February 21, 2010 BMAF Convention
To Reserve Call 800-217-7660 or 801-850-1498
Online Reservations
Join LDS archaeologist F. Richard Hauck, Ph.D. and the Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum (BMAF) as you visit the proposed lands of the Book of Mormon. This trip will highlight the new finds of archaeologist Ric Hauck as we explore along with him the land of Nephi. Visit several amazing Maya sites, tube through caves, and visit an eco reserve on this Book of Mormon expedition.
(2 night pre-tour on the Usumascinta $450 — see below itinerary for details)
(Day 2): El Ceibal — We will wake up early this morning to catch our flight to Flores, Guatemala. Once we arrive in Flores, we will board our bus for the 1.5 hour drive to Sayaxache. From Sayaxache we will take a scenic river trip to the ruins of El Ceibal. The site was occupied from the Pre-classic Period through to the Terminal Classic, with a significant hiatus. The principal phase of occupation dates to the Late Pre-classic, followed by a decline in the Early Classic. Ceibal experienced a significant recovery in the Terminal Classic immediately prior to its complete abandonment, reaching its second peak from about 830 to 890. Many of Ceibal’s late monuments show artistic influence from central Mexico and from the Gulf Coast of Mexico. Overnight in Chisec (B,L,D).
(Day 3): Cancuen & Candalaria Caves – Today we will visit the Maya site of Cancuen and the Candalaria Caves. Cancuén was a major city during the Classic Period, reaching its peak during the Seventh Century A.D. The city was a major trade center, specializing in jade, pyrite and obsidian. Its strategic position on the Río Pasion helped it dominate trade in the region. Taj Chan Ahk, one of the city’s most powerful rulers, built the city’s palace in 770 A.D. The palace covered nearly 23,000 square meters and contained 200 rooms, making it the largest in the Maya area. The city had two ball court a large marketplace and a dock on La Pasion River. If time permits, we will then go to the Candalaria Caves, where we may have the option of exploring the Maya underworld on tubes. We will return to our hotel in Chisec. (B,L,D)
(Day 4): Zipline, Water Activities, Free-time, Conference - The morning will be free to enjoy some of the activities available at the hotel. Following lunch, we will have our first session of the convention in which we will be instructed by LDS archaeologist Ric Hauck and other members from the Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum. In the afternoon we will drive to Coban. On the way to Coban, we will visit two Late Pre-classic fortified sites that correlate with the Manti regional strongholds in the Book of Mormon, San Pedro Carcha and Rio Chio. (B,L,D)(Day 5): Coban to Salama, Eco-Reserve, Finca Valparaiso – We will check out of our hotel this morning as we head towards Salama. On our way to Salama, we will visit the Preclassic fortified site of Finca Valparaiso, which Ric discovered in 1981. This site is located in a blocking position defending all the approaches into the Coban locality or Manti, where Helaman and his Ammonite warriors re-captured control of the Nephites’ line of defenses, which linked the East Sea (Caribbean) with the West Sea (Pacific Ocean). After departing Valparaiso, we will visit the Quetzal Preserve in the heights of the mountains that separate the Salama Valley, a candidate for the land of Nephi, from the Coban or Manti highlands. We will overnight at the Hotel Tzalamha. (B,L,D)
(Day 6): Salama, San Juan, Tzalcam, Pakakha, El Porton - We will visit briefly the ARI archaeological operations, which are based at San Juan, a Late Preclassic site that correlates with Shilom and view the excavations that are currently being done by ARI and its Guatemalan counterpart ARIMA. We will then go to the following Late Preclassic sites that correlate with various Book of Mormon locations: Tzalcam (city of Nephi), Los Cerritos and other defensive sites surrounding Tzalcam, El Porton (which correlates with the land of Shemlon), and Pkakha, a possible candidate for the land of Ishmael. (B,L,D)
(Day 7): We’ll spend the morning in conference at Salama. In the afternoon, we will transfer to Guatemala City, visit the Miraflores museum and return to the Barcelo Hotel. We’ll have a final dinner together as a group at the hotel. (B,L,D)
(Day 8): Flights Home
Price: Includes everything except roundtrip airfare to Guatemala City
- $1,500 Credit Card Price
- $1,400 Cash or Check Price
- Flight Booking Fee: $25
Terms and Conditions
- $300 Deposit required to confirm space in group. (Deposit is non-refundable, but it is transferable to another person).
- Final Payment is due 60 days before tour date.
Usumascinta River Pre-Tour
Feb 19: Depart from USA to Guatemala City: Upon arrival in Guatemala, you will be transferred to the Barcelo Hotel.
Feb 20: Guatemala City Temple: Today we will have some free time before we catch our flight to Flores, Guatemala. After breakfast, we will go as a group to the Guatemala City temple. Following our temple session, we will return to the hotel to get our luggage for our transfer to Flores.
February 21: Bonampak & Yaxchilan: We will arise early this morning to transfer to the Usumascinta River. Today we will see the amazing sites of Bonampak and Yaxchilan. In addition, we will have lunch the the Lacandon Maya community. After a long day, we will return to our hotel, the Peten Esplendido.
To Reserve Call 800-217-7660 or 801-850-1498
