13-Nights In the Footsteps of Middle-earth

Day 1: Auckland; Arrive Auckland, Weta Workshop

On arrival at Auckland Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle. This afternoon, make your way to the Weta Workshop and join the Unleashed tour. Join a 90 minute movie-making tour where you explore interactive and immersive make-believe film sets, focusing on the worlds of horror, fantasy and sci-fi. It's your chance to get up-close and hands-on with enchanting environments, resident creatures, hyper-realistic giants, a galactic robot, and much more.

Day 2: Rotorua; Hobbiton, Maori Cultural Experience (B,D)

On arrival at Auckland Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle. This afternoon, make your way to the Weta Workshop and join the Unleashed tour. Join a 90 minute movie-making tour where you explore interactive and immersive make-believe film sets, focusing on the worlds of horror, fantasy and sci-fi. It's your chance to get up-close and hands-on with enchanting environments, resident creatures, hyper-realistic giants, a galactic robot, and much more.

Day 3: Rotorua; Geothermal Wai-o-tapu, Mt Tarawera flight (B)

This morning, visit Rotorua's most natural and popular geothermal parks; Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Mt and boiling mud-fields. Your local naturalist guide will explain the volcanic processes of Rotorua and New Zealand. See volcanoes, geysers, New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool, and hot springs on a scenic drive around volcanic landscapes of farmland, native and exotic forests. The two heritage parks offer a variety of thermal activity; at Wai-o-tapu the amazingly colorful hot springs and moon-like landscapes are the key features along with the famous Lady Knox geyser. At Waimangu Volcanic valley the guide will explain the Mt Tarawera eruption, native flora and fauna and the geothermal features which were blown open in 1886. This afternoon, take a floatplane flight and view Rotorua beyond the caldera rim. Enjoy spectacular views of hidden lakes district, local geothermal activity, and distant volcanoes in this captivating scenic flight over this stunning area!

Day 4: Tongariro National Park; Tongariro National Park (B)

Collect your rental vehicle and enjoy a leisurely drive to Ohakune, located at the entrance of Tongariro National Park. This afternoon, join an easy 2-hour loop to Taranaki Falls that is jam-packed with fascinating natural sights and excellent mountain views. A superb way to experience the Tongariro National Park and enjoy this stunning time of day. Enjoy a glass of New Zealand wine while you take in the sights of the Taranaki Falls tumbling 20 meters over the edge of a large lava flow, which erupted from Ruapehu 15,000 years ago. Your guide will talk about the area with their local knowledge of geology, volcanology and New Zealand cultural history.

Day 5: Wellington; Wellington (CB)

Continue your journey south to New Zealand's capital, Wellington, where you'll spend two nights. The drive takes you through a vast and picturesque landscape. Along the way, consider a stop at Waiouru, a military town renowned for the Army Museum, housing a remarkable collection of New Zealand military memorabilia and the history of its servicemen. For a brief change of scenery, explore the coastal towns of Paraparaumu, Paekakariki, and Plimmerton before reaching the capital city of Wellington by day's end. Upon arrival in Wellington, your city center accommodation offers easy access to the cafes and restaurants in the vibrant Courtenay Place. If your schedule allows, you can also explore New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa, located nearby.

Day 6: Wellington; Wellington, Weta Workshop (B)

Enjoy a leisurely morning before making your way to the Weta Workshop. Dive head-first into a world of movie magic in Wellington, New Zealand, and journey through the creative design and physical effects facility, Weta Workshop, with a guided round trip. Explore real props, costumes and creatures created for your favorite films, from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to Avatar, District 9 and Mulan, and many more iconic movies. Interact with cool stuff from creative departments and catch an artist at work on the tour stage. The remainder of your day is free to explore at your leisure.

Day 7: Christchurch; Wellington to Christchurch Free Time

Make your way to Wellington Airport and return your rental vehicle before boarding your flight to Christchurch (not included). On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for a 3-night stay. The remainder of your day is free to explore at your leisure.

Day 8: Christchurch; Christchurch City & Wine Experience (B,L)

Perfect for those wanting to experience Canterbury Wine Country, plus have an informative discussion on Christchurch, New Zealand’s newest city and a foodie’s hub. Having picked you up from your inner-city hotel we will head to the revitalized City Centre and discuss the rebuild and reinvention of our colorful City, now designed for walking. There are over 40 boutique vineyards within easy reach of Christchurch, a region renowned for producing aromatic wines, namely Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Noir. Your guide will carefully select 3 wineries whose tastings illustrate the caliber of New Zealand wine.

Day 9: Christchurch; Journey to Middle-Earth Tour (B)

Journey to middle-earth and visit the beautiful Mt Potts High Country Station, home of Mt Sunday. This peaceful mountain was transformed into Edoras, the capital city of the Rohan people in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Immerse yourself in the natural, unspoilt beauty of this breath-taking area with its sparkling clear lakes, glistening blue rivers, rugged mountain ranges and fresh, crisp mountain air. Enjoy a short 4WD adventure, get your photo taken with movie replica swords and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch in the mountains.

Day 10: Queenstown; Christchurch, Mt Cook, Queenstown (B)

Depart from Christchurch with your guide en route to Queenstown via Mt Cook and Tekapo. Traverse the picturesque Canterbury plains, witnessing New Zealand's stunning farmlands and countryside. We'll take a brief morning tea stop in the charming town of Geraldine. Our journey continues, passing through the renowned blue lakes of Lake Tekapo, offering breathtaking alpine views along the way. In Tekapo, you'll have the chance to explore the popular Church of the Good Shepherd, meet the Mackenzie Sheep dog, and capture those Instagram-worthy shots of Lake Tekapo before we head to Mt Cook via Lake Pukaki. As you enter Aoraki National Park, the striking Lake Pukaki unfolds before you, its brilliant blue waters framed by the majestic backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. Pause for stunning photos and discover why this location served as the backdrop for numerous Lord of the Rings scenes, which we'll point out. Upon reaching Mt Cook Village, weather permitting, you'll have the opportunity to capture incredible shots of the 3,724-meter Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand's tallest peak. The village, at just 750 meters above sea level, offers unobstructed views of the mountain. Afterward, you will continue our journey to Queenstown.

Day 11: Queenstown; Safari of the Scenes Tour (B)

Enjoy a free morning before joining an afternoon adventure safari packed with breathtaking scenery and thrilling 4WD action whilst discovering LOTR filming locations. See the filming locations of Minas Tirith, Misty Mountains, the Pillars of the Kings (Argonath), Gladden Fields, the Ford of Bruinen and more. Travel an historic gold mining road, following the Arrow River, stop for a refreshing afternoon tea and the opportunity to try your hand at gold panning. Take in the spectacular panoramic views over the Wakatipu Basin.

Day 12: Queenstown; Milford Sound Fly & Cruise (B)

After checking in, your pilot will provide a detailed pre-flight briefing, highlighting the route and scenic wonders you'll encounter. Notable sights include Skippers Canyon, the Paradise region (famous for its role in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films), and the Donne glacier, among other breathtaking features. The 35-minute flight culminates with a majestic overflight of Milford Sound before landing. The second part of this adventure unfolds in Milford Sound, where your pilot personally escorts you to the boat docks. There, you'll board the "Spirit of Milford" for a Milford Sound Nature Cruise, limited to 150 passengers, ensuring an intimate experience. Nature Guides provide insightful commentary as the catamaran delves into the fiord's intricate corners, brushing against sheer rock faces to study the flora and fauna up close. Following your Milford Sound cruise, your return flight offers sweeping views of pristine alpine lakes and cascading waterfalls, a hallmark of Fiordland National Park. Among these, you'll spot the towering Sutherland Falls, stretching 580 meters (1900 feet). The flight lasts an additional 35 minutes, creating a total trip time of about five hours. Enjoy the scenic flight back from Milford Sound before arriving in Queenstown.

Day 13: Queenstown; Queenstown, dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm (B,D)

This morning, head down to Queenstown Marina for a 60-minute jetboat ride offering unforgettable thrills, spins, and exhilaration across three waterways in one of the world's most stunning locations. The twin engine Jet boat roars across crystal clear Lake Wakatipu at breath- taking speed, surrounded by majestic mountains and mesmerizing scenery. Then the Jet boat zooms under the Kawarau Dam onto the deep green waters of the Kawarau River, complete with lots of 360° spins. Next the adventure heightens as the driver navigates the fast- moving currents of the narrow braided Shotover River, racing up the shallow channels at speeds of up to 95KPH in water that's often less than 5cm deep. This evening, enjoy a dining experience like no other, cruise across Lake Whakatipu on the iconic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm and discover Queenstown’s incomparable fine dining destination. Once at the lakeside Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant savor the delicious aromas as our chef has the best of local produce sizzling away on the grill. An entertaining farm demonstration is also included, or you can explore the beautiful lakeside gardens. After dinner, cruise back to Queenstown.

Day 14: Queenstown; Depart Queenstown (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Queenstown Airport for your onward flight arrangements.