Explore Machu Picchu in a Wheelchair!

Travelers from around the world dream about going to Machu Picchu, our own pride and joy and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. However, due to its geography and location, Machu Picchu has always been a difficult place to access which complicates travel plans for people with some kind of disability, such as people who need a wheelchair.

But this is no longer an issue! In the last months, Machu Picchu has become a much more accessible place for people with reduced mobility thanks to the idea Chilean youths came up with. These enterpreneurs created Wheel the World, a travel agency dedicated to adventurers with reduced mobility that have the desire to explore obscure places like Machu Picchu.

At Wheel the World they use special chairs for people with reduced mobility so they can access our incredible World Wonder and explore it all. Because everybody has to visit Machu Picchu at least once in their lifetime!

Which activities can you do in Cusco in a wheelchair?

Besides visiting Machu Picchu, when you plan your trip to Cusco you will realize there are an infinity of places you can see, both in the city like in its surroundings.

Although Cusco’s streets are made of cobblestone paving, and possibly a bit complicated to access for people with reduced mobility, there are 100% accessible places for tourists on wheelchairs.

The Plaza de Armas and its cathedral, the Piedra de los 12 Angulos, Qoricancha, and the Mercado de San Pedro in Cusco city are some of the places you will be able to access on a wheelchair without major problems.

Also, in the surroundings of Cusco and, especially, in the Valle Sagrado there are different destinations of easy access for people with reduced mobility. In Cusco city you will find a variety of specialized agencies of this type of tourism that offer private packages that will help you get to know places like: Maras, Moray, Qenqo, or Sacsayhuaman with all of the facilities.

Which transportation can you use in Cusco and Machu Picchu with a wheelchair?

The majority of travel agencies that offer their services to explore Cusco’s surroundings travel by bus to different places of easy access. This way, excursions to destinations to Valle Sagrado, for example, should not present major difficulties for people with reduced mobility.

In regards to the trip to Machu Picchu, remember that, to arrive from Cusco, you will have to make several stops in different places. The first one is at Ollantaytambo, where you can arrive by bus from an agency’s service or by taxi.

From here, you will have to take the train to Machu Picchu with Inca Rail where our collaborators will be of service so you can access the train without any problem and enjoy a marvellous experience through the Andes.

From Machu Picchu to the Inca Citadel you will have to go by bus. These buses are prepared and offer access for people with reduced mobility.

What other people with a disability will be able to visit Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is an open space to the public. People who have a minor disability will be able to explore both the citadel like the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains without problems. Those who have a more severe disability like blindness or reduced mobility must always be accompanied by a support group.

Final Recommendations

As you can see, your visit to Machu Picchu is already a dream come true for those  with reduced mobility. However, for you to visit Cusco and our Inca Citadel without any troubles, here are some tips:

• Make your hotel reservations in advance. The Cusco and Aguas Calientes streets are very steep and it is difficult to mobilize in a wheelchair looking for a place to stay. Therefore, we recommend you plan your trip ahead of time and make your hotel reservations in easy access rooms.
• Purchase your Machu Picchu entrance and train tickets beforehand. Machu Picchu is a destination that is on many travelers’ lists from around the world. This is why the entrance tickets to the citadel and the train tickets get sold out (especially during high season). To avoid any inconvenience, we recommend purchasing both your entrance and train tickets ahead of time.
• If you wish to make the trip on your own, it is preferable if you are accompanied by at least two people so they can help you during the difficult parts of the road. If you wish to travel with agencies like Wheel the World, they offer you all of the services you need in order to mobilize throughout the citadel.