Blog
2018 is shaping up to be an exciting year with special behind the scenes actives with Weta Workshop & new experiences coming. Join us in 2018 for a life time adventure!
Highlights of 2017
Highlights of 2017
We are nearing the end of 2017 and what a wonderful year it has been!
There have been some amazing Fellowships and friendships made along the way.
Achievements this year on tour:
- 240,000 steps on Edoras
- 5 marriage proposals
- 51 people completed their second or third trip with us
- 12 honeymoons celebrated
- 72 hours of helicopter flights to Rivendell
- 240 pints consumed at the Green dragon
- 223 Kayakers took on the Pelorus river
- 36 rousing King Theoden battle speeches
- 960 arrows fired at Smaug in Laketown
We have also had many wonderful guest presentations from the likes of Sarah McLeod (Rosie Cotton), Mark Hadlow (Dori), John Callen (Oin) and Jed Brophy (Nori).
2018 is shaping up to be an exciting year with special behind the scenes actives with Weta Workshop and new experiences coming.
All direct bookings through our website will now receive a welcome package worth NZ$100 which includes: a free airport transfer to the tour hotel.
So join us in 2018 for an adventure of a life time!
What people have said
There is a reason that this company is the premier in its field. I’ve been home for almost a week now and I’m still struggling to comprehend how incredible my experience with Red Carpet Tours was. This was hands down one of the best things I ever have, and likely ever will do in my...
Taylor K
My second tour through Middle Earth (New Zealand) was just as wonderful as the first, the locations you are taken to are just amazing. Best suited for people with interest in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, you make so many friends throughout your journey that you become your own...
Lisa S
Genuinely the best guided trip I've ever taken! Julie and Josh are amazing and so welcoming! Red Carpet Tours were so accommodating, fun, and had everything well planned. Our bus drivers and peers in the tours were really really nice and fun. Would strongly suggest taking Red Carpet Tours...
Renin J
With Julie James as our guide (Feb. 2018) on the 14 day tour... it was excellent! She always took every effort and opportunity to see to everyone's requests. The hotels we stayed in were wonderful. The meals were delicious. But the tour itself??? Awesome!!! We had big LOTR and the Hobbit...
Katherine C
Red Carpet Tours is a fabulous company - been with them 3 times. I agree with others posted here that it is the BEST way to see New Zealand, especially if you are a "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" fan - and even if you're not! From all the Magnificent New Zealand...
John N
One Tour to Rule Them All – Red Carpet Tours is Middle-earth Made Real This was not just a holiday. It was a quest, and our Fellowship—36 true Lord of the Rings fans from around the globe—was led by none other than Julie, our gracious Gandalf. Wise, hilarious, full of...
Matt J
Everything about this tour was amazing! Our tour guide Julie is a true LOTR fan, and made sure everybody was looked after. The locations were well researched and meaningful. Even after the tour ended, Julie has kept in touch as we all went our separate ways and travelled home to various parts of...
Jody R
Red Carpet Tours truly delivered something special. From the moment it began, everything felt smooth and easy. I never had to worry about logistics or timing, which let me fully enjoy the experience. Julie guided us through the North Island with incredible knowledge of Aotearoa and Māori...
Bradley S
Just concluded my third trip with Red Carpet Tours. 5 stars for the 3rd time running! Excellent planning and attention to detail by the James Family and fabulous guiding by Julie. Once again, a very lovely, friendly ‘Fellowship’ of travellers with a common interest. You might expect...
Sue B
Passion has been forged into the Red Carpet tours. Years of relationships with the artists, land owners, and businesses has created an unforgettable experience. The Red Carpet team guide you on a journey that is not just visiting locations, but creating a sense of joy and wonder for New Zealand....
Joshua W