You will also meet those involved in the making of the movies, and get off the beaten track into the breath-taking landscapes and natural attractions New Zealand has to offer. Along the way, there are opportunities to fly over the Southern Alps, visit wineries, tramp, skydive or raft down a white water river. All within a small fellowship of like-minded travelers, led by our passionate LOTR guides.

Itinerary - brief

Day One

You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for the start of the tour for flights arriving from 5am - 3pm. We gather this evening for our Welcome Dinner , to meet each other and prepare for our early start tomorrow. Accommodation: Takapuna, Auckland.

Day Two

Be ready to depart at 08.00 ~ Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton. (A full cooked Breakfast is included from Day 2 to 13.) Prepare to be enchanted by Hobbiton - a very special site to visit. Have your camera batteries charged for photos of the tranquil Shire, Bag End, Sam & Rosie’s cottage, the Party Tree. Enjoy a cool drink at The Green Dragon followed by lunch in a Marquee beside The Green Dragon (included in tour cost). In Rotorua later today you will have the option of the beautiful Polynesian Spa and / or a fantastic Maori Cultural evening, dinner and show ( cost additional). Overnight Rotorua.

Day Three

Rotorua to Trollshaw Forest and a wonderful guided tour of this Hobbit location - stunning scenery. We will enjoy a picnic lunch (included) on our way to Mt. Ruapehu and the sites of Mordor, Emyn Muil and Mt Doom. Overnight - Where the Stars stayed!

Day Four

Ohakune to Wellington. This morning a Hobbit location of the Secret Entrance to Erebor and Lotr location of Gollum’s fishing pool, where Andy Serkis was careful not to plunge over the waterfall! Then, it's on to Wellywood ~ Wellington City. Tonight we dine at “The Green Parrot Restaurant” (Optional) - said to be a favourite of Viggo’s. Accommodation: Wellington, for the next 3 nights.

Day Five

Wellywood Day, Miramar - New Zealand's movie capital ! Weta Workshop, Weta Cave, The beautiful Roxy Theatre for lunch ~ included in tour. Later today we check out the "Get off the road!" location from FOTR, overlooking the city. Dinner tonight? So many choices, your Guide will help you. Visit the Embassy Theatre, where the ROTK and The Hobbit World Premiere were held.

Day Six

Presentation day with LOTR / Hobbit Calligrapher and Cartographer Daniel Reeve. This afternoon a special guest presentation. Later today is yours to explore Te Papa Museum / see a movie at the special Embassy Theatre / or visit other Wellington places of interest.

Day Seven

Our North Island Adventure concludes and our South Island Adventure begins! We catch the Inter-Island ferry from Wellington, sail to Picton in the South Island (approx. 3.5 hrs). After lunch , we drive to Nelson City, stopping along the way to view the famous river, where the Dwarfs escaped from the Elves, in barrels! How about a fantastic 1 hour easy kayak down this amazing river and movie location!! (optional extra) Accommodation tonight: Nelson.

Day Eight

Nelson day : This morning, weather permitting, there is a two hour ‘optional extra’ helicopter ride to the LOTR sites of "South of Rivendell", at the top of Mt Olympus . More than highly recommended! We head back into Nelson city to meet and chat with the makers of the "One Ring". There, we meet Jens Hansen's son, Halfdan Hansen and see his wonderful LOTR and Hobbit jewelry. Accommodation tonight: Nelson

Day Nine

An early start south through the very scenic central South Island, stopping along the way for second breakfast and lunch. This afternoon we visit the beautiful Hanmer Springs for an optional swim in the hot pools. We then travel on south to Christchurch. An early night tonight for a big day tomorrow. Accommodation: Christchurch.

Day Ten

It's time to head for the magnificence that is EDORAS - a very spiritual experience! It’s a 30 minute trek to reach the summit . The 360 degree views are breathtaking! You will stand where the Golden Hall once stood and survey the mountain panorama all around you as you fly the Rohan flag! You will be reluctant to leave. Refreshment awaits us at the Lodge, before we drive south past Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. Keep a lookout for our highest mountain; Aoraki, Mt Cook – the Cloud Piercer of 12,000 feet. Overnight; Twizel. (Buffet Dinner included tonight.) This is a great place to study the night sky - and see the Southern Cross. Special Guest a local Hobbit inspired seamstress - you may like to buy your own cloak.

Day Eleven

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 visit the stunning location of Laketown and enjoy a guided tour there. Time to try your archery skills - perhaps we have a budding Bard or Tauriel amongst us ? Then head to Omarama for lunch. This afternoon a special visit to Mrs Jones's orchard. Overnight - Cromwell. The Harvest Hotel.

Day Twelve

Arrowtown ~ a charming old settlement, historically significant in the gold rush days of the 1860s. We pan for Gold and enjoy second breakfast near the beautiful Arrow river. This afternoon there are opportunities for wine tasting or a visit to the Kawarau AJ Hackett Bungy bridge. Keen to jump above the river Anduin ? Finally Queenstown , where the remainder of the afternoon is free for you to explore this beautiful town. Accommodation: Queenstown for our final 3 nights.

Day Thirteen

The breaking of the Fellowship. Buy a picnic lunch today to take to Mavora Lakes, where we visit several LOTR sites - The calling up of Shadowfax -The Silverlode bridge -The Orc funeral pyre -Fangorn Forest - Nen Hithoel -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! We arrive back in Queenstown by late-afternoon. Enjoy more free time in this picturesque paradise!

Day Fourteen

Devote today to optional activities and / or last minute shopping. -A Dart River Jet Wilderness Safari past LOTR & Hobbit sites. -Take a helicopter flight to the Ford of Bruinen. -Perhaps a cruise on Lake Wakatipu. -A parasail over the lake. -A coach & cruise trip to Milford Sound. -A guided walk on the Routeburn Track? -A Nomad Safari LOTR 4 Wheel drive half day tour. -An adrenalin Jet Boat ride or a Bungy jump? -Para-sailing? Para-gliding? White water rafting? A hot air balloon ride? Trout fishing? Relaxation at Onsen Hot Pools? -Or retail therapy ~ shopping in Queenstown. The list "goes ever on" and your Guide will discuss the many options available and assist with bookings. Tonight we are having our farewell dinner at the Elements Restaurant, at our hotel (included in tour costs).

Day Fifteen

Alas ~ your journey through Middle Earth with Red Carpet Tours is at an end. Thank you for travelling with us ..... there and back again..... Haere ra ~ Good-bye from us all at Red Carpet Tours. "Nai tiruvantel ar varyuvantel i Valar tielyanna nu vilya: May the Valar protect you on your path under the sky."

Departure Day

On departure day you will need a domestic airfare from Queenstown to Auckland and then your international flight home from Auckland. We can recommend Air New Zealand for this domestic flight: www.airnewzealand.co.nz