each with distinctive rock formations, colours and features – and then float up over rippled ravines for breath-taking views over the region.

Direct drive to Ankara, the capital of Turkey.

Overnight in Ankara. BB ( Breakfast )

Day 21 : 09.05.2027. Ankara to Istanbul

Breakfast at your accommodation

visit to the fascinating Mausoleum of Ataturk.

Depart for istanbul.

Arrive Istanbul and check into your Hotel

Overnight In Istanbul (BB) – (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 22 : 10.05.2027.      Grand Bazaar  and Farewell Dinner

09.00  Breakfast at your accommodation

10.00  Depart for Grand Bazaar.

19.30 Meet at the reception for the Night Bosphorus Cruise. 

   Farewell Dinner with unlimited drinks on the Boat – includes a local, interactive folk dance performance in traditional costume and a belly dancer..

Overnight In Istanbul (HB) –  (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 23 : 11.05.2027.    Hotel to Airport

Depart Hotel for Istanbul international Airport.

END OF TOUR….!

Tour inclusions and exclusions  :

Tour includes:

• Transport – bus, ferry, cruise boats, petrol, tolls, parking, driver and off-sider.
• Airport transfers
• Accommodation – 22 nights
• Breakfast included with accommodation.
• Lunch and dinners included were specified on itinerary.

Please note: FB = Full board = breakfast, Lunch & dinner.

Drinks not included unless specified on itinerary.

 All guided tours stipulated on itinerary include English-speaking guide and museum entrances.                                                                                                                  

Cruise/boat tours

– Bosphorus Night Cruise  –  Bosphorus Day Cruise –  Kekova Boat cruise  – Fethiye Boat Cruise                                            – Greek Island Ferry & blue cave boat tour  –  Dalyan  cruise                                                                                    

Tour Excludes:

* International flight tickets to/from Istanbul

* Drinks with meals, unless stipulated on itinerary.

* Balloon flight