Full Day Gallipoli & Cape Helles Tour from Canakkale and Eceabat

Pick-Up: 08:00
Tour Start: 08:30
Tour End: 17:30 (Approx.)

Gallipoli and Cape Helles Tour

Begin your journey with a convenient pick-up from your hotel in Eceabat or Canakkale. After meeting the rest of the group and your licensed guide, you’ll travel through the historic Gallipoli Peninsula, visiting both Anzac and Helles sectors. Throughout the day, your guide will share fascinating stories and in-depth commentary on the critical battles, memorials, and the enduring legacy of the Gallipoli Campaign during World War I.

Tour Highlights & Stops

• Kilitbahir Fortress: Observe this imposing Ottoman-era fortress built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror to defend the Dardanelles. Its strategic position played a significant role during the Gallipoli Campaign.
• Krithia (Alçıtepe Village): Once an objective for Allied troops attempting to break through Ottoman lines. Today, Alçıtepe offers insights into the local community’s wartime experiences.
• Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery & N.Z. Memorial: Pay respects at the resting place of numerous New Zealand soldiers, surrounded by a tranquil grove that stands as a testament to sacrifice and camaraderie.
• Skew Bridge Cemetery: Named after a small bridge built at an angle (“skew”), the cemetery commemorates the final resting place of British and Allied soldiers.
• Turkish Memorial: Gain a deeper understanding of the fierce resistance put up by Ottoman forces. This memorial honors the Turkish soldiers who fought valiantly to defend their homeland.
• French Cemetery: A tribute to the French contingent that played a pivotal part alongside British and Commonwealth troops, reflecting the multinational nature of the Gallipoli conflict.
• Morto Bay: A scenic coastal inlet that witnessed intense naval actions. Today, it provides a peaceful contrast to its turbulent past.
• Helles Memorial: Dominating the tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula, this memorial honors British and Commonwealth servicemen with no known grave. It also marks the Allies’ initial landing site.
• V Beach & W Beach: Explore the beaches where Allied forces made their landings under heavy Ottoman fire, learning about the challenges faced and the heroic acts performed.
• Brighton Beach: A tranquil stretch of shoreline that once served as a temporary rest area for ANZAC forces. Its calm waters and soft sands belie the harsh realities of wartime life.
• Beach Cemetery: Resting place of soldiers from various nations, including the famous grave of Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick—“the man with the donkey,” remembered for his selfless acts.
• ANZAC Cove: One of the most iconic sites on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Reflect on the courage shown by Australian and New Zealand troops who landed here on April 25, 1915.
• Ari Burnu Cemetery: Situated on a rocky headland at the north end of ANZAC Cove. This cemetery marks some of the earliest Australian and New Zealand burials of the campaign.
• ANZAC Commemorative Site: Set against striking coastal scenery, this site hosts annual dawn services to honor the fallen and keep their memories alive.
• Respect to Mehmetçik Statue: Symbolic statue representing the bravery and compassion of Turkish soldiers (Mehmetçik), often depicted aiding Allied wounded.
• Lone Pine Australian Memorial: Constructed over the site of a fierce battle, the memorial stands in tribute to Australian troops. Pause to read the names inscribed on the walls and reflect on their sacrifices.
• Johnston’s Jolly (Turkish & Allied Trenches): Inspect the now-silent trenches and tunnels that once formed the front lines. Appreciate how close opposing forces were during intense engagements.
• Turkish 57th Infantry Regiment Cemetery: Dedicated to the regiment that famously received orders from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to fight until the very last man, symbolizing unwavering resolve.
• The Nek: Scene of a brief but deadly charge by Australian Light Horse troops in August 1915, immortalized in local and international memory.
• Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial: Marking the highest ground secured by the Allied forces, this memorial honors the fierce struggle and heavy loss suffered by the New Zealanders.

End of Tour

17:30 (Approx.): Conclude your exploration of Gallipoli and Cape Helles. You will be driven back to your hotel, arriving around early evening. Reflect on the day’s poignant stories and vivid history as you wind down for the night.