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Lord of the Rings Group Tours

Green velvet hills. Vast snow-capped mountain ranges that fade into purple mist at sunset. Lakes as deep as thought with silver surfaces reflecting wide skies, and forests as old as memory with their tall trees murmuring in the wind. Sun on clouds, mist rising on rivers, air so clear you can pick out the lichen on a rock at fifty paces. Cry of hawk scudding home. This is New Zealand. This is Middle Earth.

The fellowship atop Edoras

Ever since Peter Jackson made his astonishing film trilogy, this has become the place that millions recognize as the living reflection of J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginary world. The vast, wild beauty of the landscape stars in the movies as much as it does in the books and has been billed by the New Zealand tourist officials as 'best supporting country'.

Many people have dreamed about Middle Earth, and these group tours can take you into the dream and it will become reality. Walk in the footsteps of Frodo and Sam from the lush green Shirelands into forests, across rivers and even to the twisted lava and ash fields of the Black Land itself. Along the way you'll easily recognize the sites of epic battles, and imagine you still hear the thudding of horses' hooves, the clash of swords.

Explore moss-shrouded forest glades surrounded by the snowcapped mountain peaks of the Southern Alps - or fly above them with the same people that flew the film crews over the Misty Mountains. Go whitewater rafting between the Pillars of the Argonath (chances are your guide there was once an orc!), and unwind later that evening in the same hotel where the stars stayed, swapping tales with a onetime Rider of Rohan.

These 12 night tours include:

  • Hobbiton (lunch at 'The Shire's Rest' )
  • Geothermal activity
  • Emyn Muil, Mordor and Mt. Doom
  • Gollum's fishing pool
  • Powderhorn Chateau (where the stars stayed)
  • The Lord of the Rings horses
  • The film studios
  • Isengard Gardens
  • Rivendell
  • The Calligrapher: http://www.danielreeve.co.nz/
  • The Elven cloak factory
  • Leaving Lothlorien and Gladden Fields
  • Edoras
  • The Pelennor Fields
  • The Rohan sites
  • Fangorn Forest
  • River Anduin
  • The Misty Mountains
  • Amon Hen and Ithilian

For more information on this Lord of the Rings locations tour click here.
     

from NZ$3,750 per person
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Lord of the Rings locations

Gandalf

 

Lord of the Rings Group Tours

These highly popular Lord of the Rings Tours have been built for and by fans of The Lord of the Rings. They have unique access to privately owned property that was used in the filming of the trilogy, and their aim is to bring people from all over the world to experience the fellowship of a shared journey to the breathtaking landscapes we all know from the movies. Coming as strangers to this distant land, you will part as a band of companions who have shared a unique experience, exploring the length and breadth of the country that has become Middle Earth.

The tours are a great experience not only because of the natural beauties of the movie locations. You will also discover life in New Zealand. Safe, clean and incredibly entertaining.

Get off the road!!!Chosen hotels include many where the stars stayed during filming and all have wonderful staff, clean comfortable rooms and some great buffets. New Zealand is justly famous for the pasture-fed beef and lamb which it exports to the world. You might try it out cooked at a traditional Maori 'hangi,' if you care to dive into the local culture. Or you can sample the various delicacies of Japanese, Chinese, and other Asiatic cuisines. Indulge yourself in the local fresh and abundant seafood specialties such as green-lipped mussels that can only be found in New Zealand. Take a shell home as a souvenir - if your pockets aren't already too full with smooth pebbles from the Great River or stones from the place where Edoras was built.

New Zealand's wine industry is the new kid on the block, producing wines that are a complement to any occasion. They're now even contending with France and Italy for world recognition. The beers are fantastic with over 60 breweries; try some on tap. In this land of dairy wealth cheeses abound, fresh or aged. Or you can try the wild, rich flavor of local honey. Did we mention coffee? New Zealand has re-defined the word! You'll know for yourself at your first good cup with a fernleaf delicately etched across the thick 'crema' on top. If you have a Hobbit's passion for fine eating, here is the cuisine to satisfy you, many and various.

My precious!!!If you are not in the mood for culinary adventures then go throw yourself off a bridge. Bungy jumping was invented here by A.J. Hackett at the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown. Go white water rafting or take a jet boat for the ride of your life. Just hang on for those 360 degree turns. Skydiving anyone?

Or just walk or take a hike. Watch the sun set in a glory of colour or watch it rise in the most delicate of hues. Take a deep breath. The air is free and as clean as can be. You can see the Southern Cross from here. Orion stands on his head.

Daily itinerary

 

2007 TOUR SCHEDULE AND PRICES

Arrive Auckland (Mondays) - Depart Queenstown (Saturdays).

  • January arrive15th - depart 27th
  • February arrive 12th - depart 24th
  • March arrive 12th - depart 24th
  • April arrive 9th - depart 21st
  • May arrive 7th - depart 19th
  • June arrive 4th - depart 16th
  • July arrive 9th - depart 21st
  • August arrive 6th - depart 18th
  • September arrive 3rd - depart 15th
  • October arrive 8th - depart 20th
  • November arrive 5th - depart 17th
  • December arrive 3rd - depart 15th

2007 tour prices

Full 12 night tour:

  • Single NZ$5250
  • Share twin/double NZ$4075 per person
  • Triple share NZ$3750

North Island only:

  • Single NZ$2275
  • Share twin NZ$1790 per person
  • Triple share NZ$1660 per person

South Island only:

  • Single NZ$2825
  • Share twin NZ$2135 per person
  • Triple share NZ$1940 per person

2008 TOUR SCHEDULE

Arrive Auckland (Mondays) - Depart Queenstown (Saturdays).

  • January arrive 7th - depart 19th
  • February arrive 11th - depart 23rd
  • March arrive 10th - depart 22nd
  • April arrive 7th - depart 19th
  • May arrive 5th - depart 17th
  • June arrive 9th - depart 21st
  • July arrive 14th - depart 26th
  • August arrive 11th - depart 23rd
  • September arrive 15th - depart 27th
  • October arrive 13th - depart 25th
  • November arrive 10th - depart 22nd
  • December arrive 8th - depart 20th

Please enquire about tour pricing.

TOUR PRICING

Edoras minus the set


WHAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR

The price you pay includes:

  • Coach transport
  • All guiding services
  • Meet and greet on arrival
  • Hotel accommodation
  • 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
  • Entry fees to private LOTR sites
  • Airfare Wellington to Christchurch

Not included are:

  • Connecting flight out of Queenstown to Auckland to link with your international departure.
  • Accommodation pre or post-tour
  • You pay for your meals not covered above
  • You pay for any optional extra activities you choose to take part in. Your guide can make bookings for you during the tour

Path of the Rohan refugees
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