ANZAC Day Dawn Service
Trip Code: ERAA
Why we love it
Pay your respects to the fallen at Gallipoli – a moving and educational experience regardless of your age or background., Take part in the true Antipodean pilgrimage – something every Australian and New Zealander should experience at some point., Focus on the Anzac Day Dawn service, with all logistics to and from the site taken care of for you., Start and end in Istanbul, making this trip to Gallipoli easy to organise during your stay in Turkey., Have a barbeque dinner in Eceabat before making your way to the Anzac Commemorative site, where you’ll settle in for the night, ready for dawn.
Is this trip right for me?
This trip starts early on Day 1 and also a very late finish on Day 2. Please ensure that you allow sufficient time if you plan to travel on these days.
Important information
All visitors attending the 2025 ANZAC commemorations at Gallipoli, will require an attendance pass. Visitors are required to apply for this pass prior to event. Details on how to apply are presented below.
Please refer to the important information section of our Essential Trip Information for up to date information on the 2025 event as it is made available to us by local and overseas authorities.
This trip does not include any accommodation. The overnight stay on the Gallipoli Peninsula is spent sleeping under the stars at the commemoration site. Warm clothes and a sleeping bag are recommended, there is no camping equipment provided.
This event is organized by the Australian, New Zealand and Turkish governments and details can change. For this reason, we will provide an updated advice one month prior to departure.
Attendees of the dawn service and ANZAC commemorations should register online with either the Department of Veteran Affairs in New Zealand and OR Australia.
We recommend applying for this pass in advance at the link below. Australian Citizens: https://commemorations.teg.com.au
New Zealand citizens can register on the above link or check with the Veteran Affairs in New Zealand for updates.
IMPORTANT ITINERARY INFORMATION
1. No accommodation is provided on this tour. You will sleep out under the stars as the ANZAC's did many years before.
2. This Short Break Adventure starts at 11 am on Day 1, and finishes at approximately 8pm on Day 2.
3. You will be picked up on Day 1 from a centrally located Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
TURKEY: We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Turkey before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts.
What to bring/pack
We suggest that you pack the following items for your Anzac Day Shortbreak:
-A wet weather jacket and pants;
-Warm, thermal clothing, including a jacket, beanie, hat or cap and gloves;
-Lighter clothing for during the day;
-Food/snacks;
-Waterproof walking shoes;
-Drinking water (unopened bottles);
-Sun protection, including sunscreen;
-A torch; and
-A camera.
The following items are PROHIBITED in the commemorative areas and MUST be left secured on your coach/minibus:
-Large backpacks (e.g. luggage sized)
-Camping equipment
-Open bottles of liquid
-Alcohol
-Flammable liquids
-Weapons or sharp objects (including metal cutlery)
-Large objects, such as musical instruments
We recommend that you check the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) travel advice website which has detailed information and advice about what to expect.
Please bring warm clothes and a good sleeping bag for your comfort. It is not possible to access the bus between being dropped at the ceremonial site until being picked up again the next afternoon. You will need to be able to carry everything with you (including your sleeping bag) during that period.
WATER BOTTLE
Consider bringing your own water bottle to refill along the way. The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. In addition to the water in bottles, the production of a 1 litre plastic bottle takes 2 litres of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion ends up in limited landfill or discarded in waterways and natural environments. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please consider water purification techniques such as iodine or micropur and use the water dispensers which are provided at some of our accommodation. When unable to avoid bottled water it is better to buy the largest available and distribute into your smaller bottle for the day.
Physical rating
You will need to be in good physical health to get the most from this trip. The area around the Gallipoli Battlefields is quite hilly and most of the afternoon will be spent on foot.
Joining your group
Centrum Hotel Istanbul, Hoca Paşa Mh. İbn-i Kemal Caddesi No:14, Istanbul, 34080, TURKEY
Hotel Centrum Istanbul is at the heart of the old city. Rooms are modern and with private bathrooms, in room safes, satellite TV and free Wifi. There are many restaurants and cafes nearby and the hotel is within walking distance to the Sultanahmet district and landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar. The hotel is well-serviced by nearby public transport.
Alternate Joining Point
Joining instructions
Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details, including which airport in Istanbul, at least 14 days prior to your departure.
There are two international airports servicing Istanbul. Istanbul Airport (IST) is 50kms/30miles northwest of central Istanbul, on the European side. Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) is 50kms/30miles southeast of central Istanbul, on the Asian side. From either airport you can take a metered taxi to the joining point hotel. The taxi fare will cost approx. TRY1500-2300.
We recommend screenshotting or printing the below details as wifi in both airports is unreliable.
If you cannot find your transfer representative, or if your flight is delayed, please call the number listed below in the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section.
Arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST)
If you have pre-booked an arrival transfer, you will be met outside the Arrivals Hall. After collecting your luggage, proceed through the Arrivals Hall and exit through Gate 8. On the left hand side, you’ll see a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign.
Due to airport regulations, drivers have to wait offsite so you will need to wait for a short period of time before they arrive at the pick-up area. Once the driver arrives, the transfer representative will escort you to meet the driver (two floors down).
The journey from the airport to the hotel will take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour but can increase to 90 minutes or more during rush hour.
If you’d like to take public transport, you can use the HAVAIST bus service, which is located one level down from the Arrivals Hall. Please enquire at the information booths on the transport level for schedule times and to purchase prepaid tickets (TRY18). You will require the bus for Eminounu; it’s then a short walk to your hotel.
Arriving at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
If you have pre-booked an arrival transfer, you will be met outside the Arrivals Hall. After collecting your luggage, proceed through the Arrivals Hall, exit, and cross the road between columns 9 and 10 to Simit Sarayi bakery. You’ll find a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign.
Due to airport regulations, drivers have to wait offsite so you will need to wait for a short period of time before they arrive at the pick-up area.
The journey from the airport to the hotel will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes but can increase to 2 hours or more during rush hour.
If you’d like to take public transport, we recommend using the HAVABUS bus service to Kadikoy and then taking the ferry to Eminounu. From there, it’s a short walk to your hotel.
Finishing your trip
Centrum Hotel Istanbul, Hoca Paşa Mh. İbn-i Kemal Caddesi No:14, Istanbul, 34080, TURKEY
Hotel Centrum Istanbul is at the heart of the old city. Rooms are modern and with private bathrooms, in room safes, satellite TV and free Wifi. There are many restaurants and cafes nearby and the hotel is within walking distance to the Sultanahmet district and landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar. The hotel is well-serviced by nearby public transport.
Alternate Finish Point
Intrepid can assist with pre-booking a departure transfer to the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight details, including which airport in Istanbul, at least 14 days prior to the start of your trip.
If you have pre-booked a departure transfer your leader will advise your pick up time the day before your trip ends.
Taxi fare from your hotel to the airport will cost approx. TRY1500-2300. Please ask your leader or hotel staff for assistance in arranging a taxi.
Departing from Istanbul Airport (IST)
There are express bus services available to the airport from Taksim, a short taxi ride from your hotel.
Departing from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
We recommend taking the ferry to Kadikoy on the Asian side of the city, from which there are express bus services available to the airport.
Meals & dietary information
Breakfasts included: 1
Lunches included:
Dinners included: 1
Your group leader or local representative will endeavour to cater to specific dietary requirements where possible, and vegetarianism and gluten intolerance will be catered for in most instances. There are, however some meals and activities that are fixed in advance and therefore cannot be modified to suit dietary requirements.
Please notify your booking consultant of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. For those suffering from particular food allergies, your group leader or local representative will endeavour to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic.
Climate & seasonal information
In case of emergency
While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.
You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.
In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:
Intrepid Turkey Office: +90 850 309 68 76
Accommodations
No accommodation included on this trip. We camp out overnight - bring a sleeping bag.