You'll have seen the astonishing Lord of the Ring trilogy or read Tolkien's books! You have dreamed about Middle Earth and now you want to see where it all happened!
Combine the Lord of the Ring film locations with some of the best sights that New Zealand has to offer. Middle Earth is in New Zealand! Visit with us the stunning landscapes that play a main role in this imaginary movie. Any New Zealand Lord of the Ring tour itinerary may be taken as is, adapted or taken in reverse. Simply contact us with your travel dates and inform us about your preferred level of accommodation.
All tours are private, depart daily, and can be customized to suit individual interests and schedules. Please contact us info@arohatours.co.nz or 0064-21-890611 for more information about our Luxury New Zealand tours.
Day 1: Auckland
You will be met on arrival at Auckland International Airport by your Aroha NZ Tours Representative, and transferred to your accommodation in our luxurious vehicle. Your 14-Day Lord of the Ring Tour starts with a relaxing sightseeing tour of Auckland, a chance to explore the CBD and outer areas of the city, taking in the spectacular harbour views of the Waitemata from Auckland’s illustrious waterfront, and through some of the most expensive real estate in NZ. You will also have the opportunity to stop off and visit one of Auckland’s most prestigious shopping areas “Parnell Historical Village”, from “Parnell Historical Village” your tour continues on to the summit of Mt Eden one of 48 dormant volcanoes situated in and around Auckland, from the summit of Mt Eden you can take in a stunning 360 degree view of Auckland city and it’s surrounding harbours. From Mt Eden your tour continues out to the magnificent west coast famous in New Zealand for its unique black sand coastline, and native bush surroundings set in one of Auckland’s many regional parks. On your return back to your accommodation we will give you the opportunity at your request to stop off and enjoy a taste of celebrated New Zealand wines that are grown and produced throughout the area. Accommodation: Auckland City
Day 2: Auckland–Taupo
We take you through the Waikato district, passing lush grass for raising cattle, thoroughbred horses and a vast stand of exotic timber. The Waikato region of the North Island is one of the richest farming areas in New Zealand. We stop at the tranquil pastoral setting of 'Hobbiton' in Matamata. A Tour guide will escort you through the remains of the original Hobbit Village. Take a walk up to Bagshot Row to Bag End, to stand outside the most famous Hobbit hole in Middle-Earth. This is the only location left in NZ were you can see remains of the original set of LotR! We pass the centre of Maori culture “Rotorua” and take a journey through a world of unique thermal formations at Waitapu Thermal Wonderland. See the fascinating 'Champagne Pool” with the panorama of vividly colourful hot and cold pools, steaming fumaroles and boiling mud. We stop at the Huka Falls - these spectacular falls roar through a 15-m wide chasm before plunging a further 11-m. The destination for the day is the township Taupo. From here you have spectacular views over New Zealand largest lake onto the Volcanic Plato. The town is based in the middle of a magical geothermal area and is world renown for trout fishing, hunting and outdoors adventures. Accommodation: Lake Taupo
Day 3: Taupo-Tongariro National Park-Taihape
After Breakfast, we drive on the Volcanic Loop to view New Zealand's most accessible live volcano, magnificent Mt. Ruapehu. Take a walk around the pristine native forest of Tongariro National Park and experience the desolate Landscape and sites of Emyn Muil. Pause at the Tawha Falls (The Henneth Annum). We will walk with you over lava stones fields! You’ll have views over magnificent valleys, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. With blasted volcanic rock, steep bluffs and ash, little imagination is required to envisage Modor. After exploring Mt Ruhapehu we reach the next film location, and have a stop at Mangewhero Falls to imagine Column’s catching a fish in the cold water. We travel deep into farming country to the remote Mokai Valley, where the picturesque Rangitikei River meets the rugged Ruahine Ranges. For thrill seekers, we pass the highest North Island bungy jumping bridge and the largest flying Fox in the world, travel in an exhilarating speed up to 160km in hours through the stunning valley, on our was to our accomodation. (Highly recommended) Accommodation: Matai Valley Farmstay
Day 4: Rangitikei River
Relax in the morning, swim in the pool or take a 4wheel drive with the hosts through their farm property. At midday we take you on a rafting trip through the gentle rapids and the crystal clear waters of the Rangitikei River, which is located near our accomodation. We pass secret waterfalls and unbelievable scenery as you float quietly through Middle Earth and pass places where scenes from the Movie were shot. Here you can stop to fish, swim or have a picnic. (3 hour rafting trip!) For our thrill seekers! We can organize instead of a soft rafting experience a 5 grade adventure rafting ride through the same valley. Unwind and relax with a home cooked dinner at this magical place. Just before settle back in your Tree house, take a soak in a hot pool, which overlooks this remote valley.
Accommodation: Matai Valley Farmstay
Day 5: Rangitikei River-Waiarapa
We pass the River Anduin and travel to the lower East Coast of the North Island. One of the most unusual geographical landscapes in New Zealand the Putangirua Pinnacles. We hike along the steam bed to the Pinnacles, have lunch and imagine “Legolos” telling the story of the army of the dead. (2 to 3 hour hike). In the afternoon get close with our fur seals and walk between these beautiful creatures, one of the largest colonies of native seals in the country. Take the opportunity to visit the renowned Martinborough wine-growing region, an easy drive from your lodge. Martinborough's wines are internationally acclaimed, particularly its Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Why not have dinner in the vineyard cafe or check out the boutique stores and galleries in the area? Accommodation: Waiarapa
Day 6: Waiarapa-Wellington
On a very windy and high-elevated road we drive you from the Waiarapa region to the Hutt Valley and the East Coast. Not far from there is the Kaitohe National Park and the site of the set of Rivendell and the Fords of Isen. We reach the capital of Wellington in the afternoon. We take you on a brief tour through town and to the Parliament building. In the centre of the metropolitan area is Mt. Victoria which provided the perfect location for the out “Shire”. A green tunnel of trees will take you to the spot where the Hobbits take refuge from “Nazgul”. From there we take you to the most popular location of the crew, to the Chocolate Fish Café. As an evening entertainment you can watch one of our new movies in the Embassy Theatre which held the world premier of the third Trilogy 'The Return of the Kings. Accommodation: Wellington City
Day 7: Wellington-Marlborough Sounds-Nelson
This morning we board a Ferry to cross the Cook Strait; encounter a glorious world as the ferry enters the Marlborough Sounds, from the Tory Channel into the Queen Charlotte Sound. You will see a region of myriad inlets and bays, with dramatic hills that plunge steeply into the sea. Apples, cherries and classic wine varietal grapes are well suited to the mild climate and sunshine in the Marlborough and Nelson areas. Many vineyards have opened retail and food outlets here; we will take you on a wine tour. Nelson is also known for its vibrant arts and handcrafts scene. 300 Artisans are based in the Nelson area, so it is no wonder that the “One Ring” was created by one of the local jewellers in City Centre. In Richmond you find the Harrington Brewers that brew a special beer for Hobbiton. Accommodation: Nelson area
Day 8: Nelson–Able Tasman Park
We take you further West to the Able Tasman Park and climb the summit of Takata Hill, with rocky marble outcrops. Just a short distance from here you pass a stand of trees where “Aragorn” led the Hobbits into the wilds after leaving the “Bree”. In the afternoon join a small Water taxi that will take us into one of the many beautiful bays and to a golden sand beach into the centre of the Abel Tasman National Park and hike back through on a small coast trail in the rainforest. Eat at the smoked fish restaurant or enjoy the best green lipped mussels in the world from one of the restaurants at Mapua. Optional and for extra costs: Helicopter flight to Mt Olympus in the Kahurangi National Park. Which is one of the most spectacular landscapes in “The fellowship of the Rings” (very highly recommended). Accommodation: Nelson area
Day 9: Nelson-Mt Cook-Queenstown
We have a long drive ahead to get to our final accommodation for the night, Lake Tekapo. The beautiful coastal road to Kaikoura gets you in the right mood to enjoy watching wildlife, like seals and dolphins. We will pass Christchurch before we head for the tussocks wilds of the Mackenzie Country. The peaks of Aoraki ia situated in the Mt Cook National Park which is a vast contrast to the flat grass plains. Passing the Southern Alps, the backbone of the South Island, with every peak being at least 3000m high, the scenery was an obvious choice to portray the Misty Mountains. We will go over the Burkess Pass from Fairlie in the North into the Mackenzie Basin and across the tussock plains, where you have the first view of the turquoise-blue lake of Lake Tekapo. Accommodation: Lake Tekapo
Day 10: Lake Tekapo-Mt Cook-Queenstown
We start our day with another adventure! In an airplane tat will take you on a spectacular scenic flight over Mt Cook and surrounding areas. You will see from the air Mt Cook, Mt Gunn, and our unique Glaciers on the rouged West Coast of New Zealand. The Mountain Range of Minas Tirith was shot just at the base of Mt Cook and The Lightening of the Beacon was filmed at our most famous Glacier “ Franz Josef Glacier”. Leaving Lake Tekapo the road continues towards Lake Pukaki and a short trip later we reach the location of the Pelennor fields near Twizel. This was the place of the largest battle scene in the trilogy. On the way from lake Wanaka to Queenstown we take a shortcut and travel through the Cardrona Valley, the highest valley in the country. The views from this height are expansive. You can spot from here the River Anduin and Dimrille Dale. We stop at the most picturesque and best-preserved gold mining settlement in New Zealand “Arrowtown”. The old town and the nearby river was used to film the “Ford of Bruinen and “The gladden Fields”. In the late afternoon (very weather dependent) we drive you on a very rugged and tortures road deep into Skippers canyon, The Part close to the Bridge was used for one of the most dramatic scenes from the Fellowship of the Rings: (Arwen faces the Nazgul at the Ford of Bruinen) Accommodation: Lake Hayes near Queenstown and Arrowtown
Day 11: Queenstown (Glengorchy)
Queenstown is the top adventure and activity center in New Zealand. Most of the cast was based here and major movie parts were filmed in this region. Today we have planned a jet boat ride through Lothlorien country, and walk to Isengard, Nan Curunir (the Wizard's Vale) 'Methedras'Lothlorien'Amon Hen Forests reminiscent of the Old Forest or Mirkwood the Great Fanghorn Forest. Pause at the 12-mile Delta (Ithilien Camp) and at Closeburn (Amon Hen). It was in these hills Frodo Baggins, escaping Boromir, clambered up onto the 'Seat of Seeing' and was confronted by The Eye of Sauron. The forests at Paradise were the location for the golden wood of Lothlorien, home of the Elven Queen Galadriel for over 3500 years. We stop for a brief walk ithrough these ancient forests, which was also one of the locations for Amon Hen - the scene of that final dramatic action in the Fellowship of the Ring, where Boromir succumbs to the Orc attack where Merry & Pippin are captured. And all through the journey your safari offers great views of Nan Curunír the Valley of Saruman. An Additional option for early risers: Visit Deer Parks or the Remarkable’s for stunning views over Lake Wakatipu and the township of Queenstown. (Several scene were filmed in both areas) Accommodation: Lake Hayes near Queenstown and Arrowtown
Day 12: Queenstown-Milford Sound
Today we have another long day ahead. We are heading for the spectacular “Milford Sound”, described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world, was carved out during successive ice ages and, at its deepest point off Mitre Peak, plunges to a depth of 265 meters. We take you on a day cruise into the magnificent wonder-world. View the Bowen Falls, hurtling 165 meters into the sea, and the Stirling Falls further down the sound, set amidst the towering cliffs and dwarfed by Mitre Peak (showcased in the film). Our bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand Fur Seals and Fiordland Crested Penguins are resident in the fiord and can be viewed up close from the launch cruises. An Additional option for early risers: Near Te Anau, the entrance of the Fiordland National Park we drive you into a wonderful forest of red and silver beeches, which seem untouched for millions of years. This bushy glade portrait the “Fangorn Forest” Optional and for extra costs: Helicopter flight over Glengorchy into Milford Sounds with landing at Skippers canyon! (Very highly recommended) Accommodation: Lake Hayes near Queenstown and Arrowtown
Day 13: Queenstown–Christchurch (along East Coast)
On our last day we take you from Queenstown along the Kawarau River to Cromwell. First we stop to take spectacular views of the Anduin and Agonath “The Pillars of the Kings. Although the pillars were computer-generated into each side of the river, the area is instantly recognizable. In the old days people were lured into this area by the hope to find gold. Today it is the center of stone fruit farms in New Zealand. A small road will take us to Poolburn and the location on “Rohan”. The Pollburn Lake gives an excellent view across the location of the small village where “Morwen send her children to safety before the attack. The area surrounding the Ida Valley was used to extensively portray “Rohan”. For a break we walk the streets of the main town of Otago, Oamaru. This town has the best-preserved collection of historical buildings in New Zealand. It is also known for its large blue penguin colonies and fur seals along the coast line. Your last evening in the Lord of the Rings Land! Accommodation: Oamaru
Day 14: Oamaru-Christchurch Departure (Late departure from Airport)
Before midday we reach the capital of the South Island Christchurch. If time allows we will wonder around the art center and shops in the city center for your last presents you woulkd like to take home. Reflect on your journey at your last meal in New Zealand in one of the many restaurants of the Inner city. Your guide brings you to your departure flight at Christchurch Airport.