Visit Hobbiton, the real-world film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, preserved as a fully realized version of the Shire. On a guided walking tour, wander past 44 individually detailed hobbit holes and learn behind-the-scenes stories from the films.

Lunch is included at the Shire’s Rest Cafe. Continue on to Rotorua, a city built on geothermal activity, where steam rises from parks, lakesides, and sidewalk cracks throughout town.

A free day to choose your own adventure. Options include white water rafting on the Kaituna River, a soak in the Polynesian Spa thermal pools, the Redwoods Treewalk, an e-bike tour, or a hike up Mt Tarawera. Your guide can help arrange whichever activity suits you.

Visit Huka Falls, where the Waikato River is forced through a narrow channel at extraordinary speed, then continue to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, a geothermal park of bubbling mud pools and vividly colored mineral lakes.

Arrive in Taupo, a lakeside town on the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake. An optional sunset cruise is available in the evening.

Another free day. Popular options include the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, widely regarded as the best single-day hike in New Zealand, along with jet boating, fishing, scenic flights, or a soak in one of Taupo’s natural hot pools.

Travel west to the Waitomo Caves for a guided tour beneath thousands of glowworms, whose soft light mimics a starlit sky.

Continue to Hamilton Gardens, an award-winning garden complex where each themed section represents a different culture and era. Finish the day in Raglan, a laid-back surf town known for its black sand beaches.

Spend the morning exploring Raglan’s beaches and world class surf breaks at your own pace. In the afternoon, travel back to Auckland, completing your North Island loop.