Vacations for people with limited mobility

Planning a vacation when you or your traveling companions have limited mobility requires that little bit extra attention to detail. Not everyone is content to stay close to their accommodation the whole time, but you need to ensure the itinerary is not going to prove exhausting or limiting. Our range of limited mobility vacations encourage you to get out and see the world one step at a time.

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Vacations for people with limited mobility

Limited mobility doesn’t automatically translate to limited imagination or ambition. We feature a sizeable (and growing) number of vacations, both small group tours and tailormade itineraries, that run the gamut from recuperative to adventurous, in destinations from Catalonia in Spain, to the mountains of Rwanda, and the Golden Triangle in India. What all of these trips have in common is that they take into account the need to adapt activities, but also assume that with the right assistance in place a person with limited mobility can do practically anything that an able-bodied traveler can.

In some cases you may find it useful to travel with an able-bodied companion for support. But on yoga vacations in Portugal and horse riding vacations in Spain the accommodation is set up so that you should be able to get around just fine by yourself. On tours of India the itineraries are carefully crafted around the individual needs of a group with mixed disabilities, with detailed assessments performed before departure, and one-on-one assistance can be provided wherever you need it.

Our suppliers appreciate that some travelers will be fine walking for a short distance while others will need a stick(s) or a wheelchair, and that they may also have specific requirements when it comes to accommodation, from ground floor rooms to walk-in showers. On more demanding trips, such as African safaris or tours of Japan, you can also be provided with comprehensive details of what terrain to expect in each place, how far you’ll need to be able to walk and what assistance is available.

Recent years have seen considerable improvements in transport for passengers with limited mobility, especially at airports and train stations, but that has not always been matched by innovation and ambition in destinations or itineraries. We believe – with enough advanced notice of a person’s requirements – that the travel industry as a whole can become a great deal more accessible. Read on to learn what we’ve found so far.

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Accommodation

The trips we feature either have accommodation that has been specifically adapted to meeting the requirements of people with limited mobility, or can be appropriate with a little flexibility on behalf of the traveler and the operator.

So, with the wellness retreats we feature in Spain and Portugal for instance, the hotels are fully accessible (though the surrounding landscape may be less so). On safaris in Botswana you’ll stay in bush camps where tents are grouped closely together to minimise the walking needed, and lodges with ground floor rooms, perhaps enjoying a restorative massage in the evenings after your exertions. Game drives on African safaris involve either specially adapted vehicles, or being helped in and out by rangers. In South Africa, itineraries can allow for door-to-door transfers between restaurants, attractions and hotels.

Recuperation

Since limited mobility is not always a permanent condition, due perhaps to illness, surgery or long-standing health issues, many travelers can benefit immensely from a stay at a wellness retreat. Here, itineraries may focus on fitness and flexibility, with daily yoga or Pilates sessions to improve muscle toning and ease of movement, and with doctors, counsellors and rehabilitation specialists on-site on targeted programs. If you are looking to build strength and mobility again, these trips offer supportive, nurturing environments.

There are yoga retreats in Portugal, set in idyllic rustic surrounds, with the opportunity to indulge in mud baths and outdoor swimming. There are luxurious spa escapes in the Maldives. There are self guided cycling trips in Catalonia with level hiking paths, ramps where necessary, and sports coaches and massage therapists at hand.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Accessible Travel or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

Toll free 1-866-821-6866

Calling us from outside the US?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Toll free 1-866-821-6866

Calling us from outside the US?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Our travel team is always happy to discuss your particular requirements when it comes to accessibility. If we know early in the process exactly what you need then through communication with suppliers we can make appropriate vacation recommendations, and ensure that every aspect of your trip will meet your needs, from accommodation to meals and support.

Adventure

For those that refuse to let limited mobility get in the way of pushing the boundaries in travel we have an inspiring range of adventurous trips, some of which can be tailored to solo travelers, others more doable when you travel with an able-bodied companion. Exploring the iconic landmarks of India’s Golden Triangle, the temples of Japan, or the incredible wildlife of Botswana, Tanzania and Uganda – there are no boundaries on these vacations.

You might explore the wild and beautiful landscapes of Antarctica aboard a luxury expedition vessel, with passenger lifts on all floors and trained staff available to help with shore excursions. You’ll be able to participate in all activities from whale watching to visiting penguin rookeries. You can self drive the classic Garden Route in South Africa, pausing in the Winelands and for a game drive in Kruger National Park, with well planned itineraries that keep the amount of walking involved to a minimum. And you can even trek to see the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park with the friendly assistance of porters that can carry you in (relative) comfort on a throne chair over the rugged terrain.

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