Lord of the Rings Premium North Island Small Group Tour
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LORD OF THE RINGS TOUR OVERVIEW
Our commitment to small group sizes
Step into the world of Middle-earth with our New Zealand North Island Lord of the Rings small group tour. Discover the iconic landscapes that set the stage for the epic film series.
We prioritize small group sizes to offer a more intimate and immersive experience. Guided by our knowledgeable experts, you’ll stay in high-quality accommodations and travel comfortably in a premium van.
Share this unique adventure with up to 12 like-minded fans and create unforgettable memories in the land of Tolkien’s imagination.
Group Tour Departure Dates
Dates don’t fit? Consider private tours.
North Island: The Heart of Middle-Earth
Explore the North Island’s varied landscapes, from the idyllic rolling hills of Waikato to the dramatic volcanic features of Tongariro National Park. Each location was handpicked for its distinctive role in creating the cinematic Middle-earth, offering an experience that goes beyond simple sightseeing to fully immerse you in the magic of Tolkien’s world. Most of the key filming scenes were shot in the North Island due to its unparalleled diversity in scenery.
From the lush farmland that became the Shire to the stark volcanic terrain that portrayed Mordor, the North Island provided the perfect backdrop for some of the most memorable scenes in the films. Act now to secure your spot on our Lord of the Rings Group Tours – seats are very limited.
We have been guiding Lord of the Rings tours for over 12 years.
Your 8-day LOTR itinerary
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DAY 1
- Auckland Arrival
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DAY 2
- Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton
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DAY 3
- Rotorua
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DAY 4
- Rotorua to River Valley Lodge
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DAY 5
- River Valley Lodge Scenic Rafting Trip
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DAY 6
- River Valley Lodge to Wellington via Putangirua Pinnacles - "Paths of the Dead"
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DAY 7
- Wellington Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour
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DAY 8
- Wellington Departure Day
YOUR DAY
250km, 3.5 hours driving
Today you farewell the ‘City of Sails’ and head south to Rotorua; a hot spot for Māori culture and geothermal activity. En route you will visit Hobbiton and The Shire’s Rest, the only remaining film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. You’ll also enjoy a buffet style feast in the festive marquee next to the Green Dragon!
Arrive in Rotorua in the late afternoon and perhaps explore Kuirau Park mud pool reserve and view the stunning government gardens and lakefront.
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit filming locations that will be visited today:
Hobbiton
YOUR DAY
This morning is free for you to explore Rotorua. Options include:
-A restorative Journey at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa
-A scenic flight (helicopter or seaplane) to White Island or a landing on Mt. Tarawera
-Rotorua Canopy Tours zipline through ancient native forest
-Agrodrome farm show + farm tour
-Skyline Rotorua Gondola & Luge
In the afternoon you will enjoy a scenic drive out to Lake Tarawera and the Blue and Green Lakes, taking in the volcanic wonders of the area.
Following this, walk high up in the treetops of the Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest. Floating between 9-20 metres above the forest floor, this award-winning, eco-tourism walk is 700 metres long, spans across 28 suspension bridges and 27 platforms and takes about 40 minutes to complete.
This afternoon you will enjoy a guided walk around Te Puia where you will experience mud pools and geysers and visit the Māori Weaving School and Kiwi House. This is a chance to see our national bird up close. Following this, you will enjoy a Hangi (ground cooked traditional meal) and cultural performance which tells the stories of Aotearoa’s native Māori people.
YOUR DAY
242km, 3 hours driving
Your first stop for the day is Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland- a Wonderland of Stunning Geothermal Activity. You will visit New Zealand’s largest thermal mud pool, sinter terraces and stunning hot and cold pools of many different colours (included activity).
Heading south and stopping at the mighty Huka Falls en route, you will reach Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake. You will wind your way south along Lake Taupō to the beautiful River Valley via the Tongariro National Park.
Arrive in Tongariro National Park, where you may wish to enjoy a scenic hike. The Tongariro Natinal Park features the mighty Mount Doom (Mount Ngauruhoe) and many other LOTR filming locations. One of The Road Trip’s favourite hikes is 2 hours long featuring native bush, volcanic views and stunning waterfalls. In clear weather there is a great opportunity to spot 3 of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes – Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngaurauhoe (Mount Doom).
There will be plenty of time to explore LOTR filming locations today before continuing on to River Valley Loge, deep in the wilderness of the central North Island, on the banks of the Rangitikei River, which was one of four rivers used to portray River Anduin in The Lord of the Rings. Enjoy a complimentary dinner at the lodge tonight.
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit filming locations that can be visited today:
Mount Doom
Emyn Muil
Last Alliance Battle/Mordor
Gollum’s Pool
YOUR DAY
Today you will be taken on a full day scenic rafting trip down the Rangitikei River (grade 3 maximum rapids) which will see you drifting through dramatic landscapes which portrayed the stunning “River Anduin.” in the Lord of the Rings. This is not specifically a Lord of the Rings tour but is on the same river which filming was undertaken on and the scenery is breath-taking! This evening you will be staying overnight at River Valley Lodge. Enjoy a complimentary dinner at the lodge tonight.
If rafting isn’t your thing, you can instead explore River Valley by e-bike or horseback! We can provide several options.
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit filming locations that will be visited today:
River Anduin (Rangitikei River – one of several rivers used for filming)
YOUR DAY
307km, 4 hours 10 minutes driving
You will leave River Valley Lodge and head for Taihape – The gumboot throwing capital of the world! Give gumboot throwing a go at their specially designed gumboot throwing lane! Further down the road you will enjoy the picturesque drive through Martinborough and neighbouring towns in the Wairarapa, famous for it’s wine production. Perhaps pop in to Poppie’s for a delightful wine tasting!
Next up, drive out to the Putangirua Pinnacles (if its open, Currently closed); a stunning yet unusual canyon like landscape surrounded by tall, thin pinnacle rock formations. Walk straight through the Pinnacles or take the walk up to the lookout and view this bizarre but beautiful landscape from above. These impressive weathered pillars of rock were used in the scenes for Dimholt Road where Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli search for the Army of the Undead in The Return of the King. Heading over the Remutaka Ranges, you arrive in Wellington in the afternoon to discover New Zealand’s capital city where you can explore some LOTR filming sites on your own.
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit filming locations that can be visited today:
Paths of the Dead
Nazgul Hobbits Tree
Frodo Reading Tree
Dunharrow
YOUR DAY
Today you will be taken on a full day Lord of the Rings tour to see many filming locations in the greater Wellington area! Sites today include Dunharrow, the Outer Shire, parts of the Hutt River used to also portray The River Anduin, the Gardens of Isengard and the glorious Rivendell! You will also see where Helms Deep and Minas Tirith were filmed. Today’s tour also includes a tour through the Weta Cave at Weta Workshop where post production for LOTR and The Hobbit trilogies was completed.
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit filming locations that will be visited today:
Rivendell
Isengard Gardens
Dunharrow
The Outer Shire
Helms Deep
Minas Tirith
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