12 Day Winter Lord of the Rings Tour
This 12 day Lord of the Rings New Zealand adventure is designed for a Middle earth Winter. Take a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Middle-earth, traveling from Auckland to Queenstown via LOTR filming locations, movie studios, and movie guests.

This is our New Zealand Winter 12 day Lord of the Rings Tour. Take a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Middle-earth, traveling from Auckland to Queenstown via LOTR filming locations, movie studios, and special Movie Guest presentations. This Tour is the ultimate adventure for an avid Tolkien fan!
You will also meet those involved in the making of the movies, and travel off the beaten track into the breath-taking landscapes and natural attractions New Zealand has to offer.
Along the way, there are opportunities for helicopter flights and landings on iconic mountains used in the films, extended Wellington (Wellywood) movie behind the scenes experiences with special film guests, Bungy jumping or 4 wheel drive tours to amazing and remote film locations. All within a small fellowship of like-minded travelers, led by our passionate Lord Of The Rings guides.
Highlights
- Explore Bilbo's Shire and enjoy food fit for any Hobbit!
- Meet people involved with both the Lord Of The Rings & The Hobbit Trilogies!
- Auckland Weta Workshop Unleashed experience
- Have a drink in The Green Dragon Pub
- Wellington Behind the scenes Weta Workshop tour and exclusive discounts for Red Carpet Tours passengers!
- Movie guest presentations
- Domestic flight between the North and South Islands
- Explore Trollshaw Forest and native glow worm caves
- Meet artists of film
- Experience the beautiful Queenstown - the fun and adventure capital of New Zealand
- Queenstown Big locations day!
- Private bus transportation
- Welcome pack for direct bookings
- All guiding services
- Special Movie Guests presentations in Auckland and Wellington
- Hotel Accommodation
- 11 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches & 2 buffet Dinners
- Entry Fees to private Lord Of The Rings New Zealand sites
- Department of Conservation fees
- Auckland Weta Workshop Unleashed experience
- Entry fees for Hobbiton and festive feast lunch
- Weta Workshop extended Tour and workshop
- Domestic Airfare Wellington - Queenstown
- Special presentation guest from the films
Being in the Southern Hemisphere, our seasons here in New Zealand may be at different times of the year to yours (depending on where you live). Therefore, we have found it necessary to have seasonal itineraries to enhance your experience of Middle Earth. These comprise of the following months, please email us for a copy of your chosen New Zealand season itinerary.
2023 Winter Tour months
2024 Winter Tour months
2025 Winter Tour months
What people have said
This was a trip of a lifetime. I honestly couldn’t imagine seeing Middle Earth any other way. Julie is amazing and truly cultivated an experience that I will treasure forever. If you’re thinking about booking this trip—just do it. I promise that you will have the time of your life.
Brenna M
Just returned as part of the February 2023 Fellowship with Red Carpet Tours and it was one of the best trips of my life. I've been wanting to do this for years and was worried my expectations might be too high, but it was amazing and I wish it didn't have to end! Love the family...
Emily V
I don’t have enough good things to say about this incredible experience. Our guide Julie is so knowledgeable and fun about everything LOTR AND New Zealand in general! My husband and I went for our belated honeymoon and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. You’re fed like Hobbits...
Taylor & Nick L
From first contact with the James family, and the Lord of the Rings-Red Carpet Tours, you are in the best of hands. You expect so much on the tour but you receive so much more. I came back from my first tour believing I'd never have a better, truly satisfying experience, and they could...
Barbara S
Amazing and so well worth it! Days in a row of just being excited for something alone was something special to me but also meeting like-minded people who were so accepting and fun was fantastic! Julie James is a treasure - handles everything with grace and was just everything you want in a tour...
Tracy E
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
I went solo and am a bit of an introvert, but Julie and the rest of the tour members made this an unforgettable experience and made me feel right at home. This was number one on my bucket list and it exceeded my expectations across the board. If you're contemplating booking this tour, just...
Jordan M
This tour changed my life, Julie and Josh were amazing tour guides, everywhere we went was stunning. I could not have asked for anything more from them. Even where there were some hiccups outside of anyone’s control Julie and the team worked tirelessly to ensure we had the best experience...
Jon
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
Traveling New Zealand with RCT and Julie was amazing. It was the trip of a lifetime (but I hope to do it again!). It was very well put together and we got to see such amazing sites and do so many awesome things. I can't even name what my favorite part of the whole tour was because it was...
Lynn S