ANZAC Day & Istanbul - 5 Days

ANZAC Day & Istanbul - 5 Days

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5 Days From

$1265

ANZAC Day & Istanbul - 5 Days

5 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul, Turkey

Visiting: Istanbul, Gallipoli

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

2552/ADI

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 32

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

16-

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Special Events

From: $1265

NB: Prices correct on 22-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating 5-day journey through Turkey with the "ANZAC Day & Istanbul" tour. Begin your adventure in the vibrant city of Istanbul, where you'll explore iconic landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the bustling Grand Bazaar. Experience the poignant ANZAC Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula, attending the moving Dawn Service and visiting historic sites like ANZAC Cove and the Lone Pine Memorial. Cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, taking in the stunning views of Ottoman architecture and the city skyline. Enjoy guided sightseeing and independent exploration, with comfortable 4-star accommodations and an English-speaking tour organizer to enhance your experience. This small group tour offers a unique blend of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery, making it an unforgettable journey.

Highlights

  • Istanbul - Explore the iconic Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sofia, and the Underground Cistern.

  • Attend the ANZAC eve vigil on the Gallipoli Peninsula and the Dawn Service.

  • Discover the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Market in Istanbul.

  • Visit ANZAC Cove, memorials, trenches, and battlefields on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

  • Cruise the Bosphorus Strait, enjoying views of the city skyline and Ottoman architecture.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Istanbul

Location: Istanbul

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Wed 23 April 2025. Welcome to Turkey. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the incredible city of Istanbul. Istanbul is easy to get around on foot and there are plenty of attractions dotted about the old city known as Sultanahmet. Maybe head to the Grand Bazaar or the Egyptian Spice Market, both open today! This evening after our welcome meeting opt for a drink in the bar, a great way to break the ice and meet fellow travellers.

Day 2: Canakkale

Location: Gallipoli

Accommodation Name: Dawn Service site (ANZAC Cove)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Istanbul - Gallipoli. Spend the morning at leisure in Istanbul. This afternoon we drive to Gallipoli. En route to the peninsula we'll stop for a bite to eat, stretch our legs and stock up on supplies for the evening ahead. Upon arrival (exact time subject to Dawn Service Site opening hours) you will be given instructions about where to meet with your coach on 25 April, after the services have concluded. Once we're in Anzac Cove you are free to visit the memorials and trenches that dot the area before taking our places amongst the many at the Dawn Service site for the atmosphere-charged ANZAC Eve vigil.

Day 3: Anzac Day - Gallipoli

Location: Gallipoli

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Gallipoli - Istanbul. A poignant bugle call along with first light heralds the start of the Dawn Service. Lasting around an hour, the service is a special and moving experience and it's possible to lay a wreath at ANZAC Memorial site after the service has concluded. Later this morning Australians have the opportunity to pay their respects at the Lone Pine Memorial Service, while New Zealanders can attend the service at Chunuk Bair. After the Chunuk Bair service we anticipate an early afternoon departure time from Gallipoli, for our return journey to Istanbul. Please note: the 2025 national memorial services at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair are subject to confirmation.

Day 4: Istanbul

Location: Istanbul

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Istanbul. We spend the morning cruising the amazing Bosphorus strait, the geographical divide between Europe and Asia. After the cruise we take in the highlights of the old city on a guided sightseeing tour, including the stunning Iznik tiled Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome area, the 6th century Hagia Sophia (exterior only), the ancient Underground Cistern and more. This afternoon there's time for you to explore the mammoth Grand Bazaar and exotic Egyptian Spice Market. Afterwards, you can opt to stay and experience the old city by night or return to the hotel.

Day 5: 27 April - Istanbul

Location: Istanbul

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Sun 27 April 2025. Istanbul. Enjoy breakfast, and get ready for hotel check-out at 12 noon. This marks the end of a memorable 5 day ANZAC experience.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    4 star

  • Guided sightseeing of Istanbul

    Enjoy guided sightseeing of Istanbul including Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Underground Cistern, Hippodrome, and Hagia Sophia.

  • Morning cruise along the Bosphorus

    Experience a morning cruise along the Bosphorus in Istanbul.

  • 3 breakfasts

    The tour includes 3 breakfasts during your stay.

  • 3 nights 4 star hotels

    Stay for 3 nights in 4-star hotels.

  • 1 night at the Dawn Service site

    Spend 1 night at the Dawn Service site.

  • English speaking tour organiser

    An English speaking tour organiser will accompany you.

  • Airport arrival transfer

    Airport arrival transfer on day 1 from Istanbul International Airport at any time, or from Sabiha Gokcen Airport at 11am and 3pm only.

  • Modern air-conditioned touring coach

    Travel in a modern air-conditioned touring coach.

  • Maximum Group Size

    The tour has a maximum group size of 32 persons.

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visa

    International flights and visa are not included in the tour package.

  • Attendance Pass for ANZAC

    Attendance Pass for ANZAC is not included.

    These are free of charge but need to be registered for in advance.

  • Tips for tour organiser and driver

    Tips for your tour organiser and driver are not included.

    As a guideline, budget EUR €3 - 5 per day, per traveller for your tour organiser and EUR €2 per day, per traveller for your driver.

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees are not included and are estimated at EUR€110-115 per person, paid in EUR.

Age Policy

18yrs or 16yrs accompanied by an adult

Mode of Transport

Travel in a modern, air-conditioned touring coach with an airport arrival transfer included. Enjoy a morning cruise along the Bosphorus and explore Istanbul with ease.

Accommodation

Enjoy 3 nights in 4-star hotels in Istanbul, offering comfort and convenience, and experience a unique overnight stay at the Dawn Service site on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Check out our Q&As

  • What is the maximum group size for the ANZAC Day & Istanbul tour?

    The maximum group size for the tour is 32 persons.

  • Is there an airport transfer included in the tour package?

    Yes, an airport arrival transfer is included on day 1 from Istanbul International Airport at any time, or from Sabiha Gokcen Airport at 11am and 3pm only.

  • Are meals included during the tour?

    The tour includes 3 breakfasts.

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 3 nights in 4-star hotels and 1 night at the Dawn Service site.

  • Is there a guided tour included in Istanbul?

    Yes, there is guided sightseeing of Istanbul including Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Underground Cistern, Hippodrome, and Hagia Sophia.

  • Will there be a cruise during the tour?

    Yes, there is a morning cruise along the Bosphorus in Istanbul included in the tour.

  • Do I need to register for an attendance pass for the ANZAC Day services?

    Yes, you need to register for an attendance pass for the ANZAC Day services. These passes are free of charge but need to be registered for in advance.

  • Are entrance fees included in the tour price?

    No, entrance fees are not included. They are approximately EUR €110-115 per person, paid in EUR.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

Land of the Northern Lights 5 day tour of Iceland

10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away.

Simla Patel (Google Reviewer)  

This company doesn’t deserve even...

26-Nov-2024

This company doesn’t deserve even 1 star. I would not recommend this company. There are hidden fees which means the cost of the holiday ends up being very expensive. We recently came back from our trip to China where it is not customary to tip in restaurants & hotel staff. Yet we had to make a payment upfront in cash to to the guide for more than £100. The hotel service was appalling. Just think £100 from each person. The trip was suppose to be a Tour yet we had to pay for all entrance fees. We complained about the poor condition of the hotels but no one responded to our emails to date. The after sales service is non existent. Do not use this company. Far far too expensive for what you get. Not competitive at all. They messed up our booking; repeatedly asked for the same information. We spent so much time correcting their errors. Very difficult to get hold of anyone because they all work in S Africa or New Zealand. Absolute nightmare

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

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Wednesday - Sunday

Apr 23, 2025 - Apr 27, 2025
$1265
Prices last published on 22-Dec-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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