Lord of the Rings Hobbit Full Tour Itinerary
The following is a sample itinerary only, representing a typical monthly tour. Details may vary from month to month according to availability of key people, places and acommodation. Final itineraries are confirmed and emailed 4 weeks prior.
Day 1 Arrive Auckland (D)
You are met at the airport and transferred you to your Auckland hotel. We gather informally this evening to meet each other and prepare for our early start tomorrow.
Stay: Spencer on Byron Hotel
Day 2 Auckland to Rotorua (B, L)
Be ready to depart at 08.00 - Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton. Prepare to be enchanted by Hobbiton - a very special site to visit. Have us take your photo beneath the Party Tree and outside Bag End. We have lunch at Hobbiton in 'The Shire's Rest', on the farm. (Lunch included in tour cost.)
In Rotorua later today, we'll show you some geothermal activity and suggest optional activities - such as a riding a Zorb and / or enjoying a relaxing hot mineral Polynesian Spa Pool. In the evening, a chance to experience traditional Maori Culture at it's very best.
Stay: The Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Day 3 Rotorua to Ohakune (B)
Journey via bubbling mud pools and the beautiful Huka Waterfalls at Lake Taupo. We stop for 'Second Breakfast - Morning Tea' on our way to Tongariro National Park and Mt. Ruapehu and the sites of Mordor, Emyn Muil and Mt Doom.
See the spot where Sam and Frodo were lost amid volcanic lava flows and where they first met Gollum. Visit Gollum's fishing pool, where Andy Serkis was careful not to plunge over the waterfall!
Stay: The Powderhorn Chateau - where the Stars stayed. (You can request a Star's room.)
Day 4: Ohakune to Wellington (B)
Travel via a 'River Anduin' site, where there's an optional extra Flying Fox activity for the mad and daring - great viewing for the rest of us!
We stop for lunch in Foxton and continue on to visit the Black Rider's Ranch. Meet him in person and enjoy his hospitality. He trained the horses, taught the actors to ride and had several key roles in the trilogy.
Then, it's on to Wellington City - just in time to see the "Get off the road!" site on Mt Victoria, overlooking the city. Tonight we suggest dining at "The Green Parrot Restaurant" - said to be a favourite of Viggo's.
Stay three nights: Amora Hotel Wellington
Day 5: Wellington (B, L)
This morning we check out the site of Helms Deep and Minas Tirith and the Gardens of Isengard. Weather permitting, we travel over a hilly range to the beautiful Leaving Lothlorien site - where Galadriel waved goodbye to the fellowship - it's also where Smeagol strangled Deagol !! We return for a relaxed lunch (included) at Kaitoke Gardens on our way back to the city.
Dinner tonight ? Perhaps "Strawberry Fare" - specialising in delicious desserts ~ just up from the Embassy Theatre, where the ROTK Premiere was held.
Day 6: Wellington to Nelson (B)
We drive out past Peter Jackson's movie studios, to Weta Workshop's new "Weta Cave".
Time here to buy souvenirs, view their promo dvd ......... and maybe more ! (An optional extra may be available here - a visit to the Weta Workshop's Boardroom to see the display of figurines, their 5 Oscars, and meet a LOTR artist. Dependent on availability and our group number.) Make sure your camera batteries are fully charged !! On our way back to the city we’ll take a coffee break at the Roxy Theatre and Cafe - lovingly restored by Sir Richard Taylor and Jamie Selkirk. On our way back to the hotel we visit the "Get off the road!" site on Mt Victoria, overlooking the city.
The afternoon is yours to explore Te Papa Museum, see a movie at the special Embassy Theatre, or visit other Wellington places of interest.
Day 7: Wellington to Nelson (B)
Our North Island Adventure concludes and our South Island Adventure begins !
We catch the Inter-Island ferry from Wellington, sail (under 4 hrs) to Picton in the South Island and head across to Nelson City, stopping along the way to view the Pelorous River , where the Dwarfs escaped from the Elves , in barrels !!
Stay one night: Trailways Hotel, or similar, Nelson.
Day 8: Nelson to Blenheim (B)
This morning, weather permitting, there is an "optional extra" helicopter ride to the LOTR sites of "South of Rivendell", "Dimrill Dale" and a new Hobbit film site - more than highly recommended ! From here we visit the Grape Escape Complex, have lunch at the cafe and the opportunity to taste Middle Earth wines and cheeses. We head back to Nelsonl, where we visit the "One Ring" maker, renowned gold & silversmith, Jens Hansen, to see his wonderful work and souvenirs. Later, time permitting; you may like to visit the "World of Wearable Art" Museum. Your Guide has a variety of options for you to consider.
Stay one night: Quality Hotel, or similar, Blenheim.
Day 9: Blenheim to Christchurch (B, D)
We take the coast road today and drive to Kaikoura - home of Whale and Dolphin watching, There's time for those interested to take an optional extra activity - a Whale Watch Cruise or a Swim with the Dolphins Cruise , before we travel south and inland to the Garden City of Christchurch. An early night tonight for a big day tomorrow.
Stay: The Sudima Hotel, Christchurch
Day 10 : Christchurch to Twizel (B, L, D)
BBQ Lunch and Buffet Dinner included today
It's time to head for the site and magnificence that is EDORAS ! Bring shorts (or trousers that roll up to the knees) and sturdy footwear. There are streams on the way to the summit, where once stood the Golden Hall !
You will be reluctant to leave. Lunch awaits us at the Lodge, before we drive south past Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. Later we'll view the beautiful, mountain fed lakes - Tekapo and Pukaki and see N.Z's highest Mountain - Mt. Cook, which is over 12,000 ft high. This is a great place to study the night sky - have you seen the Southern Cross?
Stay: McKenzie Country Inn, Twizel
Day 11: Twizel to Cromwell (B)
We depart at around 9-00 a.m. for the Pelennor Fields - an area that once rang to the thunderous sound of 250 horses on the charge, as King Theoden's battle speech roused men to battle. Moving on, we check out the site of The Great Chase, and then head on to scenic Lake Wanaka for lunch.
After lunch we make time to try your archery skills - perhaps we have a budding Legolas amongst us?
Stay: The Golden Gate Lodge, Cromwell
Day 12: Cromwell to Queenstown (B)
We head out through Alexandra this morning, to where the Rohan village was burned and we walk through the canyon where the leaf brooch was dropped. (Dwarves are "dangerous over short distances" here, or so Gimli tells us!)
This afternoon we move on to Arrowtown - a charming old settlement, historically significant in the gold rush days of the 1860s. It's also the location where Isildur was attacked by Orcs at Gladden Fields.
Stay 3 nights: Novotel Lakeside Hotel, Queenstown
Day 13: Queenstown (B)
We take a picnic lunch to the Mavora Lakes today and visit 4 LOTR sites:
- the Orc funeral pyre
- Fangorn Forest
- the log which concealed Merry & Pippin before Frodo left the fellowship, and
- where Sam and Frodo paddled away on the next stage of their journey.
Stunning scenery!
Day 14: Queenstown (D)
Devote today to optional activities and last minute shopping. How about
- There is time today to take a helicopter flight to the Ford of Bruinen
- Or the trip up Deer Park Heights
- Perhaps a cruise on Lake Wakatipu
- Or some retail therapy - shopping in Queenstown.
- A 4 wheel drive tour to Lothlorien country?
- Horse trekking?
- A jet boat ride or bungy jump?
- Maybe a trout fishing trip?
- A guided walk - or a day's hike?
- Or a hot air balloon ride?
- Para-sailing?
- Para-gliding?
Your Guide will discuss the many options available with you and assist or advise with bookings. Tonight we ride the Skyline Gondola up for our Farewell Dinner at the Skyline Restaurant (included in tour costs).
Day 15: Depart Queenstown
The last day of our Fellowship! Sadly your journey through Middle-earth is at an end. We thank you for travelling with us .... there and back again .....
Haere ra - Good-bye from us all.
