16 Day Anzac Tour 2015
16 Day Anzac Tour is the ideal way to see a 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 such as Istanbul (Blue Mosque, Hagia (St.) Sophia etc.)
Gallipoli (fully guided tour), Ephesus, Köycegiz Boat Cruise,
Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Olympos, Konya, Egirdir, Antalya, Ankara,
Cappadocia.
Start Date: 21/04 - Tuesday
Finish Date: 06/05- Wednesday
Starts: Istanbul
Finish: Istanbul
Places Visited: Istanbul – Gallipoli – Edremit – Pergamon -
Kusadasi – Selcuk - Ephesus – Sirince - Dalyan - Koycegiz – Oludeniz
– Olympos - Antalya - Egirdir - Konya - Cappadocia - Ankara
Duration: 16 Days – 15 Nights
Price: Double/Twin/Triple : £599.00 – Single :
£759.00
If you are travelling alone and would prefer to pay the
lower rate then we can match you up with someone of the same gender
to share a twin/triple room (Subject to Availability).
Great Value for Money!
Transportation
in a fully Air-Conditioned, Non-Smoking new model Luxury Coach,
Fluent
English speaking professional tour guide for the duration of the
tour,
Anzac
Day 2015 - Commemorative T-Shirt
A
range of Gallipoli documentaries & movies to watch during bus
journeys,
Early
Arrival at Anzac Cove on the 24th April
Includes
all entrance fees,
Anzac
Day memorial services at Gallipoli,
All
accommodation as per itinerary in 3 & 4 star hotels,
We
have Turkish, Australian and New Zealand staff who have good
knowledge of Gallipoli and Turkey,
Private
Security,
No
camping! No hidden extra costs. Don't wake up to Nightmares,
We
have been running Anzac tours for many years and know what Anzac day
in Gallipoli is all about.
Day One: Tuesday 21st April - Arrival in Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey and the beginning of your Anzac tour!
Once you have checked into your hotel (Please
note check in times vary between hotels but are normally no earlier than noon)
you have the rest of the day free to explore Istanbul and you will meet your
guide later that evening who will give you information about the tour 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.
If you arrive into Ataturk
International Airport on
the 21st April then your tour includes an airport transfer to your hotel and you
will be met at the airport by the Samyeli Travel team. Paid airport transfers
from Sabiha Gokcen Airport in Istanbul on the 21st April are also available at
certain times (Please see FAQs) and if arriving by alternative means then you
will be provided details of your hotel in April by email so you can make your
own way there.
Overnight: Istanbul
Day Two: Wednesday 22nd April - Istanbul City Tour
This morning we partake in a fully guided tour of the only city to span two
continents. We will visit the Hagia
(St.) Sophia,
one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the
6th century by Emperor Justinian.Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous
with its blue Iznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of
Sultan Ahmet. Hippodrome,
center of sportive (chariot races, athletics) events and political activities of
the old city. Obelisk
of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, German Fountain of
Wilhelm II are 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, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by
the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury,
miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. The
rest of the day is yours free to explore in Istanbul or you can join us on the
optional Bosphorus
Cruise and Gala
Evening.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast
Day Three: Thursday
23rd April - Istanbul to Gallipoli -
Guided Tour of Gallipoli
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
100 years ago.
This afternoon on a fully guided tour, you will visit the Kabatepe
War Museum, 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.
Overnight: Edremit
Meals: Breakfast
& Dinner
Day Four: Friday 24th April - Relax and Prepare for Anzac Day at
Gallipoli
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. Play football, tennis, basketball, volleyball or just
strolling around the gardens and parks. Make sure you get plenty of rest
because ANZAC day will be a long busy day. A buffet 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 95 years ago when your ancestors landed.
Overnight: Anzac
Cove
Meals: Breakfast
& Dinner
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 so will not have access to it until the
evening of the 25th when we return there.
Day Five: Saturday 25th
April - ANZAC
Day (Gallipoli to Edremit)
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. Emotions run high and this evening you will travel back
to your hotel in Edremit, arriving there in the late evening.
Overnight: Edremit
Meals: Lunchbox
& Dinner
Day Six: Sunday 26th April - Edremit to Kusadasi via Bergama
After waking feeling recharged we depart for Bergama where your guide will show
you around the Acropolis
Ruins of the ancient Greek City of Pergamon.
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. 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.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast
& Dinner
Day Seven: Monday 27th April – Visit
to Ephesus Ruins & Village Of Sirince
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 Antique
Church, Mosque and Typical Turkish Houses. Sirince is very popular for its
style of building, streets and hand made fruit wines and is a nice relaxing way
to finish your day. After the tour,
we will stop at Selçuk for a fashion parade and information on Turkey's famous
leather production. We will drive back to hotel for overnight.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast
& Dinner
Day Eight: Tuesday 28th April - Dalyan &
Koycegiz Boat Cruise
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.
Overnight: Dalyan
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch & Dinner
Day Nine: Wednesday 29th April – Fethiye
Today is a free day in Fethiye and we will arrange a shuttle service to
ضlüdeniz
beach where there are many optional activities available such as Paragliding or
you can just laze on the beach.
Overnight: Fethiye
Meals: Breakfast
Day Ten: Thursday 30th April - Fethiye to Olympos
Today we drive for the Saklikent Gorge, a mountain split formed several years
ago. We trek up a short distance and stop for lunch at the Saklikent River
Bar and Cafe. Don’t forget to bring your bathers with you today because as we
drive along the turquoise coast for Olympos Valley
we will stop for a swim on the way. After dinner at our night spot at the
treehouses we shall be visiting Yanartas (Optional),
which is located on the slopes of
اirali
beach at the north end of Olympos and at an altitude of 300 meters with the
legends of flying horse Pegasus.
Overnight: Olympos
Meals: Breakfast
& Dinner
Day Eleven: Friday 1st
May - Olympos - Egirdir
After a lazy morning in Olympos, we will drive to Antalya and you will have a
chance to visit the old part of Antalya (Kaleici). We will then drive
over the Taurus mountains to get to the town of Egirdir by the turkuaz coloured
lake of the same name.
Overnight: Egirdir
Meals: Breakfast
Day Twelve: Saturday 2nd
May - Cappadocia
Tour
We will drive to Konya where we have a chance to visit the
Museum of Sufi Leader of Mevlana and
look around this well known religious city. After that we will drive for
Cappadocia and will visit the Derinkuyu
Underground City. The Christians
hid from the armies of Rome and the raids of hostile tribes in these self
sufficient cities in which there were halls for stocks of crop, barns, rooms,
kitchens & ventilation channels. Later
that night, you will have the option of going to a Traditional
Turkish Folklore Evening, which should definitely not be missed. If you are
interested in going Hot Air
Ballooning early the following
morning then please let your guide know and they will make arrangements for you.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast
Day Thirteen: Sunday 3rd
May - Cappadocia
Tour
Early this morning you can join an optional Hot
Air Ballooning experience
over the amazing landscape of Cappadocia. Today we will marvel at the
phallic-like structures in this one of a kind region. Your guide will lead you
around Goreme
Open Air Museum,
Cavusin, Pasabag, Uchisar Castle and
the pottery Village of Avanos. Cappadocia is
the country of fairy tales. The beautiful horse country "Katpatuka," (as the
Persians called her) is an unbelievable strip of land; enchanting and
mysterious.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast
Day Fourteen: Monday
4th May - Ankara
This morning we will drive for Ankara and on the way we will visit the religious
house of Haci Bektas-i Veli. Once we arrive in Ankara we will visit one of
the best museums in the World, The
Ancient Civilization Museum Of Anatolia and Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal
Ataturk. From Ankara we take an over night train to Istanbul.
Overnight: Train
Meals: Breakfast
Day Fifteen: Tuesday 5th
May - Istanbul
We arrive in Istanbul early in the morning and we will drive to Camlica
Hill exposing a panoramic view of
Istanbul and Bosphorus from the best point in Istanbul. We will cross the Bosphorus
Bridge for a unique chance to
step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes. Check
into our hotel and the rest of the day is a free day in Istanbul.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast
Day Sixteen: Wednesday 6th
May - Istanbul
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.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Includes:
Arrival Airport Transfers
Accommodation: 3
X Night Istanbul (3 Star), 3 X Night Edremit (4 Star), 2 X Night Kusadasi (3
Star), 1 X Night Kِycegiz (3
Star), 1 X Night Fethiye (3 Star), 1 X Night Olympos Bungalow, 1 X Night
Egirdir, 2 X Night Cappadocia (3 Star), Overnight Train
Meals: 14 X Breakfasts, 7 X
Dinners, 1 X Lunch, 1 X Lunchbox
Transport: Air Conditioned (Non
Smoking) Coach
All Entrance Fees
Professional English speaking Guide
Istanbul City Tour
Gallipoli Tour
Pergamon Tour
Ephesus Tour (including Sirince Village and Temple of Artemis)
Kِycegiz
Tour and Boat Trip
Antalya Kaleici Tour, Konya Mevlana Museum, Cappadocia Tours (2)
Ankara Tour, Anzac Day Memorial Services
Tour Excludes:
Meals unless stated
Departure Airport Transfers
Drinks
Flight Tickets
Personal Expenses
Tips for Guides and Drivers
If you wish to arrive in Istanbul earlier than the 21st April or stay
longer than the 06th May then we can arrange pre & post tour
accommodation for you although we have limited availability of this. The cost
of this is per person £30 for a Double/Twin/Triple or £40 for a single room.
Please indicate that you require this when making your booking.
If you are travelling alone and would prefer
to pay the lower rate then we can match you up with someone of the same gender
to share a twin/triple room (Subject to Availability).