Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit 4 Day Private Tour from Auckland
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Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit 4 Day Private Tour from Auckland
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Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit 4 Day Private Tour from Auckland

4 days
Private
Instant confirmation
About this activity
Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland to Waitomo Caves

Stop At: SkyTower, Victoria Street Corner Federal Streets, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
Start your tour with us in Auckland where we pick you up in one of our luxury Mercedes vehicles at your hotel, at the airport or at your preferred location to start our journey to the Waitomo Caves. We suggest pick-up at 9am but are happy to fit in with your requirements.

On the 2 ½ hour drive south we follow the mighty Waikato River through the rich, rolling farmland of the Waikato region and the King Country. We pass through a string of small, historic river towns, including Ngaruawahia, site of Turangawaewae Marae (traditional Maori meeting place) and seat of Aotearoa’s (New Zealand's) Maori King. Along the way, we pass by the impressive volcano Mount Pirongia as we near the famous Waitomo Caves.

Waitomo is an amazing natural wonderland which offers a vast range of unique sights and experiences. Explore the Kiwi House in Otorohanga, where you can see the Kiwi, our national bird and emblem, as well as many of our native New Zealand flora and fauna.

When we arrive at the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, you can experience a 45 minute tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Alternatively, you can enjoy a 3 hour tour which includes 2 caves featuring both a spectacular Glowworm display and also another cave with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.

You can also experience the thrill of cave tubing (also called black water rafting), a more adventurous caving option that many of our guests also enjoy!

Accommodation at or near Waitomo Caves.

Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Waitomo to Tongariro National Park

Stop At: Waitomo Glowworm Caves, 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3943 New Zealand
After a short drive to Piopio just south of Waitomo Caves, you have the option to visit the “Hairy Feet” Scenic Film location where a substantial part of “The Hobbit” was filmed. You can simulate movie scenes, step in Gandalf’s footprints and even hold Bilbo’s sword! On the tour you will also see towering limestone cliffs, massive rock formations and a primeval forest on the farm that was chosen as the location for Staddle Farm and Trollshaw Forest in “The Hobbit - an Unexpected Journey”.

After spending the morning in the beautiful Waikato region, we will continue our way south to the world’s 4th oldest national park, Tongariro National Park, where many scenes from “The Lord of the Rings” were filmed. On the way to Whakapapa at the foot of the North Island’s highest mountain Mt Ruapehu (2,797m), in clear weather conditions you may even be able to see Mt Taranaki – a dormant volcano which is reputed to have been used as model for the Lonely Mountain from “The Hobbit” movies - in the distance.

We then arrive at Tongariro National Park where much of the latter part of Frodo’s and Bilbo’s long journey was filmed for “The Lord of the Rings”. On and

around the rocky slopes of this active volcanic area, see the place that was used as the home of the Dark Lord Sauron. Beautiful Mt Ngauruhoe was transformed into Mt Doom, where you have the option to book a scenic flight or helicopter flight to look into the crater

of Mt Ngauruhoe (2,291m), which featured as Mt Doom in “The Lord of the Rings”. You can, as another option the next day, walk the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This walk is reputed to be one of the world’s finest one day walks. Having walked this ourselves, we completely agree!

You have the option to spend the night at the Chateau Tongariro Hotel which is situated at the foot of Mt Ruapehu and is one of the most iconic hotels in New Zealand. The “Lord of the Rings” team also stayed there for several weeks during filming. Or include a trout fishing experience in various locations at or around Lake Taupo, which has the reputation to be one of the world’s best Trout fishing locations. If you choose this option you can also spend the night in beautiful Turangi, a small town on the Tongariro River, instead of beside Mount Ruapehu.

Accommodation options for this night are at Mount Ruapehu, Turangi or Taupo – depending on your interests.

Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Tongariro National Park to Rotorua

Stop At: Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre (Whakapapa Visitor Centre), State Highway 48, Whakapapa, Tongariro National Park New Zealand
After exploring Taupo, located beside Lake Taupo as one of the world’s largest volcanic crater lakes, we drive north towards Rotorua. Marvel at the amazing Hukas Falls on New Zealand’s New Zealand’s longest river, the mighty Waikato River, which starts as an outflow from Lake Taupo. Choose to stop at the impressive Aratiatia Rapids, an amazing spectacle when a lock in the Waikato River is lifted and the river is allowed to roar through at amazing force and speed a few times per day.

The Aratiatia Rapids were also used in one of the most spectacular scenes in the latest “The Hobbit” movies. We continue across the Central Volcanic Plateau, home to several of New Zealand’s most impressive thermal parks. We suggest visiting at least one of Wai o Tapu, Orakei Korako or Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Here you can experience the full might and majesty of this unique and spectacular volcanic landscape, which Rotorua and Taupo are so famous for. We continue on to Rotorua itself, where we catch our first glimpses of the shimmering blue lake with bush-clad Mokoia Island at its centre.

After settling into your accommodation in Rotorua, in the evening we recommend a unique Maori cultural experience. Here you can enjoy a traditional Kai Maori (Maori food) cooked in a Hangi (earth oven) and enjoy a performance of song and dance in a traditional Maori village setting, including the Haka, the Maori war dance made famous by our national Rugby Team, the “All Blacks”.

Accommodation in Rotorua

Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Rotorua to Auckland

Stop At: Rotorua i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 1167 Fenton Street, Rotorua 3007 New Zealand
This morning as part of your Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit 4 Day Private Luxury Tour, depending on your interests we can show you:

Rotorua City with the Government Gardens and seeing the outside of Rotorua Museum.

Rotorua Lake Front with view across to Mokoia Island.

Redwood Forest (widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful forests).

Blue Lake plus Lake Tarawera with the peak of Mount Tarawera towering above the lake.

We can also arrange extra tour options (at your cost) to cater for your particular preferences and abilities. They include:

Helicopter or floatplane flights to see Lake Rotorua from above. This can include a helicopter tour and landing on Mount Tarawera and White Island, New Zealand’s most active volcano.

Te Puia, the NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, to see iconic geysers, mud pools, Maori carving and weaving plus our national bird, the Kiwi.

Skyline Gondola, which will swing you up to the top of Mount Ngongotaha for a spectacular view and the Luge, on which you can race downhill having lots of fun!

The Polynesian Spa, on the site of one of Rotorua’s historic bath houses in the lovely Government Gardens, is also home to one of the world’s best spas. Here you can steep yourself in luxury and well-being as well as history. This is also a great option on the evening of day 2 if you prefer this to the Maori cultural evening.

The Agrodome, where you can experience all the magic of New Zealand farming, with a fascinating range of agricultural shows and displays.

On our way back to Auckland, we can visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, which shot to stardom as “Hobbiton” in Director Peter Jackson’s iconic films “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit”. On arrival at the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, you will go on a 2-hour tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. This will give you astonishing insights into how these movies were made and which parts of the movies were filmed here. Not only movie fans will enjoy this unique experience with inside views of the Hobbit village including Hobbit Holes, Bag End, The Green Dragon Inn and astonishing facts about the filmmaking and spectacular landscape all around.

After this absolute highlight for fans of “Middle Earth”, we return to Auckland, having seen some of the most beautiful places and most famous movie locations in New Zealand along the way.

Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
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Included
  • Fully guided Private Tour in Mercedes luxury vehicle.
  • Pick-up/drop-off in Auckland incl airport/cruise terminal.
  • Tour times flexible to work in with your requirements.
  • Complimentary snacks & water.
  • All guide expenses (e.g. guide accommodation & meals).
  • All tours support local eco-cultural initiatives.
Not included
  • Potential entry fees.
  • Guest accommodation and meals.
  • Anything not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Entry/Admission - SkyTower
  • Entry/Admission - Waitomo Glowworm Caves
  • Entry/Admission - Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre (Whakapapa Visitor Centre)
  • Entry/Admission - Rotorua i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Additional
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infant seats available
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
75%
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