2009 ANZAC Day Budget Tours
'ANZAC Fez Bus - Turkey Trooper'
17 - Day itinerary
24 Apr 2009 to 10 May 2009

Welcome to Istanbul. We meet at the Fez office in Istanbul for an early morning departure to the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli. Along the way we will stop for a meal break and a chance to stock up on supplies and rations to see you through the night and the following day. Once we arrive at the Gallipoli peninsula, we will take you on an orientation tour of the battlefields before we arrive at our final destination of Anzac Cove in the early evening, to secure a good spot on the grass for the long night ahead. Overnight ANZAC Cove
(Please note: no accommodation is available on this night as you will sleep under the stars as the ANZAC's did 94 years before)

Awake before sunrise to the Anzac Dawn service and commemorate our fallen fore fathers on this special day. The Gallipoli battlefields are well sign posted so you can walk amidst the various cemeteries, trenches and memorials on your way to Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair to attend the Australian, Turkish and New Zealand memorial services. Late afternoon you will meet up with the Fez Bus again to head to the small town of Ayvalik for some well deserved sleep.
Overnight Ayvalik (D)

This morning, you head south along the Aegean Coast, stopping at the ancient city of Pergamum for a guided tour before travelling onto the resort town of Kusadasi, this evening.
Overnight Kusadasi (B)

Absorb yourself in history this morning with an optional tour of one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis and the former capital of Roman Asia and best-preserved ancient city in Turkey, Ephesus. Your afternoon is free to explore the town of Kusadasi or relax on an Aegean Beach.
Overnight Kusadasi (B)

Today is a day for choices. You can choose to do an optional tour to Pamukkale, paddle in the natural calcium formations and visit the ancient spa town of Hierapolis, or maybe you would prefer to visit the nearby Ottoman-Greek village of Sirince, trying some of their specialty fruit wines. The choice is yours.
Overnight Kusadasi (B)

This afternoon we head to Koycegiz where you have the option of taking a late night boat cruise on Lake Koycegiz and experience the therapeutic properties of the mud and thermal baths.
Overnight Koycegiz (B)

After a short drive this morning, you will have the chance to see how Turkish carpets are made by hand and find out what determines their value. Then experience one of Turkey's highlights as we trek up Saklikent Gorge or go tubing on the slightly chilly current of water rushing out of it.
Overnight Fethiye (B)

Today you have the option to relax on a day cruise around the 12 Islands of Fethiye, go paragliding or maybe chill out on a nearby beach, the choice is yours.
Overnight Fethiye (B)

*If you choose the Gulet option, then today you will board your traditional hand made Gulet and cruise your way through to Day 10 in Olympos.

We drive along the Turquoise coast today, stopping for a swim at the spectacular Kaputas beach and then a lunch stop in Kas, traditionally a small Turkish fishing village. Take a stroll around the town before heading to the world famous tree houses of Olympos.
Overnight Olympos (B,D)

Time for some relaxation, you can do nothing but chill out and meet new people or you could try a host of adventure activities on offer - rock climbing, diving and canyoning, just to name a few. Don't miss out on your chance to see the natural phenomenon of the mythical flames of Chimera.
Overnight Olympos (B,D)

Another day for choices, with so many options you will be wishing you could stay for a week.
Overnight Olympos (B, D)

This morning you are free to explore the overgrown ruins of Olympos before our afternoon drive to Lake Egirdir via Antalya with a short stop by the forested Lake Golbasi.
Overnight Egirdir (B)

Mid-morning we head out to follow an ancient silk trade route across the Anatolian Plain, on the way you will visit Sultanhani Caravanserai and Obruk just as the ancient traders did.
Overnight Cappadocia (B)

This morning you have the option of taking a hot-air balloon ride in a region famed for being one of the best places in the world for ballooning, due to both the wind currents and spectacular scenery. You will be back in plenty of time for the optional tour around the southern parts of Cappadocia. Check out the carved cave villages, underground cities, spectacular coloured valleys and the fairy chimney formations.
Overnight Cappadocia (B)

Today you are free to explore the wonders of Cappadocia at your own pace. Tonight, do not miss the optional Turkish Folklore evening, which includes nearly 3 hrs of entertainment and all the food and drink you can handle!
Overnight Cappadocia (B)

Early morning start today as we head back to Istanbul, via Ankara, the nations Capital. You will have time to visit Anitkabir Mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and discover what happened to the Turkish nation after the ANZAC's left.
Overnight Istanbul (B)

After Breakfast your tour concludes and sadly it is time to say good bye to new friends.
Breakfast

ANZAC Fez bus includes

o English speaking Tour Leader on the bus giving you a wealth of super interesting and useful info
(All optional tours are conducted by English speaking professional tour guide)
o Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking bus
o Commemorative gift
o Guided orientation tour of Gallipoli and tour Pergamum. (Entrance fees not included)
o 15 Breakfasts and 4 Dinners
o 15 nights - Shared Hotel accommodation in total.
  - 1 night in Ayvalik
  - 3 nights in Cappadocia
  - 1 night in Egirdir
  - 2 nights in Fethiye
  - 1 night in Istanbul
  - 1 night in Koycegiz
  - 3 nights in Kusadasi
  - 3 nights in Olympos
in budget style hotels, hostels and guesthouses, caves and tree-houses

Options

o Day 4 - Guided tour of ancient Ephesus
o Day 5 - Guided tour of ancient Hierapolis
o Day 8 - 12 Islands gulet cruise of Fethiye Bay
o Day 14 - Guided tour of Southern Cappadocia

ANZAC Fez bus does not include

o Suggested optional activities and sightseeing
o Entrance fees to the various sites