Why Choose Us?
Red Carpet Tours proudly operates the original and premier Lord of the Rings tour in New Zealand, offering the most comprehensive and immersive experience available. Since our founding in 2001, we’ve continually refined our tours to bring you the very best of both Middle-earth and New Zealand—blended into one unforgettable journey.
Here are 7 reasons why you should let us take you on an adventure through Middle-earth.
1. Make Life-Long Friends
Be part of a fellowship from the moment you arrive until the time you leave. Our small groups allow you to easily mix with like-minded people and form friendships that last a lifetime.
2. Discover Exclusive Movie Locations
We will take you off the beaten track to locations closed to the public, where you will experience not only awe-inspiring scenery and sets but also meet some of those who were involved in making the films.
3. Passionate Guides
Your tour will be led by our passionate guide, giving you access to their in-depth knowledge of all things LOTR and New Zealand. Our staff make meaningful and lasting friendships with their groups through shared interests and traveling NZ together.
4. The Original and the Best!
As the longest established The Lord of the Rings tour operator in Middle-earth, we have built connections and relationships over many years to create the optimal experience for you. We constantly refine our tours based on our guides and tour members’ feedback.
5. 100% Authentic
Red Carpet Tours was born out of genuine interest and passion for Tolkien and LOTR. We put the fans first and provide depth of knowledge and detail that will be beyond your expectations. We like to get as ‘behind the scenes' as possible - imparting interesting and little known facts, personal interactions with people involved in the production and a chance to bring the scenes to life by acting out a chosen part. This is no “theme-park” experience!
6. Amazing Testimonials
Check out our amazing 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor, Google or Facebook and you will see what we mean!
7. A Life-Changing Pilgrimage
Many of our guests describe the tour as a life-changing and awe-inspiring experience from start to finish. Along the way, our fellowships not only form lasting friendships but in some cases, even more! Over the years, we've unofficially become a bit of a matchmaking tour, with dozens of past passengers meeting their future spouse during their Middle-earth adventure with us!
Our Promise to You
“From the moment you arrive in Middle-earth, we will strive to exceed your expectations. We will take you off the beaten track, to remote locations, the very best sets and scenes, and impart our in-depth knowledge about both The Lord of the Rings and New Zealand, creating an inspiring experience you won’t forget. Your journey with Red Carpet Tours will be an adventure of a lifetime!”
What people have said
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
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
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
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
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
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
This is the best and ONLY way for a LOtR/Hobbit fan to experience New Zealand. Julie and her team are fantastic, knowledgeable people who, you can tell, put so much time and effort into making sure your experience with them is an amazing one! You will not regret choosing them as your guides...
Stephanie B
I will start my review by saying it was the best trip I’ve ever had. The Red Carpet Tours can offer you the best about Lord of the Rings in New Zealand. Julie is so knowledgeable and passionate about the movies and that makes our experience unforgettable. I loved listening to her talk...
Isabele P
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
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