ANZAC Day Turkey 2027 / Option 5

Main Info:

Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights

Highlights: Istanbul, ANZAC Services, Gallipoli, Troy,

Note: This travel package is flexible prior to 23rd April & post 26th of April, 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.

23rd April 2027, Istanbul – Gallipoli Peninsula

It is important that you inform us one week prior to the start of your package if you intend to forfeit your bus trip and intend getting to Eceabat on your own from another destination. We ask that people who have already stated this in previous emails still contact us one week prior to confirm their plans.

Pick-up in Istanbul : 06:00 : Meet your bus group in front of the Hagia Sofia Mosque (pink mosque), opposite the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet, Istanbul. Look for our representative holding the TJs TOURS sign. Bus times are essential. The buses can wait for no-one.

Please be on your bus at least 10 minutes prior to stated times for immediate departure. 

The offsiders will mark your attendance for boarding purposes.                                                          

07:00 Depart for Eceabat from Istanbul. There will be a comfort stop half way at a station/cafeteria, where you can buy snacks. Quick check in to accommodation. Lunch at a local restaurant & commencing Gallipoli tour.

Drive to the Gallipoli Battlefields & ANZAC sites. 5 hour tour visiting:

• Brighton Beach

• Beach Cemetery (John Simpson’s grave)

• ANZAC Cove

• Ari Burnu – first ANZAC landing place

• Dawn Service Site – seeing the layout will give you an idea of where to head for good views

• Lone Pine – main Australian memorial

• Johnson’s Jolly – walk in the original ANZAC & Turkish trenches & view the tunnels

• Turkish memorial

• The Nek – main scene depicted in the movie Gallipoli

• Chunuk Bair – main memorial for the New Zealand soldiers

Return to TJs TOURS Agency & Hotel.

Overnight in Eceabat / Canakkale

24th April 2027,  Guided Tour of Troy

Tour departs at 07.30am from TJs Hotel in Eceabat where you will cross the famous Dardanelle waters and proceed to the ancient site of Troy, 36km south of Çanakkale.

Our local english speaking guide will tour you around the 9 city ruins on the site of Troy explaining the people from the era, their houses and culture and the reason for the final destruction of each city.

The commentary is filled with mythical stories of the site and surrounding areas while filling you in on the history of the excavations, the excavators and their findings.

At the site you’ll be shown around:

•           A replica of the wooden horse that you can climb into for a photo.

•           Excavation information centre which holds exhibits from the work underway.

•           The fortification walls of Troy Vl with its tower and gateway entrance.

•           Temple of Athena – the focal point of a great annual festival in honour of the goddess Athena.

•           Schliemann’s trench – the discoverer of Troy? 

•           The entrance ramp to Troy ll.

•           The sanctuary – an important religious centre of its time.

•           The odeon – intended for the presentation of musical performances.

•           Current excavations in progress.

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

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 buses depart for Eceabat, where you will check into your accommodation, have a shower & a well-deserved sleep.

19:30 Screening of the Gallipoli movie.

Overnight in Eceabat / Canakkale

NOTES : Attendees should be prepared to do a lot of walking, up to 8km during your time at the commemorations, including up steep terrain, along paved and unpaved dirt roads. A moderate level of fitness is recommended.

Accessibility shuttles are available for attendees with accessibility requirements, or who do not believe they can walk the 8km.

26th April 2027, Gallipoli Peninsula – Istanbul

08:00 – 10:00 Breakfast awaits.

11:00 Depart for Istanbul. Bus will drop you off as close to possible to your choice of accommodation in Istanbul. There will be a comfort stop en-route. End of tour.

OPTION 5 : 4 days : £ 750 GBP

Included in option 5:

• ANZAC Day services
• Fully guided Gallipoli tour
• Entrance included
• Fully guided Troy tour
• Turkish/English speaking guide on bus
• Private coach, return Istanbul (+12 GBP for Selcuk or Kusadasi)
• 3 nights accommodation
• 3 breakfast
• 1 restaurant lunch
• Video screenings

Exclusions :

Tips to captain & crew are made at the travellers discretion

Evening meals

Drinks & meals which are not listed in the itinerary