CHIAPAS, MEXICO

Ancient Future Land of the Maya  

July 9 – 18, 2010

Guided by Luminous 1 and Miguel Angel Vergara

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When we embark on a journey, we have made a decision to step out of our everyday life and experience something different.  When that journey takes us to the ancient lands of the Maya, we may find ourselves moving between the worlds, time and dimensions of the ancient past and the unknown future.  I have traveled to the land of the Maya many times and it is my observation that the Maya are a heart centered people who hold a wisdom of great value to us in our changing world. 

The aliveness of the Maya Spirit is palpable; you can feel it.  As we move through the sacred sites, towns and villages where ancient traditions are still kept, we may feel a personal connection with these people and places.  Memories emerge, visions and dreams appear and our journey becomes one of renewal and reconnection.  For some, a journey of this kind is life-changing – redirecting the flow of consciousness and life energy.

Our journey will take us through vibrant canyons, flourishing jungles, and towering mountains.  We will glide along rivers to visit more remote sites and stand under cascading waterfalls.  Our earth connection will be a deep and healing experience.

The Journey will be led by Luminous 1, author of the forthcoming books, Portals of Transcendence: A spiritual guide for tapping the wisdom, healing and transformational energy of sacred sites and power places, and, 2010 and Beyond: Gateway to Multi-Dimensional Reality.  She teaches us to connect deeply with our ancient wisdom and future self and to expand the bandwidth of our awareness.  Luminous will provide guided meditations, experiential exercises, past life regressions, attunements and alignments with the Mayan World.  Luminous is an Author, Artist, Metaphysical Philosopher and Clairvoyant and has been facilitating individuals and groups to expanded awareness, self knowledge and well being for 35 years.  Her connection with the ancient/future worlds has been lifelong and have informed much of her work.  She leads journeys to Mexico, Central and South America and worldwide.

The traditional Maya ceremonies will be led by Master Maya Teacher Miguel Angel Vergara who will share his vast knowledge of the Maya Wisdom with us throughout the journey.  He is the author of Chichen Itza: La Universidad Cosmica De Los Mayas and other books on Mayan Cosmology.  It is our great pleasure and honor to have Miguel guide us through the Ancient Future land of the Maya.

He is the leading authority on Chichen Itza and the pyramid of K’u-Kuul-Kaan and studied for 17 years with the Mayan Elder, Don Vincente Martin, who was a wisdom keeper, professional teacher and artist.  Miguel Angel became a master in his own right, known as Master Nazul, and teaches seminars in Mexico and abroad on Mayan Astronomy, Philosophy, Calendar, Glyphs and Symbols, Medicine, Cosmovision, Traditions and Prayers, Ceremonies and Healing.  Miguel Angel teaches us how to connect with the masters of light who are available to teach and guide us now, as in ancient times.

ITINERARY:                     

Day One: July 9 Villahermosa:

               Arrival in Villahermosa and transfer from airport to hotel.  Settle in and relax at the outdoor pool.  This evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner togetherc, get to know our fellow travelers, and talk about the times to come. (overnight Cencali) D

Day Two: July 10 Comalcalco:

               Opening ceremony at the Maya site of Comalcalco with Miguel  Angel Vergara.  We will create our intentions for the journey

               during this time. 

               Many of the carvings on the ancient temples at Comalcalco do not appear to be Mayan!  In ancient times, Comalcalco was located in a lush rainforest with many rivers allowing for trade with other centers of the Mayan World.  Comalcalco’s present day isolation separates it from other centers.   

Carved figures, busts and reliefs, found at this site, have hats and beards and facial features totally uncharacteristic of the Mayans. 

The temples and pyramids at this site are built of kiln dried clay bricks similar to those used in Rome.  No other site in the Olmec/Mayan world is built this way and symbols located on the back of the bricks are an exact match with masonary symbols found on Roman bricks. Many of these bricks are found in the Mediterranean region. 

A complex sewage/drainage system was found in Comalcalco made of clay pipes similar to those found on a recent excavation on the island of Santorini in Greece.  There is a theory, presented on the history channel, that this excavation in Greece could likely be part of the lost city of Atlantis.

Sacred historians including Joseph Campbell (MASKS OF GOD) point to archeological evidence of a link between the Mesopotamian ziggurats, the pyramids of Egypt and the Mayan Temples and Pyramids.   There is evidence of a migration pattern from the Sumarian/Mesopotamia, through Asia and across the Atlantic into the ancient Americas. 

Esoteric teachings that this theory further back and indicate the migration began in the lost world of Atlantis and it was the Atlantians who were the true master race.  

The ancient Mayan texts (Popul Vuh and Chilam Balam) indicate that the first inhabitants of the Yucatan did come from the East and were know as the People of the Serpent or the Serpent of the East. 

In 1566, Friar Diego de Landa wrote: “some old men of Yucatan say they have heard from their ancestors that this country was peopled by a certain race who came from the East.”

When we visit Comalcalco, we begin our journey back into the very distant past; perhaps to another land of visitors who first came to this part of the world from the lost world of Atlantis.  Here we can reach back, into the storerooms of our memory and

and see what visions make themselves known to us.

              On our way back to Villahermosa we visit a Hacienda de Cacao.

                                                  The image to the right is a

               Wedding ceremony AD1051 between two Mixtec nobles,

                8 Deer and 13 Serpent.

               Cacao was used in ceremony, traded and coveted.  Eventually it was introduced to the Spanish who brought it to the new world.

               (overnight Cencali) B & L

Day Three:  July 11 Travel to Chiapa de Corzo:

Approx. 2.5 hours. Leave Villahermosa and travel to Chiapa de Corzo where we take a boat ride through the Cañon del Sumidero.

This is a spectacular journey with the vibrancy of nature surrounding us. We make our entrance into Chiapas and travel on to San Cristobal which will be our base for the next three nights.  (overnight San Cristobal Mercedes)  B, L & D

Day Four:  July 12 Walking tour of San Cristobal and free time:

               Full day in San Cristóbal de Las Casas

Visit the Museum of Jade and Museum of Amber, take a Walking tour of the historic center and then have some time to browse, shop, people watch, or relax.

This is a good place to buy copal and maybe some other ceremonial items.   

Evening talk with Miguel Angel on the Maya Cosmovision.

               (overnight San Cristobal Mercedes)  B

Day Five:  July 13 San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan

               San Juan Chamula to visit the church. This is a true modern day    Maya experience. The church is not Catholic but is being used by the local shamans for healings and prayers.  Being there is the only way to understand it.  

               In the square outside the church is a market with all the fresh produce of the area as well as a market with many of the handicrafts that are made in the region. 

Visit Zinacantan, a nearby town where we will see some of the best weavings and have an opportunity to interact with the people

who make them. 

Here you can see how they live and work and learn more about the significance of the beautiful designs.

              (overnight San Cristobal Mercedes)  B

Day Six:  July 14 Tonina

               We leave San Cristóbal and travel to the Maya site of Toniná on the way to Palenque.

Named by indigenous people in Tzeltal, Toniná means the House of Stone.  Metaphorically, the name refers to the home of celestial lights and deities of time: Toniná was a site of calendars and rituals.  Iconography of this site is representative of two eras, which are clearly identified by references to particular deities: the first and oldest period, from 300 to 700 AD, was responsible for portrayals of birds belonging to the underworld and was governed by deceased and flayed suns.

.            The second epoch, from 700 to 900 AD, is marked by celestial lights and felines, as well as the morning and evening stars.

              

In the height of its glory, around 900 AD, Toniná's pyramidal structure was composed of seven platforms and was crowned by thirteen temples; a central stairway, leading to the Temple of Smoking Mirror, reaches a total of 260 steps. Palaces inhabited by Toniná's dynastic families (including military heads, architects, priests and astronomers) were constructed in the eastern portion of the acropolis.

               This area was lavishly decorated, in contrast with the acropolis' western section, where construction workers and warriors lived in austere dwellings. From the four temples of the seventh platform, priests and nobles managed the four regions of the sky, fought battles against darkness and maintained order regarding celestial

               phenomena.

               There is a wonderful museum to visit at the site with many great works of Maya art. Miguel Angel will lead us in a Maya ceremony and then we will have time to visit the site. After lunch we will travel to our hotel in Palenque.

(overnight Palenque Mercedes) B & D

Day Seven: July 15 Palenque: 

               We will spend the day at the site of Palenque starting with an official ceremony led by Miguel Angel then a tour of the main structures.

We will have lunch at the site entrance and then you will have time to explore this beautiful site on your own.   In the evening, Miguel will give a talk on Pacal Votan (603-683 AD) whose prophecy speaks of the closing of this world age cycle on December 21, 2012. 

(overnight Palenque Mercedes) B & D

Day Eight: July 16 Bonampak:     

               We leave early this morning and stop for breakfast in the jungle on our way to the site of Bonampak.  Miguel Angel will lead us in a ceremony on the site and then we will view the murals and explore the site. 

               This site is maintained by the Lancandon Maya and we will have the opportunity to interact with them. 

               The Lancandon Maya escaped Spanish control by remaining in remote jungle areas.

               A Crystal Skull Ceremony will take place either at Palenque or Bonampak with a local shaman presiding.

There are a dozen or so rare crystal skulls in private and public         collections. Some are crystal clear, others of smoky or colored quartz. Some are actual human size and of very fine detail, while others are smaller and less refined. All are believed to originate from Mexico and Central America.

Mitchell-Hedges Crystal Skull.

Many believe these skulls were carved thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago by an ancient Mesoamerican civilization. Others think they may be relics from the legendary island of Atlantis or proof that extraterrestrials visited the Aztec sometime before the Spanish conquest.

British Museum Crystal Skull

Stories about the skulls focus heavily on their perceived supernatural powers.  Joshua Shapiro, coauthor of Mysteries of the Crystal Skulls Revealed, on his Web site cites claims of healings and expanded psychic abilities from people who have been in the presence of such skulls.

 "We believe the Crystal Skulls are a form of computer which are               able to record energy and vibration that occur around them," he writes. " The skull will pictorially replay all events or images of the people who have come into contact with them (i.e. they contain the history of our world)."

”ET” Crystal Skull is smoky quartz and was found in the early 20th Century in Central America.  It was given its nickname because its pointed cranium and exaggerated overbite make it look like the skull of an alien being. 

Skulls were prominent in ancient Mesoamerican artwork, particularly               among the Aztec, so the connection between these artifacts and these civilizations is evident.

(overnight Palenque Mercedes) B & L

Day Nine: July 17 Misol Ha:

                   Misol Ha means “streaming water” and was given this name by the “Chol” tribe in the area.  The river glides over the edge and drops about 120 feet into a deep pool of water surrounded by vegetation.  Swimming is allowed if the flow of water is accommodating.  There is a small walkway that takes us behind the falls where there are caves we can explore. 

      We will do our closing ceremony for the journey at the waterfalls and possibly enter the cave for a meditation depending on the level of the water. After a farewell lunch with Miguel we travel back to Villahermosa.  In the evening we have a farewell dinner with the group; sharing our memories and experiences.  We will   be ready for our departure tomorrow.

               (overnight Cencali) B, L & D

Day Ten:  July 18 Departure: from Villahermosa

WEATHER

It is agreed upon by many Mexicans that Chiapas has the best weather conditions in all of Mexico. This is probably due to the high elevation, which diminishes some of the over whelming heat that is present in the lower tropical regions.

Chiapas even gets cold, particularly at night. It is not as humid as the rest of Mexico as well.

If you enter Chiapas from the north, the heat will still be evident up to Palenque, however once you start heading up into the higher regions towards Ocosingo, the temperature decreases. Not dramatically, it is still hot but the nights get cooler and it can even be chilly in the morning until 9 - 10 o'clo/ck.

South of San Cristobal it gets colder the higher up in the mountains you go.

THE RAINY SEASON

Depending on whom you talk to, this season lasts between June/July and August/September. Most people think of torrential downpours lasting entire days, day after day. This is not the case and it is somewhat of an over exageration. In the winter seasons you will actually hear Mexicans complaining about how cold it is. By a Canadian's standard its boiling hot but you actually see many Mexicans with colds. It is the same with rain. Since it often goes days without a drop, when it does rain, it is considered the rainy season.

Usually the rain will come around the same time every day. After 3:00. It will pour rain for a little while then stop. The rain will return at night. The water dries up quickly so sometimes, especially if you sleep late, everything will be dry when you get up.

It can however rain everyday all day long. Every year is different.

The good thing about the rain is that it cools things down. You can actually become quite cold on an otherwise blistering hot day if it rains for any period of time, you are stuck without any rain gear and have to move about in the rain.

Being at Palenque ruins during a rainstorm is interesting. The builders implemented elaborate water sewers/canals within the structures for drainage. You do not notice this unless there is a lot of water present.

The jungle also comes to life during the rainy season, many flowers bloom and leaves expand to catch the precipitation. It is our favorite time to be in Chiapas.

We can anticipate weather from 65 degrees at night to maybe 80 degrees during the daytime.

What is included?

Arrival and Departure transfers (Villahermosa Airport/Hotel/Villahermosa Airport)

All Ground Transportation

All Hotels

14 Meals:  8 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 5 Dinners

All admission fees to sites and museums

Tour Guide Service

Tips Included:  Bellboys, Maids, Restaurant Waiters and Bus Driver

Travel Insurance

What is Not Included:

Bottled water, drinks at the meals

International Airfare

Trip Cancellation Insurance (strongly recommended)

Transportation from your home

Airport Taxes

Passports and Visas

Excess Baggage Charges

Laundry & Dry Cleaning

Telephone Calls, Faxes, Cables

Wine, Liquor, Beer, Water, Soft Drinks, Coffee, Tea

Meals not stated in the Itinerary

Room Service

Items of a personal nature

Gratuities not listed in the Itinerary

Trip Cancellation Insurance

EARLY REGISTRATION is encouraged.  If payment in full is received prior to May 1st, you will receive a $50 discount.

The self investment for this journey is as follows:

Per Person Double Occupancy                               $3,100.00

(two people sharing a room with 2 single beds)

Single Supplement                                                   600.00

(your own private room)

Reservation Deposit…….………………………………………..………$1,100

This secures your reservation

Balance due by May 25th (Double Occupancy) ……………$2,000

Balance due for Single – Private Room…………………………$2,600  

CASH, CHECK or MONEY ORDER:  Receive $50 discount

Payable to:  Maya Dream, LLC

            PAYPAL:  to Luminousone@esedona.net

LATE REGISTRANTS – After May 25th - It sometimes happens that we get individuals friends and relatives of our trip attendees who want to sign on at the last minute.  While we can accommodate a late registrant, we often incur additional expenses, sometimes having to pay additional fees for hotels, transportation, etc.   Therefore, if you register after June 1, 2010, there will be an additional fee of $300.00.

SINGLE TRAVELERS:  If you would like us to help you find a roommate, we will make an effort to do so but cannot guarantee a match. 

FLIGHT SUGGESTIONS:

Travelling from Arizona:  There are direct flights from Houston to Villahermosa on Continental that take approximately 2½ hours and are Non-Stop.  I personally like leaving from Flagstaff, since the drive is much easier and more pleasant, parking is free, and it makes the whole journey more relaxing. The total travel time from Flagstaff to Villahermosa is about 8 hours.  Flying out of Los Angeles, there is a stopover in Mexico City which adds more time to the travel.

Maya Dream, LLC is not a travel agent.  Maya Dream, LLC is acting as the business agent of Illuminado Tours and services will be provided through Illuminado Tours including all ground transportation expenses inside Mexico, lodging, excursions as noted on the itinerary, entrance fees, guide services, meals detailed on the itinerary.  Illuminado Tours is also providing the services of Miguel Angel Vergara.   Maya Dream, LLC provides the expert guide services of Luminous 1.

All fees are based upon current rates of exchange with the country of travel and are subject to change.  In the unlikely event that a price increase does occur, the additional payment must be made to Maya Dream LLC no later than May 25th, 2010.

TRAVEL INSURANCE is provided  for you, so that you may have peace of mind on your journey.  The specifics of the coverage will be given to you at the time of registration. We highly recommend you acquire Trip Cancellation Insurance. 

TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE is not included but is strongly recommended.  This insurance will cover you if you have to cancel your trip.  There are other coverages available with trip cancellation insurance.  It is inexpensive, and worth the price paid.

REFUND POLICY

Prior to March 22, 2010:  All tour monies received, less a $500 processing fee, will be refunded for cancellations received in writing prior to March 22, 2010

March 23-April 23, 2010:  A cancellation charge of $750.00, plus unrecoverable monies from accommodations, transportation and other deposits made on your behalf, will be withheld for cancellations received in writing March 23 - April 23, 2010.

April 24-May 24, 2010:  A cancellation charge of $1.000, plus unrecoverable monies from accommodations, transportation and other deposits made on your behalf, will be withheld for cancellations received in writing between April 24 – May 24, 2010.

NO REFUNDS as of May 25, 2010:  No refunds will be made for cancellations received on or after the date of May 25, 2010 or for any portion of the trip unattended.  In the event you decide to leave or separate from the tour at any time, there will be no refunds.  You will be asked to sign a declaration stating that it is your decision to leave or separate from the tour so that the proper local officials may be notified, and responsibility may be redirected.  This is a firm policy.  Please do not ask for any deviation from this policy.  Again, we highly recommend you purchase trip cancellation insurance if you have any concerns that you may cancel the trip.

RESPONSIBITIES:

Maya Dream, LLC acts as a business agent through Illuminado Tours.  Maya Dream, LLC is not a travel agent for the suppliers and contractors providing ground transportation, hotels, or any aspects of sightseeing activities.   Neither Maya Dream LLC or Illuminado Tours assumes any responsibility, however caused, for your personal injury or personal property loss or damage in connection with any event or service. 

For any circumstances arising as a result of military, terrorist, political action, weather, acts of God, criminal or negligent acts of others, criminal or negligent acts of the Traveler, or any other circumstances over which Maya Dream, LLC or Illuminado Tours has no control, neither Maya Dream, LLC or Illuminado Tours shall be liable to you.  Maya Dream, LLC and Illuminado Tours reserves the right to alter, change or omit any part of the itinerary, reservation, conveyance or routing at any time without notice, where necessary or deemed advisable for the comfort and well being of the group. 

WRITTEN RELEASE AGREEMENT/MEDICAL RELEASE:

You further agree to sign a Release and Agreement which sets forth the conditions above and such other conditions as may be deemed necessary.  Failure or refusal to sign the Release and Agreement will be grounds for cancellation of your reservation; monies paid to date will not be refunded.

MODIFICATIONS:

It may be necessary, in the future, for Maya Dream, LLC to make changes or modifications of the above “Terms and Conditions” and in that event, Maya Dream, LLC will forward a copy of such modifications to you both by email and postal delivery.  The “Terms and Conditions” in effect on the date that travel begins on July 9, 2010 will be binding on all participants.

For any additional information, please contact:

Luminous 1

928-274-2265

luminousone@esedona.net

www.Luminous1.com