In the Footsteps of the Lord of the Rings

Welcome to Nouvelle-Zélande! Upon arrival, a shuttle takes you to the Auckland City Hotel, in the city center. Nicknamed the City of Sails, Auckland is the country's largest city, notably marked by the presence of Polynesian cultures.

This morning, you pick up your rental car in central Auckland (transfer to the depot not included), then drive towards Rotorua via Matamata. After the Bombay Hills, a detour via Port Waikato takes you in the footsteps of Amon Sûl, the Windpipe of the Lord of the Rings.

The day begins at Wai-O-Tapu (entry included). You discover the bubbling pools, the geyser and the colours of this geothermal site before heading back on the road.

You pass through Taupō and its lake, then reach the Tongariro National Park, the setting for several scenes from Lord of the Rings. Its volcanic landscapes evoke the lands of Mordor; Mount Ngauruhoe notably lent its silhouette to the Mount Doom.

You head south on the North Island. The volcanic landscapes of Tongariro gradually give way to lush hills, then to Kapiti Coast, before your arrival in Wellington. The capital and its surroundings hosted numerous Lord of the Rings filming locations, both in studio and on location.

You visit the Wētā Workshop during a 90-minute discovery tour included, dedicated to the creation of sets, costumes and accessories. At the Wētā Cave, a museum shop, you can also see replicas, weapons, figurines and other collectible items, as well as pose with the three trolls from the Hobbit. Depending on your schedule, this visit may take place the following day.

Check in at the Wellington ferry terminal at least one hour before departure. During the crossing to Picton, you cruise along Wellington Bay, cross the Cook Strait and navigate through the Marlborough Sounds.

At Picton, you continue by road via Havelock, known for its green mussels, then stop at Pelorus Bridge, the filming location for the barrel escape scene in The Hobbit. You then travel through a forestry region before reaching Nelson, home to the jewellery shop Jens Hansen, creator of the One Ring.

The day ends in Motueka, in an orchard region. Stay for two nights at Lemon Tree Lodge, near Abel Tasman park.

From Motueka, take the road towards the Wild West Coast, between the New Zealand Alps and the Tasman Sea. You follow the Buller river and its gorges to Westport. A detour via Cape Foulwind allows you to observe a colony of seals in their natural habitat.

Continue towards Punakaiki to discover the Pancake Rocks, rock formations sculpted by marine erosion that resemble stacks of pancakes. At Tauranga Bay, you can go beyond the main viewing platform and walk a few minutes to enjoy a panoramic view of the coast.

Head south towards Franz Josef. Along the way, stop in Hokitika, a small town renowned for its jade workshops. You can visit a pounamu workshop and do some shopping before continuing towards the glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox, located near the sea.

The surrounding mountains belong to the Southern Alps, which appear in The Return of the King during the lighting of the beacon fires. The scene filmed along the White Mountains (Ered Nimrais) was shot at Mount Gunn, near Franz Josef.

From Franz Josef, make a first stop at Fox Glacier, then head to Lake Matheson, known for its reflection of Mount Cook. An easy loop of around 1 hour 30 minutes allows you to walk around it.

The road continues towards the Haast Pass, between the west coast and the Central Otago landscapes. Viewpoints and short walks punctuate the route, particularly around the Blue Pools. After a break at Wanaka, on the shores of the lake of the same name, head towards Queenstown via the Cardrona Valley, then reach the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

If time permits, take a detour to Deer Park Heights, filming location for several films, including The Two Towers, Wolverine, Pete's Dragon and The Rescue.

From Queenstown, follow the Lake Wakatipu, then cross the green plains of Southland to reach Te Anau. The town is located on the shores of the largest lake on the South Island, at the entrance to the Fiordland National Park.

In Te Anau, you can discover the glowworm caves by boat, enjoy water activities or fish. The region is also the starting point for hikes on the Kepler Track, Routeburn Track and Milford Track.

For The Lord of the Rings fans, Te Anau is home to part of the Fangorn Forest. The Waiau River, visible at several points along the road between Te Anau and Manapouri, was used to represent the Anduin. At the entrance to the town, you can also take a break to observe some local bird species.

From Te AnauTe Anau, take the Milford Road through the Fiordland National Park. Take time to stop at the viewpoints that line the road to Milford Sound, where eagles soar in The Hobbit.

At Milford Sound, board a two-hour catamaran cruise to the Tasman Sea. The crew presents you with the wildlife, geology and history of the fjord. The boat passes under the Stirling Falls, where glacier meltwater provides an icy shower. Tea and coffee are complimentary on board; a café-bar also offers beverages.

From Te Anau, take the road to Twizel passing through the vineyards of Cromwell, then through Omarama and the Lindis Pass.

Born in 1968 during the construction of hydroelectric dams, Twizel is located in a region that served as the backdrop for several scenes from The Lord of the Rings, notably the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

Accommodation for two nights at the Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel. To break up this journey, an intermediate stop at Wanaka is possible, with just one night in Twizel.

From Twizel, reach Lake Tekapo and its glacier-fed lake with turquoise waters, with the Southern Alps as backdrop. Enjoy a stroll along the water or spend time at the village's thermal centre. You can also hike or drive up to Mt John to admire Lakes Tekapo and Alexandrina and observe the stars.

Continue towards Geraldine, then Christchurch (Ōtautahi). Nicknamed Garden City, the city combines green spaces, Victorian architecture and modern constructions. You can discover the botanical garden, a small collection of the Canterbury Museum exhibited at the COCA museum during its renovation, the art gallery, the Tūranga library, the historic tram and the Avon River. The city also features numerous cafés and restaurants as well as a thermal centre with sea views.