If Ammon and his group had "wandered forty days" in their journey from Zarahemla to Lehi-Nephi (Mosiah 7:4,5), then it seems that 40 days would probably represent more of a maximum number of days for traveling from the local land of Zarahemla to the local land of Nephi. According to John Sorenson, in central (mountainous) Guatemala, the following times and distances have been encountered for merchant travel:
The average rate from Chichicastenango to various destinations was 14 miles per day. From Coban and two other places to seven different destinations averaged ten and one-half miles per day. (Lawrence H. Feldman, Moving Merchandise in Protohistoric Central Quauhtemallan)
Two men driving a herd of pigs through mountainous Guatemala traveled 70 rugged trail miles in eight days--less than nine miles per day (the animals were equipped with rawhide sandals to protect their feet!) (Felix Webster McBryde, Cultural and Historical Geography of Southwest Guatemala)
[John L. Sorenson, The Geography of Book of Mormon Events: A Source Book, F.A.R.M.S., 1992, p. 395]
If we allow ten miles a day, then 400 miles would represent a fair estimate for the maximum distance between the land of Zarahemla and the local land of Lehi-Nephi.
“They Came to a Hill”
The journey of Ammon's group ended at a "hill" apparently not very far "north" of the land of Shilom (Mosiah 7:5). From that location they "pitched their tents" (Mosiah 7:5) and then went "down into the land of Nephi" (Mosiah 7:6). Thus, the city of Shilom and the city of Lehi-Nephi were probably visible from the hill. [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]
Mosiah 7:5 They came to a hill, which is north of the land of Shilom ([Illustration]): The valley seen here, where Guatemala City lies, has been identified by a number of students of Book of Mormon geography as the immediate land of Nephi, the first area settled by Nephi, and his party after separating from the Lamanite faction. [According to John Sorenson] the view from the vantage point of the photographer of this scene is the same as that Ammon1 and his group would have had when they came into the land and paused "at a hill, which is north of the land of Shilom" (Mosiah 7:5). From there "they went down into the land of Nephi," where they met King Limhi (Mosiah 7:6). [John L. Sorenson, Images of Ancient America, p. 195]
Mosiah 7:5 They came to a hill, which is north of the land of Shilom ([Illustration]): Looking to the north across the ruins at Mixco Viejo in Guatemala towards hills where ruins have also been discovered. This is much like the description of the view from the Land of Nephi of Shemlon and Shilom in the Book of Mormon. [F. Richard Hauck, "In Search of the Land of Nephi," in This People, Fall 1994, p. 53. (Photography by Scot Facer Proctor)]