Mobility Minimums
!Hi there!
My mom, who’s over 75, has been having trouble with her back and hips. She finds it difficult to walk quickly or easily on uneven terrain, and stairs pose a significant challenge. Despite these difficulties, she’s determined that we go on this trip.
I’m hoping to get some feedback from you all. Can she manage to participate in the trip, or should we consider letting her sit out where needed?
Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated!
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Comments
I did this trip several years ago. It is one of the more rugged trips. Not only will she have difficulty, but she will ruin the experience for the rest of the group.
I agree with BKMD, the conditions are challenging
agreed..............................
We took this tour in November 2024. It was one of the most active Tauck tours we’ve taken. I think back and hip problems would cause her to miss quite a bit of the tour. I’d suggest putting it off until her issues are resolved.
Wanderingsole, I feel so sorry for your mom. It must be so hard to want to be active when your joints are not cooperating. I have been on both the Patagonia and Australia/NZ trips, and I think if she has trouble with stairs and irregular surfaces she is going to miss a lot and it just won't be worth it. I would suggest to find a non-Tauck trip that focuses on just New Zealand south island. The scenery and nature are spectacular. When I was researching ways to tour New Zealand, I came across a number of land group tours and also cruises, so there are lots of choices out there. Lastly, you could also consider arranging a private tour at your own pace. Best of luck.
There is a lot of walking, rugged terrain and stairs on this trip. Even the Singular hotel has a lot of walking and stairs in the layout. The parks have uneven trails. The Perrito Moreno Glacier is all metal stairs and walkways which may be slippery. One of the parks involves a very bumpy long ride in a 4 x 4 with a hike at the top to see the views. In addition, the bus rides are long. This is not the trip for her. Go on a river boat cruise. Use your insurance and book something else. BKMD is right. She won’t be able to enjoy herself and she may significantly affect other people’s experience.
Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I was recently on a trip where several people overestimated their abilities and it was a disaster for everybody on the tour.