Southern Middle Earth Explorer overview [ID: 2065]

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Southern Middle Earth Explorer

14 Days

Starts: Christchurch

Finishes: Christchurch

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This 14 day tour starts in Christchurch and finishes in Christchurch.

**Please be advised that certain aspects of this tour may operate on specific days of the week during the winter months. We recommend contacting one of our travel specialists to identify a departure date that suits your schedule.

Journey into the heart of Middle-earth, starting in Christchurch. Discover the landscapes that brought Rohan and Edoras to life, with rugged ranges and cinematic vistas. Board the iconic TranzAlpine train, traversing dramatic mountain passes and serene coastlines. In Franz Josef, immerse yourself in glacial beauty before continuing to Wanaka, where the Misty Mountains echo the footsteps of Hobbits. Arrive in Queenstown, and dine in style at Walter Peak after a scenic cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw Steamship. Experience a thrilling helicopter flight over the breathtaking Earnslaw Burn, a key filming location, and take in panoramic views from the Skyline Gondola. Travel to Fiordland, home to pristine wilderness and legendary filming sites. Cruise through Milford Sound, gazing at Mitre Peak. Jet boat across Lake Manapouri into Fiordland’s ancient forests, immersing yourself in scenes from The Fellowship of the Ring. Head to Dunedin for a gourmet dinner at the historic Larnach Castle, then journey towards Mount Cook National Park. Wake to the majestic sight of Mount Aoraki, New Zealand’s highest peak, and land on untouched glacial terrain. Conclude in Christchurch, reflecting on your bespoke Middle-earth adventure.

This tour also features:

Included activity: Electronic Travel Guide and In-Country Support App

Included activity: Private Transfer Christchurch International Airport to Christchurch Accommodation

Included activity: The Visitor Promise - Cultural Learning Course

Included activity: Pure Wilderness Jet Boat with Fiordland Jet

Included activity: Dinner at Camp Estate, Larnach Castle

Included activity: Larnach Castle and Gardens

Included activity: The Panorama Room 3-course Dinner with The Hermitage Hotel

Included activity: Glacier Highlights - Scenic Flight with Glacier Landing

Included activity: Lord of the Rings Edoras Tour with Hassle Free Tours - Lunch Included

Included activity: Private transfer accommodation to Christchurch Train Station with Christchurch Touring

Included activity: TranzAlpine Scenic Train: Christchurch to Greymouth Scenic Plus with Great Journeys NZ

Included activity: Misty Mountains Traverse Heli-Hike

Included activity: TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dinner

Included activity: Lord of the Rings Glenorchy Tour with Nomad Safaris

Included activity: Gondola and Premium Buffet Dinner Experience with Skyline Queenstown

Included activity: Glacier Explorer - Earnslaw Burn with Glacier Landing with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters

Included activity: Mitre Peak Milford Sound Cruise

11 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 1 special dinner

Itinerary summary for: Southern Middle Earth Explorer

Day 1: Arrive Christchurch City, then maybe go punting on the Avon River
Accommodation: The George Hotel

Day 2: Explore the Canterbury High Country on a full day Lord of the Rings Edoras tour
Accommodation: The George Hotel

Day 3: Take the stunning TranzAlpine scenic train across the Southern Alps, then drive to Franz Josef
Accommodation: Westwood Lodge

Day 4: Continue south and across the Haast Pass to Wanaka
Accommodation: Edgewater Wanaka

Day 5: Follow the footsteps of the Hobbits today over the Misty Mountains
Accommodation: Edgewater Wanaka

Day 6: Cross New Zealand's highest sealed road, the Crown Range, to Queenstown
Accommodation: The Dairy Hotel Queenstown, A Naumi Chapter

Day 7: Today you'll journey to Paradise Valley where Beorn's house and many LOTR locations were filmed
Accommodation: The Dairy Hotel Queenstown, A Naumi Chapter

Day 8: Today you'll fly to breath-taking Earnslaw Burn with Glacier landing
Accommodation: The Dairy Hotel Queenstown, A Naumi Chapter

Day 9: Journey to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and many spectacular film locations
Accommodation: The Cinema Suites

Day 10: Journey up the River Anduin as seen in the Fellowship of the Ring opening aerial shot
Accommodation: The Cinema Suites

Day 11: Head north to Dunedin through rolling Southland countryside
Accommodation: Camp Estate at Larnach Castle

Day 12: As you enter the Mackenzie country you'll pass Twizel, a film location for both the Hobbit and the LOTR movies
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki Wing Premium

Day 13: Take a scenic drive to Laketown from the Hobbit (Lake Pukaki), then travel to Christchurch
Accommodation: The George Hotel

Day 14: Explore Christchurch before you leave Middle Earth for home

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Itinerary summary for: Southern Middle Earth Explorer