$5,245 In-depth military study tour of Gallipoli with Hugh Dolan
Dates: 18-25 June 2026 (Limited to 12 people)
Beware! This is not a cemetery tour but analysis with original maps and orders in hand, across each of the battlefields. We will identify trenches – perhaps where a family member once stood in May 1915? – and “hop the bags” to stumble across to German Officer’s Trench or perhaps to Johnstone’s Jolly on Lone Pine.
Join historian and author Hugh Dolan on this once in a lifetime tour as we undertake an in-depth military study tour of the Gallipoli Campaign.
We will wade onto ANZAC Cove at dawn, slipping on the shingle, to breakfast on Plugges Plateau. This campaign was an amphibious assault so we will use a vessel to approach Cape Helles, Brighton Beach, Gaba Tepe, Nibrunessi Point and Ari Burnu.
In the evenings we are guests of Gallipoli House in the tiny village of Boghali, just over the crest from the cove. In the evenings we will sit on a wide veranda with a Turkish Effes beer, Cappadocian wine, pide, kofta, mezze, baklava and discuss the next day’s battlefield walk.
We will stand in original trenches and look across from the Nek to Lone Pine. We will conduct the tour in chronological order starting from the ANZAC landing in April 1915 to the evacuation in December 1915. We will use both a vessel and a vehicle to reach inaccessible places for our members who have difficulty walking.
This tour also connects to our Western Front Tour, so you can truly follow in the footsteps of the Anzacs. See our ANZAC to Amiens Tour
All partipants will receive a signed copy of Hugh's book 36 Days
We request please advance notice of family members who served in the Great War. We will make every effort to include their service & to visit their grave sites or find their names on memorials if they are numbered among the missing. We are all encouraged to share family stories and to share one’s military expertise.
Gallipoli from Above
Itinerary
Day 1 Thursday 18 June 2026 - Presentation on Gallipoli Campaign & Dinner
Arriving at Ataturk International Airport you will be transferred to the Side Hotel, located behind the Byzantine Aya Sofia. After you settle in to your accommodation, Hugh & David will give a presentation on the Gallipoli Campaign on Side’s rooftop terrace overlooking the Bospherous. In the evening we will conduct a welcome dinner at one of the many local restaurants excelling in mezze or gozlame.
(D)
Day 2 Friday 19 June 2026 - Transfer to Gallipoli Peninsula for an evening’s strategic tour of the battlefields
We will take a bus around the northern shore of the Sea of Marmara from Istanbul to Kocadere, a small village located in the valley behind ANZAC Cove, stopping at a cafe to discuss the roles of submarines in the campaign, especially HMA Submarine AE2. We will then gain a strategic understanding of the peninsula with overviews of Suvla, ANZAC Cove and Cape Helles battlefields. We will check into Gallipoli Houses and enjoy the hospitality of Eric Gussens, who also hosts our Prime Minister.
(B,D)
Day 3 Saturday 20 June 2026 - Re-enactment of landing at ANZAC Cove – ANZAC Cove immersion!
Up well before dawn to board our vessel. We will steam to ANZAC Cove then row ashore just as dawn in breaking. We’ll climb Plugges and walk up Monash Valley. We’ll gain a Turkish perspective of the landing from Gaba Tepe, where we will whiz around the museum and its overt cinema graphic presentation (which we’ll debunk). After lunch under sycamore trees, a short bus ride up to the dominant heights. We’ll walk the right flank and follow a blow by blow account of the landing. We’ll walk the heart-shaped 400 foot plateau and find The Cup, where our covering force seized three German field artillery pieces. If brave enough, we’ll slide on our bottoms to look down on Pope’s Trench. After an exhausting day we’ll bus up to the dominant heights and gain an understanding of the play of events from Chunuk Bair.
(B,L,D)
Day 4 Sunday 21 June 2026 -Re-enactment of the landings at Y Beach and Cape Helles.
Again an early rise as we follow the disaster at Cape Helles. Our boat will give us a clear view of the landing beaches and the difficulties encountered by the men stuffed into the holds of SS River Clyde. The Brits were not drinking tea on the beach; the Brits died in great numbers. We’ll then board our bus for a short trip to the battlefields of Krithia and jump into the best preserved trenches from the Great War.
(B,L,D)
Day 5 Monday 22 June 2026 - The August Offensive
A gentle start today as we visit the sites of the August Offensive including feint at Lone Pine and the ANZAC hook to the left and the attack on Hill 971 and Rhododendron Ridge. If we have the energy we may elect to follow Monash’s trail from the beach to the high ground, or we can take a shorter walk down steps from the ridgeline. We will walk the beach from Suvla Bay and Nibrunesi Point to the Chocolate Hills.
(B,L,D)
Day 6 Tuesday 23 June 2026 - The Naval Campaign & Denouement
A late rise today and we’ll take the ferry across to Channakale. Here we will visit the Turkish military barracks and museum and board the Turkish minelayer Nusret, if she is accepting visitors. A drive along the coast will take is to The Narrows and the forts blocking entry to the allied navies. The geography of the Dardanelles will offer explanations on the narrative of the campaign. HMAS AE2 path will be pointed out, with the location of the minefields.
(B,L,D)
Day 7 Wednesday 24 June 2026 - Istanbul
We’ll take the southern route along the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul. If we have the energy, we will stop at the Turkish military museum on our route back to the Side Hotel. In the evening we will have a rooftop farewell dinner as we toast the memory of the original Anzacs.
(B,D)
Day 8 Thursday 25 June 2026 – Istanbul cultural sites
Sadly, today the tour comes to and end, we leave you to visit this beautiful city. We can book you on day tours and offer personal guides as an additional option. However, if you are staying on (and we hope you do) then you will move on to our Western Front Tour
(B)
Inclusions
Experienced Australian historians with advanced first aid training;
Welcome pack with hard copy of our brochure, welcome notes, important information relating to your tour;
Signed Copy of 36 Days by Hugh Dolan;
Personalised Gallipoli Shirt;
Local Guides and Support Staff;
All transfer from train stations;
2 nights, twin-share at the Side Hotel, Istanbul;
4 night’s accommodation at Gallipoli Houses;
Meals as indicated B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner;
All Transport including bus, boat and hotel/airport transfers
Exclusions
Single Supplement
Personal Travel Insurance
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