EXCLUSIVE

Prepare for a nerdgasm "Game of Thrones" geeks -- TMZ obtained photo evidence tying the show's creator to that other world of fantasy ... the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy!!

George R.R. Martin took a tour of the Shire movie set from the "Rings" movies this weekend on the North Island of New Zealand ... where, BTW, Winter is not coming (it's Spring down there).

The 65-year-old author and screenwriter looked pretty stoked to hang with normies on the tour -- but still proved he's top banana in the nerd world. Dude, arrived by freaking helicopter!