If you know the difference between Thranduil and Thorondor (hint: one’s a fierce elf and the other a huge bird), then you’ve probably spent a good amount of time with your nose stuck in the Lord of the Rings books wishing you could visit Middle Earth yourself. Well, now you can! Or, at least New Zealand, where the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed. Zicasso tour guides are now offering an 11-day Lord of the Rings Tour through New Zealand in honor of the 60th anniversary of the book series.
Your private tour starts with a behind the scenes look at Hobbiton, the actual hobbit land used in the films. Take your time exploring the grassy dales and Hobbit holes. You’ll feel like you’re waiting with Bilbo Baggins for Gandalf to arrive with an adventure.
Had enough of the ground view? Then you’re in luck! Join pilot Alfie Speight, the principle filming pilot for the Lord of the Rings series, for a bird’s eye tour of many locations. You’ll fly over the Shotover River, where Arwen faces Nazgul at the Ford of Bruinen, and the Misty Mountains, where you can experience The Redhorn Pass. Other sights include the mountain range from the opening scene of The Two Towers and the natural features that were a part of Isengard. Talk about a first class tour of Middle Earth!
Another tour highlight is an hour inside the Weta Workshop, where artists conceptualized the creatures and all the props. A beady-eyed wax figurine of Gollum and a friendly staff member meet you at the entrance. Fortunately, your journey continues only with the staff member who will show you the ins and outs of this creative studio. Get up close and personal with wax figures of the most fearsome creatures.
Your Middle Earth experience continues back in your Lord of the Rings themed hotel room. As soon as you walk through the circular door, you’ll want to try out all the over-sized furniture and the meals on the special hobbit room service menu.
As if these activities aren’t enough reason to get your LOTR fix in New Zealand, Zicasso’s LOTR tour includes many other adventures including a tour of Miramar, a walking gourmet tour of Wellington, and a cruise across Lake Manapouri. So, you’ll get to experience the natural beauty of New Zealand while immersing yourself in Middle Earth, making the Zicasso tour the one tour to rule them all.
