Tour BoM

Tour Itinerary June 4 - June 15, 2025
George Potter is the author of 13 documentary films and seven books on the historicity of the Book of Mormon. His latest book, Discovering the Amazing Jaredites follows his milestone works, Lehi in the Wilderness (endorsed by Dr. Hugh Nibley), Nephi in the Promised Land, and The Voyages of the Book of Mormon. George has made presentations of his discoveries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chaplains Conference, the Ensign Magazine, BYU FARMS (Neal Maxwell Institute), and many LDS stakes and wards. While living in Saudi Arabia the past 27 years, he traveled extensively in search of Lehi’s Trail. He is credited with discovering The Valley of Lemuel, the River Laman, Shazer, the Most Fertile Parts, Nephi’s Harbor at old world Bountiful, and the place where the Jaredites built their barges. In Peru, where he served his mission, the has located probable Book of Mormon sites: City of Nephi, Zarahemla, Bountiful, the narrow neck of land, the four seas of the Nephites, the first city of the Jaredites and many other Book of Mormon candidates. George is a certified public accountant by profession and earned a Master’s degree at the University of California, Berkeley. George will be featured in a several episodes of Scripture Central’s The Greatest of the Evidences Series, including filming sites in Peru, Oman and Saudi Arabia. He is now retired and lives in Elk Ridge, Utah. INCA TRACES is an LDS owned travel agency in Peru INCA TRACES has been recognized by Tripadvisor was a “Traveler’s Choice: which is reserved for only the top 10% of the providers on the Tripadvisor website.

Day 1: Welcome to Perú

June 4 – Wednesday
Recommended flight from SLC or LAX arriving at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima at 11:30 PM (International Airfare not included). Transferred to your hotel in Lima. If you arrive any time on the 28th or 29th you will be picked up at the airport and driven to the hotel.

Day 2: The Land of Desolation

June 5 – Thursday
Rest until 1:00 PM. Welcome to the Rimac valley where Lima is located. The Incas call the Rimac Valley “the land of the people of desolation.” As you will learn, the valley actually matches the features of the Book of Mormon land of desolation. Following your welcome, you will visit the famed Larco museum of archaeology. It  is considered one of the primer museums in all the Americas, and will provide you with the latest theories on the ancient history of Peru. Next you will visit one of the remaining pyramids, and see the mummy exhibit. As the Spanish city of Lima expanded all but 2 of its 37 ancient pyramids in the area were destroyed. In the evening, you will be treated to a welcoming dinner at a traditional Peruvian food restaurant, and a presentation by George Potter on Lehi’s Trail

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3: Gold of the Nephitas, LDS Temple, Historic Lima

June 6 – Friday
We start the morning with a short photo session at the LDS Lima Temple, Next you will enter the vaults of the Museum of Gold. This spectacular and unique museum is dedicated to metallurgy, a technology the Book of Mormon people mastered. Metalwork did not exist in Book of Mormon times north of Panama. The Museum has a collection of eight thousand pieces, many made by goldsmiths during the Book of Mormon period. In this museum we can find a variety of artifacts such as precious metals gold and silver, multiple textiles, ceramics, mummies, trophy heads and other valuables of the time as the replica of the lord of Sipan, a tomb comparable to the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen. A short distance from the Museum of Gold. We will then visit the Historical Center of Lima, where you will appreciate see monuments and colonial edifications, such as the Paseo de la República, the San Martín Square, the Main Square, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral Basilica, and the City Council Palace. Finally, we will be a visit of the underground vaults, known as “Catacumbas” or Catacombs.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

Day 4: Caral, First Home of The Jaredites

June 7 – Saturday
Early pick-up from your hotel. Departure to the Archaeological Centers of Caral, the craddle if civilization in the Western Hemisphere. Caral is the only civilization in the Americas that dates to the period of the early Jaredites, pre-dating any civilizations north of Panama by 1500 years. The great pyramids of Caral are believed to have been constructed before the pyramids of Egypt. Citadel of Caral is located in the left side of the lower half valley of Supe. It occupies 163 acres. It comprises a central zone with 32 public structures and several residential complexes. In the central space of the Sacred City of Caral are the public and domestic buildings of greater status. On the afternoon bus ride back to Lima, we till stop for lunch. Time permitting we will stop for a photo shot at the new LDS Lima Los Olivos Temple dedicated January 2024.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Narrow Neck of Land and The Sacred City of Pachacamac

Jun 8 – Sunday
Attend LDS Church services in Miraflores Lima. After church, we transfer from your hotel in Lima to take the Bus to Pachacamac (one of the Inca names for Jesus Christ). Visit the Sanctuary of the Pachacamac God, believed to be the creator of the universe adored by some Andean civilizations. The site comprises the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of Pachacamac (the bearded white god) and the Acllahuasi or Palace of the Virgins of the Sun. We will stop for lunch on our way to the city of Paracas for our overnight stay. Hotel has a nice pool, so perhaps a chance for an evening swim.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 6: The Land of Bountiful Paracas – Nazca – Lima

June 9 – Monday
From our hotel in Paracas we will take a boat (weather permitting) to see the famous Paracas Candelabra (Tree of Life), an 600 feet tall figure dating back to 250 B.C. and the beautiful Ballestes Islands, a beautiful nature reserve. We will then board a plane in Paracas and fly over the Nazca Lines. These enormous lineal drawings of animals, birds and geometric figures remain etched in the desert and they can only be appreciated from the air. On returning from Paracas we will take our bus back to Lima or fly from Paracas to Cusco (if flights are scheduled).

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 7: Cusco – The City of Nephi

June 10 – Tuesday
Transfer to Lima´s Airport to take your flight to the Inka captial of Cusco. Afternoon we will have a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco visiting the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha (Nephi’s Temple). Time for shopping

Meals Included: Breakfast.

DAY 8: Cusco - Sacsayhuaman - Sacred Valley

June 11 – Wednesday
We will first visit a private orphanage in Cusco. The visit was one of the most memorable events of the 2024 Tour. We will then drive out of the City to visit the impressive Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, of Book of Mormon fame. The fortress was strategically built on a hill overlooking Cusco and famous for its enormous carved stones, some of them standing over 9m / 30ft high and weighing over 350 tons. It is the fortress above the City of Nephi that is described in the Book of Mormon. We will continue to the green and fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas lined by imposing mountains. On our way, you can visit the famous Pisac market where you can buy alpaca goods and other souvenirs. Next we head to Urubamba River where you will enjoy a riverside banquet of foods from throughout Peru.
In the afternoon we invite you to visit the great Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, where the Incas led by Manco Inca defeated the Spanish for the first time. We will visit one of the last three traditional Inca houses in Ollantaytambo. Finally we will board the train to Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu station from Ollantaytambo. Reception and transfer to your hotel in Aguas Calientes, your guide will give an explanation of the timing of the tour to Machu Picchu the next day.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Machu Picchu!

June 12 – Thursday
Early in the morning, after taking a 25 minutes bus ride we get to the great Inca city: Machu Picchu, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. You will be given a tour by the Incan streets and the interesting places like the Temple of the Sun, the shrine of the Pachamama, Quarries, the Solar Clock or Intihuatana, among others amazing places. After the tour you will have your own time to enjoy beautiful Machu Picchu. In the afternoon you will have a train ride back to Ollantaytambo and from the train station we will transport you on a private bus back to the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Cusco.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10: Cusco to Zarahemla

June 13 – Friday
Early departure by bus from the City of Cusco. We proceed to the village Raqchi, where we can see a spectacular Inca Sanctuary built by the Inca Pachacutec, and dedicated to the Inca God White God of Viracocha. It was built to commemorate the visit of the bearded fair-skinned God who visited Raqchi and performed a miracle there. It has a great central wall with a stone base of fine Inca architecture. Other walls are made of giant adobe bricks. The structure also has two circular lateral columns. You will learn how the Inca temple ceremonies had many things in common with LDS temples. Near the Temple are 165 Inca silos that were once used for housing and food storage. The Incas were taught by their fair-skinned God to store food and othere essential. We will enjoy Andean buffet lunch. On the way, we stop in LA RAYA pass at 14,300 feet in altitude. Don’t worry, our bus carries oxygen. The pass marks the ancient boundary between Puno and Cusco, and is a possible Book of Mormon battle site. It is also a great area to photograph llamas and alpacas and to shop.
Next we travel along the High Plateau of Collao, stopping at the town of Pukara to visit the impressive Temple of Kalasaya and the ruins from the ancient Pucara Culture, the probable capital of the Book of Mormon empire of Zarahemla. Bus presentations throughout the day by George Potter. Upon our arrival at Lake Titicaca we transfer to your hotel in Puno.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Uros Islands and Taquile

June 14 – Saturday
Early transfer to the local dock on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. The massive lake was the Book of Mormon’s East Sea. The Quechua name for the lake is Concha or “Sea Titicaca.” From Puno after 45 minutes boat ride you will get to the famous floating islands of the Uros Indians. The islands are inhabited by ancient people even now dedicated to fishing, hunting and trading. If available we will visit LDS Uros Indians still living on their own island.

We then continue to Taquile Island, a World Heritage Site, made famous because of the quality of the fabrics made mostly by men – women are not allowed to do these crafts, lunch in a typical restaurant belonging to the cooperative of the. Visit the craft shops of the cooperative in the main square where they sell exceptional products of high quality made of alpaca wool.
Transfer back to your Hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: Juliaca - Lima

June 15 – Sunday

Attend a 9:00 AM session of Church in Juliaca or Puno. Visit the ruins of Sillustani. Stop in Juliaca for a final opportunity to purchase Alpaca souvenirs. Finally check in to the airport at Juliaca to take your flight back to Lima at 3:30 PM arriving in Jorge Chávez International Airport at 6:00 PM marking the end of the tour.

(Recommend booking return flight on Delta to LAX or SLC at 1:00 AM June 9, arriving in SLC at 12:52 PM)

 

Optional for those staying over – Day 12 – Return to Cusco and hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This option will need to be book directly with Inca Traces and is not covered in the tour.

From where you will take your flight back to home. Also, Optional take tour to the Isle of the Sun and Tiwanaku in Bolivia. For details, contact George.

Meals Included: Breakfast

END OF THE TOUR AND GOODBYE TO PERU

Tour Details

Included in the Tour

  • • PRIVATE guiding service for all transfers and excursion tours where mentioned.
    Flight from Lima to Cusco.
    Flight from Juliaca to Lima.
    • Private local guides at Machu Picchu, Caral, Pachamanac, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca
    • Transfers from airports to hotels and back, all these are private transports.
    • Train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
    • Train ride to return to Ollantaytambo.
    • Round trip bus to Machu Picchu.
    • Private Tourist Bus to all locations
    • Plane flight over the Nazca lines.
    • Entrance fees to all places during sightseeing in Lima, Caral, Nazca, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, Uros, Taquile.
    • Meals where mentioned above
    • 11 days of accommodation at selected three star hotels.
    • Book per group: Nephi in the Promised Land

    Assistance 24 / 07.

Not Included in the Tour

  • International flights to and from Lima.
  • Excess of baggage or charges for the same issue.
  • Aspects of personal nature such as gratuities to guides, drivers, calls, fax and Internet use, laundry, beverages or food not mentioned in the final itinerary.

Prices and Booking

Price per person double occupancy, $3790
Single room supplement, $925.

Booking

Please let George Potter know if your are considering this amazing Book of Mormon Tour. The group size is limited to 20 people. Further, to reserve, please make a deposit of $1675 dollars per person on or before February 20, 2025. Policies and Guidelines will be sent to you on receiving your deposit. The travel agency does not accept verbal promise to join the tour. Due to advance payments required for hotels, domestic airfares and transportation services the deposit is non-refundable. 

Deposit

If extension is needed email George Potter at: follownephi@yahoo.com.

MODE OF PAYMENT
Payment can be made by check payable to George Potter at 93 S Fremont Way, Elk Ridge, Utah, 84651 or a cash deposit to:

Bank: America First Credit Union 

Branch: Brigham City Branch

Route number:  324377516

Account  Number:  28223246.

Make your reservation by check, or by VENMO at george-potter-14 (last four digits of phone number is 1948) or direct bank deposit.

 

Note: Scanned/photograph the deposit slip and send it to his email account follownephi@yahoo.com, along with the names and ages of the travelers and whether the hotels will be double or single occupancy.

Once you have made your deposit, please send to follownephi@yahoo.com the following information needed to book domestic flights in Peru.

Full names as they appear on passports:
Passport numbers:
Passport Issue dates:
Passport expiration dates:
Dates of Birth:

 

Remaining Balance Fully Paid

The remaining balance should be paid by April 30, 2025.  Same mode of payment is required.

Please take a photo of any payment document and send it to email: follownephi@yahoo.com.

 If you have questions, please address them to George Potter at follownephi@yahoo.com.

 

Thank you

Stay

Days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. Hotel José Antonio, Lima

Day 5. Casa Andina Standard Paracas

Days 7, 8 and 10. Hotel San Agustín Dorado, Cusco

Day 9. Casa Andina Standard, Machu Picchu

Days 11. GHL Lago Titicaca

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Far behind the majestic Andes mountains, in the heart of Peru, lies the historic city of Cusco, home to ancient cultures and ancestral secrets.