Lord of the Rings fans are invited to take “The Ultimate Lord of the Rings Tour" to celebrate the trilogy’s 60th anniversary and the upcoming release of the final instalment of “The Hobbit."
The 11-day trip indulges every fantasy for fans of both the books and the films, with visits to The Shire, Rivendell and Peter Jackson’s production studio and home base in Wellington.
The tour is organised by luxury travel outfit Zicasso and was developed to mark the 60th birthday of the trilogy’s first volume, “The Fellowship of the Ring." Starting in Rotorua with a guided tour of Hobbiton,the tour eclipses the key locations of the film.
Other highlights of the tour include a helicopter ride through the most remote filming areas, including the gates of Mordor (one does not simply walk there), a visit to Weta Workshop where the film’s scariest characters were born and an overnight stay in a LOTR themed hotel room.
Visitors will also get the chance to visit the Elven outpost of Rivendell, where Frodo recovered from his knife attack and Buckland Forest, where the hobbits hid from the Nazgul.
And finally, fans of Peter Jackson, who brought the trilogy to life, will be able to visit his studios in Miramar.
Prices start at US$7,000, not including flights, and can be booked here.
(Written by Rachael Fletcher)