Updated June 08, 2015.

Accessible adventure travel is a way for individuals to enjoy quality tours that are designed with their mobility issue in mind. Many accessible adventure travel tours are specifically designed for individuals who use wheelchairs, but they also accommodate others who use walkers, crutches or who are differently-abled and their caregivers. Adventure travel for the disabled includes tours of exotic or unusual locations, an opportunity to engage with local people at the destination, and a modified physical activity.

Accessible Adventure Travel Agents

If you have never tried adventure travel, it may be a good idea to start with a travel agent who is familiar with booking tours for individuals with accessibility needs. While the United States has the Americans with Disabilities Act to assure accessible accommodations, it is not the same in other countries. An accessible adventure travel agent can help you book a tour that includes accommodations, meals and tours with verified tour guides that won’t leave you stranded in unfamiliar territory.

If you choose to make your own travel arrangements, do your research online before booking anything. A good place to find out information about other countries and cultures is to visit forums on the Internet. You’ll likely find locals who can tell it like it is, including whether that photo of a hotel posted on a website is really accurate.

Cost of Adventure Travel

Adventure travel may cost more than regular visits to another country because they usually include the use of many locals to give you an authentic view of life in an exotic locale.

The cost of travel may also be slightly higher because of the various types of transportation that may be needed to get you to exotic locations. Accessible travel adventures may include the use of planes, helicopters, boats and all-terrain vehicles to get you to each destination you’ll be visiting. Many travelers have reported that the cost of an adventure travel tour is approximately $50 more per day that you would pay for a regular trip to a tourist destination.

Adventure travel tours often include guides and assistants that can help you navigate difficult terrain with your mobility devices so that you can usually travel without a caregiver if you don’t want one.

Additional Travel Considerations

Will you be traveling abroad? If so, there are some important things for you to consider well ahead of the expected date of departure:

Passports. If you need a passport you should apply for it at least 2 months in advance of your trip. For those U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, you can obtain an enhanced driver’s license from your local Department of Motor Vehicles to use in place of a passport.

Medications and Physicians. When traveling with medications, leave them in the original bottles with the medication name and doctor’s information clearly listed. This will help get you through baggage checks without being pulled aside for an inquiry about your medication’s origin. If possible, get a second prescription to carry with you in the event your luggage is misplaced.

Occasionally disabled travelers who have special needs may need to see a physician on their trip. Before you leave for another country be sure to have the name and number of a physician whom you can call upon should the need arise. Your primary care physician should be able to assist you in locating a reputable doctor at your travel destination.

Wheelchairs. Are you traveling with a wheelchair? Depending upon the size and weight of the wheelchair, you may be able to place a bungee cord around it so that it can be stored up front in the cabin if traveling by air. Some wheelchairs are so light and compact that they may even fit in the overhead compartment on your flight. Check with your travel agent or air carrier about their wheelchair policies and what to expect upon arrival at the airport.

Travel Deals

Adventure travel tours are similar to other types of tours, which means that a budget-conscious traveler can save money by watching out for discounted trips. Ways to find these deals includes signing up for tour newsletters or alerts from travel websites and discussing your plans with a travel agent who can watch out for deals for you. In addition, some tours offer discounts if you buy your tickets well in advance of your tour. However, be wary of buying your tickets too far in advance; use your credit card, not debit card, to buy tickets so that you can recover your investment if a tour group goes out of business.