Can I bring my Parkinson’s to Machu Picchu? (Part 1)

Well, that’s a silly question. If you have Parkinson’s, it’s not like you can leave it home in your closet. 

Let’s try this: With my Parkinson’s, will I be able to get around enough to fully enjoy seeing Machu Picchu?

And the answer: If you can walk well with a little assistance, then yes. That’s because YOU can determine the level of difficulty for any “hiking” you’ll do while at the site. In addition, there are places – though limited – where wheelchairs can go. (More on that below.)

Certainly, you’ll face many stairs and inclines – Peru’s famous ruins are on the side of a mountain, after all – but you can go slowly and rest as much as you need to.

(For Part 2, click here.)

Is it on your list?

Machu Picchu can be found on many a “bucket list.” Built high in the Andes Mountains, the site was abandoned in the 1600s during the Spanish Conquest, and it’s one of the few huge pre-Columbian cities that’s still largely intact.

It’s also been named one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The Unshakable Husband and I had long hoped for a chance to visit Machu Picchu. So when family members Bryan and Becky invited us to join them on a trip to Peru, we eagerly signed on.

The Parkinson’s factor

Traveling anywhere with Parkinson’s disease, especially to another country, can be tricky. 

Luckily, the time zone in Peru is the same as Central Daylight Time in the United States. So your medication schedule shouldn’t have to shift much, if at all.

Another bonus for many North Americans is that, with the similar time zones, jet lag isn’t an issue. Still, fatigue might be a problem. It’s a very common symptom of Parkinson’s. 

Be sure to start the trip right, and that is NOT by jumping aboard a red-eye. You may have to dig deeper into the vacation fund to avoid those overnight flights, but it’ll be worth it. Starting a long journey on a sleep deficit is a bad idea for anyone, Parkinson’s or not.

Parkinson’s tip

Build in plenty of downtime for rest. Resist the temptation to pack your days trying to do EVERYTHING. I have that tendency, and lately my body is beginning to protest when I do.

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Most visitors to Machu Picchu use a tour company. The four of us had requested ahead of time to have our own guide for the day, separate from the larger tour group. It cost a little more, but we could set our own pace and go where we wanted. It was totally worth it, and I’d recommend it.

We arrived in Lima and the next morning took a short flight to the mountainous region of Peru. Then we hopped on a chartered bus to a town in what’s known as the Sacred Valley.

Lots of tourists + rain

When we arrived at the entrance to the site, the lines to check in were long, and it was raining lightly. (So much for the theory that if you are prepared with rain jackets it won’t rain.) 

Machu Picchu’s popularity has grown in recent years, and the site was seeing up to 6,000 visitors a day before the pandemic. The government began limiting the number of tourists in order to protect and preserve the fragile features.

Tourism sagged during COVID but has picked up again. Now, a timed entry system is in place, as are limits on the number of “circuits” visitors can walk.

We slowly climbed stairs for about 15 minutes to one of the highest terraces built into the mountain. At lower levels the steps were crowded, and I was glad to get away to the upper areas at the beginning.

It was still overcast, but the wandering llamas didn’t mind that. They didn’t mind us, either. (That’s them in the background.)

Our group of four walked around the ruins with ease now. We’d done most of the hard work at the start, and now we were either on flat ground or stepping downward. We walked past terraces cut into the mountain.

Parkinson’s tip

Trekking poles have recently been banned from Machu Picchu – EXCEPT for use by older or disabled people. And the sticks must have rubber tips, not metal. Definitely bring them if you are worried about your balance.

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Weather will be weather, but we had to focus on what was next for us: climbing Huayna Picchu. That’s the tall mountain seen looming in pictures behind the ruins, and there are steps leading all the way to the top. Tickets for Huayna Picchu were even harder to nab, but we managed to get them, and we had Edwin to lead us. More on that “side trip” in Part 2. 

Should a person with Parkinson’s go?

Machu Picchu is an unforgettable place, with mystery emanating from ancient structures that are amazingly detailed and intact. If you enjoy the outdoors and can deal with adverse weather when it comes, then it’s a no brainer: Save up for a trip. Being there will fill your soul.

If your gait is slow and your balance unsteady bring a cane or rubber-tipped poles.

And if you have “young onset” Parkinson’s, you may get the evil eye from an attendant who thinks you are too young for poles. In that case, bring a doctor’s note stating you need them.

But is it accessible?

The ruins are not exactly wheelchair friendly – in many places, steps are the only way to get around. But there are some areas of Machu Picchu that can be reached. Tourists with a physical disability are encouraged to hire a specialized agency or make their visit on their own, always with the support of one or two other people.

The ticketing website recommends visiting circuits 3 and 4. They allow you to see the lower part of the Inca citadel, where stone buildings are up close and the view is good.

Getting to Machu Picchu might be the biggest challenge: Tourist trains do not have ramps or spaces for wheelchairs.

For more details on access to the site, click here.

Hike info

For Machu Picchu tickets: www.ticketmachupicchu.com

We booked through Exoticca. In Peru, they contracted with Condor Travel, a local tour operator. Call 888-488-0592 or visit www.exoticca.com/us.

Restrooms: available near the main gate. Have 2 soles (Peruvian money unit) ready.

Average daytime temperature: 75 F

Elevation of site: 7970 feet

(For Part 2 on climbing Huayna Picchu, click here.)

(Many thanks to Bryan, Becky, and Jon, who contributed photos.)