Day 1
We pick you up from the airport and depending on the time of your arrival we will explore the centre of Auckland and relax at a nice beach. In the early hours of the evening we will have our introduction evening.

Day 2
We leave the largest City of this country behind; through Farm country we reach Matamata a couple of hours later. Close to that place Hobbiton can be found, many of the hobbit holes can still be seen today. You can walk up Bagshot Row to Bag End. Even the party tree is still there. From here we make us on our way to Rotorua, this place is the well known for it's Maori culture and for the Thermal areas. We will show you the most interesting places, the old Bathhouse, the Maori village Ohinemutu, before we bring you to your accommodation. Those who are interested can spend the evening at a Thermal bath.

Day 3
On our way south we will show you the Thermal area of Wai-O-Tapu with its wellknown geyser. The amazing Huka Falls we reach shortly before coming to Lake Taupo. This largest lake of the country lies north of the Tongariro Nationalpark in which several of the Lord of the Ring locations can be found. You will recognize Mt. Ngauruhoe, the 2nd largest mountain in the park. In the movie this Mt. Doom. In the surroundings of Whakapapa the locations of Mordor and Emyn Muil can be found. The plains surrounding the mountains were used to portray the Gorgoroth. We also can see the place were Smeagol catches and eats a raw fish. We stay overnight in Ohakune.

Day 4
We drive as close as possible to the volcanoes of Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe, at the bottom of these mountains one of the locations of Mordor and the Black Gates can be found. A bit further south we reach the Rangitikei River, which was used as one of the Anduin locations in the movie. Those who want have the opportunity to go rafting in this area (Optional). At the edge of the Trollshaw forest and the Osgiliath woods we make a picnic at the beach. Close to Paraparaumu we pass the place where a part of the shots for the Pelennor Fields was made. We make a short sightseeing tour to familiarize ourselves with Wellington.

Day 5
In the capital we will show you the parliament and the government buildings before driving up to the top of Mt. Victoria, from where you will have great views over the city. The Outer Shire can be found here and the Escape from the Nazguls were filmed here. After Walking through this magic area we reach Dunharrow at the bottom of this hill. You will have time to visit the TE PAPA, the national museum in Wellington. In the afternoon we drive pass the WETA Studios on our way to the famous hangout of the actors, the Chocolate Fish Café. We will have a break there before we reach the Embassy cinema on our way back.

Day 6
A further location of the Anduin River can be found only a few kilometres outside of town. The Harcourts Park provided a backdrop for the gardens of Isengard. In the Kaitoke Forest Park a part of Rivendell was filmed. Over a pass we reach a further highlight of our journey - Fernside. Lothlorien was filmed in this amazing landscape. There is also a bridge to be seen which had lots of ornaments on it. We spend the late afternoon in Wellington.

Day 7
We leave the North Island behind and travel through the Cook Strait before entering the islands and peninsulas of the Marlborough Sounds at the top end of the South Island. From here we make our way to Nelson. Jens Hansen Gold and Silversmith made not just one but 40 rings in his workshop for the film. A few kilometres outside those ones who would like to go horse riding can spend an hour on the back of a horse. The horse on which Gimli and Legolas were riding and which was king Theodens horse lives here.

Day 8
The only way to see the Chetwood forest, the area south of Rivendell and Dimrill Dale, the eastern doors of Moria and also part of the Misty Mountains is by Helicopter. Afterwards we bring you to the beginning of the Abel Tasman Nationalpark. Those who want can do a boot trip of go kayaking or do a bit of tramping. We stay overnight at the same place as the day before - close to Motueka not far from the Abel Tasman National park.

Day 9
We follow the Motueka River; we have another chance to see one of the locations of the Misty Mountains. Along the wild Buller gorge we reach one of the most beautiful beaches of the country close to Westport. Along one of the most amazing drives of this country we reach the strange Pancake rocks. We stay overnight close to Greymouth and have a Bonfire with a Hobbit meal at the beach.

Day 10
In Hokitika we have the chance to visit a Jade manufactory. Lots of artisans have made this little place their home. You can also see a real life Kiwi bird before we make us on our way to the glaciers. From a lookout we see the Franz Josef glacier. Those who want can go on a helicopter flight from Fox to the top of Mt. Cook and to Mt. Gunn; this location was used to portray the lightning of the beacons. We stay overnight in Fox.

Day 11
In the early morning hours you have the best chance to see the reflection in Lake Matheson. After the breakfast we drive through the impressive mix of rainforest, lakes and sea on our way to the southernmost village at the West Coast - Haast. Those who want can do a Jet boat trip along one of the most scenic rivers found on this planet. Behind the Haast pass we reach Makaroa, from were you can book a flight over Mt. Aspiring, this mountain can be seen at the beginning of Part 2. The mountains close to Wanaka were used to portray the area South of Rivendell and the Misty Mountains. Via the Crown range we come to the Kawarau gorge close to Queenstown. From here we have a splendid view in the direction of the Remarkables mountain chain. We stop for tea in Arrowtown, this village was born of Gold. One of the world's richest gold bearing areas was found here. Close to the village at the Ford of Bruinen, the heroic Arwen escaped with the injured Frodo to get away from the Black Riders. The Gladden fields and the place were Isildur was attacked can also be found here.

Day 12
On our way to Glenorchy we pass Closeburn, the location of Amon Hen, at the 12Mile Delta two areas were used to portray Ithilien, were Sam saw the Oliphants. Sam, Smeagol and Frodo watched the battle between the men of Hardar and the Rangers of Gondor. On the road to the Routeburn Track we stop at the site were the Orthanc tower was projected into the landscape. On the road to the Paradise we come to the edge of the Fangorn Forest, where the Fellowship was looking for the kidnapped Hobbits and where later the horse of Gandalf reappeared. Back in Queenstown you have the opportunity to join a guided tour over the Deer Park Heights, several locations can be found here, one of the most important ones would be the scene were the Rohirim are walking past a lake fleeing from Edoras.

Day 13
Over a windy road we reach Dimrill Dale, Her Aragorn lead the Fellowship down the steep slopes of the Dimrill Dale towards Lothlorien. From were we park it is another half hour to get to the location. In the Kawerau gorge you can bungee jump, close to the place were the Pillars of Argonath were projected into the landscape. We follow the valley before we come into the dry area of Central Otago with lots of strange rocks lying around. In front of the Poolburn Lake a village of the Rohirrim was burning down. Morwen sent her children to safety from here before attack. We spend another night in Queenstown.

Day 14
Following one of the largest lakes in the country we reach the Turnoff to the Mavora Lakes. This area was used to make the final shots of Part 1. Sam was drowning and rescued by his friend Frodo from a boat. The two friends continued their journey to Mordor from here; the edge of the Fangorn Forest can be found here; Merry and Pippin were hiding beneath a treestump and the Silverlode river flows together with the Anduin River close to forest. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli also discovered the burned remainders of the orcs, which the Rohirrim under the leadership of Eomer had killed. Close to Te Anau you find another river, which was used to portray the Anduin River. The Dead Marshes can be found close to the township. Those who would like to get a good view of this area and the location were South of Rivendell and the Flight to the Ford was portrayed need to hop on a helicopter (optional). From here we drive to one of the most dramatic landscapes of this country, the Milford Sound. We cruise on a ship through this dramatic fiord.

Day 15
We leave Te Anau behind and drive in a northern direction. Close to Tarras the spectacular escape of Arwen and Frodo on the back of a horse fleeing from the Black Riders was filmed. A few kilometres away from Twizel the Pellenor fields can be found. The farmer will show us the battlefields. We see Mt. Cook on our way north. We stay overnight close to the Mackenzie High country.

Day 16
No journey is complete without having seen Edoras, this magic place lies in the middle of huge mountains. Those who want can walk up to the top of the magic mountain, but be careful, you cannot get up there without getting wet feet. Two hours later we reach the biggest place of the South Island, Christchurch. After a sightseeing Tour you have time to explore this beautiful city.

Day 17
Today we need to say Namarie, we hope to see you again soon in Middle Earth!