From the depths of Helms Deep to the towering trees of the Fangorn Forest, watch Middle Earth come to life before your eyes as you venture across an unimaginable world on your 20-day New Zealand tour. The All-Seeing Eye watches the land from atop Mount Doom. Nazguls traipse across Middle Earth in search of the ring, which hides in the hills of the Shire on your journey of a lifetime.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Auckland – The Edge of (Middle) Earth
Your journey begins as all adventures do, with the first step away from home. Follow in the footsteps of Frodo Baggins by leaving your home behind for a magical experience through New Zealand. The plane soars through the sky. The clouds sit quietly beneath you. The beauty of New Zealand awaits you as a warrior’s adrenaline courses through you. The sound of clanking swords and grunting Orcs swirls in your ears. Gandalf’s voice rings in your head urging your adventure forward and you have happily accepted.
Land in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest and most diverse city at the edge of Middle Earth. Known as the City of Sails, boats decorate the harbors with colorful bows and tall masts. The water is calm along Auckland’s shores as the scent of evergreen from the city’s remarkably lush surroundings flows through the outlying streets. Soon you will make your way into the depths of Middle Earth but for now, you will be able to explore the wonderful diversity of Auckland. The city skyline, including the Sky Tower, stands tall above the harbors giving depth and diversity to the cityscape. Cafes are interspersed throughout the neighborhoods filling the streets with the scent of rich coffee and fresh bread. As the sun sets over the water you can almost hear the Hobbits calling you to join them at the Green Dragon Inn.
What's Included:
Day 2
Rotorua – Step into the Shire at Hobbiton
Day 3
Rotorua – From the Middle of Earth to the Middle of Culture
Day 4
Tongariro National Park – The Gates of Mordor
Day 5
Tongariro National Park – The Depths of Mordor
Day 6
Wellington – From Sauron’s Capital to New Zealand’s Capital
Day 7
Wellington – Capital to Castle
Day 8
Nelson – South Across the Straight
Day 9
Abel Tasman National Park – Beneath the Landscape of Middle Earth
Day 10
Abel Tasman National Park – The Best of Land and Sea
Day 11
Hokitika – The Adventure Continues
Day 12
Fox Glacier – Near the Misty Mountains
Day 13
Wanaka – The Golden Fields
Day 14
Te Anau – Through the Pillars of Kings
Day 15
Doubtful Sound – Almost Like Rivendell
Day 16
Queenstown – The Outskirts of Lothlorien
Day 17
Queenstown – An Adventurous Safari
Day 18
Queenstown – Along the River’s Edge
Day 19
Mount Cook – Mount Doom
Day 20
Christchurch – Ice-Fall to Gardens
Day 21
Christchurch – A Completed Journey
Trip Highlights
- Uncover hard to reach beauty of Fox Glacier, with an optional walk along the frozen river
- Venture through the fabulous landscape of Morder in Tongariro National Park
- Venture through the incredible landscapes on a Lord of the Rings Tour of Queenstown
- See Mount Doom’s Peak with a visit to Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak
- Learn how the creatures, weapons, and props for the films were created from an insider during the tour of Weta Workshop
- Visit the hobbits’ favorite haunts on a behind-the-scenes private tour of the Hobbiton set
- Experience the majesty of Doubtful Sound on an overnight cruise
- Customize your trip with a variety of optional excursions that showcase the best of New Zealand
Detailed Description
Follow Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship of the Ring through the breathtaking and unrestrained beauty of the real Middle Earth on this 23-day tour of New Zealand’s North and South Islands. The plains are always vivacious, while the mountains seem to extend across the landscape. Whether a dedicated fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, or someone interested in the majesty of New Zealand, the magic of the North and South Islands is apparent in the ineffable beauty of the landscape. The world situated within New Zealand’s borders is more than where the Lord of the Rings was filmed; it is the true embodiment of Middle Earth and is ready for you to explore.
Begin your adventure by crossing the International Date Line and landing in the beautiful city of Auckland that sits along the edges of Middle Earth. The City of Sails welcomes you with luxury and kindness before you make your way down to Hobbiton for a fantastic tour of the Shire. Explore the Mill, Frodo’s home, and the Green Dragon Inn as you enter the heart of Middle Earth. From Hobbiton you will continue on to Rotorua where the myths and legends of Tolkien’s imagination merge with the exceptional myths and legends of the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. Experience the traditional food and culture before departing Rotorua for the tumultuous landscape of Mordor, located within Tongariro National Park. Follow Frodo’s footsteps down to Wellington where you can wander through the unique Weta Workshop, home to the stunning city models, fantastic creatures, and pristine weapons of Middle Earth, designed and made for the movies, and now decorating the workshop.
Your journey follows Frodo to the South Island where you will take the Cook Straight ferry and eventually arrive in the scenic destination of Nelson where you can find the One Ring, and its designers, at Jens Hansen Gold and Silversmith. Traverse through ghostly trees and around dramatic holes in the earth on your way to Collingwood where the embodiment of the South Island’s untouched beauty lies in Abel Tasman National Park. The crashing water of Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and the thundering crash of the famous blowhole are highlighted in Hokitika. Venture to Fox Glacier where the colorful blue and white frozen water glistens in the sunlight and stretches through the base of multiple mountains. From Wanaka to Te Anau you will explore the trail to Rohan to the River Anduin, and venture under the Pillars of the Argonath.
Your journey through the South Island and Middle Earth continues as you cruise in and around the breathtaking Doubtful Sound, where mountains surround the clear water and the cool breeze blows from the mountaintops before making your way to Queenstown. The city’s surroundings are brimming with stunning landscapes that highlight the best of the Lord of the Rings, ready for you to scour on a unique four-wheel-drive tour over the mountains, through the plains, and into the depths of Middle Earth. Embark on a jet boat tour through the opulent Dart River also known as Ford of Bruinen. Mount Cook looms over the landscape, better known as Mount Doom, where you will settle into the alpine village and, if you feel adventurous, soar over the ineffable landscape on a guided flight around Mount Doom, throughout Middle Earth, and touch-down along the open plains where the Misty Mountains stretch before you. Make your way to Christchurch were the journey through Middle Earth comes to an end. The adventure that followed Frodo Baggins’s footsteps may finish but the breathtaking beauty of Middle Earth and New Zealand will continue, ready to be explored again.
Starting Price
$23,900 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.85 stars based on 1705 reviews.
We very much enjoyed our time in New Zealand and Australia. The tours were all very good. Zicasso's travel agent and our tour partner were very responsive and helpful throughout the planning phase and while we were on vacation.
The only feedback we have is that the hotels selected, other than the hotels in New Zealand, did not have the amenities we were hoping to get from four-star properties. We'll do a better job of indicating what we need in hotel selections moving forward, but we thought the hotels could have been a notch better than they were.
Reviewed By Tim G.
We absolutely loved so much of our trip! My kids’ (ages 11 and eight) favorite activities were luging in Rotorua, NZ, and the sunset camel ride in Uluru, AU, while my husband and I were enchanted by Hobbiton and enjoyed exploring a glowworm cave with the owner's father! We all loved Tasmania.
There were a few hiccups. However, we were very happy with all the support the Zicasso travel company's team provided in real time to help us get back on track.
The overall trip was fantastic. My husband and I appreciated having the team support our adventures, both the highs and the lows. The team members were detailed-oriented. This trip exceeded our expectations and we’re incredibly grateful for their expertise in curating such memorable experiences.
Reviewed By Sivly R.
The trip was awesome; the trip of a lifetime! We saw/experienced everything we could imagine. The trip reflected all of our wish-list items. Zicasso's travel specialist was very accommodating to our ideas and was very detail-oriented. We didn't have to worry about a thing on this vacation.
Reviewed By Sharon B.
We had a fabulous time celebrating my 75th birthday in New Zealand and Bora Bora. Zicasso's travel specialist was fantastic to work with. She was very responsive to all of our questions and concerns and even checked in with us numerous times while we were on the trip. I'd highly recommend her and the travel company when traveling to New Zealand or French Polynesia.
Reviewed By Paul S.
Zicasso's travel specialist worked with us every step of the way to create an amazing itinerary filled with adventure in New Zealand and luxurious relaxation in Fiji. She helped us adjust the itinerary until it was just right. Unfortunately, there were a couple of excursions that were impacted by the weather and other logistics, which impacted our experience, but it was not her fault and she was willing to try to find other options.
Reviewed By Stephanie G.
Great trip! Zicasso's travel planner was responsive to our needs and put together an enjoyable trip. It was organized, with all documents in order and no surprises!
Reviewed By Lisa D.