A Tour led by Archaeologist Dr. Christopher Powell

This ten day adventure starts by flying into Villahermosa, where you’ll begin with a tour of La Venta Park and a private viewing of Tortuguero Monument 6 (the only stela in the Maya world with the date December 21, 2012 AD). The follow day is summer solstice at Palenque, where you’ll wittness the dawn hierophany (trick of light and shadow) in the Temple of the Sun. Next, a trip by boat up the Usumacinta River to see the "deep time” date panel at Yaxchilan. Ascending into the mountains via the ruins of Tonina, the tour continues on to San Cristobal and the Maya village of Chamula for their biggest festival of the year for their patron saint San Juan Bautista. Moving south towards the Pacific, the next stop will be Izapa, where the Long Count may have begun, and crossing into Guatemala to visit Lake Atitlan, the Postclassic ruins of Iximche, and the National Anthropology Museum. All along the way you'll be learning in depth about the Maya calendar, how it relates to ancient astronomy, and how it relates to December 21, 2012.

Summer Solstice 2012 Tour Ancient Calendars and Modern Maya Chiapas, Mexico and the Highlands of Guatemala
Price	$2800 per person (add $450 for single lodging) $300 deposit due upon registration, balance due 30 days before the trip.
Dates	June 18-28, 2012
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June 18, Monday: Arrival 12.19.19.8.14, 13 Ix 17 Zotz' Land at the Villahermosa airport in the evening and transport to the Hotel Cencali. MEC representatives will meet you at the airport and help you get to the hotel where your rooms are reserved.
	June 19, Tuesday: La Venta and CICOM 12.19.19.8.15, 1 Men 18 Zotz' Morning: Tour of La Venta park Massive monuments from the Olmec civilization Afternoon: Private viewing of Tortuguero Monument 6 Tortuguero Monument 6 is the only text in the Maya world with the date December 21, 2012 AD Evening: Lecture - Maya Calendar Systems Overnight in Palenque
	June 20, Wednesday: Solstice at Palenque 12.19.19.8.16, 2 Kib 19 Zotz' Morning: Dawn at the Temple of the Sun A hierophany (trick of light and shadow) occurs in the temple's innermost corner Morning: Tour of Palenque On-site discussion of Palenque's creation texts Afternoon: Palenque's museum Evening: Lecture - Ancient Maya Astronomy Overnight in Palenque
	June 21, Thursday: Yaxchilan 12.19.19.8.17, 3 Kaban Seating of Sek Morning: Travel to Yaxchilan by bus and boat up the Usumacinta River Afternoon: Tour of Yaxchilan Evening: Return to Palenque Overnight in Palenque
	June 22, Friday: Tonina 12.19.19.8.18, 4 Etz'nab 1 Sek Morning: Misol Ha Waterfalls Afternoon: Tour of Tonina On-stie discussion of its Popol Vuh stucco images Evening: Arrival to San Crisobal Overnight in San Cristobal
	June 23, Saturday: Chamula Festival 12.19.19.8.19, 5 Kawak 2 Sek Morning: The festival of San Juan Bautista in Chamula Afternoon: Free time in San Cristobal Evening: Lecture - Modern Maya Textile Fashions by Chip Morris Overnight in San Cristobal
	June 24, Sunday: Saints Procession 12.19.19.9.0, 6 Ahaw 3 Sek Morning: Procession of the Saints in Chamula Afternoon: Travel to Tapachula (six hours) Evening: Lecture - Theories About 2012, What to Believe? Overnight in Tapachula
	June 25, Monday: Izapa 12.19.19.9.1, 7 Imix 4 Sek Morning: Tour of Izapa The site's importance to the calendar and creation myths will be explained and a critical look at John Major Jenkin's theories regarding Izapa will be discussed Afternoon: Travel to Lake Atitlan (5 hours) Evening: Free time Overnight in Panajachel
	June 26, Tuesday: Atitlan and Maximon 12.19.19.9.2, 8 Ik' 5 Sek Morning: Across the lake to the shrine of Maximon in Santiago Atitlan Afternoon: Free time in Panajachel Evening: Lecture - Modern Maya Day Keeper Priests and the Tzolk'in Overnight in Panajachel
	June 27, Wednesday: Iximche and the Museum 12.19.19.9.3, 9 Ak'bal 6 Sek Morning: Tour of Post Classic Iximche Afternoon: The National Anthropology Museum in Guatemala City Evening: Final dinner at El Kacao Overnight in Guatemala City
	June 28, Thursday: Departure 12.19.19.9.4, 10 Kan 7 Sek Return to the Guatemala City airport for flights home

Villahermosa: Hotel Cencali - AC, private bath, telephone, cable TV, wireless internet, pool, and onsite restuarant - located just off Villahermosa's Lake of Illusions, 3 blocks from the La Venta Park
Palenque: Hotel Maya Tulipanes - AC, private bath, telephone, cable TV, pool, onsite restaurant, and wireless internet - located in the La Canada neighborhood
San Crisotbal: Hotel Rincon de Los Arcos - Hotel rooms with AC, phone, wireless internet and onsite restaurant - located 2 blocks from San Cristobal's Anaddor pedestrian walk
Tapachula: Hotel Holiday Inn Express - AC, private bath, telephone, cable TV, pool, onsite restaurant, and wireless internet - located in downtown Tapachula
Panajachel: Hotel Diego de Don Rodridgo - AC, private bath, telephone, cable TV, onsite restaurant, and wireless internet - located along the shores of Lake Atitlan
Guatemala City: Hotel Holiday Inn - AC, private bath, telephone, cable TV, pool, onsite restaurant, and wireless internet - located in Guatemala City's Zone 10

Includes:
- All lodging
- Private ground transportation
- Entry fees into all ruins and museums
- Breakfasts
- Lunches
- The final dinner
- Archaeologist/Anthropologist guides
- Seven on-site and evening lectures

Does Not Include:
- Airfare to Villahermosa, Mexico
- Airfare from Guatemala City
- Dinners
- Tips for Service Providers
- Travel insurance

Proceeds from MEC Tours are the center's primary source of research funding. As such, a portion of the tour costs are tax deductible. MEC will provide participants with receipts and proper documentation regarding the center's 501(c)(3) non-profit status for your records.