Amazonia Expeditions displayed eye-catching photos of macaws, monkeys, and tranquil canoe scenes. A poster showed their lodge sitting on stilts overlooking a river in the Tamshiyacu-Tahayo Reserve of Peru. They also showed wide-eyed human beings careening along zip lines through the jungle canopy. If ever there was a place where my wheelchair didn't fit, this was it!
Without question this was someplace I wanted to go.
To my surprise this out-of-the-way eco-lodge is outfitted for travelers in wheelchairs. The staff have accommodated both groups and individuals with disabilities there deep in the Amazon. Lodge access is ramped. Some of the boats are outfitted to allow wheelchair users to remain in their chairs. The owners demonstrated a grasp of the issues facing travelers with disabilities and recognized the uniqueness of the experience they are able to offer.
As if on cue, a family who had made the trip with Amazonia Expeditions enthusiastically greeted the staff as they approached the booth and offered their unreserved recommendation encouraging me to go.
I remained interviewing owners Dolores and Paul for quite a while impressed by their philosophy and competencies. It was only afterward that I learned the true extent of the quiet work they do for the people of the region ( http://www.perujungle.com/charitable.html ) Based on what I heard and saw, Amazonia Expeditions is worth looking into if a memorable, jungle experience is what you are looking for.
All-in-all the day's whirlwind around-the-world sample of adventure tour options leaves me hopeful that the industry is slowly catching on and moving to capture a missed opportunity to design inclusive travel.
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