Many people with disabilities wonder if they can visit the Inca city of Machu Picchu. The answer is yes, however, there are some limitations. The Inca citadel does not have ramps so it is necessary the help of one or two people to overcome the stone steps. Know some recommendations to visit Machu Picchu if you are a person with some kind of physical disability.

• Can people with physical disabilities visit Machu Picchu?
• Which people with disabilities will need assistance to tour the Inca city of Machu Picchu?
• Which Machu Picchu ticket do we recommend to book?
• What is the best route to Machu Picchu for visitors with disabilities?
• Travel recommendations for people with disabilities
• Frequently asked questions about travel to Machu Picchu for visitors with disabilities.

A dream come true – A visit to Machu Picchu

Is there a special entrance to Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu has six types of tickets: the Machupicchu ticket only, the Machupicchu + Huaynapicchu ticket, the Machupicchu + Mountain ticket, the Machupicchu + Huchuypicchu ticket and the Machupicchu + Inca Bridge ticket. For a special visit, for example, in a wheelchair, it is recommended to choose the tickets that allow you to make the circuit 3 or 4, by the lower part. These are the Machupicchu + Huaynapicchu ticket, the Machupicchu + Mountain ticket, or the Machupicchu + Huchuypicchu ticket. This circuit allows a nice photo, as well as a tour of Inca temples.

Can people with physical disabilities visit Machu Picchu?

• Machu Picchu is a tourist destination suitable for everyone.
• However, unfortunately, the archaeological site does not have adequate access and signage for visitors with any type of physical disability.
• For example, in the Inca citadel, there are no ramps for easy access for tourists in wheelchairs. Or there are no information panels in Braille.
• However, it is possible to visit Machu Picchu. Tourists with some kind of physical disability must hire a specialized tourism agency or make their visit on their own, always with the support of one or two other people.
• However, to facilitate the access of visitors in wheelchairs, visitors with some physical ailment, or older adults, a short route was created to facilitate the transfer. This is circuit 3 or 4, which allows you to see the stone buildings of the lower part of Machu Picchu.
• Machu Picchu is open to everyone every day of the year from 6 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.

Which people with disabilities will need assistance to tour the Inca city of Machu Picchu?

• Visitors with hearing disabilities will need a specialized tour guide who knows sign language. They will have no problem doing the classic circuit (1 or 2), which also allows them to reach the sector of the Guardian House and get the most famous picture of Machu Picchu.
• Visitors with some type of motor disability will need the company of a guide and at least one other person to help them climb the stone steps (there are no ramps at the archaeological site). They need to do circuit 3 or 4 in their visit to Machu Picchu. This circuit allows you to visit the lower part of the Inca citadel where you get a nice view and visit part of the stone buildings.
• Visually impaired visitors must be accompanied by a specialized tour guide. It is permitted to enter the archeological site accompanied by a guide dog. These visitors can take any of the four available circuits. It is recommended to do circuit 1, which includes the classic postcard photo, as well as the visit to most of the Inca constructions.
• Machu Picchu is a city of stone, the incredible constructions, staircases, and paths, everything is made of stone, and it can be difficult for people with severe disabilities.
• People who visit Machu Picchu at the same time as you will help you; however, if you come in a wheelchair or suffer from total blindness, you will need more than just the help of other visitors.

Which Machu Picchu ticket do we recommend to book?

These are the tickets to Machu Picchu and the recommendations, according to the type of physical disability:

• Machupicchu Ticket only – This ticket includes the visit to the archaeological site in Circuit 1 or 2. It is recommended for visitors with hearing or visual disabilities. It allows the classic postcard photo and the tour of most of the Inca constructions.
• Machupicchu Ticket + Huaynapicchu – This ticket includes the visit to the archaeological site in circuit 4. It is recommended for visitors with motor disabilities. It allows a beautiful photo from the lower part of the Inca citadel. It also allows you to visit important Inca temples.
• Machupicchu Ticket + Mountain – This ticket includes the visit to the archaeological site in circuit 3. It is recommended for tourists with motor disabilities. It allows a beautiful photo from the lower part of Machupicchu. It also allows us to see important Inca constructions.
• Machupicchu Ticket + Huchuypicchu – This ticket offers a visit to the archaeological site in circuit 4. It is recommended for tourists with some type of motor disability. It allows a nice view of Machupicchu from the lower part. It also allows the visit to Inca temples.
• Machupicchu Ticket + Inca Bridge – This ticket offers a visit to Machupicchu through Circuit 1 or 2. It is recommended for tourists with hearing or visual disabilities. It allows the classic postcard photo and the tour of most of the temples and stone structures. It is not recommended to visit the Inca Bridge (roads near cliffs).

What is the best route to Machu Picchu for visitors with disabilities?

• There are three routes to reach Machu Picchu: a) the 4-day walking route through the Inca Trail, b) the alternative route by Hydroelectric in the jungle of Cusco, or c) the classic train route. The latter is the safest, fastest, and most suitable for people with physical disabilities.
• The train route starts in the city of Cusco. Usually, a trip is made by land transport to Ollantaytambo. There you board the train to the town of Aguas Calientes. Finally, the stretch to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu. This route takes a total of 4 hours.
• Unfortunately, however, many transportation services are not suitable for tourists with motor disabilities, such as visitors in wheelchairs.
• Tourist trains do not have ramps or internal spaces for wheelchairs. Tourists will need the support of the staff in charge of the train, both to access, to descend, and to settle into a seat.
• The same is true for the final stretch from Aguas Calientes to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu by tourist bus. It is recommended to have the support of a friend, partner, or family member.

Travel recommendations for people with disabilities

• Book Machu Picchu tickets in advance.
• Book train tickets in advance, they sell out very fast, so do it after booking Machu Picchu tickets.
• Book hotels, you will not like having to wander around the town of Aguas Calientes looking for a hotel, the streets are very steep and do not have wheelchair access. But you can find hotels very close to the train station.
• In case you need a wheelchair we recommend you come with at least 2 people to help you, do not forget that half of the tour of Machu Picchu is carried through stone steps.
• Yes, it is true that blind people cannot see the incredible structures of Machu Picchu, but if someone describes them to them they will be amazed. On the other hand, we know from experience that blind people are more sensitive to feeling the energy of Machu Picchu.

Frequently asked questions about travel to Machu Picchu for visitors with disabilities.

• Does Machu Picchu have wheelchair access ramps?

  No, unfortunately, the archaeological site of Machu Picchu does not have wheelchair ramps. It is recommended to be accompanied by your guide, friends, partner, or family to negotiate the sections with stone steps.

• Can I visit Machu Picchu with a guide dog?

  Although it is not allowed to enter Machu Picchu with dogs or pets, it is allowed in the case of guide dogs.

• How to get a tour guide with knowledge of sign language?

  Guides with knowledge of sign language are very few in Machu Picchu. The best way to get one is to hire one through the internet with a specialized tourist agency in Cusco.

• Does the train to Machu Picchu have wheelchair spaces?

  No, the train to Machu Picchu does not have wheelchair spaces. However, the staff on board will help you get to your seat in the best way possible.

• Does the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu have wheelchair ramps?

  No, the Consettur tourist bus that covers the Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu route does not have access ramps or spaces for wheelchairs.

• Can I enter Machu Picchu with walking sticks?

  People with motor disabilities can enter with canes or trekking poles, as long as they do not have metal tips.

• What circuit to do in Machu Picchu if I go in a wheelchair?

  For tourists visiting Machu Picchu in wheelchairs, the best option is to choose circuit 3 or 4, which allows a shorter but more accessible tour.

• Which circuit can I do in Machu Picchu if I am visually impaired?

  Visually impaired tourists can do any circuit in Machu Picchu (1, 2, 3, or 4), as long as they are accompanied by a tour guide.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Juan A

“Incredible stone city“

“I recommend taking the first buses in the morning, this can make you find Machu Picchu with fewer people. And Machu Picchu with few people is a treat.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, March 20, 2024