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Those who have traveled to the Lands of the Book of Mormon and also to the
Holy Land have repeatedly stated that a Book of Mormon tour is equally
enlightening, inspiring, and life-changing. These are the goals for this tour.
We will visit the most significant sites of Mesoamerica and experience the
ancient ruins and cultures of the Maya and the Olmec, including Mexico's La
Venta, Palenque, Bonampak, and Yaxchilán; Guatemala's Tikal, Quiriguá, Patzicía,
Iximché, and Lake Atitlán; and Honduras's Copán. We will also visit
marketplaces, the LDS temple, waterfalls, a sacrament meeting in a Mayan ward,
and several museums. This is a 10-day adventure with a low price, directed by a
couple with vast experience in these lands. Join us now!
Price includes:
• Airport transfers
• Deluxe motor coach
transportation
• Local guides
• Moderate-class hotel
accommodations, or best in location
• Meals as indicated on the
itinerary
• Sightseeing tours as outlined on the itinerary and all
entrance fees
• Baggage handling, porterage, and
gratuities
• Travel bag
• Group travel insurance
Price does not include:
• Round-trip airfare from Salt Lake City
estimated at $900 Note: Do not purchase your airline ticket without consulting
with LDS Travel Study. There is a minimum number of passengers needed to
operate this tour.
• Passport fees
• Additional flight
arrangements or hotel accommodations
• Meals not included on the
itinerary
• Sightseeing not included on the itinerary
• Items of
a personal nature (i.e., phone calls, room service, e-mails,
etc.)
• Individual travel insurance and cancellation
protection
• Single supplement: $300
Program based on a minimum of 20 travelers
(This program
requires a lot of walking, standing, and climbing, so participants should be in
good physical condition)
Payment and Documentation Information:
Deposit and Enrollment:
$500 at time of booking
Final
Payment:
90 days prior to departure
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Day 1: Monday, July 5 U.S.A. •
Villahermosa, Mexico
Today we begin the journey of a lifetime as we fly
from our various departure locations to Villahermosa, Mexico. From the airport
we will go to the amazing display of large stone Olmec heads at the site of La
Venta (most scholars correlate the ancient Olmec culture with the Jaredites of
the Book of Mormon). From there we will take our comfortable, air-conditioned
bus to Villa Kin Ha Hotel in Palenque, where we check in for two nights and
dinner.
Day 2: Tuesday, July 6
Palenque
After breakfast at the hotel, we will spend the day exploring the
amazing ruins of Palenque, which date to the times of the Book of Mormon.
Palenque was explored in 1841, and the Prophet Joseph Smith read the reports and
commented in the Church publication Times and Seasons (15 Sept. 1842) that it
was likely a Nephite ruin. Palenque is truly one of the wonders of the Mayan
world and includes the Temple of Inscriptions, the tomb of Pacal, the Palace,
Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Cross, and Temple of the Foliated Cross. In the
afternoon we will go to the beautiful 120-foot Misol Ha Falls for relaxation and
a swim. We then return to our hotel in Palenque for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Wednesday, July 7 Mexico •
Guatemala
We will have breakfast and depart early, our first stop being the
famous murals of Bonampak, followed by the intriguing site of Yaxchilán, on a
bend of the Usumacinta River (regarded by many as the Book of Mormon's Sidon
River). Next we will cross the border into Guatemala and check in at the Petén
Espléndido Hotel for two nights in Tikal and for dinner.
Day 4: Thursday, July 8
Tikal
After breakfast in our hotel, we will have the incomparable
experience of touring the ancient ruins of Tikal. These extensive ruins date
from 600 BC to 900 AD and reveal the ancient Maya civilization in its splendor.
We will visit the Great Plaza and its Temple of the Jaguars, then climb Temple
II. We will also see the Lost World Pyramid and Temples IV and V. We will have
lunch at the site and then take time for shopping and relaxing before returning
to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Friday, July 9 Quiriguá
• Copán, Honduras
Following breakfast we will travel south through the Petén
Jungle to the ruins of Quiriguá. This is a fabulous site which also came to the
attention of Joseph Smith, and he also referred to Quiriguá as being Nephite.
Here are the tallest and some of the most distinctive monuments of
the Mayan world. We will then continue our travel, crossing into Honduras and
arriving at the charming village of Copán, where we will have dinner and
overnight at the Marina Copán Hotel.
Day 6: Saturday, July
10
Copán • Guatemala City
After breakfast we will visit the ruins of Copán,
another major site dating to the times of the Book of Mormon. Copán was a major
ceremonial complex with extensive structures. We will also visit the on-site
museum and then take our bus to Guatemala City. Along the way, we will stop at
the Chayal obsidian site, a proposed location for the Nephite “place of arms”
(Alma 47:5). We will have dinner and check in at Biltmore Express Hotel for the
night.
Day 7: Sunday, July
11 Patzicía •
Iximché • Lake Atitlán
We will have breakfast in our hotel and then
travel a short distance to the unique highland town of Patzicía, where we will
attend LDS sacrament services alongside the Mayan Indians. One of the chapels
here was destroyed in the 1976 earthquake, and we will discuss the amazing
resulting events among missionaries and members. Next we will visit the Iximché
ruins, where we may observe Mayan ceremonial worship, and then continue on to
what some have called the most beautiful lake in the world, Lake Atitlán. Our
dinner and overnight will be at our lakeside Posada de Don Rodrigo Hotel in
Panajachel.
Day 8: Monday, July
12
Santiago Atitlán • Panajachel
After breakfast we will take a breathtaking
boat ride to the village of Santiago Atitlán. You will never forget your
experience in this village and as we visit the LDS chapel, the Catholic
cathedral, the centuries-old market place, and the Mayan god Maximón and mingle
among the Indians of the community. You will also be able to shop and bargain
for rare treasures. Next we will take our boat to the village of San Antonio
Palopó and enjoy the natural hot springs. Finally, we return to our hotel in
Panajachel for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Tuesday, July 13
Sololá • Guatemala City
We will have breakfast and then head for market day
in nearby Sololá, another unforgettable experience. Our next stop will be the
lovely town of Antigua, the ancient capital of Guatemala, followed by our return
to Guatemala City. Here we will visit the LDS Temple and the MTC, with options
of going to the National Museum and/or the Central Market. We will have dinner
and overnight at the Biltmore Express Hotel.
Day 10: Wednesday, July 14
Guatemala City • U.S.A.
We will have breakfast and then check out of our
hotel and head to the airport for our flights home. We take with us the memories
of an experience never to be forgotten—our journey among the lands, peoples, and
cultures of the Book of Mormon.
(the above itinerary and flight times are subject to
change)
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What to Expect LDS Travel Study will handle most of the tour
preparations for you, however there are still a few things you should know and
some details to take care of to ensure your comfort, safety and peace of mind.
Please review the information below to ensure that any surprises along the way
will only be pleasant ones. Airline Information Group Air Tickets
Where group flights are offered, tickets will be issued approximately 30
days prior to departure. LDS Travel Study can assist with domestic flights from
your home city to the designated international gateway city. Electronic tickets
will be issued where possible. Air Tickets Purchased Independently of the
Tour We urge you to check airline cancellation penalties before purchasing
airline tickets since departure times and flights can change. Tours may also be
cancelled due to low enrollments. LDS Travel Study does not accept liability for
cancellation penalties related to domestic or international airline tickets
purchased independently in conjunction with a tour. We recommend that you check
with us prior to purchasing any airline tickets. Seat Assignments: We
understand that your seat assignment is an important part of your tour
experience. Each airline has a different policy regarding pre-assigned seat
assignments and we are bound by their rules. LDS Travel Study will advise the
airlines of your seating preference and will do all possible to secure your seat
request. Please understand that in cases where pre-assigned seats are not
available, seats will be assigned at the airport. We recommend arriving at the
airport early to ensure the best seat selection. Frequent Flyers: We
will be happy to add your frequent flyer number to any airline reservation
created by Morris LDS Travel Study. Please understand that we are unable to
assist with securing reservations for free or reduced cost frequent flyer
tickets. Please contact your individual airline for assistance. Airline seat
assignments and flight schedules are subject to change without
notice. Baggage Most airlines, for both domestic and international
flights, now charge additional fees for checking bags. These charges are not
included in the tour price and are the traveler's responsibility. Baggage
handling is normally included in the tour price. Transfers Some
tours do not include group air service. In cases where the tour is designated as
“Land Only”, the tour begins at the airport of the arrival city and ends at the
airport of the departure city. Individual flight schedules should be coordinated
to arrive and depart in connection with the group transfer to and from the
hotel. The time of this transfer will be provided at a later date. Transfers at
other times will require an additional charge. Please contact us at 866-277-0900
for assistance. Passport Information All participants traveling
outside of the USA must be in possession of a valid passport during time of
travel. Your passport number, date, place of issue, and birth date is now
required by many foreign governments, airlines and trains, and may be required
to confirm services. Names on your airline tickets must match the first and
last name listed on your passport. Your passport must be valid for six months
after your return to the U.S. If you need assistance obtaining or renewing
your passport, please click here
http://www.us.cibt.com/home.aspx?loggedin=45217-1027200963347 Visa
Information Depending on length of visit or the country being visited, a
Visa may also be required for travel. If traveling to Egypt or Jordan, a group
Visa will most likely be arranged for your tour. Weather Please
refer to the chart below to find the average temperatures and rainfall. As you
get closer to departure, you may wish to visit www.weather.com to find the most
updated forecasts for your trip. Climatological
Information Average Low Average High Jan 52.7 74.8 Feb 55.2 77.4
Mar 57.2 79.9 Apr 59.7 81.5 May 61.2 80.8 Jun 61.2 77.5 Jul
60.4 76.1 Aug 60.4 77.0 Sep 60.4 75.9 Oct 59.7 75.4 Nov 57.2
74.1 Dec 55.6 74.1 Travel Insurance Trip cancellation insurance
is available at an additional cost and is strongly recommended for ALL
destinations. This insurance will cover you in case you need to cancel a tour
after final payment has been made. Certain restrictions apply. Currency
The currency in Belize is the Belize Dollar, in Guatemala is Quetzal and in
Honduras the Lempira. Please visit http://www.xe.com for today's exchange
rate. ATM's are widely available and may provide a more favorable
exchange rate than banks. Packing and Clothing Suggestions Your days
on tour will mostly consist of walking, standing, and getting on and off the
coach. Please dress in casual clothing that can be easily layered for a change
in temperature. Comfortable walking shoes with rubber soles are a must.
It is also advisable to pack a change of clothing and medication in your
carry-on bag in case your checked luggage goes astray. The airlines
allow only limited amount of liquids in your carry on luggage. You should plan
to follow the 3-1-1 rule which allows a maximum of 3.4 ounces of liquid; 1 quart
sized plastic zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger. Please see
http://www.tsa.gov/311 for details. Communication Internet service is
widely available in your hotels and at internet cafes throughout the country. A
nominal fee will be charged for usage. Please check with your cell-phone
provider for information on roaming charges. Depending on the type of cell phone
you have, you may be able to purchase a local SIM card to insert into your cell
phone and make calls at a much lower rate. Time Zone The time in
Central America is 3 hours ahead of Mountain Time.
![Jonn Claybaugh]()
I think I was Hispanic in my past life! I have always been fascinated
by the Spanish language, the people who speak it, and the lands where they live.
Traveling in Mesoamerica is as much a cultural experience (because of the
people), as it is an educational and intellectual experience (because of the
land and the geography). Plus, it is a spiritual experience, thanks to the Book
of Mormon and the people who join the tours.
Jonn D. Claybaugh
received his bachelor's degree in Spanish and psychology from Cal State San
Bernardino and his master's degree in educational administration from Brigham
Young University.
He has taught in Utah and California seminaries and served
as an institute director and coordinator of seminaries in Victorville and
Fresno, California. Currently, he teaches at the Orem Institute of
Religion.
Brother Claybaugh has been a writer for a number of Church
manuals and other curriculum projects. He has been a lecturer for BYU Education
Week and CES and Sperry symposia, and has written several book chapters and
articles for the Ensign magazine. A mission to Argentina helped Brother
Claybaugh develop a love for the people of Latin America. He has directed a
number of tours to Israel, Egypt, Italy, Central America, and Church history
sites. He is devoted to the lands and especially the people of the Hispanic
world.
Brother Claybaugh and his wife, Judy, are both from southern
California. They have three sons, three daughters, and four grandchildren (so
far!). Brother Claybaugh's hobbies include playing the guitar, singing,
motorcycle riding, snorkeling, going to the beach and waterskiing with his
family, and coaching his children's sports teams. The Claybaughs recently
returned from Costa Rica, where he served as mission president. Brother
Claybaugh currently serves as bishop of the Northridge 14th Ward in Orem,
Utah.
Tours Currently Featuring Jonn Claybaugh
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 | Located only a couple of minutes to the entrance of the archaeological site, and 10 minutes to the center of the town.
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 | Located just 3minutes from the international airport and just 45 minutes from Tikal and Yahxa National Parks
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 | Hotel located 1 km from ruins
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 | In business district
In entertainment district
Airport nearby
Convention center nearby
Full-service health spa nearby
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 | The hotel is only an hour from the Guatemala City airport, also it is in great location with easy access everywhere
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There are no Departure Dates available for this Package.
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