Journey to Middle-Earth Tour 2017

Today we will arrive from all around the world. Wherever you originate – whether it is Singapore or South Africa, Boston or Buenos Aires you will spend this day as a free day. Our Geek Nation Tour representative will meet you at the hotel but will provide you with advice and direction on how to get there even before you leave for New Zealand.

You will find that there is a multitude of things to do in Auckland.  Depending on how much time you have you might want to head off to Rangitoto Island to see the rugged lava crops and Pohutukawa forest, or perhaps you would like to see the Auckland Zoo.  For you more adventurous types that have always wondered what it was like to be a dragon – why not try the Auckland Skywalk or SkyJump! They are sure to get your blood running…. Or for you less daring types – perhaps some nice New Zealand wine overlooking a local beach.

Don’t be too late getting in or back to the hotel however…. We will be having our “Welcome Dinner” tonight. This is a great time to get to know each other and discuss in detail what we will be doing over the next days.

Overnight Location: Auckland, New Zealand

We will leave Auckland behind us and start our journey to Middle-earth and like the Lord of the Rings we will start our adventure in the Shire.  Today we will go to the Matamata area to see Hobbiton itself.  Be sure to have your camera ready as we will travel through Bag End, see Hobbit holes, the famous Party Tree (maybe today will be someone’s birthday – if so expect gifts from them!) and even have a bite to eat at the Green Dragon Inn.

We will hop aboard the local tour and see how the movies were filmed, hear interesting facts about the filmmakers, actors and the special effects.  We will even stop at the Shire Store to pick up some Middle-earth Memorabilia.

After our visit we will head off with our local guide to the Waitomo Caves and see a truly magical place. We venture deep within the caves itself and see thousands of glow worms clinging to the cave ceiling displaying what could easily be mistaken for a starry night.

We will stop for the night at a local lodge and dine together. Geek Nation Tours takes pride in getting people of like minds together to experience the finest in geeky events and our Middle-earth tour will be no exception. We will meet each night to regale each other with our experiences, and to share our favorite Tolkien movie and book experiences. Past Geek Nation participants agree that our nightly gatherings are a wonderful part of the tour experience. They are a time where you can get to know other geeks and discuss all those geeky things that you love – all the while build long lasting friendships.

Today we will wake up early and travel to dread Mordor itself.  Unlike the Fellowship our journey starts with our coach bringing us to our start point, and if we are not all eaten by Orks, the driver will wait to pick us up as we leave the dark mountain. You are in for a journey so make sure you have your hiking boots as you will be following the fellowship and the Hobbits on their quest to destroy the ring.  We will hike the Tongariro Crossing which is considered one of the best day walks in the world.  For the brave it will be a 9 hour hike in total, but participants will be able to decide how far they wish to trek into Mordor.  Will you turn back? Or continue on despite the challenge.

Don’t worry we will provide you with a bit of water and maybe even a sweet cake or two as we huddle together for lunch…. Just don’t let the Ring Wraiths find you….

On our hike we will see Turoa, Mount Ruapehu (Mordor and Emyu Muil) and Mount Doom itself (Mt Ngauruhoe).

Today we will make the long trek to Wellington but before we head south we will take a stop at today’s Lord of the Rings Filming site – Gollum’s fishing pool.  We might even see the Entrance to the Lonely Mountain. Don’t worry we won’t make you walk too far….

On our way to Wellington we will stop for Second Breakfast like all proper hobbits would do.  Bacon will be a must, but we will make sure you have a full belly in order to make the long trek south. If time allows we will stop in the Trollshaw Forest, Osgiliath Wood, and the woods surrounding the Shire.

To add to our adventure you will be on your owe to explore Wellington this evening.  Wellington offers a Troll’s helping of things to do at night. Whether you just want to stay at your hotel, venture off into the city for a bite to eat or something to drink, our Geek Nation representative will be there to help you find your way.

Today’s journey will start with not only a visit to Mount Victoria to see a panoramic view of Wellington, but we will also explore the famous Get off the Road filming site and see the Hobbiton Woods where the young adventurers hid from the Black Riders as they left their home. Who knows we might even end up hiding from the Nazgul ourselves.

From here we will drive past Peter Jackson’s movie studios on the way to the WETA Cave to experience not only this mini-museum, shop and theatre, but also the Window into Workshop experience. We will have a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what takes place within WETA itself, and see how they help bring Middle-earth alive every day.

The evening will bring us to the Roxy Cinema which is partially owned and marvellously refurbished by WETA guru Richard Taylor. As this is a film location tour we thought it appropriate to celebrate the film industry by taking in a movie on us… We don’t know what will be playing at the time but just hanging out at the Roxy will be a pleasure.

Today we will travel from the banks of the River Anduin to the gardens of Isengard.  From Minas Tirith to Helms Deep. We will see Rivendell and even the beautiful Lothlorien where Galadriel bid goodbye to the fellowship from the White Bridge. If weather permits we will have a picnic lunch where Smeagol killed Deagol over ownership of the ring.

From here we will head off to the Elven Cloak Factory to see how cloaks in not only the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies were made but also cloaks from Narnia as well.  We will have a special glimpse into the process and then return to our hotel in Wellington.

The rest of the evening will be yours to spend exploring Wellington.  You might want to consider visiting the Embassy Theatre where the premiere of Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and the Hobbit took place. For some this will be the last night of the adventure so we will get together for a Farewell Dinner… For those staying on – The adventure is just beginning…

Overnight Location: Wellington, New Zealand

All good things must end, unfortunately, and today we return to the airport and depart for home. The photos, memories and friendships you made, are yours to keep forever!

Today we will start the day with a quick stop at the Jens Hansen studio and visit where the one true ring was created… Don’t worry though we won’t make you trod through Mount Doom again – instead we will visit the Hansen studio and see firsthand their spectacular Middle-earth jewellery. If we have time we might stop by the Museum of Wearable Art in Nelson – and see a replica one ring.

From here we depart south yet again through the rugged New Zealand Southern Alps to the Hurunui Vineyard area.  Here we will indulge ourselves with some famous New Zealand wine and spend the night in the country surrounded by the local natural beauty.  If weather permits we will venture out tonight to hopefully see the Southern Cross.  For those living in the northern hemisphere this will be proof that we have journeyed far indeed.

Today we will travel to Erewhon and Mt. Pottis Stations which turned into Edoras (capital of Rohan) and it is time for another hike.  We promise to be gentle however, as the climb to Mount Sunday is only a 30 minute hike.  However you will be reward with one of the most strikingly magical places in New Zealand if not the world.  We will see the very spot where Edoras stood and you will be stunned by the Epic scale of the views.  Your camera will fail to take it all in so make sure you put it down and suck in the powerful magic.

We will end the day’s adventures by staying a night in the small town of Geraldine… We will even have a group dinner to make sure everyone is ready for the next day.

Overnight Location: Geraldine, New Zealand

Today we will travel to Gondor itself but first we will pass by site of Lake Town and see the Misty Mountains (and Mount Cook) as they hover above the beautiful Lake Pukaki.

From here we will be off to Gondor and we will have a local guide take us to the Pelennor Fields where the largest battle of the War of the Ring was fought. You will stand in the very place where orks, trolls, Ring Wraths and the Giant Mumakil clashed with the forces of Gondor, Rohan and the heroes of the fellowship.

From here we will see where the Great Warg Chase took place and eventually arrive at Lake Wanaka for the evening.

Overnight Location: Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

There be Dragons here!  Today we will travel though the rough county south of Rivendell near Lake Wanaka and again see the Misty Mountains.  We will even drive up the summit of Cardrona Road where we will see the River Anduin, and the site of the Pillars of the Argonath and Dimrill Dale (well they are not really there but we will see how they were fashioned by movie magic).

We will hop on with a local guide and continue to Arcadia Station and Paradise Valley and nearby Glenorchy. To see Lothlorien, Isengard, Amon Hen, Lothlorien Forest, The Misty Mountains, Ithilien and Beorn’s grand home and fortress.

After our adventures we will conclude our journey by leaving the Misty Mountains to head for Queenstown.

Overnight Location: Queenstown, New Zealand

Today will be our final day of the tour and you will be able to relax in one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations. We again be privileged to see spectacular landscapes and beautiful mountains. You will even be able to do more Middle-earth explorations as there are a multitude of tours leaving from Queenstown.

We will gather together for one last meal so we can re-live our adventures and say farewells to our own fellowship.

Overnight Location: Queenstown, New Zealand

All good things must end, unfortunately, and today we strike off for Queenstown airport and depart from home. The photos, memories and friendships you made, are yours to keep forever!