10-Nights Middle Earth Explorer from $9,385

Swain Destinations: Middle Earth Explorer

Day 1 Welcome to Auckland
Encircled by three harbors totaling 18,000 miles of coastline, hundreds of Auckland's beaches are within easy reach. And they're all so different, from idyllic white-sand beaches to wild black-sand surf spots. Get into some of the countless activities on and off the water or just unwind and soak up the views. Or opt to see modern and traditional works from around the world at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Visit smaller local galleries to pick up a special painting, sculpture or carving to take home, stroll through modern sculpture parks, or join an intimate art appreciation tour.

Weta Workshop Unleashed
Weta Workshop Unleashed is your chance to 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.

The Grand By Skycity

Day 2 Auckland to Rotorua Via Hobbiton
Enjoy a magical journey through Middle-earth to the Hobbiton Movie Set from the Lord of the Rings film trilogy for a fascinating guided tour. Travel south from Auckland over the Bombay Hills to the rich farmland of the Waikato region. Travel through the heritage town of Cambridge where tree-lined streets add to the English-style atmosphere. From here, the journey continues through undulating green hills, reminding you that you are approaching Hobbiton Shire. On arrival at Shire's Rest, embark on a Hobbiton movie set tour. This location is the largest 'green set' in the world and the only place where you get an emotional response with a movie set in a natural setting. There are 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge, the party tree and the Green Dragon Inn. At this stunning location, guests may take photographs at the door of Bilbo's house, 'Bag End', and look out over the whole set to the hills in the distance. After the tour, lunch is available for purchase at the Shire's Rest Cafe before joining the shuttle to transfer you to Rotorua.

On The Point - Lake Rotorua
Meals: B, L

Day 3 Cultural Eco Full Day Tour
A local naturalist guide will explain the volcanic and geothermal processes of Rotorua and New Zealand on a fully guided tour. See volcanoes, geysers, New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool and many multicolored hot springs on their journey around volcanic landscapes and farmland, through 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.

In the afternoon enjoy a guided tour of Te Puia cultural center and then take a scenic drive to see stunning views of our beautiful lakes including Lake Tarawera and volcano, and also the Blue/Green lakes. Spend an afternoon gaining an appreciation of New Zealand's Maori culture and nature. Learn about Maori customs, traditions, history and protocols, with a guided visit to Te Puia, Rotorua's premier cultural center. Includes visit to the wood carving school, arts and craft gallery, Rotowhio Marae, weaving, boiling mud pools and New Zealand's largest geyser Pohutu. Tour departs at around 1pm, returning at around 4.15pm. Your guided tour today includes entry to Te Puia.

On The Point - Lake Rotorua
Meals: B, L

Day 4 Travel to Wellington
Takeoff to Wellington and continue on the next stage of your adventure.

Intercontinental Wellington
Meals: B

Day 5 Full Day Lord of The Rings tour
This tour is more than visiting filming sites. Your guide will share fascinating little-known gems relating to the filming at each site, and you will want to watch the films all over again once you have done this informative tour.

Departing the city, head to the Hutt Valley for the first stop at the Dry Creek Quarry where you see the filming site of Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith. Then it is a short drive to the River Anduin (Hutt River) where the Fellowship traveled to Amon Hen, Sir Peter Jackson filmed Faramir's premonition of his brother Boromir dying, and where Aragorn's horse Brego saved him from drowning. Visit several more filming sites before heading to the Weta Worshop in Miramar. Here, watch a short behind-the-scenes documentary that details the history of the Weta Workshop company, followed by an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour (entry included) where you see how props plus weaponry are made. Depending on schedules, you may see artists at work making props. After the Weta Workshop tour, a table is reserved at a popular local seaside cafe, where you can relax and enjoy some local kiwi cuisine from the menu (lunch cost is not included in the tour price).

After lunch, head to Mount Victoria to the Hobbiton Woods where the filming of the epic trilogy began. This is the home of the Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam and Frodo's Second Breakfast; the location where the Hobbits hid from the Black Rider; the Race to the Buckleberry Ferry scene; and King Theoden's Dunharrow Encampment. The tour concludes with a drive around the bays where you will enjoy the delights of a ‘Rivendell Ripple' to cap off your memorable tour.

Intercontinental Wellington
Meals: B, L

Day 6 Travel to Queenstown
Takeoff to Queenstown and continue on the next stage of your adventure.

Azur Lodge
Meals: B

Day 7 Dart River Wilderness Safari
Transfer from Queenstown by coach to Glenorchy and the mouth of the Dart River to board the 18-foot specially prepared jet boat. The Wilderness Safari takes you on a spectacular 90-minute jet-boat journey through the Dart's ever-changing braided river system where you'll be surrounded by snow-covered peaks, hidden valleys and waterfalls.

The tour includes an easy guided 30-minute bush walk at Rockburn at Paradise where your knowledgeable guide will enliven your walk with an informative and entertaining commentary about the native forest, the unique flora and fauna, as well as the fascinating Maori and colonial history of the area. Rejoin the jetboat for the ride back to Glenorchy where you will board the coach for the transfer back to Queenstown.

Azur Lodge
Meals: B

Day 8 Safari of the Scenes
Travel in a safari-equipped 4WD vehicle for a true off-road adventure. The experienced guides will host you on a breathtaking excursion through the diverse scenery on offer in the Wakatipu Basin. Travel through historic Arrowtown, and then the Land Rovers are put through their paces making a number of crossings over the Arrow River. View the stunning lake and mountain views from The Remarkables Road and the Skippers Canyon Saddle. Some of the Lord of the Rings sites visited during this half-day tour include a glimpse of the Misty Mountains, the Pillars of the Kings and the Ford of Bruinen. No sets are left, just the gorgeous scenery featured in the film.

Azur Lodge
Meals: B, L

Day 9 Queenstown to Mt Cook and Christchurch
Depart Queenstown and travel by Great Sights tour coach through the rugged and beautiful landscape of Otago. Cross the Lindis Pass into Mackenzie Country to visit Mount Cook Village at the base of New Zealand's highest mountain - Aoraki (Mount Cook). There are 17 peaks over 10,000 feet in Mount Cook National Park including Mount Cook itself at 12,349 feet. To one side of Mt. Cook is the mighty Tamsan Glacier, a 30 kilometer (18 mile) giant, and one of the longest outside the Himalayas. At Mount Cook Village, there is time to experience an optional scenic helicopter or ski plane flight (weather permitting and additional cost) which may be booked in advance or on the day. Lunch is included today. From Mount Cook, head back to the highway to continue north along the Tasman River, to Lake Tekapo, where you may view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd - a historic church dedicated to the early pioneers of this area, and the sheepdog - a statue that is a tribute to high country farmers' best friend. The tour continues through diverse farmland before arriving in Christchurch. Tour duration is around 12 hours, and stops may be made along the way to collect and drop off additional passengers.

The George
Meals: B, L

Day 10 Lord of the Rings Edoras Tour
Join the Lord of the Rings Tour and journey to the LOTR filming location: remote and beautiful Mt Potts high country station, home of Mt Sunday. See how 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, unspoiled beauty of this breathtaking area with its sparkling clear lakes, glistening blue rivers and fresh, crisp mountain air.

The George
Meals: B, L

Day 11 Depart Christchurch
You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flights.

Meals: B