New Zealand Middle-earth

DAY 1: AUCKLAND Upon arrival
in Auckland, reception and private transfer to the hotel. Accommodation for 3 nights.


DAY 2: AUCKLAND - HOBBITON - AUCKLAND Full-day shared
tour, accompanied by an English-speaking guide, focusing on visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set, the filming location of Hobbit County in the movies “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit”.

The route starts in Auckland, heading south and crossing the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato and the city of Cambridge, characterized by tree-lined streets and English influence. The route follows green rolling hills to the final destination, Shire's Rest.

At the Hobbiton Movie Set, guided tour of about 2 hours. Hiking along easy, signposted trails, with passage through 44 hobbit houses and access to the interior of a residence on Bagshot Row. The route also passes through the mill, the bridge with two arches, the Party Tree and includes a photo stop outside Bilbo's house in Bag End.

The tour ends at the Green Dragon Inn, where lunch and a non-alcoholic beverage are served, before returning to Auckland.


DAY 3: AUCKLAND Free
day for independent activities.

Optional activity suggestion (not included):

• Admission to the Weta Workshop Unleashed, for an activity of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to explore cinematic effects, as well as the science-fiction and fantasy worlds in creation. The tour provides an interactive experience, showing behind the scenes and techniques used by the studio in the development of creatures, scenarios and visual effects, focusing on the universes of horror, science fiction and fantasy, similar to what was done for films such as “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit”.
• Admission to the Weta Workshop Unleashed (as described in the topic above), including an additional creative workshop activity, the “Intro to World Building”. In this stage, the Weta team teaches basic techniques from the universe of practical effects, guiding participants in the creation of mini scenarios and models using recycled materials, as if they were developing environments for fantasy films.

DAY 4: AUCKLAND/NELSON
After checking out of the hotel, transfer to the airport and board a flight (not included) to Nelson. Upon arrival, private transfer to the hotel for accommodation for 3 nights.


DAY 5: NELSON Full-day shared craft brewery
tour in the Nelson region, considered the craft beer capital of New Zealand.

The itinerary includes visits to breweries located amidst landscapes of beaches, agricultural plains, and hills overlooking the mountains. During the tour, small family breweries are explored, each with their own styles and flavors, in addition to a lunch break. The program also includes a visit to the oldest operating pub in the country, where each participant can vote for their favorite beers for the special draft selection.

Along the tour, the tradition of growing hops in the region is also presented, with explanations about the process, from planting to cup. The experience offers varied tastings, information about the production of craft beer and, for those who wish, the possibility of ending the day at a local craft beer bar.


DAY 6: NELSON Free
day for independent activities.

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• Visit to Jens Hansen's jewelry store, responsible for producing The Ring original from the movie The Lord of the Rings. On site, it is possible to purchase replicas of the rings that appeared in the feature film.
• Full-day shared tour with an English-speaking guide, visiting the main art galleries in and around Nelson, recognized for their diversity, creativity, and renowned artists. It includes lunch (without drinks) and visits to spaces such as World of Wearable Art, Hoglund Glass, Red Art Gallery and others, with an emphasis on contemporary works and various techniques.
• Full-day shared tour from Nelson, with an English-speaking guide, exploring forests and rock formations in the Golden Bay region, including a short walk in remnant forest and a visit to the Te Waikoropupu springs. It includes lunch (without drinks) at Tata Beach and stops for panoramic views of the region's parks and bays.

DAY 7: NELSON/QUEENSTOWN Private
transfer to Nelson airport and boarding a flight (not included) to Queenstown. Upon arrival, private transfer to the hotel for accommodation for 4 nights.


DAY 8: QUEENSTOWN Half-day scenic
safari, led by an English-speaking guide. The route includes mountain and forest observation along the shore of Lake Wakatipu, continuing to Glenorchy and Paradise Valley. The itinerary includes visiting filming locations in Isengard, Ithilien, Lothlorien, Fangorn Forest, the Battle of Amon Hen, and others.

In the evening, presentation by the traveler at the Skyline Gondola for buffet dinner, with an incredible view of the city.


DAY 9: QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN
Transfer by bus passing the shore of Lake Wakatipu and the rural region of Te Anau. After a break, continue along the Alpine route of the Milford Highway.

Upon arrival, board the cruise to the fjords region. The boat passes through waterfalls, forests, mountains, and marine life. If you're lucky, you can see seals, dolphins, and penguins. Highlight is Mitre Peak and Pembroke Glacier. An explanatory audio is available during the cruise. Buffet-style lunch is included.

Return to Queenstown by bus.

Note: This tour depends on weather conditions.

DAY 10: QUEENSTOWN
Transfer by bus to the Shotover River for a typical New Zealand tour. The jet boat was developed in the 1950s by New Zealand farmer William (Bill) Hamilton to allow navigation on the shallow rivers of Canterbury. Soon the potential as an adventure activity was realized. The tour takes you through narrow river gorges, almost grazing on rugged rocks, gliding across the surface of the water channels that meander the braided rivers.

Free afternoon for independent activities.

Optional activity suggestion (not included):

• Panoramic helicopter flight lasting 1 hour and 10 minutes, passing through areas used as locations for scenes from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The itinerary includes a flight over the Shotover River to the Vau de Bruinen, crossing the mountain range at the beginning of The Two Towers, traveling through the Dart Valley and Mount Earnslaw to Glenorchy, and visits to recognized regions such as Isengard, Amon Hen and Lothlórien. During the tour, two landings are made, including one on a glacier next to the Misty Mountains.

DAY 11: QUEENSTOWN - MOUNT COOK Overland
trip lasting approximately 5 hours, departing from Queenstown to the village of Mount Cook.

The route includes crossing the Kawarau Gorge, crossing the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and the Roaring Meg viewpoint.

After crossing the Cromwell region, it crosses Lake Dunstan towards Lindis Pass, passing through the Mackenzie district and stopping at Omarama.

At the entrance to Aoraki National Park, Lake Pukaki becomes visible. The crossing continues through Mackenzie Basin to the village of Mount Cook, a viewpoint for Aoraki/Mount Cook Mountain.

Arrival in Mount Cook for accommodation for 2 nights.


DAY 12: MOUNT COOK Free
day for independent activities.

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• Shared boat tour, lasting 3 hours and guide in English, on the Tasman Glacier. Sailing provides a unique experience among icebergs and glacial landscapes.
• Shared tour lasting approximately 1 hour and guide in English, including guided stargazing with telescopes near The Hermitage Hotel.

DAY 13: MOUNT COOK - CHRISTCHURCH
Transfer by bus from Mount Cook to Christchurch, taking approximately 5 hours. It includes a stop at the charming Church of the Good Shepherd and the Mackenzie dog statue, plus a short break in the picturesque city of Geraldine.

Accommodation in Christchurch for 2 nights.

DAY 14: CHRISTCHURCH Free
day for independent activities.

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• Shared full-day tour, with an English-speaking guide, that takes participants to Mt Sunday — the filming location of Edoras, Rohan's capital in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The itinerary includes a 4x4 trip, exclusive access to the mountain, picnic-style lunch, and transfers from selected hotels in the city center. An immersive experience in the natural landscapes that marked the cinema.
• Four-course dinner and drinks, served on an air-conditioned colonial tram, where you can enjoy the best service on board and the beautiful historic and modern landscapes of the city.

DAY 15: CHRISTCHURCH
Check-out at the hotel and private transfer to Christchurch airport.