10 Day Anzac Day Tours From Istanbul

Begin with a pickup at your hotel or cruise port, and travel to Istanbul’s colorful Spice Bazaar, also called the Egyptian Bazaar. Browse displays of aromatic spices piled high, as locals shop for sweet lokum, Turkish delight, along with fruits, honey, and nuts.

Board a boat along the Bosphorus, which divides Istanbul’s European and Asian sides, and spot some of the city’s historic sights. Take in shoreline views of elegant wooden villas, marble palaces, and fortifications, and get a glimpse of life in small fishing communities at the edge of the water. You’ll see the Dolmabahçe Palace where Ottoman Sultans ruled, and the pavilions of Yildiz Palace. Take in the imposing marble façade of Ciragan Palace, and snap photos of Rumeli Fortress, which was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452. See Beylerbeyi Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, and Camlica Hill before coming to shore for an afternoon of shopping.

Learn about traditional silk weaving, and see jewelry, handicrafts, and leatherwear: get tips on shopping and haggling like a local from your experienced guide, and find out how to select high-quality souvenirs. This tour concludes with drop-off at your Istanbul hotel or port.

1. Istanbul: 10 Day Anzac Tour is the ideal way to see a lot of what Turkey has to offer as well as being part of the yearly pilgrimage to Gallipoli. This tour will take you to most of Turkey’s famous sights in Turkey. Start Date: 21st April Finish Date: 30 st April Starts: Istanbul Finish: Istanbul Places Visited: Istanbul – Gallipoli – Pergamon – Kusadasi – Selcuk – Ephesus – Sirince – Pamukkkale Dalyan – Koycegiz – Duration: 10 Days – 9 Nights Day One: 21st April – Arrival in Istanbul Overnight: Istanbul – 4 or 5 star hotel Once you have checked into your hotel you have the rest of the day free to explore Istanbul, you will meet your guide later that evening who will give you information and answer any questions you might have. Following this meeting we have a welcome drink for all tours starting on the 21st April and a chance for you to meet everyone Please Note: Check in times vary between hotels, normally 12:00pm; no earlier.
2. Istanbul: Day Two: 22nd April – Istanbul City Tour Overnight: Istanbul – Included: Breakfast, Guided Tour of Istanbul Optional: Gala Dinner, Bosphorus Cruise This morning we partake in a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents. Visiting the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue Iznik tiles and 6 unique minarets, Hippodrome, center of sportive (chariot races, athletics) events and political activities of the old city. Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, German Fountain of Wilhelm IIare the monuments decorating Hippodrome. Topkapi Palace The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle and enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed.
3. Gallipoli: Day Three: 23rd April – Istanbul to Gallipoli – Guided Tour of Gallipoli Overnight: Edremit Included: Breakfast & Dinner After an early breakfast we drive to the World War I Battlefield of Gallipoli stopping along the way to pick up refreshments for lunch. You will also have an opportunity to watch a movie about Gallipoli so you get a feel for the type of people who fought in this war and to help you picture conditions 104 years ago. This afternoon on a fully guided tour, you will visit, Anzac Cove, Hell Spit Cemetery, Lone Pine, The Nek, and Chunuk Bair War memorial. Your guide will reveal stories of battle woes and will bring alive the legend of the Anzac’s. By visiting the peninsula on the 23rd April we get to spend more time exploring without the crowds from other tours that arrive on the 24th. This evening we will travel to our luxurious accommodation, where an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner awaits.
4. Anzac Cove: Day Four:24th April – Relax and Prepare for Anzac Day at Gallipoli Overnight: Anzac Cove Included: Breakfast Sleep till late and rise to a full breakfast. Then the day is yours to partake in number of the many activities offered at this resort. Activities include; bathing in the waters of the outdoor pool, relaxing at the beach. Make sure you get plenty of rest because ANZAC day will be a long busy day. dinner will be served so you can fill up before departing for Gallipoli late afternoon. We arrive at Anzac Cove to ensure we get a good spot for the dawn service. Don’t forget your sleeping bags, warm clothes, wet weather gear and torches because Gallipoli is still as dark and cold tonight as it was 108 years ago when your ancestors landed. Please Note: We recommend bringing a small day pack with you to carry things around during the overnight stay and also during the day on the 25th April. You will leave your main luggage in your room in Edremit
5. Edremit: Day Five: 25th April – ANZAC Day (Gallipoli to Edremit) Overnight: Edremit Included: Dinner At first light the day begins with the Dawn Service held at the ANZAC Commemorative Site, which will be followed by the Australian and New Zealand memorial services held at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair respectively. Today is the reason you came to Turkey, to commemorate the sacrifice your forefathers have made which will run your emotions high. After visiting Gallipoli ,you may have an optional visit to the Ancient City of Troy. A world famous archaeological and mythological site, Troy is home to the “Trojan Horse” and “Helen of Troy” .We then will proceed back to your hotel in Edremit, arriving there in the late evening.
6. Kusadasi: Day Six: 26th April – Edremit to Kusadasi Overnight: Kusadasi included: Breakfast & Dinner There will be time for a lunch break before we continue on the way to the seaside town of Kusadasi. As this area boasts a reputation as one of the most important carpet weaving regions we will stop at Selçuk for a demonstration of this ancient and traditional craft. and free beers After you have checked in to your Kusadasi hotel you may have an optional traditional Turkish bath to be washed and massaged by a pair of expert hands and the rest of the day is yours to relax.
7. Ephesus Museum: Day Seven: 27th April – Visit to Ephesus Ruins & Village Of Sirince Overnight: Kusadasi Included: Breakfast & Dinner Today we will visit one of the best-preserved ruins in the world….Ephesus. First we will visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world where your guide will explain to you the significance of this important site. Following this we will make our way to Ephesus which was one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient word. We will visit the Ephesus ruins, Odeon, Celcus Library and the Theatre which is still in use today for concerts and has an amazing capacity of 25,000. As we walk through this ancient site you will notice the streets paved with marble which gives a hint to this city’s great wealth many years ago. Then we will drive to the scenic mountain side Village of Sirince and we will visit the AntiqueChurch, Mosque and Typical Turkish Houses. Şirince is very popular for its style of building, streets and hand made fruit wines
8. Pamukkale: Day Eight: 28th April – Pamukkale – Dalyan -köycegiz Overnight: Dalyan or Koycegiz Included: Breakfast, Admire the power and the beauty of nature by joining a full day excursion towards the imposing Pamukkale. This worldwide known site is listed as an UNESCO cultural heritage site due to its majestic beauty. Our Kusadasi Pamukkale Tour will take you towards this natural wonder but also towards a nearby ancient city (Hierapolis). The tour is ideal for all those who wish to explore Pamukkale and visit important sites in the area.
9. End of Tour : Day Nine: 29th April – Dalyan Overnight: Dalyan Included: Breakfast Included: Breakfast, Today after breakfast we drive for Dalyan. Once there we board a boat and we will have numerous opportunities to swim. We visit mud-baths to cover ourselves in MUCK, before jumping in to the natural thermal springs. We head for Turtle Beach for a swim where the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet. We also have the chance to see the amazing 4th century BC rock tombs located on the rock cliffs.
10. End of Tour: Day Nine: Saturday 30 th April – After breakfast our tour finishes and we bid farewell to our new-found friends. Wherever you are heading to next, undoubtedly you will take with you unforgettable memories and a new understanding of the country that plays such an important part in your history.