Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours | Tours

Anzac Day at Gallipoli
8 Nights 19-27 April 2009 $2350*

Pay your respects to the original Anzacs at Gallipoli, the place where the Anzac legend was born. Our tour includes the Anzac Day Dawn Service, plus a full tour of the key battle sites across the peninsula with noted historian Glenn Wahlert . An experience not to be missed!

Features and Inclusions:

3 nights First-Class accommodation in Istanbul
5 nights First-Class accommodation in the Canakkale region
Private airport transfer on arrival in Istanbul
Breakfast daily, 6 dinners, 3 lunches
Full day sightseeing tour of Istanbul
Extensive touring of the Gallipoli battlefields
Visit to ancient Troy
Services of an experienced Tour Guide/Historian
Anzac Day Dawn Service
Australian or New Zealand National Services at Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair
Welcome drink in Istanbul
Travel by First-Class air-conditioned coaches
End of tour tips to guides and driver
Entrance fees as per itinerary, services, hotel porterage, tips, local taxes

DAY 1 19 APRIL

Welcome to Istanbul, the only city on earth that embraces two continents, Europe and Asia. Early this afternoon we have included a cruise on the Bosphorus, the winding strait that separates Europe and Asia, past shore-front wooden villas, marble palaces and rustic stone fortresses. This evening, become acquainted with our travelling companions and tour guide over a welcome drink.

DAY 2 20 APRIL (ISTANBUL)

We’ve included a full day of sightseeing today, visiting the Blue Mosque, one of the world’s great religious sites, and one of the most splendid mosques in Istanbul; the Byzantine Hippodrome, known as the Sultanahmet Square and the nearby Yerabatan Cisterns. Built in the fourth century, these underground cisterns riddle the foundations of the city. They have been extensively excavated and renovated and the piped classical music heightens this unique experience. We also visit Topkapi Palace, (formerly the Sultan’s Palace) home to the treasures of the Ottoman empire and one of the most important historical sites in Istanbul. Spend the afternoon in the famous Grand Bazaar, a maze of 65 winding, covered streets and arguably the most famous covered market in the world. (B)

DAY 3 21 APRIL (GALLIPOLI)

A very relaxing start as we depart Istanbul for the 5-hour drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula. After lunch in Eceabat town we follow the coast to Kilitbahir and visit the imposing castle, one of two castles built in 1451 by Sultan Mehmet II guarding the Narrows of the Dardanelles, and take in the splendid views across to Asia. We have included a special visit to the Ataturk museum in Camyayla, where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk lived whilst overseeing the Gallipoli campaign. Later we catch the ferry across the Dardanelles to Canakkale and visit the second castle, Cimenlik. In March 1915 this fort contained heavy artillery, which engaged allied warships in the strait. Beside the fort today is the Turkish navy’s minelayer, Nusrat, whose undetected mine laying activities led to the sinking of Allied warships on 18 March 1915. It was the failure of this naval attempt to force their way through the Dardanelles that led to the poorly supported assault on Gallipoli with ground forces. The Cimenlik War Museum is located within the walls of the castle and is home to relics relating to the Gallipoli Campaign and earlier historical periods. Our hotel is located a short drive from Canakkale town, a bustling port that comes alive in these days before the ANZAC Commemorations, and we stay here over the next 5 nights. This allows us two full, uninterrupted sightseeing days on the Gallipoli Peninsula ahead of all the masses and crowds that later descend into the area for the moving services and tributes. (B,D)

DAY 4 22 APRIL (GALLIPOLI)

Our Gallipoli campaign begins today as we cross over to the Peninsula, and focus on the memorials and commemorative sites of the British battlefield of Cape Helles. In particular we take in the Turkish ‘Canakkale Martyrs’ Memorial, dramatically overlooking Morto Bay, V Beach Cemetery, the French Memorial and the Helles Memorial inscribed with the names of British soldiers who fell in this sector and have no known grave. Enjoy a packed lunch in the picturesque little fishing port of Seddulbahir. Our last stop will be the Kapatebe War Museum with its collection of war relics. (B,L,D)

DAY 5 23 APRIL (GALLIPOLI)

Today — the Anzacs! As you enter this almost barren land, you can still sense the heartache that once dominated the landscape. First you will spend time at the Anzac commemorative site, Anzac Cove, Shrapnel Valley and Beach Cemetery – burial place of the most legendary soldier of the campaign, Private John Simpson, the ‘man with the donkey’. Later you will visit the Anzac Memorials at Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Hill 60, Walker’s Ridge, the Nek and the surrounding trenches. A buffet lunch has been included. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 24 APRIL (GALLIPOLI)

Today the choice is ours! You can either spend the morning relaxing in our hotel or in nearby Canakkale town charging our batteries ready for the early commemorations tomorrow, or return with us to the Gallipoli battlefields. This afternoon we have also included an excursion to the ancient city of Troy, site of the mythological battle Homer immortalized in The Illiad, which dates back to 3000 BC. (B,D)

DAY 7 25 APRIL (GALLIPOLI, ANZAC DAY)

Departure from our hotel is scheduled before midnight to ensure we arrive at the Anzac commemorative site in ample time for the Dawn Service at 5.30am (and to allow for road closures and traffic hold-ups caused by the huge numbers making their way to North Beach to be a part of the moving commemorations). As the dawn breaks you will be part of the truly international gathering of people who have travelled across the globe to commemorate the tragic events of April 25th, 1915. Following the Dawn Service you will have a choice of attending either the Australian or New Zealand National Services at Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair. Mid-afternoon we re-cross the Dardanelles and return to our hotel for dinner and a welcome rest. Breakfast and lunch packs have been included today. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 26 APRIL (ISTANBUL)

We retrace our steps back to Istanbul and spend the afternoon visiting the fascinating Military Museum in Harbiye which holds artefacts from 700 years of colourful Selcuk and Ottoman history and some quite striking treasures including the Sultans jewel encrusted ‘sayeban’ (pavilion). We will also take in a performance of the Mehter — the world’s oldest military band. Tonight we dine out in a local restaurant to enjoy a farewell dinner of authentic Turkish food. (B,D)

DAY 9 27 APRIL (ISTANBUL)

Sadly our tour ends this morning after breakfast. (B)

* Per person, twin share, land only