14 Day Lord of the Rings Guided Tour

If you want to come to New Zealand to fulfil a dream of discovering Middle-earth, this New Zealand Lord of the Rings tour is for you. See the most iconic Lord of the Rings filming locations on this must do New Zealand guided holiday. Your private guide will meet you at the airport and take you on an insider’s tour of Middle-earth! Offering the best flexible New Zealand escorted tours with no date or itinerary restrictions.

14 Day New Zealand Lord of the Rings Guided Tour Vacation Itinerary

Day 1 Auckland

Auckland is a multi-cultural urban oasis of food, music, arts and culture. World-class shopping and phenomenal dining is never too far from harbours, islands, native bush and black-sand beaches.

Explore Auckland with your guide.

The Auckland Museum is well worth a visit. With internationally significant Māori and Pacific collections to explore, the Auckland Museum is a must-see place to experience our rich culture.

If you would like to get straight into nature; skipper an America’s Cup yacht or experience whale watching.

Option to visit top attractions such as the Sky Tower and Mt Eden’s volcanic crater.

In the evening the fairy lights of Federal Street will lure you into some of the finest restaurants in Auckland or head down to The Viaduct, a food and drinks hub in central Auckland.

Stay 1 night in Auckland.

Day 2 Hobbiton Movie Set Tour + Cambridge

Travel time Auckland to Matamata – 2 hours

Experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton™ Movie Set, where you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will escort you around the set, pointing out famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. You will be fully guided around the 12 acre set; past Hobbit Holes™, the Mill and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn. You will be presented with a complimentary, exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ beverage to conclude your own Middle-earth™ adventure.

Travel time Matamata to Cambridge – 1.5 hours

Nestled in the heart of the Waikato region, Cambridge is a charming, historic town known for its picturesque streets lined with heritage buildings, vibrant gardens, and a rich equine culture. Often referred to as the “Town of Trees and Champions,” Cambridge offers a welcoming atmosphere with easy access to outdoor activities, including cycling, walking trails, and nearby lakes. A visit here provides a perfect blend of small-town charm, rich history, and natural beauty, making it a must-see destination in New Zealand.

Stay 1 night in Cambridge.

Day 3 Waitomo Hobbit Scenic Film Location Tour + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour & Ruakuri Cave Tour + Rotorua

Travel time Cambridge to Waitomo – 1.5 hours 

Venture off the beaten track on a scenic drive to Waitomo, where your guide will lead you to the Hairy Feet Waitomo Scenic Film Location Tour.

Embark on a personally guided tour of this beautiful family farm, which many directors and actors have fallen in love with. Witness for yourself the untouched beauty of the Denize Bluffs, strange rock formations and lush native bush.

Your guide will escort you through locations used for Middle-earth, telling stories from the days of filming and helping to get your photos just right, including getting a photo exactly where Bilbo receives the famous sword “Sting” from Gandalf. All tours are fully guided, starting with a short drive through farmland before taking an easy walk around the sites used for filming.

Next, witness the marvels of these vast caverns as you explore two fantastic caves – the Ruakuri Cave, home to a dizzying array of cave formations, and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where you will be dazzled by a galaxy of glowworms overhead.

Travel time Waitomo Caves to Rotorua – 2 hours 

Enjoy the scenic drive through rolling farmland to Rotorua, the geothermal capital of New Zealand.

Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.

Day 4 Rotorua Geothermal Attractions + Māori Culture Evening Experience & Māori Hāngi Dinner

Explore Rotorua with your guide.

Options include visiting Rotorua’s public Kuirau Park to discover the steaming, hissing and bubbling geothermal activity.

Or visit the Redwoods Treewalk, which features 23 suspension bridges through 115-year-old redwood trees.

The National Kiwi Hatchery is the national leader in egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing. Add the National Kiwi Hatchery to your tour and you’ll get to see kiwi eggs being incubated and newly hatched kiwi chicks.

In the evening, enjoy a Māori Cultural Experience including a Hangi Dinner. Hear stories and learn how Māori traditions live on today. Experience an authentic Māori welcome. Watch a challenge by the Māori warriors, a karanga (call) from the Māori women welcoming you into the marae, and a whaikorero (welcome speech). Relax and enjoy the beautiful waiata (songs), the world-renowned haka (challenge), and the elegant poi dance. Learn Māori customs including Māori musical instruments, haka and poi. The dining experience is a culinary opportunity like no other. Following dessert, you will be transported down into the valley to conclude your evening beside the awe-inspiring Pohutu geyser.

Day 5 Mount Doom Scenic Floatplane Flight + Taupo

Travel time Rotorua to Taupo – 1 hour 

Your geothermal experience will continue as you enjoy the short drive to Taupo, a small town set beside New Zealand’s largest lake. With the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park looming in the distance, and the lake itself formed from an ancient volcanic crater, you will get a close-up look at the immense forces that shaped New Zealand. 

Taupo is rich in natural beauty with attractions such as the Huka Falls. The Huka Falls is New Zealand’s most visited attraction, where more than 220,000 litres of water thunder over the cliff face every second. Visit this stunning natural attraction with your guide.

In the afternoon, lift-off high above Lake Taupo to soar around the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park, flying over Mt Doom as you explore the craters and colourful volcanic lakes on a scenic floatplane flight.

Taupo is a great lake for trout fishing and scenic boat cruises. The Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay, which can only be seen from the water, make for a great boat trip.

Stay 1 night in Taupo.

Day 6 Gollum’s Pool + Mordor + Wellington

Travel time Taupo to Wellington – 5.5 hours 

Enjoy the scenic drive from Taupo to Wellington. Along the way, you will come across Tongariro National Park, which boasts an impressive collection of volcanoes. For Lord of the Rings fans your guide will take you to view Gollum’s Pool and show you Mordor!

Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, has so much to offer. Set on the edge of a stunning harbour, surrounded by rolling hills, it’s a city rich in culture waiting to be explored. From shopping and picturesque walks to concerts, live theatre, exhibitions, festivals, Te Papa Tongarewa: the Museum of New Zealand, and more – Wellington has something for everyone.

Tour Wellington’s top attractions with your guide, popular options include Te Papa Tongarewa: The Museum of New Zealand, Weta Workshop, Wellington Cable Car, Mt Victoria Lookout and Zealandia – an ecosanctuary in the heart of Wellington.

Stay 2 nights in Wellington.

Day 7 Wellington + New Zealand Lord of the Rings Tour

Kaewa Tours will collect you from your accommodation and you then experience the magical world around the capital of ‘Middle Earth’ Wellington. Enjoy a full day tour of wider Wellington’s scene locations and take a behind the scenes guided tour of the creative, multi award winning world of the Weta Workshop.

Wander through the enchanting location of the Elven village of Rivendell, view the Fords of Isen, walk alongside Gandolf the Grey and Saruman the White’s footsteps in the Gardens of Isengard, view the location for Helms Deep, River Anduin, hide from the Nazguls at the ‘Shortcut to…Mushrooms’ and ‘Get off the Road’ scenes on Mt Victoria.

Take in the majestic view of the City and Harbour from Mt Victoria, discover the beauty and charm of the Eastern suburbs on a scenic drive and much, much more!

Day 8 Cook Strait Wellington to Picton Ferry (Private Cabin) + Kaikoura

Sailing time Wellington to Picton – 3.5 hours 

Begin your day with a cruise across the Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton in the South Island. Unwind in your private cabin and arrive refreshed, ready for the next leg of your journey.

Travel time Picton to Kaikoura – 2.5 hours 

Upon reaching the South Island, your guide will take you on a scenic drive through the Marlborough wine region. You have the option to stop at a winery (or two!) along the way for samples of the award-winning wines.

Kaikoura’s special talent is marine mammal encounters – whales, fur seals and dolphins live permanently in the coastal waters. Whale watching trips can be taken by sea or air and the local seal colony is always entertaining.

Spend the evening in Kaikoura, a stunning coastal town with a backdrop of majestic mountains. Be sure to sample the superb local seafood at dinner!

Stay 1 night in Kaikoura.

Day 9 Christchurch

Travel time Kaikoura to Christchurch – 2.5 hours 

Discover the vibrant and picturesque garden city, renowned for its natural beauty, lively entertainment scene, and strong cultural heritage. With its stunning botanical gardens and tree-lined avenues, Christchurch is both a sophisticated city and beautiful place to relax.

Explore Christchurch with your guide. Recommended activities include the Christchurch Gondola, Tramway, Punting on the Avon River, Riverside Market and the Botanical Gardens.

In the evening option to add dinner aboard the Christchurch Tram, enjoy a three-course meal whilst touring the inner city, the perfect way to experience Christchurch City.

Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Day 10 Lord of the Rings Edoras Tour + Lake Tekapo

Step into Middle-earth on this unforgettable Lord of the Rings tour to Edoras. Travel by 4WD through remote high-country landscapes to Mt Sunday at Mt Potts Station, where the capital of Rohan was brought to life. Cross sparkling streams, climb to the summit for sweeping 360° views, and discover behind-the-scenes stories, exclusive photos, and iconic filming locations—all while soaking up the raw beauty of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.

Travel time Christchurch to Lake Tekapo – 3.5 hours 

Continue your scenic journey, through the Mackenzie Basin today. As the Southern Alps loom before you, there will be photo opportunities around every corner.

Picturesque by day and dazzling by night, Lake Tekapo is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing and booking a stargazing tour.

Lake Tekapo has many things to do and explore. Visit the historic Church of the Good Shepherd, one of the most photographed places in the country because of its incredible backdrop of Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps. Just around the corner from the Church is the Mackenzie Sheep Dog Statue, another great photo opportunity in an extraordinary setting.

One of the most popular attractions in town is Tekapo Springs. With hot pools, spas, water slides, steam rooms, saunas and more, they have everything covered for everyone.

Stay 1 night at Lake Tekapo.

Day 11 Pelennor Fields + Argonath + Misty Mountains + Ford of Bruinen + Queenstown

Travel time Lake Tekapo to Queenstown – 3.5 hours 

As you continue the spectacular drive south, you have the option to make a side trip to Mt Cook Village. You can also make a short trip to the filming location for Pelennor Fields, at Ben Ohau.

You also have the option to visit top wineries on the drive through the Kawarau Gorge.

Visit Arrowtown prior to reaching Queenstown. Arrowtown is charming and quirky. The heart of its history is Buckingham Street, a procession of heritage buildings that stretches into a tree-lined avenue of tiny miner’s cottages. The buildings in this lovely precinct house shops, galleries, bars and restaurants. Your guide will show you the filming locations for the Argonath, the Misty Mountains, and the Ford of Bruinen.

In the afternoon, you have the option to add on an unforgettable helicopter ride to see a number of remote filming locations tucked in spectacular mountain valleys and ridges throughout the region, or to enjoy a steamship cruise and high-country farm dinner with the TSS Earnslaw.

Stay 4 nights in Queenstown.

Day 12 Jet Boat + New Zealand Lord of the Rings Locations, Isengard & Ithilien Camp

Start your time in Queenstown on a high with a fantastic wilderness jet boat safari.

Your guide will drive you to the stunning township of Glenorchy, nestled at the head of Lake Wakatipu, stopping for views along the way. The jet boat safari continues past Glenorchy up the Dart River, which passes into the Paradise Valley (easily recognisable as Isengard). Stop for a nature walk through the forest used as Lothlorien, and marvel at the snow-capped mountain peaks and stunning turquoise river.

Afterwards, relax and explore Glenorchy with your guide. You have the option to enjoy a forest walk, visit further filming locations (including the Ithilien Camp, the location of the Battle of Amon Hen, and the setting for Beorn’s house from The Hobbit), or take a scenic drive to Kinloch Lodge for a coffee or lunch overlooking the wild reaches of Lake Wakatipu.

Day 13 Doubtful Sound Cruise

Travel time Queenstown to Manapouri – 2.5 hours (each way)

Journey into the heart of Fiordland National Park today.

Doubtful Sound is a beautiful fiord. Three times longer than Milford Sound, with twisting arms, it has a surface area ten times larger. With its rugged peaks, verdant rainforest and twisting, hidden inlets, Doubtful Sound will take your breath away.

There’s no direct road access, so the only way you can to get to Doubtful Sound is a cruise across the picturesque Lake Manapouri, followed by a trip over Wilmot Pass – New Zealand’s most expensive (and majestic) road. You will pause along the way to experience the dense Fiordland rainforest and view Doubtful Sound glistening below. This isolation makes this fiord a very special place, only those in the know get to see.

In Doubtful Sound, you’ll board the spacious, purpose-built catamaran Patea Explorer for a 3 hour cruise through this pristine fiord. During the cruise the knowledgeable and friendly nature guides will share with you their passion for the region. They’re always ready to answer questions, point out landmarks and provide all the information about the varied wildlife you may see, including dolphins, fur seals and the rare Fiordland crested penguin.

Day 14 Queenstown Must-Do Activities + New Zealand Lord of the Rings Locations

Visit any further Lord of the Rings Film locations around Queenstown with your guide and make the most of Queenstown during your final day in paradise.

Push your adventure limits. From the Kawarau Bridge Bungy – to jet boat thrills through the Shotover River. Zip-Liping and Quad Biking, add anything you desire to your tour.

Explore one of the many walking or biking trails.

Enjoy an iconic Queenstown experience and take the Queenstown Gondola up 450 metres to Bob’s Peak. Try your hand at the Queenstown Luge. Enjoy lunch or dinner at Stratosfare Restaurant.

Come evening relax in the Onsen Hot Pools. Add a private Onsen Experience to your tour. Onsen Hot Pools is located high on a cliffside overlooking the magnificent Shotover River canyon, providing views over breathtaking alpine scenery and the perfect vantage point to watch the Shotover Jet boats on the river below. A unique feature of Onsen Hot Pools are the retractable picture windows: Convert your pool room from indoor to outdoor and back again at the touch of a button!

Day 15 Depart Queenstown

Your guide will deliver you to Queenstown Airport for your departing flight.

More New Zealand Lord of The Rings Tours

https://www.newzealandguidedtours.com/10-day-lord-rings-guided-tour/

https://www.newzealandguidedtours.com/10-day-middle-earth-guided-tour/

https://www.newzealandguidedtours.com/7-day-lord-of-the-rings-guided-tour/

https://www.newzealandguidedtours.com/10-day-hobbit-guided-tour/

https://www.newzealandguidedtours.com/14-day-iconic-new-zealand-guided-tour/