Most disabilities shouldn’t stop anyone from traveling. However, Peru is considerably less equipped for accessible travel than are most parts of North America and Europe. Comparatively few hotels are outfitted for travelers with disabilities, and only a few restaurants, museums, and means of public transportation make special accommodations for such patrons. There are few ramps, very few wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, and almost no telephones for the hearing-impaired. Though it continues to lag behind Europe and North America, Peru has been seeking to make its tourist infrastructure more accessible to people with disabilities. In 1998, Peru initiated a countrywide project targeting tourism establishments to improve facilities. Request a copy of “Tourism for the People with Disabilities: The First Evaluation of Accessibility to Peru's Tourist Infrastructure,” available from the Peruvian embassy in your home country, before your visit to Peru. The 99-page report features evaluations of hotels, restaurants, museums, attractions, airports, and other services in Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, and beyond.
A helpful website for accessible travel in Peru is Accessible Travel Peru (http://accessibletravelperu.com), which offers tours and other information on accessible travel in Peru.
Many travel agencies offer customized tours and itineraries for travelers with disabilities. Apumayo Expediciones (www.apumayo.com; tel. 054/246-018) is way out in front in Peru, offering tours specifically designed for travelers with physical disabilities. Accessible Journeys (www.disabilitytravel.com; tel. 800/846-4537 or 610/521-0339) caters specifically to slow walkers and wheelchair travelers and their families and friends. InkaNatura Travel (www.inkanatura.com) is also particularly well equipped to deal with travelers with disabilities: Beyond the website’s specifics on Peru, it is an excellent resource with all kinds of general information and answers to frequently asked questions about traveling with disabilities.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
