Reaching Machu Picchu is not so challenging as it was in the past for disabled people, and this is something important and essential in the XXI century. Machu Picchu has been considered one of the less accessible place in the world for years. We all know that visiting this special archeological site is once-in-a-lifetime experience for many travelers and now this wonderful place is finally accessibile to people with reduced mobility. So if you are a person with motor disability you can now enjoy Machu Picchu like anyone else.
As for the beginning of 2018 most of the spots in the ancient ciutadel were accessibile to people with disabilities, obviously not all the areas are accessibile, due to Machu Picchu’s geography and mountainous nature. However, you will be able to visit the site, to feel Machu Picchu special Energy, to take great pictures and to enjoy stunning views of this world’s wonder.
But let’s start from the beginning. To reach Macchu Picchu you have to do several stopsalong the way. First of all you need to get to Cusco from Lima, we suggest you to fly into Cusco, it is faster and easier. Lima’s airport is fully equipped for people with disabilities, as well as Cusco’s. Once you get there you have two options: spend the night in Cusco or be transferred to the Sacred Valley. This is actually a recommended choice if you prefer to avoid altitude sickness, which could bea n issue. Sacred Valley is placed at a lower altitude compared to Cusco, so you might prefer to spend the night there and relax before doing any tour or experience. There are several bus companies equipped for disabled travelers, or you can just take a private taxi to reach the Sacred Valley. Once you are in Ollantaytambo, you need to take the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo. Inca Train’s personnel can assist you getting on and up the train. Once you are there you have to make the last leg of the trip: the bus ride to Machu Picchu ciutadel. The bus is equipped for people with reduced mobility.
It would be advisable to travel with a support group or a travel buddy. Also, there are travel agencies specialized in customized travel packages for disabled people, in case you prefer to travel on your own. They are able to ensure all the assistance you might need.
In any case we suggest you to book in advance your train ticket and your Macchu Picchu entry ticket, at least three months before your trip. Also, try to book in advance your accommodation, especially if you are planning to travel in high season. Thease are the reccommendations we usually give to all of our travellers.
We can say that Peru is becoming a more inclusive tourism destination, and we couldn’t be happier and more proud for it.
This article aims to give you a sample itinerary that you can do in one or two days, this is up to you and you should see how it can fit into the itinerary you planned. You can come back to Lima late at night on the same day or if you prefer you can spend the night in Ica.
Let’s start then! You have to take the bus to Paracas from Lima very early in the morning, around 4:00 am, just check the timetable of the bus company of your preference. I would suggest you to choose Cruz del Sur, which is a very reliable company and it is also considered one of the safest bus lines in the country. The buses are clean and very comfortable! You can actually take advantage of the comfy seats to have a nap during the 3-hour and half trip from Lima to Paracas. Believe this nap is worth it! Just try to rest before your excursion starts, this is going to be a long day.
Once in Paracas, your tour of the reserve will start from “El Chaco” pier, where you board your boat. So first of all you will have a nice and relaxing tour of the reserve by boat during which you could see the famous ”El Candelabro”, a large prehistoric petroglyph of unknown origin spanning over 150 meters high and 50 meters wide, which is considered a mysterious symbol. There are tons of theories on it, one of them states that perhapsthe symbols was used as guide for sailors many years ago. As we approach the islands, you will see the rock formations from every angle as well as the different species of animals and birds that habitat the island, like sea lions, Peruvian booby, cormorans, penguins and much more. There are more of 400 species of flora and fauna in the area, so if you are into nature and wild animals, this is the place to visit!
Once you finish this tour you will have to go back to Paracas bus station to start your bus trip to Ica. Once again I suggest you to go with Cruz el Sur. There’s nothing better to relax a bit after the boat ride during the 1 hour and half bus ride from Paracas to Ica. Before starting your Ica city tour I would advise you to grab some lunch, food and wine are delicious in Ica region, so you have plenty of choices. A very good spot to have lunch is the Las Dunas Hotel, just that you know. During the Ica city tour you will have the chance to visit downtown Ica and the places nearby, then I suggest to make a stop at the Regional Museum, where you can see archeological artifacts from prehistorical to colonial eras, as potteries, textils, mummies, among others. They are all objects from the ancient civilizations who occupied the area: Paracas, Nasca, Wari, Ica – Chincha and Inca.
After the visit to the city main spots you can also drop by one of the vineyards located in the area. Do not forget that Ica region is where the majority of Peruvian wines and Piscos are produced. You will have the chance to learn how the Peruvian national spirit, Pisco, is produced, learn about the different types of Pisco and of course you will be able to taste them, as well as the wine produced in the area. The virieties depends on the different kinds of grape used in the elaboration process.
At the end of the day you will visit The Huacachina Lagoon, also called «El Oasis de America”, there you will enjoy a beautiful view and a sunny landscapes, which are very hard to forget. Take a good camara, since during this long day you will have the opportunity to take some great shots. The oasis is surrounded by sand dunes, palms, huarango trees and beautiful houses. In the oasis you can choose to simply relax and enjoy the sun and the stunning landscape or if you are into active holidays you can try the dune buggies activity and the sandboarding. Before jumping on the buggy make sure that you are with a professional driver. You will basically go up and down the dunes with the buggy and it is a lot of fun. If you are traveling with kids, Huacachina is the place to go, they will enjoy themselves a lot there. You can also try sandboard, which is a very common activity in the area. It is like the snowboarding but it is done on the sand, so if you fall down, i twill be on the sand … how amazing!
At the end of this long day, you can just overnight in Huacachina and enjoy an additional half day there, which is highly reccommended, especially if you are traveling with kids, but if you prefer you can also take the night bus back to Lima. Another possibility is that you take the bus to Nazca, sleep there so that you can fly over the Nazca lines very early the next morning. These are options that I can suggest you if you are planning to spend 4-5 days in Lima, this is a great plan for a day or a two-day trip to escape Lima’s caos.
Intipunku Entry Tickets