ANZAC Day Dawn Service 2023

Hosgeldiniz. Welcome to Turkey!

We meet at the Hotel Centrum -Istanbul at 11am before transferring by private bus to Gallipoli. Our journey time is 6 hours with a comfort stop midway. Arriving on the Gallipoli Peninsular we stop to explore the town of Eceabat and enjoy a BBQ dinner before we make our way to the Anzac Commemorative site. Please be ready for long delays upon entry as all visitors will be security screened. For any Australian or New Zealander visiting the Shores of Turkey, a visit to the battle fields of the Gallipoli Peninsula is a must. The battle at Gallipoli in WW1 is seen as a turning point in both of these nations (and also the Republic of Turkey). It was the moment when our character was defined and the core value of mateship was embedded in our psyche. The names of ANZAC Cove, the Nek and Lone Pine have a special place in the hearts of Antipodeans and are just some of the places you can visit first hand on this trip. You will be struck by the beauty and serenity of the place, in stark contrast to the stories your guide will tell you of the events that unfolded here. We stay overnight in the ceremonial area near to ANZAC Cove. The night can be very very cold. It is imperative for your comfort that you bring a sleeping bag for the night. It is not possible to sleep during the night as due to the crowds that visit each year and the seating arrangements, it is all but impossible to lie down. We recommend to make the most of the experience that you come well rested before the night. This is a sombre affair and no alcohol is allowed at the event. Other refreshments and toilet facilities are provided on the site for a reasonable price. This is the true Antipodean pilgrimage and something every Australian and New Zealander should experience at some point in their lives. It is an event that will both humble and inspire you. As an Australian company, Intrepid is proud to be able to offer this experience to our customers.

After the main ceremony and rendition of the last post there is an opportunity to visit other country ceremonies, and then also time to seek out graves that may have a a personal significance. Later in the day we re-board our bus to transfer back to Istanbul of which we will aim to arrive around 8 pm. Patience is required for departure from the peninsula as we must wait for our bus in a respective order which is allocated by the authorities, the process can be a little slow. On the way back to Istanbul, we will have another comfort break. We recommend you arrange an additional night's accommodation for the evening of day 2, or plan any departure from Istanbul for the late evening. Extra accommodation pre and post tour can be requested, please ask your agent at time of booking.