We have an incredible bus tour lined up, commencing in Columbus, Ohio. Our carefully crafted itinerary will take us through remarkable sites that showcase the rich history of the ancient Mound Builders. Get ready to immerse yourself in awe-inspiring landscapes and uncover the mysteries of these ancient earthworks.

We believe this is not just a tour; it’s an incredible opportunity to connect with the past and meet like-minded individuals who share a passion for history and exploration. With expert-led insights, interactive site visits, and a carefully curated itinerary, you will gain a profound understanding of these ancient civilizations and their ceremonial and astronomical mastery.

Your Journey Includes:

• Round-trip transportation via private motorcoach
• Expert-led lectures and guided site visits
• Two nights’ hotel accommodation (Columbus & Chillicothe)
• Daily breakfast at hotels
• One included lunch (boxed lunch from Panera on July 19)
• All site entrance fees
• Insights into the Adena & Hopewell cultures
• Engaging in discussions on ancient North American civilizations
• Please Note: Participation in bus travel is mandatory — self-driving is not permitted due to insurance regulations.

Flights & Transportation

• Arrival: Columbus, OH (John Glenn Columbus International Airport – CMH)
• Departure: Tour ends back in Columbus, OH

Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Columbus, Ohio.

Luxury Accommodations

• Columbus, OH: Hotel TBD (July 18)
• Chillicothe, OH: Hotel TBD (July 19)

Hotel details will be provided closer to departure.

Detailed Daily Itinerary

Friday, July 18, 2025 – Arrival & Lecture

• HOTEL: Columbus, OH (Hotel TBD)
• MEALS: Dinner on your own.
• Arrive in Columbus, Ohio, and check in to the hotel.
• Plan to arrive before 7:00 PM.
• 7:00 – 8:00 PM: Welcome lecture by Greg Little on the Mound Builders and their lasting legacy.
• Overnight in Columbus.

Saturday, July 19, 2025 – A Journey into the Past

• HOTEL: Chillicothe, OH (Hotel TBD)
• MEALS: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch (Panera), Dinner on your own.
• 8:30 AM: Depart from the hotel in Columbus.
• Shrum Mound – A rare glimpse into the ancient Adena culture, this 2,000-year-old burial mound was built by early Native Americans for ceremonial and funerary purposes. Managed by the Ohio History Connection, this site has been preserved as a key link to our past.
• Hopewell Culture National Historical Park – Step into the world of the Hopewell people, a Native American civilization that thrived between 200 B.C. and A.D. 500. Visit the museum, where stunning artifacts like carved pipes, intricate jewelry, and ceremonial objects reveal the complexity of this ancient culture. The interactive exhibits bring their trading networks, astronomical knowledge, and ritual practices to life.
• Seip Mound – Explore one of the largest Hopewell burial mounds, once the heart of a grand ceremonial center. The site encompassed over 120 acres, bounded by two miles of embankment walls forming circles and a 27-acre square, – all aligned with celestial movements. The central mound, rising 30 feet high, contained ceremonial burials with rare artifacts traded from distant lands.
• Lunch: Enjoy a Panera boxed lunch, included in the tour.
• Serpent Mound – Experience one of ancient America’s greatest wonders— the Serpent Mound. This magnificent earthwork, the world’s most famous effigy mound, stretches 1,348 feet in the shape of an undulating serpent. Built by ancient Native American cultures, this National Historic Landmark stands as a testament to thousands of years of Indigenous history. Nearby, explore burial mounds from both cultures and ponder the true purpose of this awe-inspiring site.
• Evening:  Arrive in Chillicothe for an overnight stay.
• Dinner on your own—a free evening to relax or explore Chillicothe.

Sunday, July 20, 2025 – Walking in the Footsteps of the Builders

• HOTEL: None (Travel day – tour concludes in Columbus, OH)
• MEALS: Breakfast
• Depart Chillicothe after breakfast.
• Cross Mound – This intriguing site features a cross-shaped embankment with four equal-length arms, each about 45 feet long and 12 feet wide. At its center lies a circular depression, possibly used for ceremonial purposes. Archaeologists believe Cross Mound may be linked to the Great Hopewell Road, an ancient, sacred pathway stretching over 62 miles to connect key earthwork sites. To the southwest of the mound, a stone cairn and several smaller mounds add to the mystery of its original purpose and function.
• The Great Circle Earthworks  – Experience one of North America’s most remarkable ancient sites. This massive 30-acre ceremonial space, built by the Hopewell people, features towering 8–13-foot embankments and a grand 200-foot gateway. At its heart stands the Eagle Mound, surrounded by a once water-filled ditch. The interior is so vast that the Great Pyramid of Giza could fit within its walls.
• Newark’s Circle & Octagon – Discover an engineering marvel of ancient America. This remarkable complex features a 20-acre circle connected to a 50-acre octagon by a ceremonial passageway. Built by the Hopewell culture between 100 BCE and 400 CE, it stands as the largest earthwork complex in the world, spanning an impressive 3,000 acres.

End of Tour – Return to Columbus, OH, for airport departures or to collect vehicles.

• Lunch is on your own today. – Please bring snacks.

Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime journey to walk among the sacred landscapes of America’s ancient past. Discover the ingenious craftsmanship, celestial wisdom, and spiritual traditions that shaped these monumental earthworks.

Reserve your seat today—spaces are limited!